If there is one thing I love to do is try new things for my hair. Different hair colors, cut, and styles...but with all of this there is a great price to pay...MAJOR HAIR DAMAGE!! I have done everything to my hair perms, short hair, long hair, black, brown, red, and even pink, yes I said PINK. ((That will be a story for another day.)) I had an A LINE cut for awhile, but recently I got a cut something between a bob and a long pixie. ¡¡I HATE IT!! I have a very round chubby face and this cut just makes it worse!! I have never had a problem growing out my hair; it would grow out fast, shinny, healthy and very thick. But now I can't get it to grow for the life of me...now I have set myself out on making my hair grow. ((FYI my hair was all the way down to my belt line...Ooohhhhh how I miss my hair)) Anyways,, I am going to do some of the things I did before along with some new stuff I have researched. Hopefully I can start to see some growth...if not im going bald!!! J/K but no really my hair needs to start growing if not im going to drive myself crazy!!!
Here is a picture of how my hair is currently and how I would like to have it for my birthday...which is in July...that gives me 5 months of intense hair care repair. The picture on the right was taken just about a year ago and that is my goal.
I also want to show you what I have put my hair thru since October of 2012. When I decided to go blonde, God knows for what reason, that is when my hair got really damaged and brittle. The ends of my hair would just snap off, I had split ends beyond believe, the best way I can explain is as if they where gummy...IT WAS HORRIBLE!! Also I felt my hair lost all of its naturel moisture. ((My hair has still not recovered from that CRAZY idea of mine.)) With my hair going thru all that craziness thats when I decided to cut it short and since then my hair does not grow any longer then mid neck. :'(
As you can see I have done a lot, and since it didn't get like this in a week or a month I am very well awear it's going to take time to get it back to the way it use to be. I also want to add that I have put my hair thru A LOT, of heat damage. When you have a short hair cut and have wavy frizzy hair the most common thing to do to tame it is to use a flat iron...and I'm so bad at not adding heat protector...but not anymore learn that lesson the hard way , I have seen first hand the damage that will do to your hair.
First I did have to go for a hair cut, I hate it but I had to do it. Have to cut of all those split ends. So girls if you need to go get "THE CUT" remember it will all be worth it in the end. Washing your hair everyday can also affect your hair not just in the growth part but in its shine, body, volume, and moisture see your not giving your hair time to work in its natural oils. Washing your hair every 2/3 days is ideal, if your hair gets oily really fast use dry shampoo. ((TIP: apply dry shampoo before bed, this way you can really work it into your hair and not have to worry about looking like you have baby powder on your head.)) Next you have to choose a good shampoo and conditioner, this is vital to keeping your hair healthy. I have taken the option of using 2 different shampoos and 2 different conditioners, that way I can alternate between the two.
I was previously using the L'oreal Total Repair 5 shampoo/conditioner and the damage balm...it had clamied to restore up to 1 year of damage in one use...it did nothing for my hair.
My first set of shampoo and conditioner is the MANE 'n TAIL set. I had a few friends and family recomend this to me, so I looked it up on youtube and sure enough it has some really good reviews. What I like about these is that they each have a different purpose for your hair unlike other shampoos and conditioners. The shampoo claims to get your hair shinny, silky, and manageable. While the conditioner claims it will get you thicker healthier hair.
They don't claim to make your hair grow, but I think since its doing so much for your hair already I guess its an added bonus.
((I haven't tried them yet, but once I have had some time to really use them and see if there is any change in my hair I will update you guys.))
One thing I'm going back to is and shampoo and conditioner I use to use from Herbal Essences it's from LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP line. I used this all the time when I had my long hair. I would sometimes get this shampoo and a different conditioner, I personally love this brand, great products and they amazing!! Not much to say I mean the name said it all. MANE 'n TALE is going to be my main shampoo/conditioner like I said "I'm going to go back and forth between these 2 sets."
((Only reason I'm doing this is because the MANE 'n TALE set doesn't smell all that nice.))
Coconut Oil is another thing I have heard does great things for your hair like; restoring much needed moisture, brings that shine back to your hair, gives it silky smoothness. You can apply it freely to your hair then wrap your hair in a plastic bag, a shower cap is also good. You can go at it 2 ways; 1 use a blow drier on warm heat for about 15/20 minutes to speed things up if your in a hurry. Or 2 the way I like to go about is just leave it in for about an hour, while I clean my house...LOL. I do this once or twice a week. It's also great for your skin, especially if you have dry, careful if you have oily skin don't want to apply to much.
Vitamins are a great help not just for your hair, but all around. This is another thing I'm going back to. My choice is either biotin, or Evening PrimRose Oil, biotion you have all heard about, but Evening PrimRose Oil is not talked about much and you would be suprised in all the things it helps you in starting with menopause, pms, eczema, arthritis, etc. and of course it helps with hair growth and hair loss.
You can also use Prenatal vitamins, those work just as well if not better, I used to take these a few years ago. Be careful though prenatals can make you retain water, remember they are intended for pregnant women and when pregnant you need to conserve everything to nutrish yourself and the baby. But like I said they do work, I have heard you can crush them and place them in your shampoo bottle. Can't say much more on that because have not tried that method.
There is a few last things you can/need to do in the process of growing out your hair. Try not to apply to many products to your hair, I usually apply leave in conditioner and thats all. Unless I am using heat then I apply a heat protecting spray. My goal is to only use styling tools once or twice a week, no more. Its going to be hard since my hair is so short, but I want my hair as healthy as possible. Don't brush your hair while wet, if you must because your hair gets realky tangled...PLEASE, PLEASE, use a wide tooth comb, you don't want to be snapping your hair off. Getting a hair cut every 6-8 weeks is a great idea that way you can keep those split ends off. Remember to drink lots of water, eat healthy, and stay away from greasy food.
Incase you would like to know I got all my stuff at my local Walmart. I don't think I spend more than $35 for everything. Lets see if its $35 well spend, I will do an update in a month or so and see where I'm at.