The Long Hair Community

pinkpanther2070 · January 26th, 2007, 10:16 AM

About 6 months ago I cut approximately 12 inches of over-processed hair leaving approximately 4 inches of hair.

And then as if that wasnt already bad enough, I decided to put in a temporary color so that all of my hair would be the same color and so I chose jet black. So I was dying near Blonde/brown hair to jet black...

now imagine for a moment what the results were going to be

Of the 4 inches of hair I had left about 1 inch was healthy and dye free. So that left me with 3 inches of GREEN damaged hair!!!...

My nightmare was at its peak... I had SHORT, FRIED, GREEN HAIR..

However, as a result I ended up triming another 1.5 inches of hair off
leaving me with just barely 3 inches much of which was still very much damaged.

As you might imagine, I have sworn off coloring....and today 6 months later I set here telling my story with 3 inches of healthy hair and about a half inch of damaged hair.

I dont know if I should be upset or happy...it just seems to be taking so long...

Any recommendatons?

cortese · January 26th, 2007, 10:34 AM

Honestly, the only recommendations are patience, gentle handling, and a minimum of heat styling and chemical treatment. That holds for absolutely everyone.

Just sit tight and let it grow; it's like the watched pot. Hair grows best when you are doing other things, then a few months later, you realize that it's getting into your shirt collar/bra strap/waistband.

redtea · January 26th, 2007, 10:39 AM

I'm really sorry, that sounds pretty bad

I had to cut my hair short after deciding it would be a good idea to be a platinum blonde (yes, it looked awesome, but after a few months it all started breaking off...). I felt vulnerable with short hair, but at the same time, it forced me to have to be more confident - short hair doesn't really hide much. I wouldn't do it again, but at least I experienced it.

I think you've come to the right place, though

Are you taking any hair vitamins? When I started taking GNC Women's Ultra Mega timed release, my hair went from growing 1/2" per month to 3/4"- sometimes nearly 1" per month. I added silica, msm, and extra biotin, but my growth rate hasn't increased, so I can't say at this point if the extra is worth it or not. So, if you take anything, try a good multi. Also, try scalp massages - they seem to help my growth a little too.

I know when I had short hair, hair accessories helped a lot to make me feel more feminine. The little clips work well to pull your hair back around your face and I think headbands are back in style, so those are worth a try too.

spidermom · January 26th, 2007, 11:26 AM

3 inches of growth in six months is right on target, so good growing! The best things you can do for your hair are optimize your health habits. Every length has its advantages and disadvantages, so try to enjoy where you're at and what you have to look forward to, and as Cortese said - get busy with other things - hair grows best when not stressing over it (now to take my own advice).

rossjen · January 26th, 2007, 12:19 PM

I agree with Cortese. Focus on other things and your hair will grow in time. A good moisture treatment once in a while probably wouldn't hurt either.

pinkpanther2070 · January 26th, 2007, 01:14 PM

I agree that patience is the best way to go...I guess I just get a little frustrated every once in a while.

Thank you very much to everyone who responded

embee · January 26th, 2007, 03:36 PM

Yes, that's a pretty discouraging story. But now you know and you can grow healthy good hair.

There are some very awkward stages when hair's short: it can't go up, it won't stay back, it gets in eyes and mouth and everywhere. But it will quickly grow beyond that, if you can resist the scissors! When you've got enough length to really *do* something with your hair, then you can think about trimming off the remaining disaster residue.

I remember being horribly frustrated by my hair before I could reliably keep it back or up.

sillyca · January 26th, 2007, 04:54 PM

Also- love and protect your hair by using some silk kerchiefs or find a silk lined snood to give the illusion of more hair.... and protect...

hugs and good luck... and a big dash of patience...

Moezland · January 27th, 2007, 12:20 PM

I had an aweful dye job and used a semi-perm color to try to cover over it- bad idea - hair started coming out in clumps. Long story short I had to basically scalp myself and start all over again. I know being patient is tuff, believe me, I know - but your hair does seem to be growing very well and in no time you'll have the length you want. As Spidermom said, just try to enjoy where you are right now and just imagine what you have to look forward to.

kipasa · January 27th, 2007, 02:57 PM

When I was 30, I was pregnant with my daughter and on high doses of progesterone... pretty much bedridden because it keeps you really tired all the time.

One night I choked on my hair... in a 'drugged' stupor, some hair got into my mouth and I didn't wake up until it was half way down my throat and I was choking on it. (It was about bra length.)

The next morning I got up and told dh to buzz it all off. He was hesitant but I kept insisting. He thought I would regret it... but I didn't!

I loved my pixie cut! I never had to brush it and I looked really cute with a little hair and a big fun tummy (I didn't need the meds after 12 or 14 weeks and so felt a lot better then.)

After she was born, I made a hair appt. because short 'do's look messy very quickly if you don't keep them up, but then I cancelled it because I just didn't seem to be able to get the time freed up. First babies, even the good ones, take a lot of time when you don't know what you're doing.

Well, ten years later and here I am with waist length hair. It seems like the blink of an eye. I've had times when I've cut seven inches off and still had long hair.

I love my long hair now and would be sad to lose it but I also sometimes pine for my pixie cut that was so fun.

Hair's all good.

Kind regards,
KimS