Please help me grow my hair again, ditching the bleach

[Tbee]

Hey, I posted this in the newbie section but then realised that people dont always look in the newbie section and I am absolutely desperate for help. I hope this is ok.

I've always had quite longish hair up until last year and then it all started to go horribly wrong. My hair is very fine but there is/was alot of it. I used to have it trimmed/cut twice a year, sometimes once. I decided to go blonde again in December 2010. Since then I've had my roots touched up with bleach every 6-8 weeks. All was fine up until December last year. I had a major shed so my hair thinned quite a bit but my hair also started breaking off. My hairdresser has always trimmed my hair each time to keep it looking nice and healthy which I didnt mind until 12 weeks ago. She said I'll give you a good trim this time and took 3 inches off and added some more layers. 6 weeks later she trims again and takes 2 inches off so in 12 weeks i lost 5 inches of length and the layers have just made my hair look, quite frankly ridiculous. I said to her at the time I was so happy as the layers had grown and literally the next second she snips them. My hair in 2 and a half years has gone from luscious and beautiful, to thin, wispy and barely there. I even visited the doctor for bloods as I was so worried but everything came back fine. I feel so upset and really am in mourning of my hair. I love my hair being long and thats when I'm most happy. I also love blonde and feel best blonde but if its killing my hair its just not worth it.

I think there may well be 2 things going on here. 1 is my hair/bleach combo and the other is my hairdresser. I really do like her, shes great, but I get the feeling she likes to do her clients hair how she likes rather than what the client likes if you know what I mean. I know she finds hair all one length boring and she hates middle partings lol... Its just like she is determined to chop my hair all off….

Anyway, I was booked in to have my roots done next week and I said to her after looking at my hair today that I need to lay off the bleach and she tried to persuade me not to. Now I love being blonde, but I tried saying "look, its really ruining my hair" but she says its not the bleach as she only touches up the roots so its not damaging. She said it was up to me but she loved me blonde and recommended I get a good shampoo and carry on. She also then said “I’ve only had my hair cut and coloured 4 times since December 2012 and that is not enough for healthy hair. Only 3 to 4 haircuts in 7 months will cause major breakage in healthy natural non coloured hair” Now to me this seems wrong? I know from my own experience that 1 or 2 haircuts a year and my hair used to be in better condition than it is now! I’ve always trusted her with my hair but this info seems way off?

I'm pretty certain its the bleach thats killing my hair. Looking through my pictures my hair just went to pieces after the bleach. I was blonde for a year before and you can see in the pictures how my hair just gets thinner and crap. I can't carry on being a blondie (even though I adore it) I'm sure if this continues I will be bald in a couple of years.

Here are some pics of my hair.

Natural virgin hair 2009-2010




2010 when I started to go blonde


2012 when I was blonde and it started slowly to go bad. It was naturally dried in this pic.


and now from the back you can see just how thin and straggly it is It makes me want to cry




So, Have any of lovely people some advice on what I can do to get my hair back? I stopped using heat 8 weeks ago, I stopped washing everyday too so now wash every 2-3 days. I always condition, I use leave in conditioner too and moroccan oil about twice a week. I very gently brush my hair now too. I've noticed that it doesnt seem to be breaking as bad but I'm sure the damage is done. What would you do if you were me? Any replies GREATLY appreciated xx

A few questions

1. Do you think its bleach that’s ruined my hair? Or a combination of things? Age? (Im 31)Heat?
2. Would prenatal vitamins help?
3. Would you stop having trims or if not how often should I get trimmed? I feel like everytime it grows the growth and more is then cut off 6 weeks later and its getting shorter and shorter. My hair doesn’t feel dry now but it is so incredibly thin.
4. What products could I use to help?

Oooops apologies for the massive pics!

[gillybeanxo3921]

There used to be articles on LHC you could read about this sort of thing, but since the crash they've changed things and it seems the articles haven't quite come back yet. I hope in time they will.

Check out this link:
http://www.hairfinder.com/hairquesti...achinghair.htm

I don't remember the article I read word for word, but that one is close to what I remember. Basically, bleach opens up the cuticle of your hair, exposing the cortex, which is where your natural hair pigment is kept. Then there is a chemical reaction that removes the pigment, at which point you wash the bleach out. Fact is, once the cuticle is opened, it never sits down exactly right. There are some shampoos and conditioners/treatments that can temporarily "fix" the cuticle, but it won't last.

This link has nice pictures and diagrams of what I'm trying to explain:
http://afrokinkilove.tumblr.com/post...hair-look-like

The cuticle is what protects the cortex and basically what keeps the hair together. So you would definitely expect some shedding. So for your first question, yes, the bleach is definitely you're culprit. By the way, I like your natural color better

Prenatal vitamins, or just regular vitamins will definitely help. But you have to realize that the vitamins won't affect the hair you already have, just the new growth.

I went through the same exact problem with my hair dresser. Every time I needed a little trim they would take off three inches and then say if it didn't my hair would stop growing or some outrageous thing like that. I trim my own hair now, and I only take off about 1/4 inch every month. There are different methods of self trimming you can research on the LHC.

In terms of products, I would buy a nice drugstore deep conditioning treatment like aussie's three minute miracle or something like that, and I personally am in love with coconut oil. I use it almost daily, and it makes my hair softer, shinier, and a lot less tangly.

Combing hair is better than brushing it usually, but many people use boar bristle brushes too. The best comb is a wooden comb with no catches for the hair to snag on.

Wearing it up could possibly help prevent further shedding!

