New here! Any opinions on hair or care?

[RileyJane]

Well, basically I'm new to this site but was drawn here from another site. I have a short hair history, but most of the damage was done about 4 years ago.
In 2009 my hair was bleached by a prestigious salon white blonde without my consent, I thought they were simply doing highlights. My hair held it together though, even though it did cause some hair to fall out, I was extremely upset. I let that run the course, and in 2011,after I had it dyed to my natural brown color about 9 months earlier, I chopped it to my chin to get rid of the damaged ends from heat styling, the bleach, and the brown color dye i went through to get it to go back.
Now, in 2012, it's been almost a full year since that cut and any heat styling or coloring of any sort. It's currently at BSL length as LHC terminology describes it. ( I never thought my hair grew fast til I stopped all the unnatural bad hair habits) And my natural color is almost covering my whole head ( I realize that the last couple inches might still have fake color in them). My question to you is, since I'm sooo new and completely lost on this site sometimes about what I should really do to my hair, what is a good routine to get in the habit of? For almost all my life up until 7 years ago when I cut it short, my hair has always been hip length so I don't know if I should be doing anything special to it to help make sure it grows back out as healthy as I can. I have read a lot so far from this site too, but would like to see what other things I could do to it to help.

[Rufflebutt]

I've found that using a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type is vital.
I used to use V05 shampoo every day. Without any conditioner. This continued until I was about 14 years old and I got tired of my straw hair and I bought some Tresseme shampoo and conditioner.

My hair LOVES it. Immediately my hair felt so much better.

[Roscata]

Hello RileyJane, welcome to LHC!

You should look through the LHC Articles, especially the Hair Care section.

Here are 5 articles to get you started:
Ursula's Standard Newbie Advice
Damaged Hair: Understanding, Preventing & Rehabilitating
Keeping Split Ends At Bay: Secrets of Gently Handling Your Hair
"How To" Hair Type Your Hair
Fia's Hairtyping System

[Tisiloves]

It sound like you needUrsala's standard newbie advice.

Typing your hair will also be helpful with Fia's hair typing system and the visual hairtyping guide.

and so you can understand us terms and abbreviations.

Happy growing!

[Madora]

Generally speaking, handle your hair like antique lace..i.e. use gentle products and handle it gently.

Stay away from hot irons/hot curlers/straighteners/bleach

Air dry your hair.

Wear it up to protect the delicate ends. The longer the hair, the more fragile the ends.

Many members use silk or satin pillowcases..or satin sleep caps.

Only wash it when it needs it.

Try scalp massage to help increase circulation to your follicles.

Daily brushing with a pure bbb does wonders for your hair (if you're not a curly). Always detangle your hair FIRST before brushing! Use a wide tooth comb and work slowly!

Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of rest, exercise moderately, and drink water.

Use hair friendly hair tools and elastics.

On the average, hair grows 1/2 an inch per month. Some people grow slower/faster.

Above all, have patience! Good luck on your hair growing quest!