Hi there, everyone! :)

I just joined, and was wondering if you all could give me some advice. Please excuse my Naïveté if you all have answered all of these questions before, I don't mean to be annoying :)

Basically, for years I have had shoulder length or just below the shoulders hair - fine, dark brown, natural wave that can be easily straightened, and from what the salon has told me I have a LOT of it. I have always liked  the look of long, beautiful hair but then I would get urges to cut it, so I've always been stuck at pretty much the same lengths. My best friend has long, beautiful hip length blond hair that is soooo gorgeous and natural. I have made a commitment to have hair like that for myself, too! (Except brunette, of course  ;))

The thing is, I'm not totally sure of what to do, although I have read up on it and been given many suggestions from my friend and such which I have started trying. I guess since this is so new to me, I just want to be sure I do it right! Currently, I have gone to the salon and told them to cut off all of the damage that I had so I could start with a clean slate. I have been using Redken Extreme Shampoo 1-2 times a week; shampooing my roots once, then all the hair once. I rinse w/water and condition every other day, and use Redken Anti-Snap after everytime. I use a protein (Redken CAT) treatment 1-2 times a week, and deep condition afterwards. It was also recommended I take multi vitamins, so I have been using GNC Women's Ultra Mega, and their vitamin boost for hair, skin, and nails. A friend told me I should also take a tbs of flaxseed oil everyday. Are these treatments too over-kill? Are protein treatments good?

I do not use any kind of heat products on my hair, so usually my hair is put up in a ponytail using a fabric covered scrunchie, or a loose braid. I have a BB Brush I use when my hair is dry, and when my hair is wet I usually do not brush or comb it, but if I DO I have a plastic shower comb with large, wide teeth and no seams.


So pretty much, can you guys make any suggestions/alterations? Also, can you suggest a good clarifying shampoo? I really want to get the best from my hair care!!

Also, with ll of the things I have been doing, will it help the hair grow any quicker? I mean, I know I won't have lond hair tomorrow or anything, but will the vitamins and oil atleast give it some improvement? I'm curious how long it will take for me to achieve my goal length!

Thanks so much :)

Hi and welcome!  You have an excellent start for growing out healthy hair - congratulations!  I'm not familiar with the shampoo or conditioners you are using, so I can't really say much about them, but if your hair feels and looks good using them, then there is no reason to change.  My guess is there is either protein or -cone type ingredients in them (hopefully not both - they don't play well together).  Both of those types of ingredients will coat the hair which will help it look shiny, and also give it some strength which helps prevent breakage.  The down-side to them is that they will build up on the hair which will prevent moisture from getting to the hair, and the hair desparately needs moisture.  A clarifying shampoo (Neutrogena has a good one and I think even Pantene has one) will help with the build up.  A vinegar rinse will also help prevent buildup when used regularly.  Vinegar rinses will also help with the shine factor, especially on brunette hair.  (The formula for the vinegar rinse depends on you - but a good starting point is a quarter cup of vinegar in a 2 liter bottle of water.  You can increase or decrease the ratio - exactness is not necessary.)

The vitamins you are taking are good for your overall health which will help your hair be healthy.  When you are healthy, your hair will grow at its maximum rate.  The average growth rate is 1/2" per month, or 6" per year.

Hang around here and I'm sure you will learn lots more tricks to help you reach your hair goal.

Hi, and welcome to LongLocks!

Most of what you said sounds right, although I suggest that you stop washing your length.  Wash only your scalp with shampoo, and before you use the shampoo apply conditioner to the length of your hair (from the ears down) to keep the ends from drying out which will lead to splits and damage.

I'd recommend using a vinegar rinse instead of spending $$ on a clarifying shampoo.  Its cheap and works great.  It doesn't matter which vinegar you use, white or apple cider.  I take a plastic pitcher and put some vinegar in it-I eyeball it so not too much.  I take it into the shower with me and fill the pitcher with warm water from the shower before rinsing my hair and then conditioning.  The vinegar smell doesn't last long-its gone by the time my hair is dry (unless I used too much vinegar-my hair takes 4-6 hours to dry completely, longer if its in a bun).

I don't really think that we can do anything to make our hair grow quicker.  Good treatment and a healthy body will make healthy hair that is soft and beautiful.  On average hair grows from 1/4"-1/2" a month.  Sometimes it goes through resting phases where it may hardly grow at all.  I think only people not cutting their hair all the time and wanting to grow it long notice this.  You're probably looking at 2 years to achieve your goal length?  Don't worry, be patient!!!

Hi and welcome! :)  You got alot of good advise so not much for me to put in!! ;)  Enjoy the boards and feel to to ask questions or give opinions!

Thanks a bunch for the advice, everyone! I really appreciate it! :)

Hi Ashley and welcome  :)

Hope you reach your goal asap and enjoy your best friend's admiring looks in return ! Or does she already know your plans and has therefore decided to grow it longer still, or are you keeping it a secret just in case !  ;) Nothing like a bit of healthy competition between friends !

Anyone else ever had this sort of friendly competition to see who lasts the longest ?

*Chuckles* She knows of my plans, now I think she just has to see if I can stick with it without cutting off my hair!! ;D Thanks for the welcome, btw!

I really hope I can stay with it and not cut my hair! Long hair is so gorgeous, I just need to resist the urges of cutting it!!! :o I think one reason I would do that is I tend to become bored with my look, so I try to change it around...usually resulting in some kind of haircut that looks cute, and then after awhile I regret :-/