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Yeah, I got some really dry long curly hair. I just don't know what to do. Should I shampoo less? (I shampoo every day) Use conditioner consistently?
Or should I go to a hairdresser and get some of it cut off? This scares the hell out of me though, as I'm afraid I won't walk out with long hair. It just seems to be excessively damaged, and I'm irritated with how nasty it feels.
I got my hair cut to a medium, "longish" length in May 2006, and have been growing it ever since then without any cutting.
you could shampoo less, deep condition etc.
if you get your hair dirty (sweat) during the day, and need to shampoo daily, just shampoo the scalp, and condition the hell out of the ends
I find that some shampoos can dry my hair out. You may want to try other shampoo/conditioner brands.
Some of the folks here swear on the "water only" treatment of hair. I use a variety of stuff, though. I, too, have curly hair and if I wear gel or go swimming or am out in the sun too long, it gets dry, frizzy-loooking and tangles easily (and feels like straw) UNLESS I have the right kind of product regularly applied.
Lately, I've been loving the göt2b hottie line.
About once a month I use their 'intense oil therapy hair blast' (like V05 hot oil except it doesn't require warming, it isn't as greasy-feeling or hard to rinse out, smells better and is from a differnt company....but other that THAT).
I almost daily use conditioner (if I shower, I use conditioner) and I shampoo only as required by the feel of my hair. (For instance: If I am using gel, like today, to keep my bangs back while I wear a half-tail I will need to wash out the dry-feeling left by the gel residue.) When I wash, I ALWAYS follow up with conditioner. Again, I am sing the product line I mentioned above.
After I get out, I use about 6 or so pumps of their Leave-In Treatment, 'Instant Mender'. It acts as a very mild gel as far as styling goes and keeps my hair relatively frizz-free and light-feeling. If I need to re-style later (wind or hat or whatever), I simply dampen my hands and re-shape my hair. The leave-in keeps it from getting too dry and smells mildly piña colada-ish.
You could also try wrapping your head up with some greasy product overnight (towel or do-wrap or bandana). Products I'd use for this include almond oil, one of the oil therapy blasts mentioned earlier, olive oil mixed, perhaps, with a touch of honey or a product called 'Cholesterol' found in the 'ethnic' hair-care section of the local pharmacy. (This last product comes in a tub and looks like lard. For all I know it could be. My mixed-race sister who over-straightens and damages her hair too often swears by it.)
I hope these suggestions help.
Shawn (Mr. Crow)
Hey Dave,
Try using conditioner ONLY when you wash your hair. I have dry hair and shampooing not only dries it out more, but it dries my scalp as well. I've been washing with conditioner for some time and it's been a success.
Take care, good luck, and keep it growin'!
Brett
Dave, You probably don't need to was your hair everyday. Also try introducing natural moisturizers such as such as jojoba, almond or even olive oil.
peace, jonalbear