My Full Relaxed Hair Growth Journey & Exactly How I Did It (With Pictures)
instagram: @seunokimi
How I grew my relaxed hair long. Hair growth tips to reduce breakage and increase length retention. My complete journey.
Some of the videos I mentioned in this video:
The Science Behind the Growth Plateau Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Wn_X...
Why Many Black Women Don't have long Hair, The Role of Genetics & Race In Hair Growth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4Dnwi...
Best Protective Style for Hair Growth Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcDpae...
How to Take Down a Protective Style to Retain the Most Length:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bne-4N...
More In Depth Video about My "Regimen":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwiMeE...
Relaxed Hair Shaming, Why I Didn't Go Natural:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtE17E...
In this video I talk about how I grew my hair long! I hope you enjoy!
In this video, I answer questions like- Why is my relaxed hair breaking, or Why is my relaxed hair so thin, or Why is my relaxed hair falling out, or Why is my relaxed hair shedding so much, or Why is my relaxed hair so dry.
In this video I cover how I was able to stop shedding and breakage on my relaxed hair, how to stop hair breakage after relaxer, how to grow damaged relaxed hair, how to fix relaxed hair shedding, how to take care of relaxed hair and make it grow. This video walks you through how I grew my relaxed hair long, past shoulder length, and closer to mid back length, approaching wast length. I talk about the major things that I attributed to my long black African American hair growth and I also discuss things such as my relaxed hair care routine and regimen and protective styling for my relaxed hair.
Black relaxed hair can grow! I hope this video helps you!
Hey guys, it's Seun and welcome back to my channel so in today's video I'll, be talking all about my relaxed hair journey since making the decision to not do the big chop. So I've been here on YouTube for a little bit over three years. When I started my youtube channel, I knew I wanted to focus on protective styling and my relaxed hair journey. It was one of the main reasons I started my youtube and, along the way, the natural hair whom it started, picking up and throughout it all. I know I made a couple of videos where I was very seriously considering going natural, I kept on going back and forth, but I decided to stay relaxed, so it's just been kind of interesting watching. Other people grow their natural. While I have maintained my relaxed hair, like I personally know anyone personally, who's still relaxed, so it's very interesting still being relaxed and just seeing how my hair has progressed over the years that I've decided to stay relaxed. I just wanted to put this out to show you guys how I was able to grow my hair within the past three years and actually be able to show you guys, videos and pictures from old YouTube videos. So you guys can actually see what my hair has looked like throughout the years and as I've been showing you guys, these pictures and videos I'll be telling you guys about what exactly. I actually did to get to these points, showing you guys, the good and the bad of my hair journey and exactly what I did to get my hair to the link that it is right now now this is a video from my channel and I'll show you Guys the length of my hair and that picture that you see in the top right is the length that my hair had been stuck out. For years like I was at the shoulder-length plateau for majority of my life. I also really struggled with staying at that plateau and it wasn't until 2016 that I was able to pass it, and that was on accident. By doing weaves like it was literally when I had given up on my hair growth journey that I had started. Seeing growth before that, I watched a bunch of YouTube videos did a bunch of stuff with ha o treatments. Protein treatments would always be trying to do something to grow my hair, and then I saw that it wasn't growing. So after, like two years of trying, I was like okay, whatever I'm just gon na give up, I don't really care anymore. I kind of believed what a lot of people comment on my videos as well, that it's just genetics, I'm just cursed like I'm, never gon na be able to grow my hair long. So I was like. Let me just put it in a so in and just fake that I have long hair when I put in so when, after I started doing so ins for a year, my hair was getting longer and I couldn't understand it until I started doing more research into It and found the beauty a protective styling by accident. It was by leaving my hair alone in protective styles. I was able to get my hair to where it was at the beginning of my hair growth journey on YouTube. So this is a starting point in the middle of 2016 of my hair growth journey on YouTube so with seeing that growth and was also starting my youtube, I was like okay now, I'm gon na be serious again about growing my hair, so that summer I put My hair and all back big cornrows. I tried the inversion method. I don't know if you guys know about what that is, you can look it up, but I try the original method, I'm not really sure if it worked because my hair was in braids. So there wasn't really a way for me to actually measure my hair growth after that week I tried biotin, but it broke me out like crazy, so I had to stop. I was also really big on using castor oil on my scalp and on my braids, but I found that it would be a really really messy and then also break me out, and I was having a lot of problems with my skin at that time. So I had to stop after doing all of that for the summer and going really crazy, not taking my hair out of those braids at all. At the end of it, I saw tremendous growth and I was like yes, my hair is getting longer. I actually believed that it's possible for black people to grow here and longer, and I think the main thing out of all those things that I tried was the fact that my hair was in just really big cornrows. That I did not have to manipulate and did not cause any breakage for me. You can also try biotin and castor oil and the inversion method, see if those things work for you. I personally don't really think that those things worked for me and after that period of trying them, I never tried them again. Disgust was a lot of stress and broke my skin out a lot, and I just continued with protective styling, and I do believe protective styling was what led to my growth, because after that, I was able to grow my hair with protective styling and even in this Video, if you go back and watch them my old videos like this one, actually I'm talking about going natural, something that was very heavily on my mind and if you want to know why you couldn't go back and watch those videos so moving on later into 2016. I noticed that my hair wasn't growing as much, and I just got kind of discouraged and in this video I'm talking again about going natural kind of going back to things like okay, yeah, black people just can't really grow long. Here at least maybe blacks black people can't really grow long hair. Maybe if I went natural I would be able to grow my hair longer, but even after going back and forth, I still decided to stay relaxed and see how this relaxed hair journey could continue. So now I'm moving on into 2017. I finally gave myself a good trim and treating my hair for the first time in years. I'Ve never been to a salon, so I would never just trim my hair, which is actually really bad, which you'll notice throughout this journey, and pictures that I I'm really bad about trimming