terminal and end care

[anikadear]

I've searched the threads, but haven't been able to find a definitive answer to my question....I've heard over and over that fairytale ends are a sign of reaching terminal length. I've noticed mine are a tad thin, and all different lengths- which I know is also normal since hair doesn't all grow at the same rate, etc., but I'm terrified it could mean either my ends need more TLC, or I'm nearing terminal length.

My hair has actually been longer than this previously, and I *do* know my grandmother's side (all Cherokee Indian) had extremely long hair. My mom and her sisters have long hair (well, my mom cut hers off but used to). I know genetics play a role in terminal length.

Anyway, my end goal is actually hip, so that's why I'm a little panicked about this terminal business. I'm going to search more on here about end care, but if anyone has anything positive or whatnot, please chime in :/

also, I *do* wear my hair up, 95% of the time because I work, and it's too flipping hot to have darn near waist length hair on my back.

[DarkCurls]

I'm pretty sure fairytale ends aren't a sure sign of terminal. If you let your hair grow without trimming, it will eventually fairytale because hair grows at different speeds all over your head, but it will keep growing. At least that's my understanding of it. Don't worry.

[Anje]

Hair at terminal will have fairytale ends, yes, but the reverse isn't true. Any hair that hasn't been trimmed in a while, particularly if some hairs grow faster than others (more true for some people than others, apparently) will have some fairytaling after a few months or years.

[lapushka]

I wouldn't worry either. I agree with the posters above, fairytale ends do happen, even if you haven't reached terminal length yet. I'm past hip, and I'm pretty sure my hair started to subtly fairytale at around waist length - it just happens, especially if you haven't trimmed awhile. I'm in the no trimming 2012 challenge and haven't trimmed since September 2011, so yes, my hair has thinned out some towards the ends. Do I worry that I'm at terminal length? No. I'd only really worry if after about half a year you haven't seen any growth.

[anikadear]

*whew* Thank you ladies. I know it sounds silly, but I nearly had a stroke last night wondering if I've done something wrong or reached terminal so soon :/ I usually practice benign neglect, and don't really fuss over my hair, but not being able to reach hip would literally devastate me (don't laugh).

[ddiana1979]

I agree with the above posters. My hair started to fairytale at WL, so I cut it back to exactly WL again (30") to thicken up the hemline and it's still growing roughly 0.5" per month. I think it just started to fairytale because I was only trimming once a year, and my hair grows more on one side than the other. :shrug: I know I'm not at terminal yet.

[DreadfulWoman]

*whew* Thank you ladies. I know it sounds silly, but I nearly had a stroke last night wondering if I've done something wrong or reached terminal so soon :/ I usually practice benign neglect, and don't really fuss over my hair, but not being able to reach hip would literally devastate me (don't laugh).

Totally not laughing, I understand. I've had the terminal panic before too, and for the same reason. Just keep being nice to your hair, and don't even worry about the terminal thing until your hair has gone a few years without trims and hasn't budged an inch. And even then, don't panic.

[anikadear]

Thank you so much for that :) I'm a little panicked but I'll be babying my ends from now on.

[CurlyCurves]

I understand that fear, OP. I've never had hair longer than it is now, to my understanding, and the thought that I wouldn't be able to reach long lengths (even BSL) terrifies me :/

[Shepherdess]

I also agree with the posters above. I have always kept my hair trimmed in a straight even hemline until recently, and so my hair has finally begun to show signs of fairytale ends (at thigh-length). But hair often grows at different rates and the hair at the bottom of your head (closest to neckline) will look longer than the hair at the top of your head if you let it grow normally I think.

I have heard that everyone has a different terminal length which depends on their genetics.

Also, I was looking up terminal length and I came across this blog which I think is cool!
http://beautyway2life.blogspot.com/2012/02/xie-qiuping-worlds-longest-hair-women.html

[anikadear]

Just wanted to post some pics....the first one here is yesterday, the second one is from father's day, and the last one is from earlier today. you see how bad it looks at the back?! I HATE it. it makes me very sad.....why is it doing this?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7677236978_a4255c6740.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7677236978/)
20120728_200259 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7677236978/) by L.O.V.E.5 (http://www.flickr.com/people/75118660@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7677228124_9e2dd99a4c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7677228124/)
20120617_090746 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7677228124/) by L.O.V.E.5 (http://www.flickr.com/people/75118660@N08/), on Flickrhttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7263/7679878462_0bff2b718c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7679878462/)
20120730_112707 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/75118660@N08/7679878462/) by L.O.V.E.5 (http://www.flickr.com/people/75118660@N08/), on Flickr

[lmfbs]

I notice you have 3a/b hair, but the hair in your pics is straight. That to me shows you're using some sort of straightening method, which is damaging your hair.

