How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

i have short hair (about chin length)..i purchased a CHI iron in september.in addition tracks(hair extensions) and microbraids also damaged my hair.i also perm my hair every 4-5 weeks.after numerous trims and a haircut, i went from shoulder length to chin length.

i am planning on getting scalp braids and stop getting perms.i would like to grow it past my shoulders by next year(2008)...if that isnt enough time how long will it take to past my shoulders??

i would like to do this without expensive products or products ordered on the internet.i would rather things that i could do at home or purchase from a drugstore or walmart.i am young and I dont have a job!(LOL)...

can someone help me please!!!THANKYOU!!!

How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

always deep condition and dont apply heat to your hair regularly, wrap it and then just try to use a light oil for the hair and a good conditioning grease for the scalp. if you can go natural and then after you get to the length you want, gt the perm. i mean, my hair was beneath my shoulders, i cut to my chin, then all off to only the pin curl lenght, then i cut the perm out to go natural and i've been twisting, wearing cute afros, and just doing the natural thing for going on three years now, and my natural hair is below my shoulders again, well when i blow it out it is.

How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

ok when i decided to grow my afro american hair, i bought this book at half price books and it was really good

Hair Rules!: The Ultimate Hair-Care Guide for Women with Kinky, Curly, or Wavy Hair

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hair-Rules-The-Ultim...

its really good. if u don't want to buy the book thats fine, do these things

get regular trims for dead ends

condition with a protein deep conditioner

use a moisturizing shampoo

use a pre shampoo conditioner like olive oil shea butter, or castor oil, to prtect hair from the shampoo

put the oil in your hair put on a plastic cap and blow dry or sit under a hood dryer for 15 min, then shampoo and recondition with your regular conditioner

use coconut oil or jojoba oil for the scalp

don't use products that have petrolatum, mineral oil, or silicone (dimethicone), or wax based products

eat healhy and excercise

don't use heat more than twice a week

get a protein reconstructor.

a really cheap conditioner is cholesterol. try to find one without mineral oil or petrolatum

How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

you dont have to stop with the perms if you dont want to cause i had the same problem and i thought that getting braids would help but it really just started to get expensive so instead i stopped adding hair of all types and just got a wash and set every two weeks[make sure you get a hair treatment] and i would wash my hair at home and use this conditioner called Queen Helene Cholesterol...its like 3 dollars from a hair store. It worked for great for me.

How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

When i used to get relaxers i used Garnier Fructis Length and Strength. I used the separate shampoo and conditioner. It really works. I also used Profective Oil Sheen Spray. I plan on doing that again now that I'm natural.

How can i grow long healthy african american hair??

Go to these sites

http://www.growafrohairlong.com/

check out tiffs photo album, and link to public fotki, and click on photo albums, and their are tons of members achieving long hair

http://www.hairoil.com/