my hair but anyways. I finally trimmed my hair and just made a video about like myself and my relaxed hair journey and why I wanted to bring my relaxed hair journey and my journey with hair in general on YouTube and then moving on into later in 2017. At this point I was just doing protective styling back to back. To back I mean I was busy with school, so I didn't have that much time to devote to trying other things, but I was just doing a lot of protective styling and I was seeing that I was working like I was getting happier with the thickness, especially Of my hair, I felt like protective styling if anything changed how thick my hair was getting, and this is when I made my video about hi groom, I relaxed here and just basically shared with everyone - how protective styling changed my life. So now I'm moving into the very end of 2017. I had had a very stressful past few months. A lot of things were happening that were taking my mind off of my hair, so I basically just didn't do anything to my hair except leave it in braids under a u-part wig, and I made a claim check and basically in this video, I'm just explaining how Shocked, I was to see the that my hair was getting this length, and this is when I really really believed like that. The best thing you can do for your hair is leave it alone and neglect it, but in a healthy way, in the sense that my hair wasn't neglected and out to where it would be prone to tangling and matting up like it was safely protected under braids. Under a wig - and I didn't do anything to it like I learned he didn't even on my scalp or anything like - I did nothing to it and I saw so much growth and were just shocked and then so now, I'm moving into the end of 2018, an Entire year later, I basically, I just continue to purposely neglect my hair healthfully neglect, my hair under protective styles, really in, and I'm still really into like a research about hair science. So I started doing more research and just understanding how I here works, learned a lot about my hair and hair growth as a whole and just started being more intentional and in this video I was talking about my protective Sal takedown routine, and this was an important Video, because the thing about hair growth and growing your hair through protective styling, is that you're here, no matter what you do. You'Re here is growing underneath the protective style, but some people will do protective styles and still not see hair growth like whenever they take it down. They'Re not seeing that much hair growth and people would ask me and cam me, like I'm, still doing protective styles wise in my hair growing, and the reason why you're here isn't growing or it doesn't seem like it's growing it's because when you're taking down your protective Styles, you're losing all of the length that you just retained and during your protective style because of when you're taking it down you kind of just ripped through your hair, I mean I definitely guilty of it too. Never I was younger, like I, don't have hours to spend taking down braids, but you I don't you just have to. If you want to retain the limp that you're getting from your protective style, it is so so important how you take down your protective style. I can't stress that enough. I can't stress protective styling one and number two, how you take down your hear from protective styles. That'S what I was explaining here, but yes, it's very important text. If you actually want to see growth from your protective styles. So now I'm moving on into the beginnings of 2019. I continue to just be extremely careful with my hair doing a lot of protective styling. It wasn't really changing my anything from what I was doing from before. So this was how my hair was looking like and then later in to 2019 as well. I continue doing the same thing that I was doing before, and I made this video about the growth Plateau, because I felt something that happens to a lot of people. I was struck at a plateau for so long. Then I started realizing that I kind of think my hair is stayed at another plateau. So I make this video explaining the science a science to me. It'S fascinating, like I was so excited to make that video, but yeah just explaining the science behind the growth plateau and my own journey and how my hair had been staying at this lane. As you can kind of see from these videos, my hair has been kind of right about waist length for a while. So now this is the rest of videos from my hair growth journey in 2019. As you can see, my hair has kind of been. I mean it's, I don't know you told me, is my hair? Does my hair look longer? These are videos from how my hair looked as you can see. It'S been a journey for me as well, and I hope this encourages you if your on your own journey, the thing that I really want to be a take away from this video. If you take out nothing else, I hope it is this one thing about hair growth, which is an understanding of the fact that our hair is growing and there isn't really much we can do to make our hair grow any faster. That is, from our actual scalp. Speeding up the hair growth, but what we can do is reduce how much our hair is breaking, which leads to more retained length which leads to longer here. It wasn't that my hair was growing really fast throughout my three-year journey. It was that I was able to retain length and keep it from breaking as much as possible by putting my hair in those protective style and making it literally impossible for my hair to break while it was in a safe, protective style during those months. That was in a safe protective style. I was able to retain all of the length that it was growing here on average grows like half an inch a month, so in three years that's 18 inches. But it's up to you whether or not you actually retain those full 18 inches. So while I wasn't personally able to retain the full 18 inches, I got pretty close. I feel like we at times overcomplicate hair growth, there's no better way to prevent your hair from breaking than not touching it simply by just doing healthy protective styles, and that point, ultimately, is the reason why I was able to get my hair, and I also feel Like a lot of the stuff I talked about applies to both relaxed and natural year, if your natural - I don't want this video to be like you - should go. Relax like you shouldn't have done the big chop. You should regret having ever done the big shot, because you could have brought growing your hair so long with relaxers. I feel like whether you're relaxed or natural protective styling and all the things I mentioned in this video applied to you. So don't take this as, like. Oh, you should go relax wherever you are and your hair grows during. I just want to encourage you that it is possible. I was one of those people too. That just didn't believe that I could do it that it was just other people who were just blessed, but I really don't believe. That'S it at all. It'S all about knowledge, and it's really just all about knowledge and the more you know the better. You can approach your own haircare journey, so that's why I really really felt the strong need to put out this video and just walk you guys through exactly what I do with pictures in videos. So you can actually see it for yourself and believe it that it is possible. I really really hope that this video was helpful to you guys and it was helpful. Definitely let me know and yeah I'll see you guys in the next video
Comments
ebonibrandon: I discovered the beauty of leaving your hair alone two years back. Black hair wants a good washing, little to no heat, gentle handling and to be left the heck alone! This is really all there is to it.
