Why can't I get my hair to grow past shoulder length without it becoming a broken mess? (Pics)

[Stillmonday]

Every now and then I have to have a few inch chopped off my hair as the ends become disgusting broken and snapped.

It's like once it gets past my shoulders it decides to give up on life.

I only wash my hair once a week and let it air dry until it's 80%dry. Then I straighten just once a week and use heat protection.

What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like you're doing a lot to look after it. I think we each have biological limits. Mine gets wispy at bra strap level so I can't do lonher than that. Do you use a gentle shampoo and conditioner?

It looks as though it may need protein. Do you do any protein treatments? Olaplex?

All hair has a maximum length, mine is about bra strap. Anything beyond that and it’s just too old and broken.

Ditch the straighteners completely.

Have regular trims, jyst 5cm every 6 weeks or whatever.

Having said that, i had my elbow-length hair cut at 19yo and it has never grown past shoulder length.

But straighteners were invented by Beelzebub!

I tend to buy whatever's on offer shampoo wise, then I sit with conditioner on for an hour or so before rinsing.

What's opalex? I feel like my hair needs coating with some protection to make it stronger and stop the snapping

Have you tried paraben and sulphate free shampoo? One I use is called roots I think. Superdrug have it

Olaplex is a bonding treatment. It rebuilds the internal structure of the hair which is damaged by colour and heat styling. It's a brilliant product, which has saved my hair.

I think you may benefit from using a clarifying shampoo. If you've been using lots of heat protector plus a silicone heavy cheap conditioner, you'll have masses of product build-up, which will be making your hair dull and brittle.

Regular trims are the way to do it and a good diet.

I second using Olaplex, I've got coloured brittle hair and it's amazing the difference it has made using that once a week. I'd ditch the straighteners, and have a good cut then go from there.

I would say it will be down to your diet. I would increase protein & fat consumption & reduce your carbs. Possibly take a good vitamin supplement too. What are your nails like?

I'll have a look at olaplex. Is there any in particular?

I'm going to get a cut next week but it looks like I need a good 3 inch off to get it all even again :(

My diet is very good already which is annoying, I eat all good fats, low carb & high protein. Very annoying!!

Olaplex is a brand name. There is also Colorphlex, Smartbond and a few others I can't remember. They all have slightly different formulas, but work on the same principle.

Olaplex is a brilliant treatment, but it won't give you immediate results in the way a conditioner does. You might need to do several applications before you see the difference.

I do it every month and my hair has gone from thin and straw-like to thick and soft. I can't afford to go to a salon, so I buy my Olaplex on ebay in single doses and do it at home.

My hair used to look like that and it would look awful if it got too long. Then I got a keratin hair straightening treatment and kept growing it. It's pretty long now and soft and luscious looking.

I'm just looking on eBay at olaplex, mostly seem to be number 3, is that what you use?
Do you use much each treatment? Wondering if 100ml would go far?

No. 3 is the maintenance treatment. You use it once a week, like a conditioner. I don't bother with that, although I have heard it's very good.

What you need is No 1 and No 2. These contain much higher concentrations of the active ingredients. I can't remember the exact quantities, but about 10ml of No 1 (mixed with water) and 20ml of No 2 will be more than enough for your hair length. They'll send you instructions and dosages with the Olaplex.

Ok thank you, I'll get some ordered :)