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I went to see the Viking metal band Amon Amarth this past Saturday. This is a band that has no sell-out in them. They've had long hair from the band's inception and continue to sport it:
I drove by the venue about an hour before the show as I was to meet a friend at a nearby restaurant. I have to say it was a really cool thing to witness the line that had already formed waiting to get in. It was a sea of people dressed in black with a large percentage also having long hair, and in some cases, very long hair. As longhairs, we don't mind being in the minority but sometimes it's nice to be in a setting where we are the majority!
As for my hair....I'm honestly a little frustrated. Most of the temporary dye has washed out that I used back in January. There are some subtle highlights left but it's done little to improve the condition of my ends. The hair down to my shoulder blades is in good condition but then it appears to get both thinner and more damaged. I have fine hair so it's susceptible to damage but I don't remember it being this ratty looking even a couple of years ago. I'm considering doing a bigger chop (maybe 4-6 inches) to get rid of it. I'm very active physically and although it's in a braid, I'm sure that takes its toll.
Anyway, I'm likely to be very busy soon as I'm moving next month so I thought I'd take some update photos today while I had time:
Here's a link to a video of the band performing one of their songs at the concert I went to.
Amon Amarth in Boston
Hey Jason,really nice update pics but sorry to hear you are not satisfied with the condition of your hair towards the ends.Actually I'm less than thrilled with my hair past mid back as I wish it would be fuller than it is.I ordered a product similar to Henna called Cassia to try on my hair.It's natural like Henna but won't make my hair reddish I am told.Being my hair is on the blonde side I was told to use Cassia instead.When I get it and try it I'll post the results which hopefully will be good:)
That's cool about your concert and seeing the longhairs on the line to get in.It is cool in a way being a minority when it comes to being a longhair but it is nice to see more of us at times too.When I went to clubs back in the 80s practically every guy in the audience was a longhair.Short hairs were definately the minority at metal shows:)When I go to shows now, for these same 80s metal bands that remain, sadly its not common seeing that many longhairs.Guess the old fans grew up and fell into the mainstream.Glad I didn't met that same fate.
Good luck with you future move as I trust it is an upgrade for you.Thanks again for you update and hope you can get your hair back to good health:)
Mark
Hey Mark,
That's interesting that you mention cassia and that you've already ordered some. I have been reluctant to try henna because of its permanent color but I've been curious about cassia and have thought about trying it. I'll be very interested to hear how it works for you!
The only thing I can think of that is different for me is that I've been working out more often in the last year than I was previously. That friction can take a toll. I'm not going to be in a rush to cut too much but I feel I need to do something about my ends. Perhaps if you like the cassia, I'll try that as well.
That's too bad about bands and their fans from the 80s. It's nice that not all fall into that trap of cutting their hair. Dave Mustaine and Ozzy are a couple of good examples and you of course!
Take care,
Jason
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Hi Jason:
Those guys have very nice manes.
As for the hair damage, try to minimize how much you trim off. My hair is fine and delicate, just like yours is. I keep it in a segmented tail to reduce damage. I ride a bike to stay fit and the segmented tail really helps me to avoid damage.
Scott
Hi Scott,
Your hair is impressive not only for its length but also for the fact that you have attained such length while leading an active lifestyle. Many women (and a few men) wear their hair up and that can help with protection. I would wear it bunned sometimes but I still don't know how to make a bun.
For some reason, the segmented ponytail hasn't felt comfortable for me to wear. I may have to give it another shot. I'm also considering wearing some type of hair glove to protect it from the elements and friction.
I'm going to be careful in how much I cut. I just fear that it is damaged above that line that you drew.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for sharing your update with us. You have achieved really good length, but I certainly understand your frustrations. (You know that I am frustrated with my own growth, and ends, as well) I think Scott has given you excellent advice as to how much to trim, and I hope taht works for you.
Yes, I agree with you about how awesome those manes are on that band, and it was cool that you saw so many fellow longhairs while waiting in line.
Good luck with your move, and I am sure you won't miss that long communte one bit!
Take care,
David
Hi David,
Thanks about the length. It's pretty close to the longest it has ever been and for that reason, I'm loathe to cut at this point. I just have to weigh how much damaged hair I want to put up with and whether the attendant breakage may actually impede my long term growth goals.
Your hair may be slow growing but your ends have not deteriorated significantly that I can see. It's realistic to expect some loss of health the longer it gets. I'm just a bit discouraged when I look at photos from my past.
Yes, I can't wait for a shorter commute! I'm also looking forward to enjoying my yard again.
Take care,
Jason
I agree with the trim advice. It's always tough to cut some but I think having a nice trim line makes a statement: that you not only like your hair long but like it looking good.
It's tough to weigh the balance of length versus health. I've definitely got to do some trimming, it's just a question of how much. I had my wife trim a 1/2 inch last month and that clearly wasn't enough.
Jason I think your hair looks really badass dude, but I can understand where your coming from since I have the same problem with my ends. No matter how much I trim every time, I am like 2-3 inches from mid back and my ends get weaker and thinner for no reason. I'm guessing my terminal is going to be right at mid back or a little below it, but my hair is still growing just slower now. I hope I can get it as long as yours, but only time will tell.
My ends are thinner as well as damaged so I'm likely near terminal as well. I do notice snapping of hair almost everytime I brush or even finger detangle which tells me part of my problem is damage and not just having the hair reaching the end of its growing cycle. I guess it's a combination of the two factors.
You have thick hair so I'd be very surprised if you aren't able to reach the length I'm currently at. Looking forward to your next official update!
