4b/ 4c Naturals Growth Thread

Maracujá · May 10, 2017

SAPNK said:
Welcome to the thread @Maracujá, that's some serious length. What's causing your setback?

Thank you! Well, about the setback: about two years ago I had the brilliant idea to get rid of my BabyLiss stand-up hair dryer because it was taking up too much space in my small studio apartment. So as a consequence, I was relying mostly on body heat to deep condition: big mistake! I ended up with extremely tangled hair that I could do nothing about and had to cut:

That coupled with the hard water in the area I live + taking prescription meds is a recipe for disaster. But...I still have hope. Over the years I've garnered so much information from books, LHCF and online articles. I've also kept a journal, so I am hoping that will help me to get back into the swing of things. Though I have been toying with the idea of sporting a TWA, I'm gonna give it one last shot

! (Haggai 2:9)

SAPNK · May 10, 2017

Maracujá said:
Thank you! Well, about the setback: about two years ago I had the brilliant idea to get rid of my BabyLiss stand-up hair dryer because it was taking up too much space in my small studio apartment. So as a consequence, I was relying mostly on body heat to deep condition: big mistake! I ended up with extremely tangled hair that I could do nothing about and had to cut:

View attachment 398235

That coupled with the hard water in the area I live + taking prescription meds is a recipe for disaster. But...I still have hope. Over the years I've garnered so much information from books, LHCF and online articles. I've also kept a journal, so I am hoping that will help me to get back into the swing of things. Though I have been toying with the idea of sporting a TWA, I'm gonna give it one last shot ! (Haggai 2:9)

Yay! I'm glad you are going to try again, and I'm sorry you had to cut off so much hair in the first place. You definitely have the knowledge to get your length back, and hopefully you can help the rest of us too, lol.

beingofserenity · May 10, 2017

Maracujá said:
Thank you! Well, about the setback: about two years ago I had the brilliant idea to get rid of my BabyLiss stand-up hair dryer because it was taking up too much space in my small studio apartment. So as a consequence, I was relying mostly on body heat to deep condition: big mistake! I ended up with extremely tangled hair that I could do nothing about and had to cut:

View attachment 398235

That coupled with the hard water in the area I live + taking prescription meds is a recipe for disaster. But...I still have hope. Over the years I've garnered so much information from books, LHCF and online articles. I've also kept a journal, so I am hoping that will help me to get back into the swing of things. Though I have been toying with the idea of sporting a TWA, I'm gonna give it one last shot ! (Haggai 2:9)

Have you tried a heating cap?

snoop · May 11, 2017

beingofserenity said:
Have you tried a heating cap?

Or a hot wash cloth sandwiched between 2 plastic caps.

B_Phlyy · May 11, 2017

So I know I said I don't condone co-washing conditioners, but my fiance brought me the Shea Moisture Hi-Po Co-wash because he thought it was regular conditioner. I read the instructions and it said to use it like a shampoo which I did. And it was awesome. There wasn't any suds but my hair was very clean and I could run my fingers over my ends and mini braids without snags. This product has potential.

FoundMyCurls · May 12, 2017

This is a good discussion for me to join. I have a mixture of 4 stuff going on in my head. So here it goes:

Hair description: It's arm pit length (I'm not sure about the back but it the shortest length on my head in inches). I keep it in twists most of the time and then set them free for a twist out. My hair loves protein, so it gets it at least every other month. Some times each month. Depends on my mood.

Issues: I a very slow grower. I have been letting it grow for 6 years and I'm only at arm pit. I trim once a year, but snip off knots when needed (I don't have split ends). I barely get 4 inches per year. I recently started hair, skin and nail pills, but I don't see any difference. Which is weird considering I feel like I'm constantly touching up my gray new growth. I'm considering wearing my hear out more, and blow drying it once in a while. Currently I don't use any heat.

I thought I'd be well below bra strap at this point, but I'm not. So I guess that's my short term goal. My long term goal is waist. I don't know that I'll ever see it at this rate.

nothidden · May 12, 2017

FoundMyCurls said:
This is a good discussion for me to join. I have a mixture of 4 stuff going on in my head. So here it goes:

Hair description: It's arm pit length (I'm not sure about the back but it the shortest length on my head in inches). I keep it in twists most of the time and then set them free for a twist out. My hair loves protein, so it gets it at least every other month. Some times each month. Depends on my mood.

