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Well, I finally did it. I cut a significant amount of my hair off, but for reasons I hope make sense.
After contemplating it for a very long time, I finally went through with performing a maintenance cut. My hair was to the small of my back, but was rather uneven. I started growing from a flattop 5 or 6 years ago, which caused my hair to be different lengths in the back once it was all long enough to reach. The point at which the hair started to vary in length has always had a tendency to tangle no matter what I did.
Today, I finally reached the point of anger after getting out of the shower and not being able to get a comb to go through it. I grabbed the scissors, put my hair in a ponytail, and hacked off the part I couldn't get the comb to go through. My wife watched me in open-mouthed shock, and said she couldn't believe I did it.
I regret losing about two years worth of growth, but my hair is no longer a tangled mess. It's still long, about shoulder-blade length, and I plan to keep growing. Besides the tangling trend, the cut should hopefully also prevent further breakage that was occurring from my struggle to untangle the mess.
Time will tell if the maintenance cut makes the difference I'm hoping for.
Hope you had been finger-combing, but if so and it was a mass of tangles anyway, I can well understand why you did what you did. Best to you in growing it all back now. :-)
Justin~
Yep, even finger-combing was impossible. The tangles were so extensive I would have to sit and gently pull them apart for an hour. I was to the point of either doing the maintenance cut or giving up having long hair. So far, this seems to have worked. I'll try to post a picture soon.
Can I EVER understand that one perfectly. It was like walking around all day doing nothing but untangeling. When hair gets to that point and is looking like a shredded mess of hanging cobwebs, really and unless you enjoy doing so, having it cut comes as a great relief.
Wow, I can understand your frustration but to cut it back at such a flash point I dunno.At best you might have considered scheduling with a stylist, obviously who is trustworthy,to have your hair trimmed back professionally.That way your hair could be cut to make it more even.Anyway if the cut helped and you like how it looks at least you saved some money going to a salon.Good luck with the regrowth.Cheers
Mark
I thought about getting it done at a salon, but after the horror stories I've seen on this board, I was reluctant to let a so-called "professional" touch my hair.
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True, as there have been those horror stories, such as what Justin experienced awhile ago, but my point is your big cut was on impulse because you became frustrated with your hair.That is why we try and live by the two week rule.I know thats for a wholesale short haircut but it can be in regards to a major trim as well.Sorry if it sounds like I'm criticizing your action as I just feel bad you lost so much hair:(
Mark
What's the "two week rule?" I probably should have known that last fall when I had my mane hacked off.
Just that when you really want to cut your hair, don't do it right away, but wait two weeks. If you still want to cut your hair after two weeks without having doubted it at all during that two week period, then it's okay to do it. You just have to make sure, because I think we all feel like cutting some days but then decide not to, if you cut it off on a whim you can really end up regretting it because it takes sooo long to grow back.
Good explanation. I do go by the two week rule, and what I made sound like an impulse was actually something I'd been thinking about for months.
I feel bad about losing so much, but it is still long and I think it prevented me from cutting it all off.
Makes sense... I think my decision was probably a 4 day process, and I kept it a secrete from people that probably would have talked me into keeping it. Ah well... I'm excited for my fro days along this hair-journey!
Next time try a little conditioner or de-tangling spray.
I tried those as well as many other methods and products. I tried different oils, creams, conditioners, sprays, and different shampoos. I also tried changing how often I washed it and kept it tied with multiple bands when I slept. Nothing worked. I know I made it sound like something I did on impulse, but I had been thinking about it for months. This last incident was just the last straw that made me go through with it.
I feel bad about losing so much, but I think I'll be happier with it in the long run.
I agree with your decision, as you mentioned it was just impossible to detangle at the stage it was in. When you come to think of it, by the time hair has grown for multiple years, to a considerable amount of length, the hairs at the ends are most likely to be the worst quality, as they have been subject to the elements for the longest duration of time, and you mentioned how you grew it out from a flat top, which made it slightly uneven as it got long. I believe the cut will benefit you in the long run.
Thanks for the post,
James
I known how you feel, although my hair is not as bad as yours was.
This is probably the best solution if your hair is in a bad condition, now you can continue growing it.
Hi Michael,
Yes, to me, you make perfect sense -- I totally understand where you're coming from (even though I normally would never encourage such a drastic impulsive cut like that).
In reading thoroughly through your comments and explanation, as well as reading through everyone's comments who replied here, I'd say that your decision to cut was not really as "impulsive" as it at first sounded.
One of the reasons I do regular, "Search & Destroy Missions" of hunting down and snipping off my split and broken ends on my own hair is so that I can avoid having to cut off any drastic amount of length that could happen if I just neglect my mane -- it's either that, or else I have to eventually go to a professional salon to have the lower inch or two removed every year... I totally HATE that feeling of having too many regular snarls and snags whenever I comb or brush my mane out!!
It's also an issue of TEXTURE: to have dry, scratchy, split & broken-off ends feels totally unpleasant to me -- I'd rather keep my hair an inch or two shorter, than to have the extra length be that nasty-feeling to have to touch... It's just that simple!
So, for what it's worth: I not only totally understand your reasons for cutting off some of your hard-earned length, I also respect and admire you for deciding to do so.
And it's not like you cut it ALL off (which is what I regretfully did back in my own infamous Y2K haircut) -- it sounds like you only cut off the damaged portion of your hair...
No worries, it will grow back sooner than you think -- in fact, it is growing right now, even as I type out this reply!!
My best to you, Michael -- and from now on, just think: "Onward & downward!"
- Ken in San Francisco (AKA Urban Cowboy)
Thanks, Ken.
You are definitely right about the dry damaged feel of hair that's been through several years of detangling sessions. The new ends look and feel a lot healthier, even when tied up in a pony tail.
Sometimes these things need to be done Michael, if it means your hair will be stronger and healthier then it can only be a good thing.
~ cheers Dave