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Hello from a newcomer. I was hoping I could get some advice on the topic of hair care.
I've been growing out my own hair for a number of years now and it seems that as time has gone on, an increasing number tangles have appeared. Every time I try to brush or comb it, there seem to be dozens of them. They also develop very quickly. An hour after the daily detangling, and a great number are back. Is this just a fact of life for someone with thin, long hair? Might it help to trim off the split and broken ends?
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David Ludwig
Welcome David, you've come to the right place for advice. There are plenty of guys (and gals) that can provide answers to your questions. It's also a great place to just hang out.
First you should check to see if you have split/damaged ends. If your hair is long enough you can pull some forward and, with a magnifier, examine the ends. If you find splits then you can do a "seek and destroy" or if you have a salon that you trust, ask for just a "dusting" to remove the damaged ends. It is also important to use a good quality conditioner after washing and leave it in for a couple of minutes before rinsing. A great number of guys here also use beneficial oils applied to the ends.
I hope this helps.
Bruce
I've been using a Pantene 2 in 1. It looks great now but will it have negative effects down the line?
These, "2 in 1" shampoo / conditioner combos defeat the purpose of each other. Let me explain what my partner, who has been through a So. Calif. Cosmotology school, has said on this topic...
Shampoo is meant to remove grease, dirt, oil build-up, etc. By shampooing with warm water and getting a lathering out of it, you're washing away all the accumulation of stuff that is causing your hair to feel gummy, greasy, gunky, etc. Once your hair is clean & fresh, you are ready for a, "fresh start", so-to-speak... meaning: hair is more pretected from the elements if it has at least SOME oil content in it, --- which is why people usually use conditioner AFTER they shampoo.
Also, my partner recommends the fllowing: after leaving the conditioner in for as many extra minutes as you can stand, then rinse out the conditioner with COOL water. This helps close the cuticles and cuticle plates of the individual hairs, --- trapping the moisture in where it's most needed. It also gives your hair a wonderful lustre and shine!!
Hope this helps!
- Ken in San Francisco
Here is what I do to deal with it. This prevents about 90% of my tangles. My hair is about 60% straight, 20% wavy, and 20% curly.
If I did not use multiple hair ties I would have to maintain it at maybe mid back length. My hair is far less than ideal to grow really long. Multiple hair ties have allowed me to grow it to full length.
Split ends are a major cause of tangling and should be trimmed just above the split. A brush may be causing some of the damage to your hair. A wide tooth comb is all I use on my hair and I have much less damage and splits now.
Scott
Thanks for the tip on using multiple hair ties. I've tried this technique before, however I often find that the more of them I add, the more my hair gets pulled. I can often get the 2nd one on without problems, but once the third gets added, some of my hair typically get really tight up around my scalp. I see you're using much larger hair ties than I. Might this help?
Welcome and glad that you have found us.
Same happened to myself as well.
And again, the same used to happen to me.
Tangles are a fact of life with the longhair. How to achieve getting the fewest is the trick. If I were you, at this point I would seek-out a Salon to examine my hair for "Split Ends." When found, have them individualy snipped off just above the split. Also, because you have achieved long hair for so long, a slight dusting (ever so slight trim) might make all the difference in the world. You will still have tangles, but compared to what you are going through now all will suddenly be a breeze.
Good luck to you, and "if" you do decide on the Salon route make sure ALL that YOU WANT is 100% understood by the person working on your hair. Best of all to find someone who understands wanting to KEEP longhair LONG and not thin it, hack it, and chop it to bits.
Again, welcome to the Hyperboard.
I agree fully with the comments made by Scooper, Absalom, and Justin (although in my case, i DO continue to use a brush on my hair, which I will explain later...)....
Re. split ends, if you have good near-vision, stand in front of sunlight pouring through a window to check out how bad it is. Also, if the lower portion of your mane feels scratchy, rough to the touch (instead of silky & smooth), and dry like straw, then chances are you indeed need to trim off the split and boken ends. If really bad, best to go to the finest hair salon you can find (it will be worth the $$$$), --- requesting a stylist who specializes in long hair care, if possible. If you don't find all that many split ends, then you can trim them off yourself, using the "Search & Destroy" method (lol)!!
And now onto the topic of brushing...
I have a regular ritual of brushing my hair with long strokes from scalp to ends; but, I do this ritual ONLY when my hair is dry (hair is weakest and most likely to stretch too far & snap when wet). My grandmother's generation used to talk about "bushing 100 strokes". I never literally count the # of times I do this; but it does several things: it stimulates the scalp (which brings blood up to the surface, which nourishes the hair roots); helps carry the natural scalp oils down the hair shaft to the ends (where it is needed most), and; just plain feels GREAT!!!!
It is ALWAYS important, though, whether using a brush or using a comb, to "finger-comb", first (which is gentlest of all), --- and to start untangling the ENDS, FIRST (then slowly working your way up towards your head).
Hope this helps!
- Ken in San Francisco