Issues: I a very slow grower. I have been letting it grow for 6 years and I'm only at arm pit. I trim once a year, but snip off knots when needed (I don't have split ends). I barely get 4 inches per year. I recently started hair, skin and nail pills, but I don't see any difference. Which is weird considering I feel like I'm constantly touching up my gray new growth. I'm considering wearing my hear out more, and blow drying it once in a while. Currently I don't use any heat.

I thought I'd be well below bra strap at this point, but I'm not. So I guess that's my short term goal. My long term goal is waist. I don't know that I'll ever see it at this rate.

I am not a slow grower, but when women say this I can't help but wonder what their diet is like. Some of us don't realize that growing hair isn't just about a good hair regimen. We have to feed our hair from the inside (other than hair pills) so our follicles have something to work with. And we have to feed it enough so that there's enough for our hair (protein and water are used all over the body). I began adding protein to my smoothies at the request of my personal trainer, but I know this played a major part in the growth I saw and continue to see. Having said that, I know I don't drink as much water as I should, but as every one is different I see growth despite this.

Externally, hopefully you aren't using anything to block or clog your follicles. I don't plan on giving up my bentonite clay because I know it thoroughly cleanses my scalp. No itching, no buildup, nothing. Based on what we use, some of us need to clarify more often than others. Maybe look into 'stimulating' your follicles. There's an inversion method thread, or you could get into the habit of massaging your scalp while watching TV.

snoop · May 12, 2017

nothidden said:
I am not a slow grower, but when women say this I can't help but wonder what their diet is like. Some of us don't realize that growing hair isn't just about a good hair regimen. We have to feed our hair from the inside (other than hair pills) so our follicles have something to work with. And we have to feed it enough so that there's enough for our hair (protein and water are used all over the body). I began adding protein to my smoothies at the request of my personal trainer, but I know this played a major part in the growth I saw and continue to see. Having said that, I know I don't drink as much water as I should, but as every one is different I see growth despite this.

Externally, hopefully you aren't using anything to block or clog your follicles. I don't plan on giving up my bentonite clay because I know it thoroughly cleanses my scalp. No itching, no buildup, nothing. Based on what we use, some of us need to clarify more often than others. Maybe look into 'stimulating' your follicles. There's an inversion method thread, or you could get into the habit of massaging your scalp while watching TV.

My diet isn't the cleanest right now, but I found that when I was eating clean and drinking water, my hair didn't grow any faster. By clean, I mean I was eating a balance of protein and healthy fats, unrefined salts and sugars (unless eating out -- which wasn't very often) and a good dose of vegetables -- daily. As for water, I'd drink about 2.1L per day. I think that this helps with the health of my hair and scalp, but not so much my growth.

Also, scalp massages can stimulate your scalp to produce extra sebum so then you have to be mindful that you are cleaning that buildup, as well.

SAPNK · May 12, 2017

snoop said:
My diet isn't the cleanest right now, but I found that when I was eating clean and drinking water, my hair didn't grow any faster. By clean, I mean I was eating a balance of protein and healthy fats, unrefined salts and sugars (unless eating out -- which wasn't very often) and a good dose of vegetables -- daily. As for water, I'd drink about 2.1L per day. I think that this helps with the health of my hair and scalp, but not so much my growth.

Also, scalp massages can stimulate your scalp to produce extra sebum so then you have to be mindful that you are cleaning that buildup, as well.

Maybe it also depends on how drastic of a change you are making in your diet and exercise.

ForestRose · May 12, 2017

I'm happy my hair has been growing well. Last month I was worried but my hair is fine. I like my current hairstyle (u part wig) but I want to give my leaveout a break. Im thinking about getting a frontal closure. I really don't like them but I may start wearing my hair out at the end of next year so I want to give my leaveout and edges some time to thicken up with the rest.

I haven't find a way to completely protect my leaveout areas so they are thinner than the rest of my head. But using the kera care silicone silk has really protected it way more than any heat protectant I've used in the past.

I'm on track to APL this year and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for full BSL next year.

ForestRose · May 12, 2017

nothidden said:
I am not a slow grower, but when women say this I can't help but wonder what their diet is like. Some of us don't realize that growing hair isn't just about a good hair regimen. We have to feed our hair from the inside (other than hair pills) so our follicles have something to work with. And we have to feed it enough so that there's enough for our hair (protein and water are used all over the body). I began adding protein to my smoothies at the request of my personal trainer, but I know this played a major part in the growth I saw and continue to see. Having said that, I know I don't drink as much water as I should, but as every one is different I see growth despite this.

Externally, hopefully you aren't using anything to block or clog your follicles. I don't plan on giving up my bentonite clay because I know it thoroughly cleanses my scalp. No itching, no buildup, nothing. Based on what we use, some of us need to clarify more often than others. Maybe look into 'stimulating' your follicles. There's an inversion method thread, or you could get into the habit of massaging your scalp while watching TV.