TiffanyD.: Some natural women look down on other women who relax their hair, but who cares what they think. I realized for myself that natural is not for me. Don't let nobody shame you, or try to tell you that you don't love your black self simply because you wanna be relaxed. This is your life... Do what's best for YOU!! ❤️
Natasha A Ruzive: I am natural and I have always been natural even before natural hair was a thing. It’s refreshing to see people being true to themselves, what they like and what works for them. I didn’t know relaxed hair grows like this, this is lovely . Your hair is beautiful I’m here for growth tips. ❤️❤️❤️
Simita: I'm natural and I agree that the take down of protective styles is soooo important in seeing growth! After a protective style the ends of hair are at the most vulnerable, so being rough causes the hair to break sooo easily. At the point of take down it requires the hours of care that wasn't being put into it during the style to be stable enough to retain the growth. Great video explaining this well!
KEES WAY: Yes! Protective styling works! It’s guaranteed length retention! Your hair so beautiful btw!
TM: From one relaxed girl to another, thank you for this video!!!! I’m the only one of my friends who are still relaxed and seeing videos like yours make me not give in to the peer pressure of going natural when I know that’s not what I want to do. Keep doing you girl!
TMPH: I big chopped 3 times and tried going natural... I've come to terms with it being okay to like relaxed hair, and I'm super committed to growing waist length relaxed hair now. You're videos are my fave.
Oh really?: Right and another thing, Protective styles are only PROTECTIVE when your braids are not TOO tight! You dnt want ANY tension! Don’t worry about the braids being “neat” & Dont have too many zig zags in the pattern either, just tension free braids
Tiffany Williams: Luv your video. I was just telling a friend who is not black that there are a lot of African Americans with long relaxed hair and long natural hair. The myth that black people can not grow long hair is just that....a false ideology.
Shelby Steele: Braids and Wild Growth Hair Oil is how I got my hair to finally get passed bra strap length. I also stayed out of the salon because most of these stylist only know how to do more damage than hair growth. I learned how to trim my own ends
Akilah B: You are so pretty! That smile is everything. And your hair looks great.
Everything Melanin: I'm also someone with long relaxed hair and I can honestly say my hair started truly taking on length when I stopped oiling my scalp, yes you read that correctly lol. I focused on my actual hair and making sure my scalp remained cleaned and clear of blockage, especially as someone who battled bad dandruff. I no longer oil my scalp and I add whatever oils I use to my leave in hair conditioner. At first I worried about my scalp being dry but after experimenting I noticed when I moisturized my hair and massaged my scalp at the sametime that was enough. Your scalp naturally moisturizes itself. I also only relax my hair twice a year.
Be Vain With Vanity: This is true. My hair has always been neck length. I put in a sew-in 12th of October. I left it in until maybe thanksgiving. I took out the sew in but left the braids in and put a lace wig on top. Left the wig on until Christmas Eve. When i finally relax and washed my hair it was bra strap length. So that’s why I’m here because you just confirmed exactly what i knew. It’s the protective styles and just simply leaving it alone. My goal is waist length. I CANT WAIT
Jadyjumo: I’m so done straightening, frying, and damaging my hair. I’m also done with it growing very slowly. I’m going to be doing protective styles with wigs. People tell me to go natural but I just prefer the straightened hair look. But I’m so excited to finally get a wig soon
Zoey Fierce: So basically I need to leave my hair alone and use protective styling. Thank you for this video because I’m tired of trying a million things. My goal is bra-strap - mid back length. I’m currently at shoulder length.
towela m awesome: I am actually considering going the relaxed way. And this helped. Fighting with my natural hair, beautiful and natural as it is, is just not for me. I have done the big chop 3 times now. Get tired of all the work and commitment natural hair requires, cut it. Then miss the length and grow it out over a year and then cut it when the same frustration of fighting to maintain it natural comes back. But relaxing my hair feels iffy because I often suffered breakage in the past. So at this point I have a very love hate relationship with my hair.
fatou b: I think not trimming hair and lack of moisture has a lot to do with hair growth/length retention.