Good luck! I tried to include all the best tips I could think of and answer all your questions

[spidermom]

Oh my goodness but the natural color and texture of your hair is beautiful! You really don't need the bleach for beautiful hair; you have that naturally.

I know that getting my hair cut once or twice a year is bad; my hair just loves to split. I get much better length when I get regular small trims because my hair doesn't break off so much. I get it trimmed every 8-16 weeks.

It does appear that bleach and straightening are very bad for your hair as they would be for mine. I advise growing it out natural again.

[Vrindi]

Wow. Your natural color is amazing and really makes your green eyes stand out! The blond is beautiful, but I actually prefer your natural color.

I think it's the bleach that's hurting your hair. If you have fine hair, it tends to be much more sensitive to bleaching. I went blond a few years ago and my healthy, shiny hair instantly started splitting and breaking off. I will be battling splits until all the bleached ends are cut off, but with better care and no more bleach, I find fewer and fewer now.

Also, your hairdresser is entirely wrong about the trims. If you want to trim your hair every 2 months, usually only a dusting of 1/4 inch— not 3 inches!— is needed. Currently, I'm trimming about 1/4 inch every 8-10 weeks or so, which is called micro-trimming, to keep splits from getting out of hand and let the thickness catch up to my hemline. Honestly, it sounds to me like your stylist is more concerned with getting your bum in the chair on a regular basis to pay for upkeep. That is how they make a living, and they need regular clients. It really sounds like she's more concerned with creating a regular client out of paranoia instead of listening to what you actually want and helping you to have the hair you love. That's a problem. I'd find someone else.

Gillybeanxo3921 had some great advice about the combs and coconut oil and vitamins. I'd also add to that drink lots of water. It will help with healthier hair and skin.

[Komao]

I felt sick for you as I read your post. Perhaps it's not as bad as it seems to you, right now. I'm glad you discontinued the bleach. Your natural, virgin hair color is beautiful. Not using heat should help. I don't believe your age has anything to do with damage. As for the rest of your questions, I'll let the experts on LHC help with those.
I wish you the best of luck with your hair

[Tbee]

Thank you ladies, that's really helpful.

I think I agree with you too in that my natural colour is much nicer than blonde. I think I've just gotten used to it and now I'm scared of the change. Looking at the pictures so much today has made me realise I was crazy to ever bleach it in the first place. I'm terrible for doing drastic things and its usually my hair that suffers. I should find something else change next time!

Do you think I should just let it grow out cold turkey? My hairdresser suggested dip dyeing it but I declined. Because my hair is almost white and my natural colour is so much darker it's going to look quite harsh growing it out. No pain no gain though I guess and it might teach me to appreciate my natural hair a lot more going through it. It definitely still grows though as my regrowth in 6 weeks is an inch and I have lots of new baby hair growing.

Vrindi I had my suspicions about my hairdresser too. It makes me sad to think that but I think you're right. She gets paid a fair bit by doing my hair as she does it on her days off and not in the salon. Hmm.

Thanks again. I will pop out tomorrow and get myself some coconut oil, a new comb and some vits to get started with. I'm so worried it won't grow back the same as before lots of tlc and prayers to the Hair Gods I think. I'm going to have a look around here too and get some tips

Thank you Komao. I feel like I've taken a big step towards getting my hair back which is good. I do feel very sick right now though looking at what I've done to my hair. I'm a Leo and I've always said my Mane was my best bit and look at what I did to it! Never ever again

[Leeloo]

I think your hair is just breaking off from the bleach damage and if you stop damaging it, it’ll grow back as it did before thick and healthy. I’d suggest stopping the bleach right now. If you’re ok with growing out the bleach color then great, if not then you might want to deposit some color to match your natural color to make the growing out process easier. I love your natural color! Next thing I’d suggest is to stop going to your current hair dresser. From what you said about her, she does not have your hairs’ health as her priority, just the extra income from more frequent visits and more expensive treatments (color and trim vs just trim). You can start with coconut overnight oiling before washdays to protect from protein loss. Maybe catnip rinses to keep the new grow that you’ll get.

[10000days]

Hi Tbee

I was recently in the EXACT same boat as you.
I know it sounds like 'just doing the roots' is fine. It's not.

Anyway, your natural hair looks blonde- why strive for white-blonde?

I'll reply later today with my suggestions.
But until then- let the anger and sadness that you feel now remind you that you're not going to use bleach EVER again.

Talk soon

[Othala]

I am so sad for you right now (and angry). I want you to show your hairdresser those photographs and ask her to describe what she sees and explain what she has done.

Yes, the bleach ruined the quality of your hair, but the scissor-happy hairdresser has butchered it. I would be seeking compensation.

Please stop the bleach and please stop the crazy cutting. Your natural hair is beautiful, wonderful, glorious and precious. It is also perfect for your skin tone and eye colour.

I think you need to pamper your hair and there is lots of advice on this forum as to how to achieve that. There will be a limited amount that you can do to improve the condition of your bleached hair, but the more you can take care of your new growth, the better.

I wish you the very best with whatever you decide to do. Just hope you sack that so-called hairdresser and find one that is customer-focused and knowledgeable (they do exist).

[NuclearApple]

The best thing you should do is a b.ig chop,but regular trims are good too to cut the damage.
I suggest to wear your hair up most of the time,use a good conditioner and a delicate shampoo and use lots of nutrient products.
I don't have currently the link but check out igorsbelltower blog,she says lots of true things and explain everything about hair,and also gives tips n tricks
Don't bother,if you treat it in the good way it will grow fast,strong and healthy.