Hi, all! After years of lurking I finally decided to subscribe. I first discovered this site back in 2007 during my senior year of college. During that time period I was interested in protective styles so I got a sew in weave in June 07 for my college graduation. My weave obsession continued for two years. I would literally go to the shop and my beautician would take down my weave, relax my whole head, and re-install all on the same day. You obviously know which direction this story is going. After 2 years of weave addiction, I decided to take my hair down and find another style. Needless to say, I was in tears the day I left the shop with my "real hair." My hair looked worse than it did when I started my weave journey. All my beautician could say was "maybe you should stay away from the weave for a while if you want your hair to grow." Unfortunately, this was the same woman who encouraged me years back to get a weave to grow my hair.
After that experience, I vowed never to return to that beautician again. From June 09-Sept 09 I took my hair care into my own hands. I co-washed on a weekly basis, blow dried on cool, and refused to use the flat iron. From Sept 09 until now, I have been wearing kinky twist extensions in my hair. I go to a new beautician now and let her flat iron and press one time in December, April, and June while I let my hair rest for a couple of weeks. My hair is doing a lot better with this routine.
In addition, as of December 2009 I have decided to go natural without the big chop. I hope to make APL by December/April.
Below are my progress pictures:
-The first one was June 09. It was taken right after I came home from the beauty salon...yes that's how horrible I looked leaving the shop (smh).
-The picture dated December 09 was the day of my last relaxer
-June 10 was my last official length check....It doesn't look much longer than it did in December but it's more full .
Please let me know if you think I can make APL by december
***I think the picture gets larger if you click on it**
After that experience, I vowed never to return to that beautician again. From June 09-Sept 09 I took my hair care into my own hands. I co-washed on a weekly basis, blow dried on cool, and refused to use the flat iron. From Sept 09 until now, I have been wearing kinky twist extensions in my hair. I go to a new beautician now and let her flat iron and press one time in December, April, and June while I let my hair rest for a couple of weeks. My hair is doing a lot better with this routine.
In addition, as of December 2009 I have decided to go natural without the big chop. I hope to make APL by December/April.
Below are my progress pictures:
-The first one was June 09. It was taken right after I came home from the beauty salon...yes that's how horrible I looked leaving the shop (smh).
-The picture dated December 09 was the day of my last relaxer
-June 10 was my last official length check....It doesn't look much longer than it did in December but it's more full .
Please let me know if you think I can make APL by december
***I think the picture gets larger if you click on it**
!
Things like that is why I haven't been to one in over 2 years. Congrats on the progress! Your hair looks so full and healthy now! 
You've definitely gained length and thickness, Keep it up! You'll be APL soon.
