Scraping Bsl To Full Apl *professional Silk Press*

I'm mostly making this for my own personal progress thread.


So I hit BSL earlier this year and was super excited because I thought maybe, juuuust maybe I'd be able to achieve WSL by the end of the year (or early next year, at least). However, I knew that my ends have not been the healthiest due to me not trimming enough or consistently using protein which I need for my very fragile high-porosity hair texture.


So I decided since all these hair challenges are coming up that I'd actually go get my hair pressed by a stylist for the first time in order to better record my progress.


Well, as you can guess from the title of the thread, once she straightened it I asked her to take a photo and she showed me my ends. They were just barely scraping BSL, along the 7/8 line. I knew that if I wanted to really have healthy long hair I'd need to let go of the stragglers. So I told her "Ok, you can cut it up to the 3 line." Btw I highly recommend anyone who doesn't trust a new stylist or are afraid they are scissor happy, wear a length check shirt and there is no way for them to misunderstand.


I know some people may have taken the cut up further to the 1 Line and I understand that. MY hair only grows 3 inches a year, so I didn't feel comfortable losing 2 years worth of growth in one session.


So where do I plan to go from here? Here are my intentions:


- Re-incorporate a protein/ayurveda based regimen to help fortify my ends
- Begin using indirect heat more regularly, or "heat-train" my hair (my hair has always done really well with heat but I haven't used it a lot this time around going natural)
- Protective style under wigs that are more similar to my natural straightened hair
- Bring my products to the salon next time so it can be cornrowed using my own whipped shea mix
- Keep trying different deep conditioners until I find the right balance of moisture/protein
- Trim 2x a year to start, increase as needed.


That's all for now

Beautiful hair op.

Your hair looks great. I'm so jealous of everyone finding good stylists that listen. That will never be my life it seems.

I agree...beautiful hair, you'll hit your goals soon

Beautiful hair. I think you cut just enough.

Thank you guys! That means a lot coming from the board of hair unicorns.

Pretty pretty!

I also agree you cut off just enough.

As someone who only gets four inches a year, I'm proud of you Looks great. For us slow growers, not taking care of our ends can set us back years, so we gotta stay on the ball.

FadingDelilah said:

As someone who only gets four inches a year, I'm proud of you Looks great. For us slow growers, not taking care of our ends can set us back years, so we gotta stay on the ball.

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Thaaaank you, I wish I had 1/2 in a month. I've tried all the pills and potions. I've exercised, eaten better, drank more water, it's just genetics. It's always been this way, my doctor says I'm healthy so this is as good as it's gonna get!

DanceOnTheSkylines said:

Thaaaank you, I wish I had 1/2 in a month. I've tried all the pills and potions. I've exercised, eaten better, drank more water, it's just genetics. It's always been this way, my doctor says I'm healthy so this is as good as it's gonna get!

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Same!! I've tried soooo many supplements, the inversion method, putting pastes and oils on my scalp. LOL!! It didn't budge even a little. I was humbled by my itty bitty 1/3 of an inch a month every single time. But I've learned to accept it and be grateful that I have a full head of hair.

FadingDelilah said:

Same!! I've tried soooo many supplements, the inversion method, putting pastes and oils on my scalp. LOL!! It didn't budge even a little. I was humbled by my itty bitty 1/3 of an inch a month every single time. But I've learned to accept it and be grateful that I have a full head of hair.

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Yup yup, even when my hair was in a blonde twa I definitely could see it was a slow growth as opposed to issues with retention. Imagine how short it would be if I didn't know how to take care of my hair?

Gorgeous hair, and what a great idea to wear a hair growth shirt to the salon.

Pretty hair! Good decision to cut where you did. Great plan to reach your goals! You're gonna be back to BSL and with fuller ends before you know it!!

ETA: Fellow slow grower here so I totally understand your trimming plight. I stick to only doing regular dusting, trim only to recover from any damage. GL to you!

Thanks for sharing this! Your hair is beautiful.

@DanceOnTheSkylines your hair is nice!! I appreciate your detailed details. Your hair is beautiful woman! Keep up the good work.

Beautiful and your ends look great! I never understood why people always want to cut all their ends off. I mean hairs going to split again in a few months and you will never gain length if you go cutting 20 inches off.

Also @DanceOnTheSkylines how well do you think the stylist did at handling your hair?

You hair is beautiful, thick and healthy. Keep up the good work.

Great progress and nice even cut too. On to your next goal. Your hair is healthy so you will get there in no time. Just stay on it and keep up the care you're giving your hair @DanceOnTheSkylines.

Iva already told people to start wearing a length check shirt to the salon

I Am So Blessed said:

Also @DanceOnTheSkylines how well do you think the stylist did at handling your hair?

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Tuh! well AT FIRST she was a bit rough for my liking. I am not and never have been tender headed, but she was not accustomed to dealing with tangled natural hair. In her defense, I didn't do any detangling on my hair prior and it wasn't stretched, but I had co-washed/detangled a few days prior so I didn't feel like it was necessary.

I was audible about the pain, so although she gave me the whole "you must be tender headed" spiel she did adjust her technique to suit my preferences. She began to go more slowly and she did detangle from ends to root. I think she was having trouble because I detangle my hair at home with a seamless rat toot comb, she was using some kind of brush situation so she had to RAKE that brush through way more times. Also she was trying to get my roots as straight as my ends. She did an amazing job with the end result, but I am not surprised that she doesn't seem to have a "long-hair natural" clientele yet. I don't think I will be returning since my goal is health hair/snatched hair that is perfectly laid 24/7. Currently in the process of looking for a stylist that makes home appointments so the can use all of MY equipment for my hair.

Your hair looks lovely. Keep up the good work.

"long-hair natural" clientele

@Saga
I like that turn of phrase! I want to create an army of long-hair natural clientele! By the way, your hair is lovely. I don't think you should have cut shorter. Your hair looks great! You can tell you take good care of your hair. Thank you for posting the pictures. I love hair pictures!

Congratulations on the health of your lovely hair!

*whispers in awe, Look at those beautiful arms, shoulders and that tiny waist on @Saga!*