new thread
I'm glad to have found a site for long-haired men, as anywhere men's hair is mentioned, it's about short hair.
I have some hair care habits based on advice I got from women, mainly my mother. Consequently:
-I wash my hair once a week (as I've been told doing it more often would damage the hair)
-I get it trimmed regularly (every four months or so), as I've been told shortening the hair a bit would make it stronger and then it will grow faster.
-I shampoo it twice when I wash it. (I mainly use Elseve Anti-Casse from L'Oreal)
-I massage the head skin intensely
-I use a conditioner. (this one changes frequently)
-I towel dry and then blow dry it.
-I brush it when it is wet and again when it's dried.
Now, I've been reading some scarce information on the net about long hair on men and some more abundant information on long hair in general or on women. It seems that:
-It's ok to rinse it quite often even you don't use shampoo (I'm refering especially after physical exertion)
-It's no good trimming it, as it doesn't grow faster.
-Shampoo should only be applied once and thoroughly.
-Skin should be massaged gently, not intensely.
-Blow drying should be avoided.
-It shouldn't be brushed when wet.
Also I've realised that my hair isn't any longer than it was two years ago, due to regular trimming (maybe they want to sabotage me). Plus, I've noticed my hair tends to curl a bit towards the ends.
Plus, I also blow dry my hair to avoid a cold, as it dries slowly and I should stay indoors until it's completely dried.
What's your take on all of this? What works for you?
Your post is big, so I'll take it point for point:
-Once a week seems to be a good ideal, although it doesn't work for me. If it works for you, by all means keep it up!
-I wouldn't trim the hair unless you deem it necessarry because of excessive tangling, split ends and such. And don't cut more than 1/4-½ an inch each time.
-I only wash it once, but I don't really know what difference it makes. I have a theory that they want you to do that to sell more shampoo. Have you tried only washing it once, to see if it makes a difference?
-I do too, it's supposedly good.
-If you want long hair, this is essential!
-I just use the towel to 'press' the water out of my hair. I don't rub it, and I don't blow dry. Both of those can be damaging.
-I comb my hair when wet, even though others say not to...
Hi Atrus,
The notion that the recommendation to trim often amounts to sabotage is NOT absurd, in my eyes. Even in the absence of a conscious sabotage motive, there still may be subconscious ones.
However, this is difficult to assess in most situation, except in cases where eg a mother first says "you don't look good with long hair", and later she relents somewhat and says "well, at least you should get regular trims". Because trims are obviously counterproductive because they shorten the hair, such mothers need to add the old fairy tale that "trims help to make the hair grow faster". If that line is swallowed, then the intended sabotage is effective.
As I said before, trimming hair for longhairedness is like having intercourse for virginity (proverb modified to make it G-rated).
And, you are right, using shampoo once a week is plenty. If frequent hair washes are needed, using lukewarm water plus conditioner is just fine.
Out of curiosity, may I ask what part of the world you live in, and how long your hair is?
Happy growth forever!
Hans-Uwe
I'm from Romania and my hair is about 11 inches long.
Another argument I've heard is that having a long hair may be a basis for later baldness. So I've had my hair trimmed regularly and it is now as long as it was two years ago, which is not cool.
So, should I rinse my hair after physical exertion (eg jogging)?
That's definately a sign you should cut back on trims.
I think yeah. I suspect having a lot of sweat in the hair can cause itching.
Hi Atrus,
the story about baldness is another myth and most likely totally untrue. Baldness is determined genetically - if your maternal grandfather is bald, you have an elevated risk for baldness. The reason for this is that the gene for the androgen receptor of hair roots is on the X chromosome. To some degree, you can counteract a genetic disposition with a healthy life style (eg no smoking, healthy food, enough sleep and some exercise).
So, your hair is about 28 cm long (many board users are non-American, but today, American board users understand cm, too ;-)
By the way, I agree with Stefan (Mesmerized), rinsing your hair with water after exercising is a good idea.
Well, and in less than 18 months, Romania will be a proud member of the EU - and we're looking forward to it! (my off-topic remark of the day)
All the best, and happy growth!
Hans-Uwe (from Germany)
...you can wash your hair more often than just once a week if conditions warrant it...i.e. if you work a 'dirty' job or sweat a lot. As long as you use a good quality, gentle shampoo you will have not trouble.
Actually most of the 'good' stuff you can do to your hair comes from your conditioner. As your hair gets longer and longer use LOTS of conditioner. Why? Because it helps tremendously in eliminating tangles, knots, and other problems.
Begin combing with your FINGERS from the tips of your hair and slowly work your wau up toward the scalp. Then switch over to the wide tooth comb, again beginning at the tips and working up toward the scalp. Finally, rinse well (although I have heard some hair care experts recommend that you leave just a bit of the conditioner in your hair. I don't as I find it just makes the hair thicker and I certainly do NOT want that with my thick hair.
After rinsing, comb your hair again using the same method. Then wrap a towel around your head and twist your hair inside the towel. Then, using two hands, give the towel (with your hair inside) a good wringing. Leave the towel tightly twisted around your hair while you shave and do other things.
10-15 minutes with your hair wrung tightly in the towel should do the trick. (This will actually PREVENT any odor that may result from hair that dries too slowly). Then remove the towel, add a bit of hair dressing (I actually use a tablespoon's worth of Melting Gel by L'Oreal) and work it throughout your hair.
I am one of those people who immediately tie up my hair into a tail instead of letting it air dry. This works best for me but may not work for you depending on the texture of your hair.
Good Luck!