Hi! I have really learned a lot from reading your boards!
I have always wanted to have really long hair.  I really
admire those with long hair, but it seems I can never
attain it.  I have very thin, fine, hair.  I always have had.
I used to perm it in the '80's and 90's so it didn't look
too thin but now I have blond highlights in it.  I know
that those are not good to your hair if you want it long.
the longest I've ever had my hair is BSL.  That was with
a perm.  Actually my hair wasn't in too bad shape then
because I never used heat appliances and and washed
it about every three days.   I haven't had a perm in four
years but I've been getting blond highlights which make
my hair look a little thicker.  Every stylist I've been to
says my hair must be kept short because it's so thin.
(I don't have any thin spots on my scalp).  About a year
ago I let myself be talked into a chin length bob with
bangs.  Every one said it looked great and it did look
thicker.  But I missed my longer hair and all the things
you can do with it.  Now I'm trying to grow it out. It
brushes my shoulders and I get the roots touched up
every 2-3 months.  I use the heat appiances sparingly
but I feel I need them or my hair looks so flatand thin.
I'ts at on awkward stage.  I don't have gray (I'm 48)
so I don't HAVE to color it, but I feel it helps in the
volume dept.  Should I quit coloring it?  Keep it up
but condition well?( Not that I think you should color
gray, I quickly add)  My ends get really thin and scraggly
when it gets past my shoulders and BSL. But I would
like to grow it out at least once in my life.  Is  it also
true that Mousse is damaging to the hair?  Thanks.

The chemical processes damage your hair which will make it weaker and more prone to breakage.  This will not help your attempt to grow longer hair.  If your hair is naturally thin in structure as well as thin in thickness, you will have to be extra careful with your hair to keep it heathly.

It may not be impossible to grow long hair while still highlighting it, but it probably won't help.  Keeping your hair moisturized, splits trimmed, and careful styling to minimize damage, you might be able to achieve longer lengths.  

Be sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Growing Long Hair for lots of suggestions for growing your hair.

Glad to have you here and hope to hear more about your growing!

I have super baby fine hair too so I know what you are going through. I think fine hair doesn't handle chemical processing well. In fact, my hair hardly stands a hair dyer. Baby fine hair is soo fragile. What color is your hair naturally? Because there are alternatives to highlighting that you can try that aren't so damaging, but that depends on your haircolor.
I know what you mean about wanting to use heat appliances to add body. I've learned that I can add body without them if I put it in rollers when it is almost dry and take them out about 3o min later. I end up with a pretty waves and fuller hair and my hair does not get damaged. YOu can do the same thing with a braid in damp hair.
Good luck

wrote on Jun 5^th, 2004 at 11:16pm:

Should I quit coloring it?  Keep it up but condition well?  Thanks.

I think that would be a good idea :) My hair is baby-fine too,it's past 44'' now and still growing,and I honestly don't think I would have gotten there without:

wearing my hair in updos to protect the length and ends

not colouring it

not using a hair dryer or other heat appliances


I think fine hair is much more prone to damage,but don't worry,with patience and good haircare you'll eventually get the length you want :)
As for coloring,you might try plant based colours,e.g. Henna is available for every shade of hair,also blonde.
I'm not sure about mousse beeing damaging,but I recall reading somewhere that it is very drying for the hair if it contains alcohol.
Hope that helps a bit :)

Thanks for all the great advice!  Yes, I have looked at
the ultimate guide for growing long hair and  I've been
using the suggestions!  I know chemical treatments
are terrible for any hair but for fine hair its even worse.
My hair is natually a medium brown. I would love to
use henna but I'm afraid  to do it over the highlights.
The Highlights are several shads lighter than my natural
hair so I know that's particularily damaging.  I've used
conventional rollers with good results,some types of
rollers(like velcro) tear up my hair.   It's encouraging
to know there are people with my type of hair that have
suceeded in growing it long. 44"!  That's great.   I can't
wait for my hair to get longer so I can braid it and wear
it in updo's.   I think longer hair is less maintenence then
short hair in many ways, as far as styling.   I just have
to get it there.   Thanks!

I feel that long hair has less maintenance on a day-to-day basis, but on a long term basis, it is probably the same.  But long hair usually gives  you more options for styles than short hair! ;D

To Anne-Marie,
Thank you so much for giving me hope!  I am new and have a long way to go, but thank you for your post about your baby fine hair that is 44" long, and still growing.

Never underestimate the effect that a word of HOPE may have on one discouraged.

Strawberryfine :)

Yes... Anne Marie is an inspiration to all of us! (fine or coarsehaired alike)

Anais

Strawberryfine and Anais Satin -thank you for your kind words,you've really made my day!! :D :D :D :D

Yes, me too!   I would have given up and cut my hair
if I hadn't seen that someone with fine hair could
get 44" of length.

Do any of you have pictures of your long baby-fine hair?
I would love to see some!

Lisa

I posted pictures of my fine hair here.

Yes, I did see yours.  Thank you.  Is your hair thick as well as fine?

My hair is thick and babyfine. I have pictures posted on the picture board and in my own journal (which I haven't updated lately, but sorry, I've been feeling excruciatingly boring).

Your hair is gorgeous!  You are lucky it is thick.  Mine is only medium.

wrote on Nov 12^th, 2004 at 1:21pm:

Yes, I did see yours.  Thank you.  Is your hair thick as well as fine?

Sadly, my hair is no longer as thick as it was when I was younger.  I would say my hair is average or a bit on the thin side when it comes to the thickness of a ponytail.