Retaining Length with natural hair- What your best method?

lexiwiththecurls said:

To Ladies that are natural- What have you done that works best for you to retain length?
When I first went 100% natural, I used to get my hair straightened every 2 weeks and I retained waaayy more length than when I did twist outs/wash and go's. I did all natural styles from Dec 08-Jan 2010. I straightened my hair for the first time in over a year and I haven't retained as much length as I used to when I did constantly straighten. I believe it is due to my super coily/kinky hair wrapping around the other hairs and creating those balls on the end of my hair.
I am not stuck on the method of keeping my hair straight most of the time- even though it is what worked for me in the past.

I am looking for ideas and what helped others retain length and health. Is it the frequency that you detangle your hair, doing twist outs and staying away from wash and go's, keeping your hair in twists, bunning,baggying etc...? I see alot of Challenges with different styles and methods---but based on challenges that you have participated in..which worked the best for you to retain health and length? Thanks

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cakebatter said:

Definitely weaves for me. One the initial install is in, it requires no manipulation to your hair for weeks and your ends are safely tucked away. I retain so much length when I keep my hair weaved up.

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cmw45 said:

Welcome to the wonderful world of ssks (single strand knots). The only thing that has worked for me is low to no manipulation. However my hair has done better in cornrows than in individual braids (with extensions). I retained length with my first and only install...but the cornrows were put in too tight and I lost a lot of hair. So I vote for no to low manipulation; I don't know how necessary it is to maintain length once you have reached your goal but to maintain length as your grow it is absolutely key for me.



OT: Your progress is AMAZING! Your hair looks so thick and healthy.

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spacetygrss said:

-Low-manipulation styles such as twists/braids or twist-outs.
-Regular deep conditioning with heat
-regular conditioning rinses with twists/braids in
-maintaining my ends (keeping them moisturized, trimmed)
-regular protein treatments--it's a myth that just because you're natural you don't need protein treatments. It varies from person to person.

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cakebatter said:

Definitely weaves for me. Once the initial install is in, it requires no manipulation to your hair for weeks and your ends are safely tucked away. I retain so much length when I keep my hair weaved up.

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godsflowerrr said:

I voted low manipulation. I only comb my hair weekly while my hair is loaded with my deep conditioning treatment. I just finger comb it during the week. I also maintain a nice balance of protein and moisture during the week which prevents breakage on the ends.

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lilsparkle825 said:

i think the best way to retain length for me has been braids/twists with extensions...every time that i have self-installed kinky twists, senegalese twists, or box braids, i have been able to overcome what seemed like stagnant growth or even setbacks. at the end of last winter, i was disappointed by the fact that frequent WNGs murdered my ends, forcing me to get two trims in less than 8 weeks. as a result, i just wanted to put my hair away, and i chose to do so in senegalese twists. my ends were nearly perfect when i took down my twists....so much that when i suffered severe matting and tangling from sitting in a hospital bed for almost two weeks last month, i immediately asked my cousin to help me install box braids once i got home. three weeks into my 8 week attempt to keep these in, i am hoping to have regained what i lost when i was finally able to detangle the birds' nest that was on top of my head right before christmas.

i am still tempted to install a weave as soon as possible to see if that method of retention works for me (i wanted to weave it up for the winter, but couldn't afford the hair i wanted...now that i am in a better place financially, i might change that to weaving it up for the spring or summer).

i also know wearing my hair straight works for me, but i haven't really done this longer than 4-6 weeks at any one point since my BC. i bore easily.

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lilsparkle825 said:

i think the best way to retain length for me has been braids/twists with extensions...every time that i have self-installed kinky twists, senegalese twists, or box braids, i have been able to overcome what seemed like stagnant growth or even setbacks. at the end of last winter, i was disappointed by the fact that frequent WNGs murdered my ends, forcing me to get two trims in less than 8 weeks. as a result, i just wanted to put my hair away, and i chose to do so in senegalese twists. my ends were nearly perfect when i took down my twists....so much that when i suffered severe matting and tangling from sitting in a hospital bed for almost two weeks last month, i immediately asked my cousin to help me install box braids once i got home. three weeks into my 8 week attempt to keep these in, i am hoping to have regained what i lost when i was finally able to detangle the birds' nest that was on top of my head right before christmas.

i am still tempted to install a weave as soon as possible to see if that method of retention works for me (i wanted to weave it up for the winter, but couldn't afford the hair i wanted...now that i am in a better place financially, i might change that to weaving it up for the spring or summer).

i also know wearing my hair straight works for me, but i haven't really done this longer than 4-6 weeks at any one point since my BC. i bore easily.

Click to expand...