Hello, it's me again with some type of update and another question.

I'm not sure my hair is growing like it probably should be. I think I actually may be damaging it more than before. You see, I usually use extensions to twist my curly, coarse Afro-American hair so it can grow faster and so I have the courage to walk outside. (Me having low self-esteem causes me not to want to go natural anymore.) I only let my hair breathe briefly after taking them out after (with the way money is at the moment) 2-3 months only to get it re-twisted the next day. Since I've done this, my hair has reached down most of my neck in the back, and is in my eyes in the front when out. Unfortunately, I think it's growing unevenly. Plus, the repeated use may be causing my hair to get thinner. It doesn't feel as thick anymore, though it's softer when undone and a lot easier to sweep my finger through. I'm not sure what to do to get it back to its normal biting-into-an-apple thickness while maintaining it. I also still want to try curling it. Since my hair is naturally curly, I've been looking for ways to curl it without using heat because I know I'll never use chemicals. I found very interesting things involving paper bags, another involving bobbie pins, and another just using a conditioner and your hands.I'm willing to try them out, but the people  that did them all had straight or wavy hair, so I'm a tad skeptical. With a hectic schedule due to college, I barely have time to use any oils or anything on my scalp or hair (though I don't like doing that anyway), nor do I have the time to wash it as much. (It went from once a week, to every 2-3 weeks if I'm lucky.) I'm at a lose here. I still want to grow it out, but I'm not sure if the damage can be fixed, or if I'll have to chop it all off and start from square one. What can I do to salvage what I have??

Hi, Hanabi.  Hair typically grows 1/4"-1/2" a month.  I have never had extensions, so I don't have any advice there.  I'm not sure having extensions would make your hair grow faster.  Good hair growth comes from being healthy, having a good diet, genetics and hormones.
Hair never grows evenly.  Some hairs are resting while others are growing and others still are shedding.  Stress and hormones can change the thickness of your hair.  If the extensions cause breakage, this will also make your hair feel thinner.
I have different hair texture from yours, so on the curling I can only suggest trying each method to see which works best for you.
Damaged hair cannot be "fixed".  Damage travels up the hair shaft, causing more tangling and frizz.  Damage has to be cut off, plain and simple.  I don't think you must chop it all off, unless the damage is that extensive.

I hope you have a trustworthy hair dresser who can help you access your hair's condition and go from there.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tips, Sakina~ Um, my genetics are strange. The first time I used the extensions, my hair grow 1 1/2 to 1 in. after the first month to a month and a 1/4. I continues to do so, even after I subtract the parts that started to lock up into dreads. I try to take them out as carefully as possible so I don't break any hair off. I don't usually get trims because I don't really have a hair dresser of anything like that. I just leave whatever hair isn't bonded there. How can I tell if my hair is damaged??