How To Care For Tbl Real Hair In Protective Styles

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
what patterns do you see?

:wave: Hi @beingofserenity ,
So glad you asked...:jester: It's going to be long...

My observations pertain to hair that is squarely in the 4 range, or hair that looks like mine (3 range) and "acts" and grows like it is type 4 hair. I dislike hair typing but it helps to cut to the chase to get everyone one the same page quickly during a discussion.

My observations for many tail bone length women with afro-textured hair:
  1. Hair is rarely washed more than 1x per week
  2. Hair is washed in braids or twists or sections(one on one attention is given to either each section and/or each braid in that section). This one may seem obvious and well known. But the difference is that these women don't take all braids/twists out at once and combine the hair on a regular basis. Either they undo the hair and leave it in its own section, or they wash, condition and leave all hair in braids/twists. To detangle and comb out, they do one braid at a time, leaving the rest braided or twisted or sectioned but tend to not combine all the hair together.
    • Note: I overlooked this. I have always washed and conditioned my hair in braids. But after I detangled a section, I would combine it with the other sections. Hence, I would always need to use a comb to detangle it and get it back into sections. With these ladies, fingers are used more than the comb.
    • Also, I realized that I have been damaging my hair NOT at the detangling stage, but before, during my braiding and unbraiding. I pull and snatch my hair apart and the force or tension maximized at the ends of my hair causing tangling and breakage. I have been damaging my hair before I even began the detangling process.
    • For the first time EVER in my hair care process, I did not need to use a comb because I washed, oiled and conditioned my hair in braids. I carefully and gently undid a braid, while leaving the rest braided. I put in my leave in and gently re-braided that one braid. Surprisingly, the unbraiding/leave-in/braiding took a long time even without detangling with a wide, toothed comb.
  3. Hair is sectioned / done in sections-See detail above, point #1.
  4. Hair is stretched before it is styled (bantu knot, banded, heat stretched). Some women let there hair dry in
    • braids or twists
    • bantu knots
    • banded hair
    • put on rollers
    • Some women lightly blow dry
  5. Hair is kept stretched after it is styled (These ladies tend to gather their twists and pin around their heads or combine the twists creating some kind of stretching on the hair.)
  6. Shea butter is often used (protects hair and organic tissue like hair and skin from the break down of proteins on the exposed surface by the environment, specifically protects against the sun.) It may not be used throughout the entire journey, but during significant time frames or points in the journey (transitioning only, washing, sealant, etc)
  7. Extremely low maintenance styles (For me, low maintenance styles are not necessarily protective styles! I define low maintenance styles as those where the hair is manipulated as little as possible.)
    • Some braid or twist hair until it dries and leave it for three days to a week, then undo the hair to wear braid outs or twist outs until the next wash day.
    • Some leave the twists or braids in until the next wash day.
    • Some do up do's
  8. Specific daily hair end regimen (or frequent as in 2 or more times per week, ends given special attention)
    • Even if the entire braid or twist is redone , they tend to have a specific regimen for the ends
    • Ends are wetted or spritzed with water, an oil is added (Water + oil) (Usually castor oil or shea butter).
  9. Protective Styles (For "me" , protective style is determined by what you are doing with the ends of the hair. If the ends are not up and out of the air, I do not consider the style protective.)
    • Ends are twisted up, covered, tucked and/or kept from the air like Wanakee Pugh taught years ago
    • Hair ends or the entire head is kept covered or protected during the day and/or at night
      • Head scarves for night
      • Tucking or hiding hair during the day or night
  10. Trimming
    • Trimming done on a fairly regular basis
    • Trims tend to be done in braided or twisted styles (Unevenness not an issue as most of these women rarely or ever wear heat straightened hair styles)
  11. Time :timer: (2 to 8 year journeys. The average seems to be 5 years.)
That's all! It's enough, I know!

Edit: Forgot some form of protein is used whether be in a commercial product, treatment or DIY. Frequency depends on the head of hair.
 
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beingofserenity

Well-Known Member
:wave: Hi @beingofserenity ,
So glad you asked...:jester: It's going to be long...

My observations pertain to hair that is squarely in the 4 range, or hair that looks like mine (3 range) and "acts" and grows like it is type 4 hair. I dislike hair typing but it helps to cut to the chase to get everyone one the same page quickly during a discussion.

