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Hey, I have a somewhat odd and girly story/question. I play guitar and listen to metal/rock and that's what initially had me wanting to grow out my hair but now that I have it I love it. I'm 19, have light brown/blonde hair that is real thick and a little wavy that comes down past my shoulders. But on to the point... While I love my long hair (the color, type, style, etc.) I can't stand the spots that are short. My girlfriend says it's just new hairs coming in but I think it's breakage (it's probably a mix of both) and it makes me want to cut my hair. Standing away my hair looks great to me but when I get up close to a mirror I see the ten million little hairs poking up I freak out. Little 1 inch hairs right at the part of my hair at my hairline, 4 inch hairs in the under layer by my ears, etc. When I put my hair up in a ponytail they won't go back and stick up everywhere and when it's down and not brushed they frizz out....
So I guess my question is am I freaking out for nothing? Is anyone's hair perfect without these short hairs? Does everyone get this?
Hey Zach,
Don't worry, what you describe is perfectly normal. Many guys experience these shorter, thin hairs on their hairline and especially where male pattern baldness occurs (at the temples, top of head). At my age of 25, I have a mature hairline with receding around the temples but no balding. The hairs around the receding areas are always shorter.
Above the point where the head hair meets facial hair (sideburn area) the hairs do seem frizzier and shorter than the rest. I don't know if they'll eventually reach a longer length or just stay that way as I've only been growing for about 2 years. In any case, that is normal too and if you look closely at girls' hair they have the same issue.
Hope this helps,
-Dan H.
So does everyone have this problem? Most of the people on here seem to have perfect hair that is all the same length with no short hairs sticking up. Will my hair eventually catch up and be like that or will new short hairs be there by then and I'm stuck with them? Oh, and I just no I'm not balding. I'm only 19 and my hair is very thick and my hairline isn't receding, there are just several hairs around 1 inch poking up in the front (and other places). And my short frizzy hairs aren't really at my sideburns but close to my temples and they are frizzy and around 4 or 5 inches long and seem to be hidden at the bottom.
I have this problem too. I've been growing my hair for several years and this has always been an issue. I believe it is breakage and new hairs growing in, so there's not much to be done about it. Humans natuarally shed about 100 hairs a day and regrow them, so there will always be new hair coming in. I am 37 years old, I do not have a receding hairline, and am not losing my hair at all. Not all men experience male pattern balding.
If you're self-conscious about it, you can use a light gel or mousse to keep it under control. I've done that before and it works, but it does require more frequent shampooing so plan ahead.
Im sure everyone faces this problem....iv got some hairs on the forehead hairline that don't go past my eyes...and iv been growing my hair for 2 years now....
Until you asked this question, I hadn't looked closely at my own hair, but I seem to have the same thing going on. I think what you are seeing is just new hairs growing in. Most of the time they're buried in the thicker parts of your hair, but along the hairline and at the part they're going to be noticeable if you look closely. I really don't think it's anything to worry about. Stop checking yourself in the mirror so often! LOL
Hi Zach, yeah I have exactly the same problem, and what especially irritates me is the 2-4 inch hairs around the ears. I'm not really sure what to do about it but I think if you really love your hair then the best thing to do is tough it out, and maybe one day it'll sort itself out. I know if I cut my long hair because of a few short hairs I'd always regret it..
Charlie M
I've been growing mine for seven years now, it's down well past my belt-line, and I've still got those little hairs that stick out here and there around my head. Yeah, they're annoying but for me, having the long ones more than makes up for the short ones.
Frodo
Quite normal and nothing to be concerned about. Many of us have them and they do not cause any problem or look odd - unless you make them so in your mind. Just ignore them and get on with life.
Thanks everyone for all of your input. I'm feeling a lot better about this issue after reading the responses. I know I was being a bit melodramatic over my hair but I really was considering cutting it and now I think I'll leave it. It only frustrates me sometimes, especially when I have to put it in a ponytail for work and it makes them more obvious. But I suppose I'll just take care of my hair the best I can and maybe the problem will sort out on its own; that or stop freaking out and studying my hair in the mirror haha... Thanks again!
I slick them down with hair spray. I use Garnier Fructis "Wonder Waves", which is a water-based hair spray that doesn't stick to my glasses ear pieces like most (alcohol based) sprays do.
#1 Most emailed NYT piece is this:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/fashion/24Mirror.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general
Seems middle-aged women are takin shit for having long hair !!!
Incredible !
Stunningly, we see that the absurd `HairCut=HairStyle' mentality which lambasts men (but not college or pro-athletes !)with peer pressure, the kiss of death in job competition, & scrutiny in the workplace, is now being foisted on middle-aged women !
As if they're `required' by some BS, unwritten societal code to whack their hair once it grays.
This fabulous woman is pissed-off & standing up for her natural look, & is to be admired greatly for doing so. If she puts her hair in a pony-tail, & goes for a job intvw, she is not suspected of being a druggie, nor a misfit per se, like We are.
Thus prejudice remains for us long-haired dudes. I recall when if you were Kojack-shaved, bald, or buzz-cut, you were presumed either in the military, or just out of prison, or retarded. Now, THAT is `style'.
Guess its come full circle now guys, & not `Just For Men'.
Sisters, Brothers, UNITE !
In about 1970, my mother was all squicked out about my hair touching my collar. In about 1980, she was horrified when I got a crew cut. It's about remaining as bland and invisible as possible.
Yes, you're freaking out for nothing. New hairs grow all the time. How long do you expect a new hair to be? They all start out very short. oh well, huh? !! ;p