leaving your hair alone

does just leaving the hair alone promotes hair growth?

I read it does. I try to leave mine alone, but it's hard

It doesn't promote growth. However, it promotes retention of the hair you do grow.

Sent from my Speak & Spell using LHCF

^^^What she said.

I will say that leaving your hair alone is a good way to grow it incredibly fast.

low/no manipulation and protective styling help with retaining what you grow as stated above. however depending on density of strands and overall density/thickness of your hair will determine what styles your hair may benefit best from the protective styling as ppl have had setbacks. for example too larger or too small braids may be too much stress on the hair for some and cause breakage. For other bunning may cause breakage around the edges or from the bun being put in the same place. Even things like mini twist with no hair added could cause some folks issues, you just have to watch your hair carefully. There are some ladies that never do any of these methods and they retain just fine.

What MileHighDiva said. I retain so much length when my hair is in twists, marleys, and braids.

When my hair is free, it is usually twisted and pinned or cinnamon bunned, and only styled once a week.

I have low/medium density fine strands so it is imperative that in order to alleviate a ton of unnecessary breakage, I simply leave it alone.

I'm a 4b and my hair retains best when it is left completely alone.

ok..............

southerncitygirl said:

low/no manipulation and protective styling help with retaining what you grow as stated above. however depending on density of strands and overall density/thickness of your hair will determine what styles your hair may benefit best from the protective styling as ppl have had setbacks. for example too larger or too small braids may be too much stress on the hair for some and cause breakage. For other bunning may cause breakage around the edges or from the bun being put in the same place. Even things like mini twist with no hair added could cause some folks issues, you just have to watch your hair carefully. There are some ladies that never do any of these methods and they retain just fine.

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Also, treat the hair delicately when handling it. I don't rush when I'm handling my hair. If I'm too busy or if I'm in a hurry to comb or oil my hair, I wait until later when I have plenty of time on my hands. Less manipulation is the key. If I know I’m going to be home for the next two or three days, I don’t comb it. I just leave it in a bun or leave it braided.

^^^
My biggest issue was rushing though my hair and breaking it off. I may style my hair daily but I only comb during washing days and never use a brush. I do need to wash my hair (really, my scalp) twice a week but I tend to leave my hair alone between wash days.

There are also different degrees of leaving hair alone. You don't have to put chains and shackles on your styling tools and avoid visual contact with your hair for three months for it to grow.

I was a weekly heat straightener. Until one summer I cowashed, wore it wet or curly or pinned up. It grew leaps and bounds by the next time I straightened it.

^^^MIne did too. I grew to tailbone length by straightening only 3-4x a year, co-washing, and bunning or wearing it in a ponytail.

I completely leave my hair alone. I'm in nursing school, so my hair is thee last thing I need to worry about. So, I've been wigging it up & is helping a ton! I haven't straightened it for almost 2 years, & I don't plan on doing so until graduation.

i think combing your hair often thins it out. i generally grow my hair out with sew-ins, and this is my second time dealing with the growth post-weave. the first time i paid too much attention to my hair and thinned it out, lost the length. this time i cant be bothered to be in my head all the time with my schedule, and it seems fuller, and is continuing to grow from what i can tell the few times ive straightened it.

I only comb my hair completely out once a week. That I do to simply remove shed hair as finger combing can't do it with these fine strands. I only comb my hair on a wash day or if I'm not going to wash it I will put a serum or oil on it so that it is lubricated and not getting snagged (rarely happens since I only use seamless combs). My hair likes to be left alone.

Years ago when I was doing frequent styling (daily) I had half the length and thickness I have now. I like low maintenance hair and nails. So I put this thang in a bun/twist/braid and under a satin scarf, and lightly smooth the surface, let it out by fingercombing, or resecure the bun if I'm leaving my house.

I even found washing it too frequently was detrimental to my hair. I tried the daily cw thing years ago, and i lost way too much hair. Once every week or 2 is the perfect balance. I use minimal product, no heat, and let it be. Always airdrying has saved a lot of hair from being on the floor as well. Blow dryers kill my hair so I never use them anymore. Even roller sets result in broken pieces of hair coming out with the rollers. So that was cut years ago too.