Earlier this year my worst natural hair nightmare came true or was realized. Either way it was awful. Ok, ok. Maybe I’m being a little melodramatic. But I’m still a little heartbroken. What happened, you asked? I’ll tell you. My hair stop growing…
Naturally, hair grows about half a millimeter each day, about one-half inch every month or approximately six inches (15 cm) in one year.
This November when I got my annual straightening, I noticed my hair was not longer compared to last year. No real noticeable hair growth. *SMH* I was almost in tears. I recalled all the work I put into my hair; protective styling and moisturizing. You can see for yourself.
What happened?
Celebrity stylist, Dickey of Hair Rules noticed my abundance of split ends. “When was the last time you had a trim?” he asked. It was recent but my hair was curly. You can’t see the split damaged ends when the hair is wet. Before my last trim, I can’t recall the last time I had a professional trim. As you can tell my hair has paid for it. When split ends are not tended to the hair breaks and will split throughout the hair causing prolong damage. Giving the illusion that your hair is not growing but instead it is breaking at the same rate that it is growing.
My New Year Natural Hair Resolution is to get a professional trim every 3 month as recommended by professional hairstylist such as Dickey of Hair Rules. I will no longer neglect routine maintainance of my ends.
What is your New Year Natural Hair Resolution??? Tell me by commenting below.
Hello, my name is Ashley Newell. I have really thin, coarse, curly/wavy hair. I’m African american and white. I grew up using products for my curly hair but as I grew up I cut it to my shoulders and stopped messing with it. Before I cut it I always used heat to make it look decent and now all I do is use braids because it looks terrible no matter what I do with it. I have noticed that the middle of my hair is completely broke off so I read your other article about needed to add more nutrients to the middle of my hair. I get my hair trimmed every 6 months because I do not add heat to it nor do I dye it so I feel like it shouldn’t be as broken as it is, but its terrible. I can absolutely say that I hate the condition that my hair is in and that it does not grow, at all I feel like. Any tips on what I should use or do?
Thank you!
Ashley, using braids can have a damaging effect on the hair. It depends on what type of braids you are getting. If they are braids with added hair, they can add too much tension to your hair and block moisture from getting to your tresses.
It sounds like your hair is in need of hydration and protective styles to retain length. Check out the YouTube channels by searching “protective styles” and look for videos of women with similar hair textures to yours.
I was told by a hairstylist today that using drugstore conditioners can also allow the hair to remain dry/brittle and break.
Last, try getting a trim more often like every 3 months since you aren’t using heat. You should see a big difference if you follow these tips.
I am definitely dealing with that now and going to do the blow out and trim as it is about that time. Thanks for the info — love your blog!