My observations for many tail bone length women with afro-textured hair:
  1. Hair is rarely washed more than 1x per week
  2. Hair is washed in braids or twists or sections(one on one attention is given to either each section and/or each braid in that section). This one may seem obvious and well known. But the difference is that these women don't take all braids/twists out at once and combine the hair on a regular basis. Either they undo the hair and leave it in its own section, or they wash, condition and leave all hair in braids/twists. To detangle and comb out, they do one braid at a time, leaving the rest braided or twisted or sectioned but tend to not combine all the hair together.
    • Note: I overlooked this. I have always washed and conditioned my hair in braids. But after I detangled a section, I would combine it with the other sections. Hence, I would always need to use a comb to detangle it and get it back into sections. With these ladies, fingers are used more than the comb.
    • Also, I realized that I have been damaging my hair NOT at the detangling stage, but before, during my braiding and unbraiding. I pull and snatch my hair apart and the force or tension maximized at the ends of my hair causing tangling and breakage. I have been damaging my hair before I even began the detangling process.
    • For the first time EVER in my hair care process, I did not need to use a comb because I washed, oiled and conditioned my hair in braids. I carefully and gently undid a braid, while leaving the rest braided. I put in my leave in and gently re-braided that one braid. Surprisingly, the unbraiding/leave-in/braiding took a long time even without detangling with a wide, toothed comb.
  3. Hair is sectioned / done in sections-See detail above, point #1.
  4. Hair is stretched before it is styled (bantu knot, banded, heat stretched). Some women let there hair dry in
    • braids or twists
    • bantu knots
    • banded hair
    • put on rollers
    • Some women lightly blow dry
  5. Hair is kept stretched after it is styled (These ladies tend to gather their twists and pin around their heads or combine the twists creating some kind of stretching on the hair.)
  6. Shea butter is often used (protects hair and organic tissue like hair and skin from the break down of proteins on the exposed surface by the environment, specifically protects against the sun.) It may not be used throughout the entire journey, but during significant time frames or points in the journey (transitioning only, washing, sealant, etc)
  7. Extremely low maintenance styles (For me, low maintenance styles are not necessarily protective styles! I define low maintenance styles as those where the hair is manipulated as little as possible.)
    • Some braid or twist hair until it dries and leave it for three days to a week, then undo the hair to wear braid outs or twist outs until the next wash day.
    • Some leave the twists or braids in until the next wash day.
    • Some do up do's
  8. Specific daily hair end regimen (or frequent as in 2 or more times per week, ends given special attention)
    • Even if the entire braid or twist is redone , they tend to have a specific regimen for the ends
    • Ends are wetted or spritzed with water, an oil is added (Water + oil) (Usually castor oil or shea butter).
  9. Protective Styles (For "me" , protective style is determined by what you are doing with the ends of the hair. If the ends are not up and out of the air, I do not consider the style protective.)
    • Ends are twisted up, covered, tucked and/or kept from the air like Wanakee Pugh taught years ago
    • Hair ends or the entire head is kept covered or protected during the day and/or at night
      • Head scarves for night
      • Tucking or hiding hair during the day or night
  10. Trimming
    • Trimming done on a fairly regular basis
    • Trims tend to be done in braided or twisted styles (Unevenness not an issue as most of these women rarely or ever wear heat straightened hair styles)
  11. Time :timer: (2 to 8 year journeys. The average seems to be 5 years.)
That's all! It's enough, I know!

Edit: Forgot some form of protein is used whether be in a commercial product, treatment or DIY. Frequency depends on the head of hair.

Thank you :)

I have noticed some of these observations, but had difficulty articulating them and performing them. The most important for me was keeping my hair stretched and washing it in sections. I endure a lot of frustration because I too often wash my hair in one mass and it becomes extremely difficult to style and detangle.
 

Vshanell

FKA Pokahontas
@Chicoro Have you seen this lady's hair? Her regimen is a lot like you described. I just love her hair so much.

I'm trying to implement more of what she does, especially the protective styles but her hair is so different than mine it's hard to make the changes in my regimen. My hair is so fine. I can't wear the braids as a style like she does. Sure wish I could.


 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
@Pokahontas ,

I love your hair. Yes, I have seen her and I know she was a member her at one time. Her hair is absolutely magnificent! I've seen the first video you posted, but I have never seen the 2nd video. It confirms to me that my opinions and generalized interpretations about the patterns I've observed seem to be consistent! I state that these are my opinions to reiterate the point that nothing works for everyone all the time and with new information, things may change. Thanks for adding the videos!

