new thread
Firstly I have to apologise for the lack of photos - my camera died yesterday and my brothers is currently with him out of the house, so I will ensure to get some as soon as possible.
Secondly, I guess I should say what has happened with my hair. About two years ago (I think) I wanted to grow my hair - mainly because of seeing how much fun people have with it at gigs I went to. So I grew it, and never got it cut, and didn't care for it properly because I was ignorant.
Back to the present day, and the results of this are evident, while the ends are now good (I finally got the split ends cut off - about 1 inch in the end), the top is a complete mess, unless it is tied back. Basically there is a multitude of (presumably) snapped hairs that just stick up, mainly around my (central) parting. This was probably due to my lack of knowledge in how to brush my hair. Even worse, my hair is wavy, meaning that the short hairs ontop can sometimes curl, making it look even more messy.
Now, I prefer to have it loose unless I am doing something practical or eating etc, so having it constantly tied back is my least favourable option - though I would be able to do so until the situation improves I guess.
Also, are there ways to keep my hair neat? After five minutes of being outside it's messy, tangled and needs a brush again - which I can't exactly do in public except toilets due to our crappy culture and not being a girl, plus it makes my hair become static and stand up more. I don't care what it is, as long as it doesn't ruin my hair :)
Things I have begun to do to improve my hair from talking to some female friends of mine are brushing 'correctly' and washing my hair without piling it ontop of my head, which definitely has reduced the number of knots in it! However, I often have rushed mornings that mean I cannot take the time to hand comb it, though this should stop now that my last day of school ever was yesterday (yay!)
So, I would be extremely appreciative of some of your guys telling these things:
1. Is brushing from bottom to top correct? (not back combing, you know what I mean.)
2. How often should I condition? I shampoo every day which seems to be something I cannot avoid, as I have a very greasy scalp (but then have very dry ends presumably due to the regular washing)
3. How can I keep my hair (preferably 'out' not tied back etc) without brushing it again? (Is that what hairspray is for?)
4. How can I start to make amends to all of the snaps hairs on top of my head? Or is making sure I don't snap many more and letting the ones there at the moment grow longer the only option?
5. Are half pony-tails okay for men to wear? And how /do/ you do them?
6. When wearing my hair out, how can I quickly tuck it behind my ears but keeping it even between the two sides?
Sorry for the amount of questions, but i'm a void of knowledge unfortunately!
Photos will also be appearing ASAP.
Yes.
Condition every single time without exception. This will help very much with the ends which are now dry.
You can't. Look on the internet about what hairspray is for.
Those hairs of which you speak ALL longhairs have. They are new-growth hairs. In your case if not..........use more conditioner.
Anything having to do with wearing your hair is okay. Look under "links" for possible directions as to how to do these.
I don't know.
A close-up photos of these so-called "snapped hairs" would be very helpful as soon as you get your new camera so we can actually see what you are talking about.
Well if that's so, then why do I have so many more than any other girl or guy I know with long hair?
Uploaded. Sorry about the number of them, I didn't realise quite how many there were!
Wow. Do you EVER have magnificent long hair. Just fantastic! And the colour is superb! Those photos were of great help. It's one thing to read, but another to actually see. I am sure that the guys here will have suggestions that WILL help you. Now to possible reasons for the problem as I see it:
As suspected, there are hairs of new growth. But yes, there appear to be too many snapped hairs for sure. Try the following and see if this helps. Alot of this long hair stuff has to be discovered by the individual as we are all so different with our hair types and what they react to.
1. Don't ever do any conbing or brushing when the hair is wet. When wet, hair is at its weakest as to what it can take and for some people can demolish the hair like you wouldn't believe. (I know as I am one of those people.)
2. Best to let all air-dry after washing, but if a blow-dryer is used make sure the heat setting is only moderate and do not allow it to stay in one place. Continue to move it around and as it is drying ONLY use the fingers and nothing else.
3. When your hair is dry, start at the bottom and "Finger-Comb." Be very gentle. Gradually work your way upwards little by little. The second you feel a slight tug,untangle without pulling too hard. Some guys ONLY Finger-Comb and their hair looks terrific! This is the least damaging and most gentle way of dealing with the hair. If desired, after finger-combing use a wide toothed comb. Again, start at the bottom and gradually work your way upwards. You may then go to a narrower spaced toothed comb or may want to use a brush, but I would almost be inclined if I were you to go no further than the wide toothed comb, at least for now and see how things go and NOT be hearing snaps as you have been.
4. Consider some spray-in conditioner, especially for the tips that are dry. Also if at all possible, do you think you could wash every other day?
5. And finally for a way to help solve the "look" of those snapped hairs as well as new growth hairs. You may have to do this several times as it you have a large area to try to "tame."
A. Get some Gel and put just a tiny amount (and I mean really tiny) in the palm of one hand. Make sure this hand and the other are wet.
