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Okay, here's a question for others with like me with very fine hair: do you do anything special in caring for it? Have you found any products that will thicken the hair shaft? I ask because very fine hair seems to be very prone to damage. It can be a challenge at times to keep it from tangling and breaking, and anything more than a gentle breeze can be a problem. Any suggestions?
--Dale
Your hair is similar but perhaps slightly finer than mine. As it has grown out what wave it has as straightened. I understand the issue regarding wind. but I have not had any problems with damage. I use no product to thicken the hair shaft.(it may make ones hair look flat and greasy) I shampoo and condition once a week, wet it down on other days. let it air dry. Finger comb when wet. Never use a comb. use a widely set rubber bristle brush when damp and a boars hair brush when dry. Still have a few stray hairs not quite long enough to reach the tie when in a tail. By the way, you could be a twin to my 1st husband. No lie. The resemblance is remarkable. He was also quite handsome.
I have baby-fine hair. One thing I find that helps is using humectants to hold in moisture. The added benefit is that they swell the hair shaft, making the hair appear a little fuller. The best humectant is Aloe Vera gel, found in the skincare aisle of your big box department store (Wally World, Target, etc), or chain pharmacy. It's typically used for summer dry skin and sunburn. Apply to towel-dried damp hair, allow hair to air dry. The aloe helps to retain moisture in the hair shaft, by swelling the scales on the surface.
Aloe will not leave hair sticky or stiff. It is readily absorbed, and can be applied as often as desired/needed. Just spritz hair first to dampen, then work a blob of aloe through. If you use hair oils or leave-in conditioners, apply after the aloe. Wait a minute or two to allow the aloe to penetrate first. Aloe significantly reduces the problems of static flyaway hair, and dried out ends, which both contribute to tangles in the first place. Aloe is cheap, as little as a buck from your local dollar store, typically under $3 elsewhere, for a 16 oz bottle. I can't recommend enough, the use of aloe for us fine-haired folks. Give it a try, I hope it works for you, as well as it has worked for me.
Honey is also a humectant, but it is a sticky mess. But a home hot-oil treatment using honey mixed with oil, can be another way of adding and retaining moisture. Heat a few teaspoons of honey and olive, almond, jojoba, coconut or other oil; work through hair. Leave-in for 5 to 10 minutes, then shampoo and condition as normal.
Thanks for the tips, Carol! I had tried the aloe but I think I wasn't giving it enough time to be absorbed properly before I applied oil/conditioners. I'll give it another shot and see what kind of results I get by doing it your way. As for the honey and oil treatment, I think that will have to wait until I plenty of time to clean up the mess I'm likely to make. :D
--Dale
Rinse your hair in cold water before you apply conditioner and as your final rinse. It makes the cuticle tighten up and strengthens the hair shaft. And do all your brushing and combing really slowly. Trying to get your hair dry or brushed faster always leads to breakage.