At end of tether with my hair

[DreamloverTealover]

I can't for the life of me get the side layers of my hair to grow. It has honestly been about 20 years. I've had it cut short numerous times hoping it all comes to one length but it never does. Any ideas? I have tried not dyeing for 2 years etc but nothing helps.

Do you keep getting the top layers trimmed? You need to explain you'd like it all one length. That way the hairdresser will cut it accordingly. They may take a tiny bit off the ends of the top layers for hair health, and more off the bottom until it levels up. So long as your hair is growing in other ways that should sort it. Also make sure your diet is balanced with lots of protein and maybe take a Biotin tablet - my hair was very thin and sparse post menopause, but I realised my diet had been appalling. I saw my GP and took iron tablets for a while and I reckon the Biotin made a big difference bit takes about 3 months. (I'm in the industry).

Do you use heat protectant? Do you use any bond repair treatments? I know you stopped dying but there are other types of damage to protect against. Also, putting some oil on the lengths can strengthen your hair. Finally, i take supplements for hair as well.

I’d bet my left leg that either you’re regularly wearing glasses on your head, wearing a hairband/headphones/similar, wearing elastic bobbles, you have rough pillowcases or you tuck your hair behind your ears. Same shit with my hair, I stopped doing all those things and it stopped snapping off at the sides and caught up with the rest of the hair on my head.

Agree that it may be friction related.

Try proper silk pillow case and/or silk bonnet. Silk scrunchies. Be careful with hats - you can get silk lined ones.

Not really as they are so short she kind of just lightly trims as knows I am trying to grow it. I have had it bob length a couple of times hoping it works but it doesn't. Rest of my hair grows bit front and sides dont. I will definitely need to look again at my diet. I'll look at bit as well. Thanks.

Yes I use heat protectant but very rarely use heat. I have the L'Oréal bond serum I used for months but didn't see any improvement. What kind of hair supplements do you use?

I wear glasses but so blind I don't wear them on top of my head if that's what you meant. If not I can't stop wearing them if its the legs on side of my face that's the problem. My pillow could be a factor them as I do move about in my sleep 🤔 also do tuck hair behind ears if down but for ages I have been having it loosely clipped up, no top knot or high ponly tail.

I will definitelt look into a silk pillow case, do you have any recommendations?

Scared to post this but this is what I mean. My hair had been in a clip all day past night so ignore the full length

Hair only grows to a genetically determined length, so maybe that’s as long as that bit will ever get.

If it is as long as it will get, what should I do to style it? I'd love to start having it down again but always worried about damage on the front again

I use Perfectil but other brands are available, I think Biotin is a key ingredient and will be in most.

I will have a look. Went out last night and straightened my hair, looked horrendous then because of the rain and wind, when I went to the loo noticed my hair was just a wavy mess again.

Tempted to go for a bob again then go for it with the vitamins, pillows etc. Always feel raring to go when I get a chop then go back to feeling deflated when I get length at back again and it looks disjointed again.