SULAYKA J: You’re hair is goals!! I’m on my hair growth journey and this is so inspiring thank you!
Beverly Anena: This is the thickest and longest relaxed hair I've ever seen in my life!
Dominique S Gallo: Since quarantine I’ve had time to watch all these hair videos and I’m learning so much! I’m relaxed but my daughters are natural (I’m letting them choose like my mom did me ) and protective styling has been working so well for them especially my oldest who’s hair fell out so much because someone told me her hair was high porosity when it was actually low porosity. Her hair has grown so much it used to be to the middle of her back fell out to her shoulders and is now passed her shoulders. I’m happy. I had no idea about the hair breaking from not getting relaxed enough and I think that’s my issue. My mom used to do my hair all the time so I would get relaxers 4x/ year but since I’ve moved for my job it’s like 1-2x/ year (when I see my mom in person) and I’ve notice my hair sheds lots but I thought it was just because i don’t have my mom to trim my hair anymore and I switched to a cheaper shampoo (trying to save money). Back to making time and washing weekly and oiling scalp properly and going back to my normal shampoo. I did add in deep conditioning with all of us and that seems to make our hair soft. Thank you!
Medline: Wow, I am relaxed again after being natural for 7 years, and girl, I have noticed the relaxed community is small. But I did what was best for me. I am glad I came across your videos your tips are going to help me on my new journey.
OLIVIA JOY: Literally so happy to see this video, people tend to think relaxers damage your hair, but there is definitely a way to keep healthy hair with one. So encouraging
Lo campbell: I’ve been growing my hair without the big chop after my relaxer since I was 12 it took me a long time to actually know what to do with my hair but once I started “healthily neglecting” my hair with wigs in high school I saw growth! For the longest time my hair would not go past my shoulders currently my hair sits just past my collarbone I try to keep up with getting my hair trimmed and use protective styles (wigs). I went natural without the big chop I just grew out the relaxer and started from there! not gonna lie I went through a heat damage phase but I was 13 and didn’t know what to do with my hair but my point is it’s possible to keep your hair and start over. You don’t have to go natural and chop off all your hair or you don’t even have to go get a relaxer like she did, I truly believe you can start from anywhere your hair currently is and work from there
Donna Mcdonald: Your hair is gorgeous! You go, girl! What fun to see your journey! I began my protective style journey 7 months ago and (at age 56) I've gained ~ 3 inches.
Pankiezie: Thanks for sharing your hair journey! I can attest to alot of what your saying. Im between 3b/c. My hair is naturally curly and dry as hell. When I was in my 20s(early 2000s) I hit a plateau with my hair. It would never grow past my bra line. I didn't want to spend money going to a salon all the time and we didnt have as many great styling tools, so I just put my hair in a pony/bun everyday for 8 months. I was shocked when I got a blowout how much my hair grew. Over time I realized if you just leave it alone it will grow. By my 30s I could sit on it. I kept the same routine. I would only wash my hair once a month, twice at most and just touch it up. Im in my 40s now and for 20 years the same process works, so much so I tend to chop off 5 to 8 in at a time cause I cant be bothered with a 3 hour wash n style process. We have God given natural oil that can work its way down the hair shaft if we give it the time to. You really dont need all these products they throw at us. I would suggest good deep conditioning and after you style your hair, limit heat to once a week(if that). Add your favorite hair oil to the ends till the scalp oil can catch up.
Alcione: What you said from 9:50 onwards is what took me 5 YEARS to understand about hair. So thank you. Protect your ends and keep them moisturised.
Regina Regina: This really helped me make a commitment to my hair growth. I am so excited about my perm. I really love the just for me results I got. I really appreciate you sharing your journey!! ❤️Thank youuuuu
Andrea Chapman: I can relate to not doing the big chop either. About nine years ago, I kept being told that you had to do the big chop. Yes, what a journey as I watched my hair grow some, shorten a little, then the tresses grew some more. It's still a work in progress, remembering to twist it, treatments to scalp however it is really worth it and your hair's beautiful :)
Edel Kinuthia: I swear I was having this debate this afternoon and have struggled with the decision the last couple of months. I almost cut my relaxed hair to start over again. But I promised myself, the same energy I would put into natural hair, is the same time and knowledge I should apply to relaxed hair and I told my hair...."relaxed hair can grow healthy and strong." And it's time I started protective styling and stopping the breakage.
Divine Serenity: So happy to see your relaxed hair journey! I used to relax in middle school and my hair was long, the only reason I stopped is after falling in love with the kinks from my natural hair after stretching for a longer period that I was used to. I had started back at the end of high school but stopped again because I was told I had ovarian cysts and that they were linked to the chemicals in the relaxer. At the end of the day, it's your head, it's clearly showing healthy and beautiful, I just would say be mindful of all of your body anytime you're dealing with chemicals.
idumpedthequarterbak: I love this video. It gives me so much hope, I can’t wait for my hair to look like this! But I want to add that no, my hair wasn’t breaking it actually wasn’t growing. I’ve been natural all my life, I recently relaxed my hair for the first time earlier last year and it took 10 MONTHS for my hair to grow two inches. So my relaxer was fresh for a really long time. That means my hair grows 1/4 or less every month. My friend who is asian got her hair cut to armpit length and in a couples of months her hair was back to her waist. Her hair grows an inch or more a month. Her hair grows extremely fast. The only time my hair has ever had a huge noticeable growth spurt is when I was juicing massive amounts of veggies and fruits daily. My hair grew about 2-3 inches in less than 2 months. I’m hoping rice water will give me same results.
