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My hair is just past shoulder length. It is brown and it is thick and a little wavy. I haven't been taking care of it mainly because I don't know how.
I usually wake up for school in the morning, get a shower, shampoo it, condition it, dry it with a towel, blowdry it, brush it, and I used to straighten it though I'm trying to get out of this. I really want super straight, thin hair instead of my thick, slightly wavy hair.
So here are my questions:
1.) I wash my hair everyday. Is this bad? How many times should I wash it?
2.) I use shampoo and conditioner everytime I get a shower (which is every morning). Is this okay? How often should I use them?
3.) I use random shampoos and conditioners that my mom buys. Most are just cheap regular brands, no super nice salon stuff. Is it bad to change brands all the time and is it better to get some expensive salon stuff?
4.) My mom is crazy and she forces me to blowdry my hair. I've tried explaining that the heat will damage my hair but she doesn't care. She thinks I will get sick going out with wet hair. Are blowdryers really THAT bad? I've always used one. I don't really have a choice lol.
5.) If you read my last message you know my hair is damaged, burnt, dry, etc. Do I need to be using other products in addition to shampoo/conditioner to repair my hair?
6.) And last but not least: My hair hangs straight until the ends and then it flips up. If all my hair was wavy I wouldn't mind, but I hate it hang straight then flipping up... It looks stupid to me. Is there any way I can have straight hair without using a straightener and damaging my hair even worse? Thanks!!!
It depends, try not washing it for a day and se how it goes. If you like, then possibly try for two days at a time and continue on in this fashion until you have found out what works best for you. All hair is different.
I have thin strighter hair.....therefore I have to wash everyday because the oil starts to build up rather quickly. Try not washing it and se what happens.
i also use random product. I know what doesnt work for me, so I avoid those and use everything else. I actually think that changing product is good for the hair. But like I said before, all hair is different.
They aren't good but as long as they are used with extreme restraint then it wont be as bad as one thinks. I know a few guys who use a regular fan placed on the floor that is aimed at their hair to help the drying process. It is just regular ole' air blowing GENTLY on the hair to help it dry. This is a much better method then using extreme heat.
Adding an oil to the ends of the hair will help prevent further damage from happening but there are no products (as far as i know) that repair hair.
Just cherish your hair for what it is... As soon as you gain more length the extra weight will help is behave.
Just keep in mind that all hair is different and it will do as it wishes. Yes, it is possible to control it but it usually damages the hair beyond all necessary limits. Just let the freak flag fly!!!!!
To answer your questions...
1) It's not necessarily bad. There are a few members here who wash their hair everyday, and their hair is just as shiny as before. If you have naturally dry hair, then wash every other day or only a couple times a week (still rinse, with or without conditioner... experiment a bit).
2) Again, it's best to experiment. Go a week washing only once or twice and see how your hair turns out. Theoretically, once you go six weeks without shampoo, your scalp will adjust oil production and you will be able to go without shampoo at all.
3) Most shampoos contain sulfur and other ingredients that dry out your hair, but that's how they remove the excess oils. Also, many conditioners contain silicone, which coats itself to the hair shaft. It's okay to change brands now and then, but just make sure it's a quality brand (though some here have had success with Suave and other cheap brands).
4) Blowdryers are damaging, as they can easily cause knots to form at the ends of your hair. The best thing to do is just let your hair dry naturally, even if it is cold outside. As is the case with straighteners and whatnot, if you're in a pinch and have to be fast, they're okay. However, don't make it a daily routine. Your hair will become fried rather quickly. And no, you won't get a cold because of going outside with wet hair. Your hair may freeze if it's cold enough, but be gentle with it, and you'll be just fine.
5) There is no cure-all product for damaged hair. What you can do is continue to grow and slowly trim off the damaged ends, while also properly maintaining your newer growth. Don't be afraid to use a good deep conditioner once a month or so.
6) Lastly, just let your hair hang. It'll straighten out more as gravity takes hold. Be glad that you have thicker hair. Many guys would LOVE to be that lucky. If you do feel the need to straighten it, just do it only occasionally. Do realize that you will probably need a slight trim every 4-6 months, in order to remove damaged ends because of this.
Best of luck, and keep it growing, Zach. =)
-James
James and Clayton are right on the money so I don't have much to add except I love the "you'll catch cold if you go out with wet hair" Colds are the result of a variety of viruses. hence you get mild colds and sometimes bad colds.
I live in Wisconsin and go out in below freezing temps with wet hair and it does stiffen up as the water freezes but it will thaw when you get warm again. In I rarely catch colds.
Kevin