Hi, I'm Jo. I must thank you for all your help. The knowledge I have gleaned from this community has helped my hair tremendously. My fine curly hair was badly damaged through mistreatment. This includes, but is not limited to, rough combing, over use of styling products, and the use of curling iorns and hot rollers. I used these things in the hopes of perfectly uniformed curls (no such thing). The damage started five inches from my scalp. The first five inches where thick, passed that it was less than half that thickness. In July 2001 I became serious about growing my hair and decided to ask an "expert". The next visit to my stylist I asked about the five inch mark. She suggested that it was genetic and offered a wedge cut, which I refused. Then I searched the Internet and found this amazing community (then residing at the LHL site). The first thing I tried was CO method. I used LisaJaney's instructions and it worked beautifully. My hair liked it. My scalp loved it. It cured my dandruff problem, which turned out to be dry scalp. I haven't used shampoo since. As I implemented other techniques into my routine the condition of my hair improved, but the five inch mark was still holding strong. Then in January 2002 I purchased the Curly Girl Book. I have been using a modified CG routine ever since. The book suggested no combing, so I gave it a shot. I believe not combing is a pivotal aspect of the routine, at least for me. In July 2002 the five inch mark moved to eight inches and eleven inches by the end of 2002. Who would of thought that not combing could alter my genetic code (sarcasm- Still a lettle upset with former stylist). I enjoy my hair now, even though I have a long way to go. I hope one day to have waist length hair. My hair is currently a few inches below my shoulders.
Thanks again, and again and again
Jo

Hi there, Jo!!! Welcome!!! We love curly hair here and we'd LOVE to see a pic of YOUR lovely locks (so please indulge us!!!). Glad you finally delurked and joined in! :D :D :D

Welcome! I'm glad you are taking better care of your hair. I too did many things to damage my hair, and had so damaged my below-waist length hair that I had to cut off 14 inches. I'm glad your hair did not get to that point.

--Cheryl



This post should get me a star ::fingers crossed::

Welcome Jocosejolie

Glad you found a lot of advice here and that you finally delurked.

Glad you finally delurked, jocosejolie! How wonderful (and what a relief) that you've found a routine that works for your hair. That's great!

Welcome! :D

Hi Jo!

Yea! for delurking...

and making me laugh :D

i just love the Austin Powers movies and Mike Meyers in general.

Welcome :)

-shelley

Hi Jo, glad you're here. Always good to see another curly. :)

(and Congrats on your star euphrasyne, yay!)

Hi Jo and welcome! Glad you decided to delurk. I'm so glad you didn't listen to that stylist. As usual another who think cutting your hair short is the answer! Eeek! You won't ever get that advice here :D Your hair sounds lovely. Altho I'm an almost straightie I love seeing natural curls. It sounds like you have found a very good routine your hair likes. Good luck going longer and longer. And we would love to see pics!

Thank you for your warm welcome Pixna, Euphrasyne, Katrine, Tresses and Sheepygrrl.

Pixna, I hope to post a picture one day. It's too bad I don't have a good before picture, but I will continue to hunt for one.

Euphrasyne, I'm sorry you had to cut so much of your hair. I'm sure it will be back to below your waist in no time and in beautiful condition.

Sheepygrrl, It' alway great to meet another Austin Powers/Mike Myers fan.

Katrine and Tresses it is a relief to have delurked. It was my very first post ever. I'm so excited it worked.

Welcome to LHC and thanks for tell us your story. I'm a straightie and haven't read the curly girl book so I was amazed you don't comb your hair!?!?!?! Do you brush it?

Reading this forum always reminds me that everyone's routines are different and work differently for various reasons. And the genetics reasoning from your stylist is a riot!

I'm really interested in your results with the dry scalp. I mught just give CO washing a try.

Welcome Jocosejolie - not a curly - but you are in good hands (and heads)...g

Anyone who quotes Austin is alright with me. ;)

It's good to hear these stories and we're very glad you delurked and came in to join us. Be welcome, be blessed.

Bees

So glad you delurked and shared your journey with us. I am also glad you found CO washing and am happy to welcome you with open arms into the family!!!! (you've actually BEEN a part of it, we just didn't know it yet!)

Hugs,

Welcome from another curly! :)

Hello Jo!

I like your moniker jocosejolie :)

Enjoy the boards!



Gren

Welcome, Jo, glad you joined us!

Hi Jo,

a warm welcome from me as well :-)
Isn't it cool how much one can learn from this community ... I sure did too!
I'm happy to hear that you found a routine that works for you. C/O washer here too (using shampoo once every six to eight weeks), but a straighty.

Post plenty and happy growing :D

Welcome aboard! I agree with you 100%
in that learning from this site is amazing
and constant! I had always had SHORT layered
hair until I decided several years ago to try
a personal challenge and grow, grow, grow.

My hair is naturally curly however, I sometimes
have my stylist style straight (mostly
once every two months)...

Enjoy your stay!
;)

Welcome, Jo! :)

Welcome to the boards Jocosejolie! (can I call you Jo or Jolie* for short?)

I'm so glad you've found so much help from us (here and the old LHL)! :)

I always find it amazing that someone can lurk that long, I guess it is because I'm SUCH a talker, I just can't imagine! But whatever it is that made you decide to dive in, I'm GLAD it happened!!! :)

Welcome to the boards, girl! :)





* My BEEEESSSSSTTTTTTTT friend, in elementary school and middle school, is/was named Jolie. I think it is a cool name! ;) It is nice to meet you.

Welcome Jo! Glad to have you with us. :P

Welcome!! :)

That's fantastic, Jo! I'm sooo happy for you. Please stay around and chat with now that you're out. And of course, we'd all love to see a pic! Keep growing! Congratulations with your new lifestyle!

Welcome from a fellow curly.

Welcome Jo, glad you delurked :D

It's good to have you here Jo! You can learn so much on the hair boards! Glad your hair is on the way to greater health and length!

Hi Jo, great to see you delurking! ;)

Thank you everyone for welcoming me with open arms. LisaJaney you're right. I do feel like part of the family. I love being able to communicate with ya'll. Although I took my sweet time (well over a year) to delurk it won't be that long before I post a pic.

Teacherbear I'll answer to Jo or Jolie, whatever you prefer is fine with me. By the way I love your picture. It's fantastic.

Snippet, I'll answer your questions on a separate post as soon as I can.

Thanks again
Jo

HI Jo, welcome ,, im fairly new here myself, all the wonderful people here have made me feel so welcome, and we are glad to have you among us. Im male, and trying to grow my hair, finally crossed the bridge C ,,, smile.,,,

:D Hi Jo and welcome to the board! :D

Groovy Baby! ;)

I, too, am glad you delurked and that you have found that the tips here were so successful to your needs.

Don't be shy...we love to hear from everyone and we particularly like pictures *hint**hint*

Hi Jo!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D

Welcome Jo!!! I can't believe all the new faces we are seeing :D

what a wonderful story! I'm so glad you found the help you needed. When I found this community (it was at another site, LHL) but most of the same people here, I was on the verge of cutting it all off because of damage. It's been a long road for me, but I'm getting there slowly too.

Glad you could could join us.