My Natural Hair Journey

   I’ve been asked plenty of times how I got my hair to grow and how I’ve managed to maintain a consistent rate of growth over the past couple of years. It has not been easy, that’s for sure.
I went completely natural (big chop) about 7 years ago. I didn’t like the process of transitioning, so instead I sped it up a little. I got all of my relaxed ends cut off and started from there.

    Every day, I had the same routine. Wake up. Wet my hair. Put product in my hair, which in this case was Right On Curl. I did this same thing for a while and had finally started to see growth, slowly but surely.
 
   In June of 2009, at a little above bra strap length, I received a perm and practically had to start over. My hair fell out tremendously. That was the last time I chemically processed my hair.
(It took a little over a year for all of my relaxed ends to finally just break off.)
Since then, I have learned so much about proper hair care, and more specifically, how to properly take care of my own hair.
 
    I don’t put any harsh chemicals in my hair (perm, bleach, etc.) I have also PUT DOWN THE FLATIRON (more than I normally would)! That was my biggest hang-up. I loved my hair in its straightened state, but I have come to love my curls more. Since doing so, I have reaped so many benefits. My curls are tighter, shinier, and just overall healthier. Now I’m not one to stop heat cold turkey, so from time to time I do straighten to check my length or just change up my look a bit.
One of the most important things, however, that I think helped me was protective styling. I cannot stress enough how important this is for me. I do my best to keep my hands out of my hair and since I have made that change in itself, I have saw a change in my hair, that I did not see with just heat alone (although that was a big part also).


  I also took prenatal vitamins for about two months’ time, but I’m not one that likes to take pills and so I would forget to take them! Though I can say, that during those two months, I saw an increase in thickness and definitely length. I gained more in length in that two month period, than I did in my normal three months of growth altogether, normally. Currently, I am an inch or so past mid-back length and hope to continue to grow long, strong, and healthy hair!
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(Throughout my journey I do not wear my hair straight all the time. These pictures are merely to show the difference in length. )









Sincerely,
   A Natural