new thread
Hey guys, how has everyone been doing? This is the first thread i've posted in ages since my webcam has been bust and I haven't been able to take any decent pics to show my hair progress. I'm currently at I think about the ten month mark, possibly longer. My hair has been looking great and it seems to be getting lots of compliments from friends and even higher-ups from work. Although just recently I seem to have been noticing that at the back it seems to have been getting increasingly rough and coarse which I have been suspecting is due to split ends.
My hair is generally very thick and seems to be knotting up a lot more now and seems to be a lot softer at the front than at the back. I was wondering whether I should give it a bit of a trim to get rid of the possible splits as it is getting annoying. Should I try and cut it myself or get somebody else to cut them for me as I will feel better once the problem has gone away.
Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated?
I suspect that this common problem of noticing problems at the back of the hair is due, in part, to the fact that it is simply easier to see and reach the hair at the sides and front and the back can easily get neglected because it is more awkward to get at when you are doing whatever you do in the way of washing, conditioning, brushing and combing, etc. And you can't see it either, so again it can get overlooked until such time as it gets really problematic. I would advocate a "no cutting" strategy in favour of a more concerted effort in taking care of the back. If it's not long enough to bring the back forward to have a good look at it, then I'd suggest it's not long enough to go cutting bits off (if you want to have long hair). To stop it getting tangled up overnight try sleeping with your hair in loose braids.
I've decided not to cut it now in favour of looking up some more helpful methods of maintaining my hair. I will take even more care now in making sure that it stays healthy and I might look into some Jojoba oil as i've heard a lot about it
and I am definately intrigued.
Thanks alot for the advice.
Peace everyone.
Usually split ends don't really show up in most people until around shoulder-length or a bit longer (about the 2 - 3 year mark); but everyone is different (including those lucky dudes that never get 'em)...
When I was growing my hair out, I went to a professional stylist about once a year for a trim (usually asking for only a half-inch off). Pick a hair stylist with a good reputation & has a following with long haired people, --- a woman friend of mine who has hip-length hair recommended her stylist to me. But be prepared to pay the higher price! Cheap places to get your hair cut (like "Super Cuts", & other chains) are definitely dangerous for longhairs, --- in that, usually these hair-cutters seem to only know certain standard cuts.
Also, once you do decide to trim, you can help prevent splits thereafter by massaging in a little beneficial oil into the ends (Kukui nut oil, Jojoba oil, Almond oit, etc.). I do this AFTER shampooing & conditioning my hair.
Also... it should go without saying, but just in case: bleaching, dying, or perming the hair damages it, --- and increases the likelihood of split, dry, and/or broken ends.
Hope this helps!
- Ken in San Francisco