B. Rub both hands together to get the gel distributed between both.
C. Run the hands over an area of the hair pressing down lightly and the fly-aways will suddenly not be noticed nor will it be noticed that gel is in your hair. All dries so fast, but it helps keep those fly-aways down quite well and for a very long time. Just do not comb at all after doing this. Some fly-aways will be present despite, but this is a normal look anyway.
Well, so much for a start. I am glad you found us and hope we can turn the problems you are having around. Please feel free to ask any other questions and we will do our best to help you. Also, if you look in the "links" section of this board, there are many articles having to do with long hair which may also be of great help to you.
Welcome. I am glad you found us.
Well I never blow-dry it anyway :)
I tried finger-combing previously, it /definitely/ felt nicer on my hair, so I guess I'll do it more now!
I will try it, but I have a feeling it won't be pleasant :(
Gel? As in plastic-short-hair gel? Or something else?
I suppose any kind of gel will work. Just regular gel that is meant for any length hair. Needed are just a few drops in the palm of the hand and then rub both wet hands together before smoothing over your hair. You can experiment until you get the right amount that holds, and yet is invisable and the hair looks natural rather than like it is full of gel. Just remember that it won't tame all of the hairs, but it WILL keep at least 85% or more down.
Best of luck to you in experimenting. I am sure you WILL get some good results.
Thanks again! :D
Ok, I used like half a pea and it was evident that I had gel in my hair - any suggestions? :(
Also, could you explain how to do a half pony tail? I've looked online to no avail, and i'm failing myself - I can do one with lots of struggle, but the hair going into the tied part is always messy ontop...
Hi
Best I can suggest is looking in the "Links" at the top of the Hyperboard page. One is called "Dreamweaver" and may just show what you are looking for. The person who takes care of our "links," (Jason), is very good at braiding his own hair. If anyone would know, he would. Hope this helps.
Justin~
Thanks, I adapted the legolas braiding to work out how to do it, but it's far harder to do it on yourself than on someone else!
Also, did you mean gel as in the stuff you use with short hair?
Pictures...
Wow Dude!
Your hair is awesome! It's in GREAT condition, there should be no worries about it...Whatever you do should be fine...
Our hair type is like the same! awesome! I thought you had curly hair...oops!
Awesome!
Your hair looks perfect, Dan. You have a normal amount of short hairs. Most of these are new hairs growing in to replace ones that have shed. A few of them may be broken ones, but it is likely most of them are not broken. The way to tell is to look at the tips of those shorter hairs. If it comes to a point at the tip, it is not broken. If the tip is blunt, it is likely to be broken.
I have at least as many shorter hairs on my head as you do, and my hair reaches my knees. You can grow your hair down to your lower back, waist, or bum, and you will still have shorter hairs growing in.
Scott
Nobody keeps their long hair very neat when they are outside - it's a losing battle - but the good news is that people seem to realize that, and the expected standard for neatness is much lower for people outside.
When you come through a door into the inside world, shorthaired men often pull out their comb and give their hair a swipe or two with it. Longhaired men, and women with longer hair too, can't just do that so unobtrusively, so the usual procedure is you head for the restroom. There, you can comb the windblown look out, and you can even adjust your hair for your "indoor look" - where there is no wind you may choose to have it down, as an example, so you can remove your hair tie.
Is this fair, that people with longer hair have more work to do? Not really; the more hair you have, the more of a mess it can create. Keep in mind that bald men don't even have to comb at the door. But you don't want to be bald, do you? [grin]
I have a long beard, and I have to comb it, too, when I comb my mane. Even more work. But to my eye it's worth it!
Bill
Hi Dan,
I must first say that judging by your photos, you hair is no where near as damaged as you made it sound. It looks great actually. 1 think I can reccommend for the small broken hairs that pop up in your part (i did the SAME thing by not taking the best care when I first started growing) is take a small amount of either BioSilk or SunSilk smoothing cream (much cheaper) and run that through your hair when dry, it should help keep those hairs down as well as make your hair easier to comb/brush. I'd reccommend wide-tooth combing it or untangling by finger before you brush it. Also, from a previous post I made refering to washing it seems most wash & condition every other day while shower capping it in between. This has worked very well for me. Some say they go even longer without washing however that personally isnt for me as I go to the gym every other day (that would be my wash day) and my hair tends to look like crap after 2 days lol. Take care Dan, I hope this helps.
