Growing Your Hair

[Guest EmmaPark94]

So, I have been given the option to grow my hair long. But, I don't know how to get from Point A (Moptop, Beatles-esque Hair) to Point B (Feminine, Long Hair)?

Do I just wait for it to just grow, or do I cut it out of the 'mullet' stage?

[Guest ashleynikole]

Hey Emma,

I was in the same place only I had to go from bleach blonde short spiky hair to a beautiful, age appropriate shoulder length bob (I'm only 1/2 way there after a full year). I started by finding a stylist who was trans friendly and definitely knew hair. I was so fortunate to find one that is knowledgable and very good at what she does. It took me probably a good 6 months to find one and until then I just avoided haircuts. I asked around so perhaps our Michigan people can help you find someone.

My stylist cuts my hair every 2 months and she knows where I want to go so she basically helps me get there but look good in the process. If you have some long hair, you may already be part of the way, but your stylist can help you get the rest of the way. You definitely want to keep it healthy so it can grow and look it's best, but you'll definitely need someone to help you get there.

Good luck

Ashley

[VickySGV]

Getting it out of the gate does require a stylist to work with you on a regular basis. Today was my hair day for a color touch-up aka root job, and trim. Today (3 years along) we have found the maximum length my hair will grow before going too brittle and total split ends. It is a bit expensive (Color $65, Cut $35) and is every 6 weeks for me, but today my stylist took some extra time and showed me how to use a home styling tool, which bumped up my tip a bit.

The important thing is to find a salon that will take on your "project" of hair growth and your reason. Most will be happy to have a long time prospective customer. I go to a Salon in an Ulta Cosmetics store, and another friend of mine uses one at a Sephora store. Both of those chains are TG friendly by store policy. Look at a salon's customers, and if it is younger clientele you should be OK. If it is across the street from an evangelical church with a lot of older customers and stylists, it may not be a good idea. There are "unisex" hair cuts that could be a starter point.

[KathrynJulia]

Hi Emma

I too found a trans friendly stylist who has been super great for me. She recommended a Biotin capsule everyday and after 4 to 5 months, I noticed less breakage of my hair. It just made the hair stronger and fuller. Scrap the ultra cheap store brands of shampoo and conditioner and just buy better stuff. Experiment until you find a brand you like. I like John Frieda Products. They work for me.

When you start growing your hair out, have your stylist layer your hair. and set up a schedule of around 6 weeks to have your hair layered and trimmed. Your hair will grow faster and won't look ragged and unkept on you. Get your eyebrows waxed or threaded. Nothing screams male than bushy unkept eyebrows. The ladies tried to get me to come in every two weeks, but I wait till 3 weeks to have my eyebrows shaped and cleaned up.

Go easy on the blow dryer and heating instruments or else put in a hair treatment that will protect your hair from heat. I also like a round styling brush to add body and bring out my natural culiness of my hair. Estrogen and anti-androgens will also effect your hair. My hair is much thicker than before I began transitioning to the point where several people who have known me have comented on it. Thos thin spots aren't so thin anymore. I hope some of these help. Kathy

[Guest Sarah Faith]

Eh, I just let it grow out and largely ignored how it looked till it was long enough to put into a small pony tail. I didn't even bother going to a stylist until I was ready to go full time. I mean if your not planning on presenting as female yet, not alot of point in sinking money you probably could use for other things on a stylist just yet.

[Guest Mickey]

Not only did I find a trans friendly stylist, she is herself, trans. She was the first one to cut my hair in almost 10 years, 2 months ago, she cut the dead ends. I lost about 8 inches that day. But I go see her again tomorrow morning and she is going to start shaping my hair into a more feminine hair style. She's also going to wax my eye brows. I am all a tingle with excitement at the prospect.

[Guest saoirse]

At the start mine went through a yuck stage and I just put up with it . I am unsure what style I want to go with so I just didn't get a haircut for about two years now .my hair is halfway down my back now but I mainly keep it in a ponytail when out and leave it free when home .

[Guest otter-girl]

I also just let mine grow and only trimmed it once in 2 years.Its almost mid shoulders now. I'm in pony tail at work as need low maintenance style. New years resolution maybe to find a stylist to tidy it up.

Rachel