I think in your case, it's very likely that then ends you're seeing are from breakage. You also have a V hemline, which tend to fairytale more quickly than other hemlines through normal shedding.

[anikadear]

No, I don't straighten unless to check length which is *maybe* once every few months. I just happened to do it more this time around because I noticed the ends looking like this. Otherwise, I keep heat off it 100% of the time.

[lmfbs]

Then is it because you're getting your hair cut/trimmed dry? Often curlies have a straightish hemline when dry but weird when wet/straight.

[haibane]

I've had "terminal panic" (like that expression) since I was at hip, but my hair keeps growing anyway. :p

[anikadear]

I have no idea what's causing this. That's why I'm so upset. I do trim dry, but haven't since before the father's day pic, and I don't take off enough to cause this janky look (or so I thought).

[lapushka]

I have no idea what's causing this. That's why I'm so upset. I do trim dry, but haven't since before the father's day pic, and I don't take off enough to cause this janky look (or so I thought).

When you trim it dry, do you perhaps trim the curls individually - that might explain it.

[anikadear]

Somewhat, yes. I just kind of take a small portion of ends and cut the slightest amount possible if they're split....but it seems like my hair is thinner back there?? I don't understand how that could have happened. I didn't notice any big shed...

[lmfbs]

Is it possible that it's because of how your hair is laying? It looks fine in the second pic.

[anikadear]

I have actually been doing some research and I'm taking anti-depressant, and although rare, they do list hair loss as a side effect. I've only been on them for about a month. Maybe I'm just freaking myself out here, who knows. It doesn't necessarily *feel* thinner.

[lmfbs]

I have actually been doing some research and I'm taking anti-depressant, and although rare, they do list hair loss as a side effect. I've only been on them for about a month. Maybe I'm just freaking myself out here, who knows. It doesn't necessarily *feel* thinner.

Usually you wouldn't see the effects to your hair for 2-3 months or more. Probably unlikely that that could be the issue. Maybe you should measure your thickness every week for few months and see if it's changing?

[anikadear]

I think that's what I'm going to do. How exactly do I do that? Measuring my ponytail circumference right?

[lmfbs]

I think that's what I'm going to do. How exactly do I do that? Measuring my ponytail circumference right?

Yup. You've got yourself down as a iii now, so I assume you've done it before? You might want to measure at your nape and about an inch out from your ends as well so you can track any changes - it might help you not panic about it, or at least know if something's wrong!

[anikadear]

I've only measured once but wasn't sure if I even had it correct. I'm noticing it's really easy to fudge up if you're not entirely sure of what you're doing :/ My hair is wet now (just CO washed for the week), so I'll have to measure when dry.

And what exactly do you mean measuring at the nape?

[lmfbs]

I've only measured once but wasn't sure if I even had it correct. I'm noticing it's really easy to fudge up if you're not entirely sure of what you're doing :/ My hair is wet now (just CO washed for the week), so I'll have to measure when dry.

And what exactly do you mean measuring at the nape?

So measure at the nape of your neck, like where you would put a low pony.

[anikadear]

ok ok. I got it. Thank you so much for your help!!

[anikadear]

Just in case anyone was wondering, I spoke with my doctor last week and it is indeed my medication causing my hair to be like this. We've lowered my dosage and I can already see a little difference just from last week. In the meantime, I'm working out 6 days a week, taking my biotin and whey protein shakes (mainly for post workout but I also know it helps with hair), and babying it as much as possible. Still a little upset about the damage but, I'm committed to getting it better.

[moon2dove]

Just read through the thread.

So glad you posted an update! Good news that you now know what was causing your hair problem.
Good luck! and I hope things continue to improve for you :)