There are about 6 women that I've observed, on Fotki to YouTube to even here on LHCF, with thick, full tailbone length hair. Their routines are basically all the same, almost to the letter.

It's the subtleties of the process that make the difference. There was a thread on LHCF where a poster identified and made the connection that shea butter was one of the common links among so many women with longer lengths. That's how I first learned about shea butter being connected to these super lengths on natural, afro-textured hair.

Without the techniques I detailed in a prior post of this thread (post #7), it seems one can get to waist length/hip length but not much farther. It is almost if the process used ( that these super, long, hair women do) way before they get to these longer lengths, prepares and fortifies the hair to be able to 'sustain' the journey to grow past the waist.

The secret: Through their refined process, they have optimized how to protect, preserve and keep the structure of the hair intact (medulla/cortex/cuticles) , from root to tip, at an elevated and consistent level, for long, sustained periods of time. The subtle differences, the small things they do to preserve and maintain the structure of the hair is on a whole, other level. Hence, they get these super, long lengths.

Tailbone for me, on 90% of women, no matter your height, is usually a hair length of about 28 to 30 inches and beyond. Once somebody hits 28 inches, they are usually close to, or in the tailbone zone!

Caveat Emptor:
Lastly, there are many women on YouTube with super, long hair. But, what's different about their journeys is that they seemed to only have done one or all of the things listed below to gain that length:

  1. They stopped or minimized coloring/bleaching the hair.
  2. They stopped or minimized cutting the hair.
  3. They stopped or minimized heat in the hair too frequently.
  4. The stopped or minimized getting the hair chemically straightened or chemically curled.
  5. They started conditioning the hair with conditioner or oils.
I don't begrudge or discount their results! But, the five things above, alone and on their own, are not sufficient enough to get my type of hair to super, long lengths. But the routine of the women I've observed, similar to that of the lady you posted above, most likely will get my type of hair there!
 
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Saludable84

Better Late Than Ugly
Hey @Chicoro

I know theyre your opinions and observations but you are very much factual in your observations. I noticed it from both and even noticed it in my own patterns even though I'm no where near them I'm length.

Up until about 5 wash days ago, I tried to incorporate naptural85 method of smoothing and using smaller sections (6) and while it saved time, over time, it caused dryness, knots and tangles. I recently went back to my 10-12 sections in which I begin sectioning my hair as I apply deep conditioner. I leave that and then detangle based on those sections and put them back. It uses more conditioner and is more time consuming, but when you don't have knots and then have all these knots, you realize the extra time you invest to not have knots is extremely worth the effort.

I bun weekly though, but I never go through my hair after wash day. I've been contemplating going back to doing twists and pulling them up in the back or unraveling them and pulling them up in the back. It was my preferred style when I was relaxed and transitioning.

I've also reduced heat usage (haven't used in a year) and trim in twist as I feel it's not necessary to have even hair if I'm not wearing it straight.

I may not have TBL hair, but I am speaking it into existence.
 
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snoop

Well-Known Member
@Chicoro Thanks for that detailed account. I find that I've been doing most of what was listed, but am struggling to attain that last little bit to hit waist length (1-2 inches). I can't complain because prior to this journey I only ever reached CBL due to really bad hair practices. With this hair journey, I can't really say that I've had any setbacks either -- 5 years in.

Like you, I'm rough with separating my hair from the protective style (twists mainly and sometimes braids) prior to detangling. That's one thing I have to work on because I know my ends do suffer as a result.

The other thing that I'd stayed away from on this journey is shea butter. I tried it in my first year and my hair felt hard and crunchy. My hair was very protein sensitive at the time, but I've since determined that it was because my hair was probably really high po. My hair is now more normal porosity and so I can now use AVJ without issue and I do regular protein treatments with good results. I think I'll try shea butter again -- at least on the very ends of my hair and with some hope it'll help gain that length that I'm looking for.

Thanks!
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Hey @Chicoro

I know their your opinions and observations but you are very much factual in your observations. I noticed it from both and even noticed it in my own patterns even though I'm no where near them I'm length.

