one year later (pics) by jasper

[jasper]

First off, it has been fun hanging around with all of you here! Thanks LHC!

Here is the first length picture I took when joining LHC a year ago. I was wearing my hair up almost every day for a year before this and hadn't cut for two years. My hair care routine was just to shampoo every other day or so and pony or bun and ignore.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/jaspersu/IMG_0328.jpg?t=1282042299

Here is my hair today. I was trying to recreate the picture for the best comparison, so that's why I lopped the top of my head again. I have at least learned better strategies for getting a photo of my whole head from the back since joining ;) I also brushed it when mostly dry because that's what I did in that first pic.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a296/jaspersu/IMG_1154.jpg?t=1282042299
Routine changes include using conditioner, shampooing scalp only 2 times a week, 3 at most. Deep treatments once a month, like the caramel treatment and SMT, braiding for sleep and a better variety of gentler updos, mostly eliminating styles that start with a ponytail holder.

I have self trimmed twice, and I think the first trim was 1.5 - 2 inches and the latest was at least an inch. I think the main difference I see after a year is that my hair is softer. And I am not sure how I used to be able to sleep without braiding before LHC because I can't do it now.

Thanks for taking a look!

[Nae]

Wow, I can really see a difference. It looks much fuller, and it just looks so healthy! It is amazing what a year of TLC can do!

[bunnii]

It looks great! I still cut my head off in pics lol

Congrats :cheese:

[Henrietta]

Wow! You hair looks thicker!:)
I cannot sleep with loose hair too since I am LHC member. How could I do it for 18 years?!

[Capybara]

Wonderful progresss! It looks much thicker at the hemline, wow!
I like how you recreated the same picture :D

[Joliebaby]

It looks much healthier and softer! It's also grown nicely considering you had two trims!
Congratulations on your anniversary!

[serious]

Wow, it looks much softer, thicker and healthier now!
Congratulations!

[SpinDance]

Nice progress!

[emsahib]

congrats your hair looks really healthy looks so much thicker at the ends as well you must be pleased :) what's the caramel treatment?

[alabaster]

Your hair looks fantastic!!!

[cmnt831]

Congratulations! Your hair looks so much healthier now. :)

[Kome]

It is definately longer and thicker. I can see the softness. It looks really pretty! :)

[spidermom]

You made some good progress.

[tigr]

Wow! What a difference!

Your hair in the first picture looks sort of sad and scraggly, and in the second picture it looks so happy and healthy. I haven't done SMTs because I didn't feel like making the effort, but your pictures are inspiring me!

[Mexibeach]

It looks great! Thicker and longer!! Congrats!!!

[Loreley]

Great progress! Congratulations! :D

[eri401]

Lovely! You hair looks healthier to me and this is just from a small picture taken with bathroom lighting! It must be more awesome in person.

[jasper]

Thanks for the comments.:)

what's the caramel treatment?
emsahib, this (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=454&highlight=caramel+treatment) is a thread about the caramel treatment. It is a very goopy deep treatment using oils, molasses and/or honey and bananas.

[sibiryachka]

Great progress! It looks super healthy now.

[ericthegreat]

Your hair is much healthier and your ends are much thicker than they were this time last year. You did a great job with self trimming. :) Congrats on your one year anniversary. :flower:

[Medievalmaniac]

It does look softer, and definitely you got some new length! Congratulations! :)

[Phexlyn]

You have made wonderful progress! :) Your hair is much fuller and looks great!

[growing2shine]

Congratulations! :D Your hair looks a lot better. :)

[Kathie]

Happy anniversary. I agree you hair now looks great more body for sure :agree: Congrats!

[triumphator!]

Congratulations on your growth and thickness!

[mugglemomof3]

Wow. That's a remarkable difference. It's beautiful!

[little_acorn]

It looks a lot healthier - happy anniversary :flower:

[urara12]

Congratulations!wow. your hair looks much thicker and volume:)

[Yozhik]

Jasper, that's some beautiful progress! Not only does your hair definitely look longer, thicker, and healthier, but it's also so shiny!

Happy 1 year anniversary :)

[jasper]

Again, thank you for the kind comments. :) I have been enjoying my "hair-iversary" this week.
Thanks, Eric, for the encouraging words about my self trims. Though many said my hair looks thicker, it really isn't, but I'm thinking the ends or hemline of hair tend to convey that impression of thick or thin.
I'm considering a big trim to take off my fairytail bits because I am always so envious of thick looking hair. But those ends are easy to tuck into a bun, and my hair is usually up. Blunt ends might not give me any updo problems, with my hair being fine. . . I don't know.:cheese:

[sipp10]

Beautiful! The health of your hair has certainly improved.