Hello, I’m new to the forums and require some help and advice on growing my hair. I’ve started growing my hair long for a few months now but my hair appears to be wavy at the top and front and sides.  But to the back and around the ears my hair is curly. I want to grow my hair out long and make it appeal to a metal audience. (I am a massive metal fan) Any help tips? I’ll attach pics of what it looks like at the moment.

-  Mike

Hi Mike

There are things you can do to stimulate growth - Peppermint oil is supposed to help the scalp spring into action.  There are others who also swear by taking Sea Kelp and Omega 3 supplements.  Sea Kelp particularly is supposed to be great for hair growth. 

The challenge you will have is not looking like a complete scruff bag as it grows from a short style to a longer style.  It’s going to happen and you’ll just have to live through it.  There will come a point when it’s sweeping in front of your face and hanging around your ears and feeling like a right pain.  Perhaps wear some hats for a while?  (It’s times like these when us girls find uses for hair grips, bands and scarves and things, I imagine that this sort of look may not suit your personal taste though!)

I would also resist the temptation not to get it cut at all.  Hair that is trimmed occasionally grows to look much healthier than   hair that is left to do it’s own thing - you’ll get far less straggly ends if you get it trimmed now and again.  If you can bring yourself to do it, go to a salon (not a barbers) and say you want to grow it and they will advise on some ‘growing out’ styles.

Hair growth requires hair strength too - so be conscious of things that might damage your hair such that it breaks easily.  There is a long hair forum somewhere on the web also.  Tactics employed by people included being very ingredients conscious and avoiding silicone and sulphates and keeping their protein/moisture balance in check.  Lots of organic/natural products help you do that.  There is information around this site and others.  Good luck

Thank you for the advice Julia. I was wondering if there were any good metal-ish hairstyles that fit my hair type. I would want it all brushed back onto my back. Since I’m a male who has had short hair all my life I would need some help with hairstyles that suit my fit.

Hi Michael and welcome! Persevere with the hair growth - it’ll come.

Hello and thank you, and I hope it doesn’t look horrible. :(

Hi Michael,

I am a heavy rock chick (!) and have curls Talking about curly styles, what about Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) or Slash from Guns and Roses?  Curls don’t have to mean 80’s style bands with big perms (i.e. like Bon Jovi was in the 80’s!)

I personally take sea kelp and omega 3 supplements, which are cheap to buy, and do seem to make a difference to growth.  If your curls are tight, it will seem to take forever to grow though!  I think the main thing is to keep your hair in good condition while you grow it to prevent breakage.  Don’t be tempted to brush or comb your hair when dry, as this will encourage breakage.  Only comb your hair (with a wide toothed comb) when you have conditioner on.  Also don’t be tempted to apply too much heat to it (i.e. straighten it) as this will damage your fine strands.  As Julia said, a trim every now and again will help it to stay tidy while you are growing it, but you do need to see someone who understand curls, and the shrinkage factor (longer when wet!).  You will only need a tiny bit taken off every 3 months or so.

All the best!

Emma.

Hey Emma, Thanks for the info aswell. I’d be more hoping to pull off http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/186850/Mikael+kerfeldt.jpg Mikael from Opeth. And alright, I’ll give the sea kelp and omega 3 a go! My curls only seem tight and “frizzy” if thats the right word, behind my right ear.

^ Anyone get what I mean. I love my wavy hair, I’d love it just to go down and wavy, Viking style! But would the frizziness behind my right ear affect the rest of my hair contrast wise?

He’s got great hair indeed. You won’t really know that your hair will do until it’s got some more length in it. Some people find that their curl pattern gets more obvious with length, others that it stretches. Often wavy types are straighter towards the scalp and curlier from ear or below. Really you’re just going to have to grow it and see, but look after it as you grow it. Chances are you will need to use some products and/or treatments to keep frizz at bay. If you shampoo and leave it you are more likely to end up with fluffy hair.

Ah I see, so what would you advise for products wise? Sorry if i seem so dumb on the subject. I’ve always had short Frank West esc hair.

Don’t worry about seeming “dumb”, curls take a lot of understanding!  Most of the hair advice out there is for straight hair, and curls are a completely different monster!  Could be worth reading Lorraine Masseys Curly Hair Guide book (which is where we get “CG” from!).

Have you read the sticky post on the newbies forum?  A lot advice on here about going “CG”, and what products are good for your hair. You need to avoid silicone’s at all costs, as they build up in your hair, and take a lot of removing!

A good conditioner is a must.  You can buy Tresemme Naturals in supermarkets on the high street, and not that expensive.  No silicone’s, and a lot of us here love it as a co-wash! (See the newbies forum on co-washing).  They also do styling products.  The Naked range (available at Boots) is also good. 

There is a lot of information and advice on this site, and it can take a while to take it all in, but it will make a difference!  If you are not convinced see my before and after photos (Before and After Photo’s!

Hope this helps!

Emma.

Not dumb at all and The choice is endless! However you may not want to be as experimental as some of this community.

1. Conditioner will be your friend… You need to keep moisture in.
2. Deep treatments will be your friend… Protein and moisture one
3. Gel might be your friend, it can be great for keeping frizz at bay, but you do have to manage the crunchy thing.

Lots of people try to avoid ingredients like silicone, sulphates, mineral oils, alcohol etc. have a look at the sticky topics in the forums (pink, rather than blue) the stuff for newbies will help, as will high street products forum. Take some time to read and learn about how your hair behaves (or not!)

Thanks you two. You’ve really gave me help.  I don’t think my hair is as curly as yours Emma but I do see an awesome difference. I will check the stickies and get back to you.  Thanks again!

Hi Micheal, I thought i would just share my hair growth story since i have, what alot of people consider, very long hair for a curly.
At the moment my hair is just a few inches past waist and its taken ALOTof growing to get it there! Im not so much a rock fan but i massive metalhead and started to grow my hair a few years ago after becoming inspired by the metal ‘images’ and bands like Nightwish, Hardcore Superstar and i even loved Daniel Lioneye’s long dreadlocks from HIM
I started with a chin length blond bob, now i have a waist length black curls that i love so much more.
I never had to go through the akward mullety stage that can happen if you grow from super short but hang in there, you can even it out later and its all worth it…plus curls tend to disguise this more as they are far more forgiving.
Conditoner and careful handling is your friend! maybe not so much at shorter lengths but treating it carefully from the begining is good practice. Slippery conditoners are great as you get far less breakages and therefore less splits, thers no way to make hair grow faster retaining length. by keeping the ends moisturised has been the most vital thing for me…..and wearing it up is helpful. A simple ponytail when its long enough maybe??

All in all just treating your hair nicely is all it takes good luck with your journey!

I’m a metalhead too. I’m more death metal and doom metal. (Strapping young lad, Grand Magus etc) Thanks for the advice! I wouldn’t mind a ponytail, as long as it looks cool. Once it gets past a certain length it should be easier to brush into long and wavy. Thanks again for all the info guys. :D

hey mike,
i take b-vitamin complex every day, I’m not sure if it stimulates growth but i know its quite good for the health of the hair.
also, castor oil on the scalp twice a week is good. a good scalp massage will probably work.:0