Hi Jason,
An active life style can be a challenge to realizing your ultimate hair length. The best one can do is protect it as much as possible. Lately, I've been keeping my hair my usual segmented ponytail for 3 or 4 days at a time and washing only once per week.
I have gained a little more hair length since doing this.
That aside, your hair is looking great - if you have to, trim only tiny bit as Scott mentioned.
The guys of Amon Amarth look great - the Viking in me likes that!
These events pull the longhair metalheads out of the masses, like a magnet pulls iron filings out of sand. A wonderful sight to behold!
- Oren
Hi Oren,
I think you and others have really hit on the key - the need to protect hair as much as possible while being vigorously active. I'm thinking of retrying the multiple ties and also possibly trying some type of hair glove to protect the length.
Haha, you'd fit right in with that band! They have longer beards now too though not as magnificent as yours is.
Thanks for your comments!
Jason
Hi jason, yep those guys have fantastic manes, especially when one considers the abuse theirs go through headbanging, sweat, touring etc, hair is tough stuff.
I'm with you on the active lifestyle and long hair story, I am very active and that was the main reason I cut mine shorter, I loved my long hair and wanted to carry on that way, so to be happy it had to fit in with my lifestyle, and at the same time it got healthy again.
Wierdly though I am growing it longer again, we shall see how long, it will no doubt get on my nerves and hamper me again at some point and off it will go :))
Yours looks amazing to me in the pictures though.
Cheers Dave
Thanks for the kind words Dave. I do a combination of lots of cycling and running. With your prodigious amount of cycling, I know you're very familiar with the effects of wear and tear. The longer length doesn't actually bother me while active. It's just obviously having an effect on the quality of that length.
I'll be interested in seeing how your longer length comes in again.
I was very impressed at the concert to note the excellent condition of all the band members' hair. They were headbanging like crazy the whole concert all with their hair loose too. They must have some good hair care routines down.
Take care,
Jason
Thanks for all the feedback. After getting the responses from here and at Untamed Tresses and my own reflection upon the situation, I feel that the answer for the diminished quality of my ends lies almost entirely with me being more active. I worked out very little until about 1 year ago. It's been in the last year that I've noticed the decline in my hair's health.
The difference is pretty dramatic. Please note how my hair was in 2007:
It was a little shorter but the quality is so much better!
and in 2008:
My ends are soooo much thicker all the way down!
and even in 2009 after my severe shed:
I can't imagine that just age itself could account for the deterioration. I'm going to have to do some trimming but I need to really try to protect it better and hopefully will be able to get back to where I was. The alternative - to stop working out - is not really a viable option.
Your hair certainly looks awesome Jason in all those past pics. However I do find it hard to believe that being more active is causing your hair so much grief.Of course I'm not sure what kind of activities you are engaging in that might be damaging to your hair.I have worked out continuously since the mid 80s at gyms and never felt my hair was affected by that.I'll tail my hair during workouts just to keep it out of the way but haven't felt it caused any damage.I also bike ride occasionally too but I always wear a cap with my hair tucked up inside.If I were to ride with my hair free I could see the ends getting ragged due to wind damage.The trick is to protect your hair during such activities.
On a side note I just received my Cassia shipment today:)I still need to read up on how to apply it correctly so once I get around to using it I'll let you know the results.I'm off from work for a weeks vacation so I'll have the time next week to try it out.I understand it takes a while to apply and let it do its work.I'm hoping for some fantastic results.
Mark
I agree that working out at a gym likely does little damage to one's hair. I don't go to a gym. I have been doing running and cycling and mixing in body weight exercises all outside. I think the cycling in particular does some damage because of the extra wind.
That's cool that you got your cassia and will have some time off to apply. I look forward to hearing your report!
Amon Amarth is a great band, and like you I also think it's cool to see so many other longhairs at metal concerts!
About the hair, trimming will probably make your ends thicker but it will cost you some lenght. You've gotta decide which one you think is more important.
Until now I always chose lenght above hair quality. My end are in poor condition but my hair keeps on growing. I always wear my hair in a tail so you can't really tell my hair is in a bad condition.
One way I reduce wear and tear to my hair is by not combing and brushing it. I treat my hair like it is curly and let is form curl after air drying. Only in the shower with a lot of conditioner I finger comb my hair. If I didn't go this route I would have got to have a lot more trims along they way.
Like you I also noticed that my hair takes more damage now I'm very active. I only wear a ponytail because I like to keep my hair flowing. What's the point in haven longhair if it's restricted all the time? The only problem I've got now is that I'm climbing and that can be very dangerous with longhair if it get's caught in your belaying device.
Pretty long post, hope you've can do something with my advice.
btw your hair still looks awesome, so don't worry to much!
Thanks Vincent!
I think I'm going to try to do more finger combing like you suggested. I also do the detangling in the shower with conditioner but I should probably be brushing my hair less.
That's cool you're into climbing. I tried it but the height thing freaks me out. Ironically, I didn't mind skydiving. I think with climbing, it's the fact that I'm sometimes responsible for the safety of someone else that is intimidating.
Your hair looks great, as always. I didn't get a chance to see Amon Amarth when they came by me. The show was sold out. I've seen them before and they put on a really great show. I love seeing the whole band synchronize their windmilling headbanging.
Thanks Garth. Yeah, the Boston show was sold out as well. I was a little surprised they played at such a small venue when they call sell-out stadiums. It was cool though to see them at a smaller place.
Hey Jason,
These photos of you are great the sunlight make a good effect ! Sorry to hear bout the thinnig, but it still looks great. Dont now much about the band but I like their look. Im hoping to get to your length,sooner than later I hope.
Peace,
Glinka
Thanks a lot Glinka! I'm going to strive to take better care of my hair and hopefully it will regain its previous luster.