Reflections of Hair that Use to Be...

So I was very troubled by the fact that in essence I manage to only grow 3 inches of hair since January!!!!!!!! That only works to be approx 1/4 and inch per month ! What is worse is that in the process of growing this hair I didn't manage to hold on the the hair I already had, so my hair is the same length. Needless to say I am and trying to figure out what I am doing wrong? I decided to look over the old journal that I kept over the last year and here are some of the things that stood out to me:

November 2008

• I came up with a few goals
• I was very vague about my routines
• I was using a variety of products, jumping from one to another in an effort to finish them off even if they didn't quite work for me (mistake #1)
• I often ran out and grabbed products just because someone suggested it
• I liked my hair!

December 2008

• I'm still liking my hair, washing it more frequently because I was working out. (mistake #2)
• I was roller setting my hair even though it may have been causing my hair to break just to avoid using the flat iron (which I still ended up using by the way). (mistake #3)
• My hair was beginning to break and my ends were becoming trashed, not sure why.
• I wasn't very knowledgeable about protein vs moisturizing products so I think I was overdoing the protein without really knowing it. (mistake #4)
• I was quite heavy handed with products (hair looks greasy and stiff)
• Never fully eliminated my itchy scalp and I was trying to reach all my mini goals at once.
• I was documenting my progress less frequently.

January 2009

• My hair was still breaking
• Made plans to trim every touch up vs. every other touch up
• Plan on using mild protein once a week
• Came to the realization I was still jumping from product to product but didn't stop not sure why.

February 2009

• I didn't document any of my progress!

March 2009

• My hair in the back completely broke off!
• I was not tracking my progress very much (only two entries!)
• I discovered that pre-pooing one hour before was better for my hair/scalp than overnight
• I began alternating between protein and moisturizing conditioners
• I tried my hand at homemade leave in conditioner (glycerin/rose water)
• I began sealing ends with avocado oil
• I noticed less itchiness on the scalp and less breakage
• I was still using too much heat

April 2009

• I  didn't document my progress.

May 2009

• Debating if I should go natural because my hair was completely destroyed.

June to October 2009

• I decided to put extensions in my hair (twist)
• I completely neglected my hair in the process (mistake #5)
• I wasn't documenting progress
• Itchy dry scalp is back

Products that just didn't work for me:

• Mizani Relaxer
• Mizani Hydrafuse (irritated the hell out of my scalp, cause scabs and flaking, but really moisturized my hair)
• Avocado oil (refined/cosmetic grade) seems to dry out my scalp unless mixed with jojoba oil
• AO Island Naturals stripped my hair, but seemed tolerable when I added oil
• Nothing with petroleum (but that shouldn't be a surprise)
• Shea butter on my scalp (made it itch initially)
• Protectiv Healthy Ends (too heavy and greasy)

Products that were just okay for me:

• AO Honeysucke Rose (not as moisturizing as I hoped)
• Safflower oil (made a little stiff if use too much)

Products that did work for me:

• Henna followed by a deep moisturizing conditioner and oils made my hair feel soft and strong
• AOGPB
• Jojoba was a God send to my hair
• Protectiv Break Free
• CON (green bottle), but my hairdresser advised against this product
• Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner

So there you have it...how I destroyed my hair. I think by reflecting on what I was and wasn't doing over the last year has help me understand a little bit more about my hair, and has helped me push that nagging idea out of my head that I just won't have long beautiful hair. It will also keep me focused and remind me of why I need to stick to my routine once I've figured that out. Also I need to make sure I am eating the right types of food, because seriously, even if I was racking a flat iron through it everyday that shouldn't have had an impact on how much hair was coming out of my head. I mean only a 1/4 inch of growth a month! That isn't right at all. I may need to complete another challenge.