it all started in the 6th grade - my mom let me start to color my hair. i did semi permanet colors, starting out with a little darker than my natural shade [light blonde at the time] so my dad wouldn't figure it out. since then i started going darker and darker. eventually using permanet color, going all ends of the spectrum over the years. i've gone from black to super-blonde &back again. i've gone all shades of brown, red, and some of the time it was no sort of natural color [red, pink ...]. the latest was i was a level 4 [dark brown] , and went platinum blonde. LOVED it - my hair didn't like it that much. super fried! because it wasn't light enough. i wanted gwen stefani/christina aguilera white ice blonde. but then i decided - all this damage i've been doing over the years needs to stop!

4 years ago i cut my hair short, and haven't gone back yet. so this year i decided that it's time for my hair to hibernate. leave it alone for months. my last haircoloring was to match my roots & my plan is to stop coloring. yes, the time has shockingly come after nearly 10 years of haircoloring - it's come to an end. i'm leaving it alone, cut off a lot of the damage already and letting it grow out.

so i've been reading about what can help grow hair & what i've got so far:

-vitamin e [taken, or oil in hair masks]

-leave in conditioners w/keratin(protein)

-regular trims

-avoid heat altogether if possible , if not- heat stylers (mine is from matrix's sleek look line because i like the added shine it gives &its good for my thick hair. . . though paul mitchell's heat seal is good too)

-make sure there's good protein in the diet

http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip214.htm

website with more good tips on hairgrowth.

i'd love to hear some more advice if anyone has some tips !