new thread
Hello All!!
I've been a long long time since I have been on this site, but I'm glad I came across it again. I'm currently in the process of growing my hair out again (Third time is the charm!). I'm in a much better place this time around. I bought my first house and moved out of my parents house.
The last time I attempted to grow my hair long was in October 2009, which I'll attach a photo of my length at that time. My parents were against me growing my hair out and I ended up having to cut it, in October 2009, so that's kinda my final photo with what I was able to grow then.
As I said now, I'm in a much better place where they don't have any say lol. My father has gotten used to the idea but my mom is still against it. She understands I'm going to do it anyway but still doesn't agree with me. Her brother actually had shoulder length hair before he passed away so maybe it goes back to that? Hard to say.
Either way, I've found better products for my hair this time around too, which is great. I'm using shampoo every other day now and want to get it to maybe only twice a week, but use conditioner daily. Any thoughts on this? My hair isn't looking oily or anything as it is now but I figure the less I shampoo it, the better right?
The other thing is, I've been working out at the gym, trying to lose some weight, and so can anyone offer products or tips on how to control my hair while it's shorter and growing out? It would be so much easier if I was at the stage of a ponytail but sadly I'm not. My last haircut was in early September 2016, so I figure I'm about 4 months in. Early I know. My hair was slightly longer when I started so it's already falling in my eyes and is covering my ears about half way. Now I have thought of wearing like a beanie, to help keep my hair out of my eyes while I'm like on the treadmill, and I don't want to use gels, sprays, etc because I'm really trying not to use anything harsh (my shampoo/conditioner are all natural, expensive but worth it to me and I've been having great luck with them!) I'm not sure if using a beanie though is bad like fiction on the hair, which of course I don't want breakage or split ends. I was looking in the store and saw different like head bands but I'm not sure what would be a good materiel that won't cause damage but work.
I also have been using silk pillow cases (something I learned about this time around vs last time) and that is making all the more difference I feel. Are there any other tips or secrets maybe I should know? I have also been taking Biotin too which I'm not sure if it's working on my hair but I have noticed a major difference with my nails so it must be.
Thanks for reading all this, I usually always say too much and am too wordy but thanks for sticking it out lol
Welcome back to the mlhh Skyfather.I don't recall when you were last on this board but maybe you were using a different name then.I've been on this site actively since 2005.
In feel bad that you were dealing with such resistance about having longhair.You would think in this day and age most people would be over the fact that some men like having longer hair.It doesn't hurt anyone so what's the big deal...right?
In my experience I've been lucky that there was little backlash when I was growing out my hair and maintaining a longer length.I've had longhair uninterrupted for decades now :)
As for tips I'll just mention what I do.My hair is straight and fine just so you know.I workout also and being my hair is long I just ponytail it while at the gym.In your case you might want to just wear a ball cap to keep hair out of your eyes and such.I do that for work as I tail my hair them place the tail under the cap.This protects it from the elements and minimizes tangling.Other than that I wear hair sticks while out on my leisure time.Loose is mostly when indoors at home unless its not really windy out.As for hair care I just shampoo and condition every other day which works for me.After the second day my hair looks flat and a bit oily.Hope this helps with you as I'm sure others will offer something different up.Mainly experiment and see what best suits you my friend.Have a great weekend and please do keep us posted on your progress.Cheers.
Mârk
Hello Mark!!
I believe the name I used on the site before was perhaps "SimbaNala"? I don't recall but it would have been around 2009 or 2011 when I was on here. I like the name Skyfather much better. It's sort of a play on Navajo. They believe there are two gods, Earth Mother and Father Sky. I changed it to Skyfather as so it doesn't seem like a Catholic prist. Maybe it's just me but that's why. LoL
I'm not upset at my parents, I can't force them to understand nor would I want to. I'm just relaxed about it and know that it wasn't the time but now is. Sadly because of the way the world is, I knew I wouldn't be able to do what I did in such a short period of time, get a good paying job, buy my first house, etc. So it had its trade offs but now it's time to begin again and third time is the charm!
My biggest concern about like a hat or beanie is heat building up while working out and I don't want that to lead to breakage? Maybe I'm being a tad bit paranoid though.
My goal is still about mid shoulder blades length but I'm in love with even the awkward phase, it makes me so happy everyone I feel my hair blowing in the wind and while there isn't much now, it's enough that I feel like I'm doing the right thing.
I do recall you on the forum before and thank you for the re-welcome lol. I do believe it would have been more in 2009 I was here before, but it's nice to hear from you again! :)
I've attached a photo I took a couple nights ago on my length currently. Off to a good start I'd say. This would be my four month mark approximately. Actually, it won't let me attach it because it's over two megs, so I'll have to do it on my computer instead of my phone, so I'll do it in a little bit.
Shane
Hi Shane, thank you for the nice reply :) Yes, we all have our stories of growing our hair long and I agree it was more difficult on some of us.Thankfully I never was pressured to cut mine but do recall having to turn down a job offer once that requested I cut my hair shorter.Fortunately I was in a position where I was able to make the decision in favor of my hair.
Funny as I don't even recall your user name from 2009 as I was definitely active here then.We did have a period of "hit and run" users who posted a couple times then disappeared.Sometimes you caulk it up thinking they just cut their hair and felt no reason to post again.Some guys who did cut might say so and say goodbye to the group.Very sad when that happens.
As for wearing a hat I've done so even in the summer and don't feel it hurt my hair.Sure it would be flat and oily looking by days end but a shampoo and condition fixed that.These days I only do the hat thing for work and hair sticks or ponytail the rest of the time.My hair has survived the test of time and am grateful for that :)
Great hearing back from you my friend:) Cheers
Mârk
The obvious solution for the gym seems to be a sweatband. A lot of Tennis players wore them on the court back in the 70s when a lot of them had hair the same length. Plus it would fit in, wearing it there.