Up until about 5 wash days ago, I tried to incorporate naptural85 method of smoothing and using smaller sections (6) and while it saved time, over time, it caused dryness, knots and tangles. I recently went back to my 10-12 sections in which I begin sectioning my hair as I apply deep conditioner. I leave that and then detangle based on those sections and put them back. It uses more conditioner and is more time consuming, but when you don't have knots and then have all these knots, you realize the extra time you invest to not have knots is extremely worth the effort.

I bun weekly though, but I never go through my hair after wash day. I've been contemplating going back to doing twists and pulling them up in the back or unraveling them and pulling them up in the back. It was my preferred style when I was relaxed and transitioning.

I've also reduced heat usage (haven't used in a year) and trim in twist as I feel it's not necessary to have even hair if I'm not wearing it straight.

I may not have TBL hair, but I am speaking it into existence.

@Saludable84,
Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it. I'm sorry that you have incurred some knots and dryness. This is why our hair journeys are so valuable: once you gain valuable knowledge, like what you've learned about how to minimize knots, NO ONE can ever take the priceless lesson and hard-won, information away from you!

So during the week, you don't ever re-moisten your bun with water or add oil to it? Congratulations on setting a goal and moving toward it, specifically the heat reduction! Trimming in twists/braids/sections is another important component. It is as if the hair in those separated areas 'bond' together and support one another. It's like braided or twisted sections form little 'hair teams' and the hairs within each team work together to grow!

Continue to speak it into existence. More importantly, continue to see it in your imagination as if it is already in existence and an accomplished fact. That is not silly folly, but 'food' your conscious self will use to help you seek and find the information, people and processes to bring what you tell it is true and see to be true, into your reality. You are not trying to grow your hair to tailbone, you are already there. You are just waiting for it to manifest some time in the near future.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
@Chicoro Thanks for that detailed account. I find that I've been doing most of what was listed, but am struggling to attain that last little bit to hit waist length (1-2 inches). I can't complain because prior to this journey I only ever reached CBL due to really bad hair practices. With this hair journey, I can't really say that I've had any setbacks either -- 5 years in.

Like you, I'm rough with separating my hair from the protective style (twists mainly and sometimes braids) prior to detangling. That's one thing I have to work on because I know my ends do suffer as a result.

The other thing that I'd stayed away from on this journey is shea butter. I tried it in my first year and my hair felt hard and crunchy. My hair was very protein sensitive at the time, but I've since determined that it was because my hair was probably really high po. My hair is now more normal porosity and so I can now use AVJ without issue and I do regular protein treatments with good results. I think I'll try shea butter again -- at least on the very ends of my hair and with some hope it'll help gain that length that I'm looking for.

Thanks!

@snoop,
Hey! You are welcome. Thank you for commenting on what I had to say. Another winner! Bravo, to you for getting from collar bone length (CBL) to 1-2 inches within waist length (WL). That in itself is an amazing accomplishment, girl! What???!! No set backs, either! :eek: :toocool: Coming in at 5 years is about 'right' on time, as in that is when a lot of people start to get really close to waist length.

Being rough with those ends, when unbraiding and rebraiding before detangling, has far more negative consequences than I realized. I'm glad to hear that you have made a conscious decision to work on that moving forward.

It sounds like your hair just continues to become more and more healthy. You are able to use more of an array and variety of products. If you can't do shea butter, castor oil seems like a great alternative, especially for end care. I used to hate shea butter because it made my hair hard and greasy and dry looking. I learned that mixing it with an electric mixer was key. Now, I can use it and I really like it.

I think if you shift your end care routine and put the focus there, those 2 inches will drop sooner than you realize it. I hope you post a photo of that hair so we can be awed by your accomplishment. You have a lot to be proud of and something wonderful to share and inspire others with who might be starting from collar bone, too. That is no easy feat to get where you are RIGHT NOW! Whether you realize it or not, you have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to share. All of us internalize information differently, your story may just be what someone is needing to help them to believe, have faith and get to that magical place on the hair journey that you occupy today!
 
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happycakes

Well-Known Member
What a beautiful thing to say. Even I'm encouraged.

@snoop,
Hey! You are welcome. Thank you for commenting on what I had to say. Another winner! Bravo, to you for getting from collar bone length (CBL) to 1-2 inches within waist length (WL). That in itself is an amazing accomplishment, girl! What???!! No set backs, either! :eek: :toocool: Coming in at 5 years is about 'right' on time, as in that is when a lot of people start to get really close to waist length.