My mums hair grows super slow she eats healthier than 90% of people I know. Holistic lifestyle choices are pretty important to us. I think it can be diet but genetics does play a part. Some people just about get 1/4 of an inch a month and that coupled with thin strands means they may only get 1 inch of hair growth a year.

Some people barely do anything to their hair and its MBL with minimal effort plus they eat really badly. I think it's 80% down to strand thickness and monthly growth then 20% down to lifestyle choices. Asians and whites probably have similar amounts of growth to us but our strand structure makes it that much harder for our hair to maintain length.

I never realised how thin my strands were till I compared it to someone else that I know. Asians have really thick hair but it's deceptive because of how straight it is.

SAPNK · May 12, 2017

I'm only going to do braid outs from now on. No more twist outs for me. I heard braid outs were better but I never really did them for some reason. But with plaits I don't have to put in as many, or make them as small. The real beauty is that when I decided to start finger detangling, my twist outs were awful, but braid outs still come out defined and shiny.

beingofserenity · May 12, 2017

I tried out the African pride tms system on a portion of my hair. Um, I love it. Made combing and blow drying so easy. I want to use it every 6 weeks. I bought the corresponding shampoo and conditioner to maintain the results.

FoundMyCurls · May 13, 2017

nothidden said:
I am not a slow grower, but when women say this I can't help but wonder what their diet is like. Some of us don't realize that growing hair isn't just about a good hair regimen. We have to feed our hair from the inside (other than hair pills) so our follicles have something to work with. And we have to feed it enough so that there's enough for our hair (protein and water are used all over the body). I began adding protein to my smoothies at the request of my personal trainer, but I know this played a major part in the growth I saw and continue to see. Having said that, I know I don't drink as much water as I should, but as every one is different I see growth despite this.

Externally, hopefully you aren't using anything to block or clog your follicles. I don't plan on giving up my bentonite clay because I know it thoroughly cleanses my scalp. No itching, no buildup, nothing. Based on what we use, some of us need to clarify more often than others. Maybe look into 'stimulating' your follicles. There's an inversion method thread, or you could get into the habit of massaging your scalp while watching TV.

I can understand what you are saying about diet (I've read several items about slow hair growth), but everyone's hair can grow at a different rate. It's just how it is and nothing may ever change that. I don't put anything on my scalp, no oil or grease. I just keep it clean. I don't agree with having all that blood rush to my head by inversion. I've accepted the fact that it grows slow. It's just how it is and I don't need to stress over something I cannot change. But I do appreciate your offering some assistance.

What I can do, however, is take good care of what I get. Which I do well and I focus on maintenance, which I can control.

Cattypus1 · May 13, 2017

H

SAPNK said:
I'm only going to do braid outs from now on. No more twist outs for me. I heard braid outs were better but I never really did them for some reason. But with plaits I don't have to put in as many, or make them as small. The real beauty is that when I decided to start finger detangling, my twist outs were awful, but braid outs still come out defined and shiny.

how long is your hair. I haven't done braidouts for a while because they didn't look good at a certain length. Twistouts looked better. I've been wanting to try braidouts again but I don't want to waste my time, that's why I asked how long your hair is.

SAPNK · May 13, 2017

@Cattypus1, my hair is shoulder length. About 7-8 inches.

That's exactly how it was for me. I did braid outs a couple of times but twist outs looked much better so I always did them. Now it's the opposite. The braid outs look full and shiny and the twist outs look dull and undefined. Just don't make the braids too small, which I think is what I had to do when my hair was shorter (maybe, idk).

Cattypus1 · May 13, 2017

SAPNK said:
My hair is shoulder length. About 7-8 inches.

That's exactly how it was for me. I did braid outs a couple of times but twist outs looked much better so I always did them. Now it's the opposite. The braid outs look full and shiny and the twist outs look dull and undefined. Just don't make the braids too small, which I think is what I had to do when my hair was shorter (maybe, idk).

Thanks. We're about at the same place. I'm going to try again.

SAPNK · May 13, 2017

Cattypus1 said:
Thanks. We're about at the same place. I'm going to try again.

Just edited my reply to add some pics. My hair came out really shiny and defined.

Cattypus1 · May 13, 2017

SAPNK said:
Just edited my reply to add some pics. My hair came out really shiny and defined.

Yes, the shine is awesome. Thanks for adding the pics. What styler did you use?

