jermaine

Hello Everyone,



I’m new this forum and am looking forward to everyone’s wonderful advice. For too long I’ve been struggling to get my hair to where I want it to be. I’ve read various forums and articles with the hope of finding something that can help me with my issue. Here’s my story:

As a black man I wasn’t always accepting of my hair type. In middle school (I’m a senor in college now) I wanted “good” hair and would often pray for it every night. Then when I would awake the next morning and see that my hair hadn’t changed I would ask God why didn’t he grant my request. I didn’t want this dry, disgusting hair that everyone seemed to be repelled by. It was either I get waves or nothing. This mentality carried over into high school but to a much lesser intensity. Eventually after entering college I had a brief relapse of my middle school days because I thought my hair and dark skin was not sufficient enough because the world seemed to be in favor of much lighter complexions and once again “good” hair. After this occasion I’d made the decision to embrace all of me, especially my hair. With this new attitude I had a new appreciation for my hair and wanted it to grow so I could see what sort of awesome styles I could do with it. However after making this decision I was faced with new challenges: No matter what I try my hair just won’t grow.

Well, I wouldn’t say it isn’t growing; it’s just that after it reaches a certain length it stops. It’s usually stunted at the length of a small and grows unevenly. I would go for months expecting to see some progress with my hair, but I’m always so disappointed to find that nothing has really changed. Currently my hair regime consist of:

1.) Moisturizing my hair with ‘S-Curl Moisturizer’ when applying the moisturizer I just put a decent amount on my palms and I massage my scalp. I’m not sure if this is the right way to apply it.

2.) Sealing my hair with Shea butter.

3.) Not washing my hair too often because even the sulfate free shampoos I have tend to really dry it out. I don’t really deep condition my hair because I’m a bit confused on how it works.

4.) I don’t pick my hair often. I usually do the brush rub technique where you take a brush to your hair a move it in a circular until your hair begins to twist.


I’m doing my best not to get discouraged and just cut it all off. I’m hoping you guys can give me some help.


Thanks,
Jermaine

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Firefox7275

Hi! Rubbing your hair with a brush sounds quite damaging, maybe that is snapping off any growth? Isn't that what is used to knot up hair for dreads? It's really important to be gentle with curly hair, it can be dry and the cuticle is more open so is easily damaged and easily tangled.

You might consider purchasing the second edition of the Curly Girl book which has a section for guys and another section for multicultural hair but the whole book should be useful. This is the system that many on Naturallycurly.com follow
Curly Girl: The Handbook: Michele Bender, Lorraine Massey, Deborah Chiel: 9780761156789: Amazon.com: Books

Also it's worth watching YouTube videos, soooo many African American ladies post their natural hair journey on there from teeny weeny afro to long hair, plus product reviews and tutorials. You will definitely find a few with similar curl patterns and goals. And if you are straight plenty of them are easy on the eye!!

CSI

Building a routine will help. Wash and deep condition once a week, apply a leave in, apply a styler, apply an oil and then style (braids or twists). In morning, undo braids or twists. This will help you retain the growth you get. I have to agree that the brushing may ge the culprit. You must "baby" your ends
As far as deep conditioning, just use a regular conditioner and add some honey and some oil oil to it. It leaves the hair great. Just add the conditioner, then place some honey in hands and then to hair. It will melt on contact, then add the oil to hands and then onto hair. Cover with a bag for 15 minutes and rinse.

seamonster

I think you need to switch to using a comb, and be gentle with your hair. Men are so strong, you could tear 1/8 inch Afro textured hair out, and never even know.

Additionally, S-curl has a lot of moisture, but it takes protein to hold onto moisture. Make sure you co wash frequently to remove sweat, and salt from the hair. Other than that a healthy lifestyle is the best way to grow hair.