Ms Shema: I'm part of the relaxed gang!! My hair has grown so much since I have been wearing ponytails(protective styling)for almost 2 years and haven't flat ironed it in over 3 years!
Asahina-: I agree with this!! I have been trying to grow my hair out for about 1 and a half now started in 2019 and leaving your hair alone in protective styles DEFINITELY works! My hair has grown so much! I’m honestly shocked. I haven’t done a length check/blowout to really see but I could just tell by how much bigger my Afro is that it’s a lot longer
NICOLE LEWIS: I love the final result. You can see that not just the length but the health of your hair has increased 100-fold over the years! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
KiKi D: I'm relaxed as well and I stretch my relaxers for months at a time. I did a sew-in for a years straight, taking it down wash & condition and put the sewin back in every 3 month and my hair grew like crazy!!! Congrats to you on your journey and I'm so glad you did not big chop!!
Charisma W: I’m looking back at pictures of when I was natural. My hair did grow fast when I left it alone. It’s currently growing out from a pixie cut. It was thick and luxurious, but since Covid it’s getting dull. Definitely trying your method.
Libra Status: I wore my hair in cornrows (under clip in extensions) this past week. I spritzed my braids/scalp daily with water and conditioner and my hair felt soooo good when i took my braids down today. Im doing an oil treatment now going to wash and rebraid. Just trying to get back into it. Thanks for this vid ❤️
Life with Cheyenne: Thank you girl! ❤️❤️❤️ this video is so informative without making me fall asleep!!! And it really made sense about what you said about keeping the breakage from happening that causes you to retain the growth!!! I will keep my hair in braids from now on!
UnwrittenChic: I'm going back to the basics Greased scalp, weakly wash, and corn rows (also trims)
Chiamaka Florencegrace Dan-Igogo: You're just a big inspiration to me. I've been trying to grow my hair but I kept seeing natural hair videos, like they're the only way to go. And I really don't have the strength to grow a natural hair, like it is not for me! Thankfully I came across your channel and protective hairstyles have helped me so far in growing my hair. It's a steady progress tho. But yeah thanks! ❤❤❤
Maybis Merino: You have just made my day with this video! Your smile and your hair omg the same thing happened to me years ago I had sew in wigs for about 4 years back to back and when I finally decided to leave my hair out it was the length that you have it now and I was so so happy but then I relaxed it and started going to the salon and it started breaking. So how often do you leave your sew in for and how long you wait to relax and to go to another protective style ?
Quana Marie: I remember I tried everything when I was getting perms and my hair just would not grow past my collar bone. I wasn’t able to maintain my hair length until I stopped relaxing. That’s awesome that you were able to maintain length and still get perms.
Kinya Kemei: Hey pretty. I am relaxed too and not planning to go virgin! Happy to have an influencer who shares my desire. Your hair is great and am glad that you get to help me achieve my relaxed hair goals.
Kemi R: Yes, I love it! Relaxed or natural, I love to see Black women growing their hair—all you need is protective styles and patience! Ty for this video, your hair looks awesome!
Ari Ariel: I’m so hoping to grow my hair out like this. I’m relaxed and I tried going natural and I damaged my hair so much so now I just keep in braids for about 4-6 weeks. I oil or grease my scalp with design essential medicated grease and I take my multivitamin I take a biotin daily and I use collagen powder in my coffee weekly. So far it’s working. I’ve gained a few inches since June
csauls: This is so inspirational! I’ve been stuck at shoulder length for years but I’m going to follow your advice.
Sch: Thank you for this video! I have natural hair, but this is the first video that has actually properly helped inform me how to grow my hair. Went from mid back length to hip length in just 6 months from doing this!
Life Top10s: One thing I can agree with is the protective style. My hair grew ridiculously in 3 plus months when I braided it. I was so shocked by the results when I finally took it out. Most growth I have ever experienced.
Veronica Mmari: You're genuinely so cool! Happy for you and appreciative of the effort in your videos and research. Much love
Hair Life: This definitely gives us hope about having sew-ins and braids without traction alopecia! I am for protective styling, it has helped me go my hair too.
Jasz Lambert: I’m natural and I get a ton of shade for straightening my hair. I don’t straighten that often but the gag is, I only natural so my hair would be more full. It’s very fine. And this was right before it was a movement. Love your tips girly!!