SAPNK · May 14, 2017

Cattypus1 said:
Yes, the shine is awesome. Thanks for adding the pics. What styler did you use?

I actually ran out of products at the time. All I had was some infusium23 spray and water mixed with a little conditioner. I ran out of everything, but I might have scraped some coconut oil out of the jar. I can't really remember, but I do remember being surprised that it still came out that way. Honestly I think that it will come out shiny with nothing in it (at least with my hair), because the plaits pull the hair so much tighter and "straightens" it more, which adds shine.

nothidden · May 15, 2017

ForestRose said:
My mums hair grows super slow she eats healthier than 90% of people I know. Holistic lifestyle choices are pretty important to us. I think it can be diet but genetics does play a part. Some people just about get 1/4 of an inch a month and that coupled with thin strands means they may only get 1 inch of hair growth a year.

Some people barely do anything to their hair and its MBL with minimal effort plus they eat really badly.

Diet isn't just about eating healthy. Most of us are deficient in one or some vitamins and/or minerals. Some of which may be very important for hair growth.

snoop · May 15, 2017

nothidden said:
Diet isn't just about eating healthy. Most of us are deficient in one or some vitamins and/or minerals. Some of which may be very important for hair growth.

I hear you. Eating "healthy" is always questionable when it comes to certain people. I'm not even talking about any special meal plan...just eating balanced.

I have been on daily prenatals and calcium for 5+ years. My blood tests come back normal. I don't exercise. But I feel like my hair doesn't grow faster despite any changes I may make. However, retention plays a bigger factor in terms of being able to measure my progress.

I do know people, however, who seem to have fast growth (better retention) without doing anything special. But as someone mentioned above, the commonality seems to be that they had thicker strands.

DigitalRain · May 15, 2017

I have 4b/c hair. I've been using box braids as a protective style with a 2 months in braids and a month break cycle. Ive gotten a ton of growth from doing this for almost 2 years. My hair is coarse, loves heavy oils and pomades.

SAPNK · May 15, 2017

DigitalRain said:
I have 4b/c hair. I've been using box braids as a protective style with a 2 months in braids and a month break cycle. Ive gotten a ton of growth from doing this for almost 2 years. My hair is coarse, loves heavy oils and pomades.

Hey @DigitalRain. Welcome to the thread! Do you do your own box braids, and what do you do with you hair when not in braids?

Honi · May 15, 2017

My hair is growing. My hair is touching my ears unstretched and I can feel it wanting to graze my neck lol!!!!

Now that I've calmed down and really took a look at my hair, I have a looser texture in the back, about 2/3 of it is 4a. Do the ole school ladies remember "scab hair"? I think I have that in the front. The texture is kinda rough even though I know I cut the relaxed portions off. Then the strands look and feel normal. It doesn't really curl unless I use a lot of gel. The sections are very dry OR it could be the hydration in those areas are not optimal yet. Off to research.

Queensheba88 · May 15, 2017

Hi everyone,

Im 4c, cb length, with thick extremly coarse dense strands that crave moisture. I just big chopped in febuary after only making it 14 months in my transition (original goal was 2 yrs). I exclusively protective styled the whole time with 1-3 inch trims...under wigs and braids. I dont know my current length but i measured a peice i cut back in december and it was 5.5 inches. Pics from feb/march.

nothidden · May 18, 2017

snoop said:
I do know people, however, who seem to have fast growth (better retention) without doing anything special. But as someone mentioned above, the commonality seems to be that they had thicker strands.

So the perception is that slow growers tend to have fine strands? I have never heard this before.

snoop · May 18, 2017

nothidden said:
So the perception is that slow growers tend to have fine strands? I have never heard this before.

I'd never heard that either. Thought it was an interesting observation made by the poster above.

(Only added my info to the discussion not to say all slow growers are like me, but that I'm a slow grower and don't feel like I fit your observation. Me personally. Can't and won't speak for the rest.)

We're just discussing...

nothidden · May 24, 2017

While binge-ing on health videos, this doctor mentioned missing trace minerals can cause hair growth issues (at around the 4:00 mark). In another video he mentioned that a good source of trace minerals is unsulphured black strap molasses.

GGsKin · May 24, 2017

nothidden said:
While binge-ing on health videos, this doctor mentioned missing trace minerals can cause hair growth issues (at around the 4:00 mark). In another video he mentioned that a good source of trace minerals is unsulphured black strap molasses.

I have this but the thought makes me want to gag. I take malt extract but I find it difficult to stomach the flavour of the molasses.

4b/ 4c Naturals Growth Thread

November 2020 --> 14 years natural!!!

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