Taking a walk down memory lane

I decided to log into my Fotki and was looking at the first year of my hair journey when everything was going well and my hair was growing like a weed.

My hair had gone from this in January 2009

to this in July 2009 (terrible posture pic lol)

to this is in January 2010

That was pretty amazing growth for just one year. My regimen was extremely complicated at that time:

Regimen as detailed on my fotki in May 2009:

Relax every 12 weeks minimum, my last stretch was 13 weeks, my next is 14. I will be adding an additional week until I stretch to 16 weeks.

Clarify every 6 weeks with ORS Aloe Shampoo mixed with coconut oil and VO5 Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream Conditioner

ORS Hair Mayonnaise DC and Garnier Fortifying Deep Conditioner every 6 weeks and week before relaxer

Wednesdays and Saturdays or Sundays

Pre-poo with my Coconut oil, rosemary, peppermint oil infusion (15 minutes with shower cap under hooded dryer)

Co-wash with VO5 Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream Conditioner

Deep Condition with Garner Fructis "Moisture Works" and "Strength and Repair" Fortifying Conditioners, and 1 teaspoon each of Wheat Germ Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Olive Oil (20 minutes with shower cap under hooded dryer) 

On Saturdays I add the ORS Pak to the mix as my light protein I part my hair into small sections and apply my conditioner from root to tip

Apply Leave in conditioner: NTM Silk Touch Leave In, Motions Nourish Leave In, IC Olive Moisturizing Shine Serum, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil and roller set hair

Dry hair under hooded dryer

From Week 8 I use small rollers and dry under the hooded dryer to straighten my new growth without using direct heat

Since I have been washing my hair twice a week, my hair does not need moisturising every day. I do it every other day and use ORS Carrot oil and seal with coconut oil or Wave Nouveau and seal with coconut oil. 

If I don't plan on going out, then I won't use the dryer. I will prepoo and DC with a regular shower cap and a foil cap and airdry my hair in rollers

I don't use any products with mineral oil or petroleum. I only use boar bristle brushes. I only comb my hair once a day in the morning with a wide tooth comb without sharp ends. I sleep in a satin bonnet with my hair in a loose bun or sometimes in 4 bantu knots when I want loose waves in my hair

Protective Styles every day except Saturday nights (date night)

No hair accessories with metal parts (I love the Goody Ouchless hair elastics)

It was both time consuming and expensive but my results were undeniable. In 2010, I began having issues and my length did not change very much. 2011 and 2012 were just off years for me and I cut my hair to shoulder length so many times. It's only now in August 2013 that I am happy with my hair. I want to see progress but I cannot be a slave to my hair.

I am trying to grow my hair using a bare bones regimen that involves only one wash per week.