-Phil
Yes, usually for when your hair is all tangly, especially in the morning...I usually only brush like so in the morning, when waking up, or when the need arises when the hair tangles. Otherwise, when not I just brush normally, but I guess it depends on your hair type (I have mostly straight hair)
It all depends. I condition EVERY day. Shampooing by itself is not good for your hair. Shampoo has detergents that take not just impurities out of the hair, but also all the natural oils out...I would condition every day. About the shampooing, it depends, I used to shampoo every day, but I have switched to every other day or every two days, and it works for me, and my hair is in much of a better condition--it may seem like your hair will be all dirty and built up, but not really...if you use pretty warm water, that should do the trick, or, if you're hair is oily, vinegar or baking soda mixed with water can also work, which can do better and isn't damaging like shampoo can be...OR, when you condition, just condition the ends...but this is totally a judgment call because all of us have different types of hair, etc...
Yes, hairspray can be used for that purpose, but I don't like to use it often...it makes my hair too dry, sticky, etc...If you prefer, maybe a very small amount of it...
I would look at hair gel, or a hair serum instead. If you use gel, I wouldn't use much, it should work well on your wavy hair, to keep it hold, etc....but I'm not completely sure, depends...
I use a serum, or anti-frizz cream every morning after I get out of the shower, and it is killer, it keeps an okay hold, without weighing it down, and leaves it pretty nice...
Again, using a product, like a serum, gel, etc can hold those hairs down...I would not cut it...just let them grow...
I think they are okay....I never wear one, but I think it's fine for a guy to
Im not sure about that one...there's accesories ya can wear, but its more feminine, so I dont know, Im sure the other guys have an idea
No worries dude...we're here for ya and your questions--Welcome to the board! If ya have any questions, etc, feel free to ask on the board, or send me a message :)
Peace,
-Dj (DDude)
Okay, well after one day my hair at the top is very oily, but the bottom is still nice as if I've just had a shower, so I reckon my problem is that the natural oils are not moving down from my scalp, it just seems to congregate ontop, especially nearer the front.
This has led to me having to shower ever day. I don't suppose there is some way that I can move that down through my hair?
Dude, this is the perfect set up.
What you need is a natural bristle (usually boar bristle) brush, and a wooden wide-tooth comb. The wood and the natural bristles absorb excess oils and help to distribute them. Use the comb first, to gently detangle, then use the brush to pull the oils from your scalp down to the ends.
True, True...
I have friends that use those brushes, and they're hair isn't oily anymore. I use one as well, and works good too...
Lol...okay--I was wrong =P
Wow Dan; you've got some awesome hair! As several have said, it doesn't really look that badly damaged. Welcome aboard!
Joshua
Hi Dan,
Good to hear from you and good to see youe found our community here and the picture update. You hair is coming along fine and in the most amazing condition and you certainly have to do alot with it that's for sure. I certainly keep it growing and look forward to your future updates.
Cheers,
John.B
Hi Dan,
First of all, I would like to welcome you to the hyperboard, and I am delighted that you have fpound our community. I have seen your photos that you posted, and your hair is in excellent condition with lots of shine. Straight hair like yours is the easiest type to grow long. Justin has already given you some great answers to the questions you have posted,a nd the best advice I can give is to just keep it growing!
Welcome aboard!
David
Welcome aboard Dan, your hair looks wonderful! I have the same issues with those little newcomer hairs except that at my age I have the added benefit of those hairs being grey! And why do they have to look so wild!? Well I've been useing VO5 Frizz Rescue leave-in comb-in cream. That seems to works a bit, but just today I bought John Frieda's Frizz-Ease Glossing Mist. It claims " Finishs hair with a high-gloss shine; smoothes frays & flyaways" We'll see if that helps.
Anyway, I don't think you have worry too much about it. You have some good advice from the other guys and it sounds like you're on the right track.
Bruce
Hi Dan and Welcome to the board. As so many have already offered answers to your questions I'll just touch on #2 as I too have greasy hair. I wash almost daily and I condition every day out of necessity as well I condition liberally as in loads of it especially the ends as you mentioned are dry.
You also mentioned the snaps or breakage when you brush. I strongly suggest you finger comb before you brush, I do and it helps as you can feel what's going on.
Look forward to hearing if any of our suggestions works for you.
Cheers
Kevin
Hi,
Welcome to the hyperboard I'm glad you found us.
Your hair looks good from the picture, the hairs on top of your hair are newer hairs which you will always have.
Yes, start on the end and work you way to the top is the best way.
You should condition after everytime you wash your hair or after you've been in the shower. The end of your hair are the most important here.
Your hair will always be messy when your outside, that's part of having long hair, when you go inside you can neated your hair again. If it's very windy I suggest a tie to keep it neat.
Don't use hairspray it's very bad for your hair.
You can make your hand wet and put it on your hair which will keep them down for a while. To aviad breakage don't comb or brush your hair when wet, and gently finger comb your hair when it dry. After that you can comb it with a with tooth comb, to untangle furter.
My hair isn't long enough to make a half tail, but if you like it go for it!
My part always falls on the same spot, this isn't in the middle of my head but I don't care.
Hope this and the other answers helps you!