I am in the military and HAVE TO have my hair up while in uniform or it has to be cut.  My hair ends right above my butt and every day for work I pull it back into a pony tail with a rubber band (no metal kind) and then put it up in a bun and use two more ruberbands to secure the bun (the rubber bands criss-cross over my bun making an "X" on the bun).  It is the only way that I have found to keep my hair secure and out of my face throughout the day and to stay within regulations.

I trim my hair on a regular basis (once a month), wash my hair about every two to three days so it doesn't get too dry, use shampoo and conditioner in the shower and leave in conditioner right after the shower.  I use a comb for my hair when its wet and a brush when dry and also deep condition after my hair cuts.

I still have problems though with my hair.  I am starting to thin out on one side of my head more than the other and I look like I am slowly going bald on that side.  I thought that maybe it was because I slept mostly on that one side so I started sleeping on the other side more often. Nothing has changed.  Then I thought that its maybe because of how I wear my hair for work, but I can't do anything else to my hair that is within regs...at least not by myself.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get my hair to grow back?  And maybe have any suggestions on how I can wear my hair while still being able to wear my beret?

Thanks for any help...

SP_Beauty

You could check out www.skinbiology.com and find the link for hair.  Their product called Folligen has helped my husband's bald spot.

Also, I don't know how tight you pull on the hair, but is it possible for it to not be as tight (if you are pulling it tight) and still be neat?

Good luck, I hope you find your solution because with your hair so long it must be very beautiful!

About different styles: there are many updos you can make by yourself. I'm now going to assume that your hairtoys need to be inconspicuous. Neverthless, obtaining a few different types of hairtoys would give you more versatility with styels. Some ideas: Amish pins (they're really good, sturdy hairpins that hold like glue), hairforks or sticks (neutral color and as short as possible so they won't protrude from your hair) and small clips that would help you to section your hair. Possible styles: figure 8 buns and infinity buns, cinnabuns, knot buns, braided buns etc. It is beneficial to avoid placing the bun to exactly same place every time you make it. If you need to wear a hat, you obviously can't make very high buns, but you could still alter the place of your bun a little.

I know the military usually does not allow any hair ornament to show, so this would limit you to hair pins.  The Amish hair pins are awsome for holding buns - they are heavier and can be longer than hairpins you buy in the store.  Trying a double bun might be a doable option to try to redistribute the tension.

A wrapped braid might also be an option.  Braid the hair and either wrap it around the head (pinning to secure it) or do 2 braids that then loop from the back of the ear to the back of the other ear, keeping it low enough to allow your hat/beret to be above it.

You can get Amish hair pins at Plainly Dressed Headcoverings..  Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the pins.  They sell them in different lengths, which is great when you have extra long hair.

I think Bikerbraid's suggestion was a very good one, braiding your hair then crossing the braids, particularly as this will not put so much tension on your hair and hopefully it won't be too bulky. Could you do it at night and then wrap it in a satin cap so it won't get all messy, might save you a lot of time in the morning. Longer in bed eh or time for another cup of coffee?

Hi SP,
First all, welcome to our little group!

About buns - you shouldn't have to use any bands at all with the amish pins.  Just gather your hair as if you were about to make a ponytail, and twist it around until the whole length is twisted, then proceed with wrapping it around the center as usual.  You may have to hold the center for a while in the beginning.  Tuck the end of your hair under the bun.  Then put in the pins - I usually like to go through the bun towards my scalp, gather some scalp hair, and then push the pin back upwards into the bun.  I like to arrange the pins so that they go around the bun forming a hexagon, overlapping the current pin with the previous pin a little bit, for added security.  I'm not sure how everyone else does their pins here - there might be better ways.  

I suggest, if you have extra time at night, to experiment and practice before wearing it during work.  

Congratulations on your wedding!  Do you know how you plan to wear your hair yet?