Yoga by Design: Love this video and your hair so pretty... I relaxed for a long time as well and that shoulder length plateau is really something! I have really strong hair which I love and is great (its been abused a lot) but it makes it totally unmanageable for me as my schedule doesn't allow for the hours natural hair requires. Having said that I'm natural loooool but I just leave it alone under a weave and its flourishing - I've spent so much cash trying to have my natural hair out and moisturising ugh all the damn things... after many years am considering relaxing again (not too straight blow out look) simply because I can manage it. I didn't know anyone was still relaxed these days lol - well don'e for sticking to your guns xx
Phylicia Talbott: Thank you for this. I believe I’m my own downfall because I don’t get my ends trimmed as I should (it has been years) and also the way I take out my protective styles. I always lose so much hair when taking out braids and I was convinced it was just normal that my hair falls out when I take out my hair. I also lose a lot of hair in the shower although I try to minimize it as much as possible by applying cowash and conditioner and using only wide tooth combs to better get through my hair. I’m going to first get my ends trimmed and find a good way to take out my braids without taking out my new growth. Also, I’ve never taken my hair out the way you did in the vid (using dryer and brush, etc) maybe if I get a detangling brush that’ll help as well. Thank you though for your knowledge and time to show us the effort you put in to get where you are. The thought of gaining 18, shoot even 10 inches in 3 years makes me so hopeful. My hair has been at my collar bone since 2014 I’m ready to take charge and show my hair I do love her. Thanks again.
Shalimar: Yes ma’am this is how I got my hair to grow so much. I’m natural but those protective styles are the best way to grow your hair. Mines is the longest it’s ever been!
Lynn lynatus: You're right about "neglecting the hair in a good way." I remember when I was in school yet, I used to relaxe my hair every 4 months and almost getting the second month after the relaxer process, I put my hair in a protective style and the inexplicable thing was that I didn't use any hair product line, I just used the shampoo left over to wash my hair once or twice a month, rinsed it out, sometimes I did a final rosemary-infused rinse, every now and then poured a little oil or grease on my scalp and that was all until I relaxed my hair again. I had a lot of black hair until I got into what people on YouTube call a hair routine. It's been 8 months since I've been wearing braids that I renew at the end of every month and on my natural hair for and I'm starting to get long hair again.
Shanadiah Nicole: I've toyed with going natural but I don't want to because it hurts and I'm 41 mother of 4. I don't have time for any of that. So I keep it relaxed because it's easier. I have put it in braids twice this year and my hair grew like crazy. So thank you for this video. I needed to see this and be encouraged to stay on MY chosen hair journey. My hair will still grow. See you in your next vid.
LottsOfLayers: You have a beautiful and welcoming smile!! Thanks so much for sharing your hair journey. Since, we’re all stuck at home due to CoVid19 I have been forced to take care of my own relaxed hair. Your video is such an inspiration, as I have been contemplating on whether or not to put either a sew-in weave or medium sized cornrows or box braids. After watching your vid I feel more confident to pursue a a protective style, rather than the usual nightly wrap before bed.
Dione Newman: It was the same for me when I was relaxed. My hair only grew to a certain length. What I learned is that the relaxer was weakening my hair, particularly at the ends and after I would have my touch ups, my ends would just break off by simply combing it. It was frustrating because I took extreme care of my relaxed hair. I transitioned 4 years ago and learned that my natural hair was strong, I experienced no breakage and my hair flourished and grew like a weed. Within a year after I cut my relaxed ends off my hair, I was already at APL length. (I transitioned for 18 months) Remember, you’re hair is always growing but if you have breakage, you’re just working against yourself. Protect your ends! Moisturize. Detangle gently. And if you are relaxed, super important to get regular trims! I can see how protective styling can help grow relaxed hair but you must still care for the hair you are tucking away. Good job Seun!
ke ho: My hair WAS the length yours is now when I was in middle school... years of straightening caused me to plateau at shoulder length and super thin! I just reached a give up moment and saw your video! And I loved your first suggestion of just leaving it alone! I’m about five my self a good trim and put it up in braids!
Shadow Play in the Woods: Hearing you say your hair was once at the shoulder length plateau You have no idea the amount of hope you just gave me. I've only "barely" hit bra strap length. Thank you, Seun!
Dude: Even if you have relaxed hair, you've helped me the most with my natural hair journey with your videos.
Kaye Dubb: this kind of reminds me of my sister, except she grew out her all natural hair for 10 years, no cut. by the time she got around to straightening it, it was halfway down her thighs. black hair is magical
Denisha Modeste: Seun i've been on a relaxed hair journey myself. your videos are very inspiring to me. my hair is currently at bra strap length.
PETY'S PATH: I was thinking of going natural purely because of the trends these days! Now I feel confident that I can grow my relaxed hair. Thanks so much! Protective styling all the wayyyyyy!
amaia: I definitely agree with leaving hair in protective styles. I did that throughout high school and I took my hair out and actually looked at my length after a few years and it was so much hair compared to when I first started.
Chaunci Lanise: The only time your hair does not grow with a relaxer is if you’re making it bone straight which you’re not suppose to. Then going to stylist who overlaps the relaxer back on to the hair that was already processed. Your hair is gorgeous
Cece: Seun, I love your videos! I've definitely learnt some tricks to help me on my hair journey. How often do you relax your hair? I relax every 4 months but I'm trying to extend to relaxing every 6 months and just go with protective hair styles in between.
Tami L: I got tired of my natural hair and got a hair cut about 2 months ago. I had relaxed hair before but it broke off at the ends and was so short so I went natural and had the same issue. Got tired of it all. But its wonderful to see how long relaxed hair can get when taken care of.
Nish Malcolm: This video was very informative. Thanks for all the details on how you grew your relaxed hair. Like you, i'm a relaxed girl who has been wondering if going natural is the right way for me to strengthen and grow my tresses. I have been thinking about cutting it all off for quite some time, but I really dont want to. But thanks to your video, i think i'll hold off on the big chop for just a few more months and really try some protective styling with my relaxed hair and see if it helps. I love biotin, it really makes my hair grow. Plus I'm Jamaican, so Castor oil is my thing!! Love your videos Seun.
Leo Juliet: I love how excited you looked with each length check! You're so adorable ❤
Back To Life: Great video. It’s like what we see all the time with ppl that get braids or dreads. The take down is always amazing in terms of hair growth. My hair flourished with weaves but it also was very suffocating to my hair so it would always grow long but be really limp and lifeless. This was a great reminder that 1. There’s NO magic pill for hair growth. 2. All hair grows - There are no hair types that don’t. and 3. Protective styling retains length. Now let me go and put my hair in some quarantine twists ♀️
Nodreen K: Super useful video!! Really appreciate you sharing your journey and providing some extra motivation for those of us at shoulder length!
C Brooks: Your hair is lovely. I was at bra strap length (relaxed) and I did a big chop couple years ago and I regretted it. My hair was going through a bad patch but after the big chop, it got worse (stress). I just started working on my hair again this year. Some people hair does grow by neglecting it. My aunt does that, but at this point I cannot do it because some parts of my hair is still thin For now. simple styles, deep condition, moisture and consistency!
Christina Miles: Honestly your videos are my favorite and give me sooo much hope because you keep it so simple! I let natural hair YT get in my head and think I need to do soooo much to grow my hair and its not true. And I’ve always thought about relaxing my hair again but then I’m afraid it’ll break my hair. I’m going to leave my hair alone for 3 months and see what results I get! Thank you for the insight!!
Diamond Raejean: Girl!!! I have to tell you. You just blew my mind. I never knew you could have long relaxed hair. I've always been told for so long that it will break off. This is amazing to see.
Sassy S: Thank you so much for this video. I loved it! I do have to disagree with one thing you said and I fully agree with something else you said. I agree that we must have knowledge. We have to really know our hair, the characteristics (porosity, thickness, genetics, etc.) This brings me too what I disagree with. I do believe that we can speed up our hair growth. For example, because I learned that because of my genetics, my hair is fine, low porosity and grows only 1/8 to /4 inch a month, I have found ways to speed that up. This year I've been able grow 1/2 to 3/4 inch a month. I've sped up my growth. For the first time I may get 5 to 6 inches in a year and reach my first goal of bra strap length hair. Yay!! Thanks again for the video. Next year, protective styling.
Forever Natalyn: Everything you said was 100% HONEST AND ENCOURAGING! I think this is the first time I’ve heard an method to hair growth that does make sense and explains our entire plans and decisions to go natural or try this or that method. It is honestly down to minimal breakage and healthy retention! No matter if we are relaxed or natural !! Thank you for sharing your journey your hair looks beautiful healthy and full of life ❤️
Marisaama Ose: I came across your channel via instagram explore and I definitely do not regret it..I've been stuck at bra length for over 4 years now .tbh I've also felt the pressure to go natural but I dont have to courage because no matter the length I love having my hair the way it is,I love having the choice to relax or not.watching your videos have definitely taken the pressure away.I actually relax every 6months. I always see the growth both then it goes away.i realise now that it might have been from over heating and I really didn't like doing any protective styles I just like my hair free..now I know better ..anyways as a fellow Nigerian girl..I appreciate you alot .
Stella Carrier: I have to concur with the others that this youtube video by the author is helpful and I am glad that she shared some of her ideas with others on how she cultivated her long hair and enhanced her hair beauty. I have an open mind to the benefits of both natural hairstyles and relaxed hair especially since I wore my hair relaxer free from the summer of 2003 until around April 2012, however I admit that I prefer to relax my hair approximately twice a year and I am happy to have found this youtube video of someone willing to share some of the ideas on their relaxed haircare journey.
ytg gamer: Thank you this is the first video that I have seen with relaxed hair. Their are thousands of videos of natural hair. My hair was very long until 2017 when I found out my baby had brain cancer. I am now starting to try and grow it back long. I suffered a lot of breakage and hair loss due to stress and worry. With the quarantine and all, I keep my hair covered whenever I have to go out. I only have one stylist that I've had for over 20 years. She has fussed me out for not coming or calling letting her know what was going on with my hair. It was at a stand still watching your video gives me hope that I can grow my hair back. Without doing the big chop. Thank you for the video I am now a new subscriber.
Mia Moore: I’m relaxed too and I’ve never done a big chop! And your hair type looks exactly like mine too. I’m always so interested in seeing other relaxed girls journeys cuz i get so many comments about relaxer horror stories so it’s nice to see success stories. I used to have so much breakage and my hair wouldn’t get past my shoulders. I also grappled with going back natural but never fully committed. I’m now past the middle of my back. Congrats to you and your progress!!
Arian Long: Love this. I have a very fine but course hair texture. My hair is very thin when straight but soft. I did braids but my issue is my hair so fine that I saw 2 inches of new growth which I felt I lost all of during my take down. My braider took it down and the knots out and combed it. I then washed it with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. After that I tried to deep condition it. I put leave in conditioners and oils in after. I feel like my hair needed to be Saturated with water and oil before hitting it with soap. I had knots come out which I’ve seen in people with thick hair like yours before but because my hair is so thin it was bad. My sister has thick 4c hair her texture is a bit different than mine because it’s very z shaped and it’s not fine. Her hair grows fast with braids but it breaks with the take down. I braided her hair once with eco gel and that’s a no no for 4c hair. Eco gel works fine on my hair but it seems to eat her hair out. I know you should put on minimal products when braiding. Maybe I’ll try just grease and a leave in for her next time.
Natasha Sichone: I’m glad you’ve made this because I was natural for 6 months then came to the decision that it just wasn’t working for me and my hair was still breaking so now I relax it once every 2/3months and so far it’s going well. My hair is growing
Lola Gets: Most black women who wears protective styles and wigs hair IS LONG! esp. if it’s taken care of! It’s foolish to think that black women cant & don’t grow long hair! The issue is the cutting & chemicals that starts at an early age! No one is harsher on their hair at such an early age than BW!
Randi Parker: You are EVERYTHING for making it a point to share all of your experiences with growing your haaaaaair! I appreciate youuuuuuu!
Drewyana Nicole: The day I decided to loc my hair, I saw a huge growth spurt. My hair has never been so long. I’ve also noticed early on that my hair loves to be in protective styles and flourishes the most when it’s left alone under a wig or braids/twists, weaves etc. Having locs was the best thing i could have done for my hair lol no regrets. Healthy Protective styles for the win
Tammy Nicholson: So many girls and women need this. Not everyone wants to go natural and they shouldn't be made to feel guilty.... you go girl. Black girl magic ♀️
sandra adefila: Your hair is gorgeous! Diet/protective styling/ moisturizing BIG TIME, combing from ends to roots, good trim when needed, less manipulation, hair growth oil based products, and being hydrated as much is possible are key to healthy long beautiful full hair love ♥️♥️♥️
nemo: So proud of you Seun Could you do a video on healthy hair take down, protective sytyles that do and don’t break your hair, and how often to change protective styles?
charGeorge: Hey Seun, thanks so much for sharing. I’m very much into protective styling but my challenge is that because I exercise regularly, my scalp gets so sweaty and itchy quickly so I find I can just about manage 2 weeks with not washing it. I’d there a way to protective style and keep your hair clean without having to take it all out? How do you cleanse your hair and how often?
Jeanne Julien: Great videos, makes perfect sense! I don't think that people necessarily lose growth through 'taking down' protective styles though.I think it's more about getting over-excited once they see the amount of growth and forgetting that it has to be maintained otherwise you go back to square one. eg excessive manipulation to try out new styles, over- processing the new growth (chemicals and heat) and maybe too long before putting it back into a protective style. So breakage occurs. Relaxing definitely weakens some people's hair also - not all hair is the same, so definitely not the best choice for everyone.
Mulenji Zapita: Omg, I used to watch you when I was relaxed back in 2016/7, so it's crazy to come across your channel again and see your hair stunning sis and inspirational! Can't wait to get back to relaxers
DomoniekS: Awesome video. Renewed hope in growing long relaxed hair. Been stuck at shoulder length for a while. I am big on protective styles. My last relaxer was about 6 months ago. How often do you relax your hair?
irem ilgin: Who else cut their hair in quarantine and trying to grow back ✋
sailorgaia: Wow! Short or long, your hair is beautiful! I think hair that makes a its owner happy is the best! It is almost as if you have created for yourself the best of both worlds: your hair can be gorgeous voluminous, wavy and curly but also is lovely straightened and long! Love it!
Yours Truly: Reading “Ultra Black Hair Growth” book by Cathy Howse helped me grow my hair from shoulder length to bra length with relaxed hair - using direct heat free styling.
Praise Tar: You have beautiful hairrr! Thank you for proving that long relaxed hair is possible. Your perseverance is admirable❤️
Celeste Flenory: A unicorn!! A relaxed woman who has healthy relaxed hair... I wish I could ha e found you a year ago.
Portia: I'm happy to see this because...I have 4c hair and I can't get it to grow no matter WHAT! If not because 4c ends have these annoying coils that coil within itself so that no matter how gentle you are they snap, crackle, and POP everywhere when you're trying to detangle your hair, I probably would have had longer hair by now. So, I've been thinking about texlaxing to loosen those ends and my texture a bit, but now I'm thinking maybe just relax the whole thing and continue protective styling using half wigs. People who don't have 4c hair will never understand the struggle. 4c hair is its own struggle unique to natural hair types. What type of relaxer do you use? Please share.
Art she makes: This makes me happy! I relaxed my hair a few months ago and it’s growing so much faster because I can manipulate it less