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wectmall
February 1st, 2016, 12:57 PM
My long hair is fine and damaged. I have really been taking good care of it the past 4 months, but that means that only the top few inches are in perfect shape. The rest is really damaged, but I don't want to cut it. So, I deep condition it and use almost nothing on it to comb it out or style it.

My question is-----I want it to grow about 6 more inches. Should I just let it grow out 6 more inches and then trim it or should I trim it every other month? I don't know whether to believe the old wive's tale that if you have terrible split ends they will split the whole way up the shaft and ruin your hair or not. It's pretty much split 3/4 of the way up the long length, but I don't want to buzz it off

All suggestions are welcome!
thanks

Arctic
February 1st, 2016, 01:21 PM
Welcome!

Here's a great article for you to read, written by our member about how to grow out damaged hair (general info and how she did it).

http://web.archive.org/web/20120125071723/http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=79

wectmall
February 1st, 2016, 01:32 PM
thank you soooo much, Arctic! Hope this helps! I will follow her advice and report back in about 6 months!

meteor
February 1st, 2016, 02:10 PM
^ The article Arctic linked is top-notch! :thumbsup:

I just wanted to add that it's really up to you whether to cut or micro-trim or S&D individual splits/white dots/etc...
But if you choose to grow out hair without trims or with very minimal trims, you'll probably need to be proactive about protection: keeping hair contained in buns/braids, sleeping on silk/satin pillowcases/scarves/bonnets, covering hair if you are out in the sun/wind a lot, avoiding over-washing, over-grooming and all heat, chemical and mechanical damage, if possible.

Also consider penetrating oils as pre-poo treatments (http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/2014/03/oil-pre-shampoo-or-pre-wash.html)/oil rinses/added to conditioner/LOC-leave-in, as well as hydrolyzed protein treatments to patch-repair damage temporarily. Protein treatments should be followed by moisturizing ones (e.g. the SMT, conditioner + honey/oil).

Some strong protein treatments are Aphogee 2-Step, Joico K-Pak Reconstructor and gelatin DIY masks (http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/2014/04/gelatin-protein-treatment-recipe-update.html). Here is a good article that I think can help with the routine, it discusses how to manage porous, damaged hair, among other things: http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/2014/03/managing-elasticity-and-porosity-in-hair.html
Silicones can greatly help with slip, combability and overall manageability, too, so I wouldn't exclude them. ;)

Best of luck and happy growing! :cheer:

lapushka
February 1st, 2016, 02:27 PM
Arctic & Meteor have some great suggestions.
Yes, and also check out the thin/fine hair thread. They have some amazing ideas to maintain hair in its best condition as well.

wectmall
February 1st, 2016, 02:46 PM
thanks, Meteor and Lapushka I am going to check all of those out!

LongCurlyTress
February 1st, 2016, 03:50 PM
Welcome!

Here's a great article for you to read, written by our member about how to grow out damaged hair (general info and how she did it).

http://web.archive.org/web/20120125071723/http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=79


Those magnified photos of fried hair look so sad. :eye:shudder: