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Hey guys,
I am new to the board and to growing my hair out. In the past few weeks, I've noticed a lot of hair is breaking in my hands while either in the shower or when my hair was dry. Also, some of the broken hairs had splits in them. I'm a bit concerned because I've only been growing my hair since August, and it's not that long.
I have curly/wavy hair that is prone to drying out. I've been washing and conditioning to combat the dryness, but my hair is still breaking. The women I have spoken to have recommended a haircut, but my hairdresser usually gets carried away!
I would appreciate your advice.
Thanks
Saintin
A major mistake I made: Don't comb/brush too much. It causes damage.
Also, try using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. A deep conditioning treatment or a hot oil treatment may make a big difference, too. In fact, I'm going to try hot oil treatment for the first time tomorrow.
A trim might be a good idea because of splits, but never get a trim unless you're completely sure that you need it.
When you say breaking are you sure you mean breaking? Do you mean shedding? The reason I ask is that if you were breaking hairs off as in brushing or you would feel and hear actual snapping and popping of strands. I would get a hair that you think has a split in it and look at it under a magnifying glass to make sure you really have splits. The reason I say that is because you would have to be putting your hair through absolute hell to have attained split ends in only six months.
The best indicator of split ends is excessive tangling toward the ends of your hair. Also, washing and conditioning to combat splits (if you have them) is not going to fix the problem. Some will say not to worry about splits since the other side will later break and then the hair will have its natural point again. Others will say that trimming is effective for combatting splits as the blunt ends are less prone to split. And, a hairdresser will always says that a trim is necessary since that is they way she/he makes a living. The excessive shampooing may be drying hair out as all the natural oils are stripped away. Depending on how greasy a person you are, you may not need to wash it each day. That, however, is something you must experiment with.
Good luck, Bragi
Usually, if the conditioner contains silicone (most do anyways) it might be a good idea not to use too much of it too often, because the silicone can harden and cause dryness and breakage.
Hi Tai Fu,
hope you had a great Christmas.
I'd just like to mention that in my experience, silicone is not bad if it is a "mostly silicone" lotion; that type of lotion has actually helped me to get rid of split ends. I'm talking of those clear oily fluids containing dimethicone plus cyclomethicone and not much else, they are marketed as "anti-frizz gel" or "anti split-ends gel".
One can always alternate between such a silicone lotion and a greasy pommade.
All the best!
Hans-Uwe
Please give this a try first.
1. Go to the Hairdresser and INSIST that only the Split-End hairs be cut just above the Splits............this is NOT a trim.
2. Be sure to use lots of conditioner after Shampoo.
3. Finger-comb your hair 1st starting at the bottom and working your way up. If you meet a snag or tangle "gently" work on it so as to not break other hairs.
4. You may want to Finger-Comb all the time. If not, try the very widest comb next and gradually work your way down to a finer comb.
A start. Good luck. (Much of this growing-out long hair is so different from person to person that it can sometimes take a long time to find what works BEST for you..........and you WILL find it!
Hey guys,
Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it! In response to Bragi, yes, when I run my hand through my hair, I can feel the strands breaking. Also, the strands that wash out in the shower have no roots to them. The strands that look like they have splits I can describe as: the broken strand has a handle with the ends branching out like a wishbone; when I pull both ends, the entire strand seperates into two finer parts.
Saintin
sometimes the problem is excessive buildup on your hair from products that are designed to leave coatings. most shampoos and conditioners do this. they can lead to tangles at the ends. if you do not do this already, use a shampoo that leaves no residue every week or more often. they are usually called "clarifying" shampoos because they are designed to cleanse hair of all coatings. A good inexpensive one is Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. use it, then condition as you normally do. you may find your hair free of tangles at the ends because sucessive coatings of residue have been removed. it should make a big difference.
Hi Saintin,
2 things come immediately to mind which should help: 1) if you are using a blow-dryer on your hair, I suggest you stop (or at the very least, use it significantly less oftern and/or for shorter periods of time); 2) condition VERY generously after shampooing, followed by applying and massaging in some beneficial oil into your hair ends (like: Kukui nut oil, Jojoba oil, or Almond oil).
You can also change hair stylists, if don't trust your current one to only cut off what you ask. I did that 6 years ago, and it made a world of difference! Ask around, if you know any other longhairs (including asking women who have very long hair). Some stylists have a longhair following, because that is their specialty. They are usually considerably more expensive;; but worth every penny, in my opinion!
- Ken In San Francisco