Being rough with those ends, when unbraiding and rebranding before detangling, has far more negative consequences than I realized. I'm glad to hear that you have made a conscious decision to work on that moving forward.

It sounds like your hair just continues to become more and more healthy. You are able to use more of an array and variety of products. If you can't do shea butter, castor oil seems like a great alternative, especially for end care. I used to hate shea butter because it made my hair hard and greasy and dry looking. I learned that mixing it with an electric mixer was key. Now, I can use it and I really like it.

I think if you shift your end care routine and put the focus there, those 2 inches will drop sooner than you realize it. I hope you post a photo of that hair so we can be awed by your accomplishment. You have a lot to be proud of and something wonderful to share and inspire others with who might be starting from collar bone, too. That is no easy feat to get where you are RIGHT NOW! Whether you realize it or not, you have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to share. All of us internalize information differently, your story may just be what someone is needing to help them to believe, have faith and get to that magical place on the hair journey that you occupy today!
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
No matter the how short or how long your hair is, if you start using 'a tailbone length' hair routine, the hair will benefit, especially the ends!

This is the journey I am currently on today. This is the first time in my hair journey that I have decided to pursue thick, tailbone length hair. My goal had always been waist length with hip length being an, 'if -I-grow-it-there-great' kind of bonus. Now, the goal is tailbone. Period. In my head, my hair is ALREADY there. Thus, my routine consists of taking care of tailbone length hair!

Happy Growing!
 
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snoop

Well-Known Member
No matter the how short or how long your hair is, if you start using 'a tailbone length' hair routine, the hair will benefit, especially the ends!

This is the journey I am currently on today. This is the first time in my hair journey that I have decided to pursue thick, tailbone length hair. My goal had always been waist length with hip length being an, 'if -I-grow-it-there-great' kind of bonus. Now, the goal is tailbone. Period. In my head, my hair is ALREADY there. Thus, my routine consists of taking care of tailbone length hair!

Happy Growing!

This!

When I first started I studied all of the people who had WL hair to see what they were doing. As you said, I figured that by adopting their practices I would get farther ahead than studying someone who hasn't made it yet. I never dreamt that I'd get past APL because of all of the silly talk I grew up hearing (i.e. pretty hair, mixed with Indian...etc. etc.) That said, YouTube was a great place to find a lot of 4c's with beautiful heads of hair. BUT, I also studied hair practices of type 3s and 2s. I don't believe that things can't be learned from people who don't look exactly like you. The common thing between all of the hair types -- hair off of of the shoulders in a protective style.
 

happycakes

Well-Known Member
It's so refreshing to see other 4a/4b/4c Youtubers. I don't mean any harm when I say this, but I was getting sick of watching MahoganyCurls videos. Something about her seems a bit narcissistic and the fact that she never answered any of my questions. Smh!

That's my opinion $8 though. I upped up the price for future generations to come that will read my message some day. LOL
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!

I'm going to put this post here! Somebody by the name of @flyygirlll2 is way too modest....I'm talking to and about you
@flyygirlll2!

Hey Everybody,@flyygirlll2 went from armpit to mid back length in less than four (4) months! Excellent!!! If you count those inches on her shirt correctly in the photo she linked in post #24, which is from the armpit line to the end of the hair at mid back as marked on the shirt, that is almost (8) inches of growth for that section That averages two (2) inches per month of growth! And she recorded it for posterity! Great photos!!!!!! Check out her photo! She even detailed out how she got all that monster growth in the same thread where her photos are linked.
 
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Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
That girl in the first video is 10000% Jamaican. That's cool!

I think the woman in the second video is from Trinidad! Two Caribbean beauties with long, flowing tailbone length hair, right together. Who could have planned that? I certainly didn't. It's pure magic, just like their hair!
Oh...and their black girl-ness =magic, too! Can't forget that.

In all honesty, these women have made intelligent, process, based decisions. The process is teachable and repeatable and provides a pathway to super long, healthy hair for anyone who is willing to listen and put into practice what they are communicating.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
@Chicoro I'm not TBL but I do incorporate most of what you said in my regimen. My hair thrives best when I don't do too much to it and keep things simple ( twists/bunning). I hope to make it to WL or longer by the end of this year.


Ahm, Ms. 8 inches in 4 months? You CAN'T be serious! Of course you will be at waist length by the end of this year. Sucks teeth and rolls eyes @flyygirlll2. Keep your camera ready at ALL times! :click: We love pitchas!
 
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