new thread
I'm new here and it's nice to find an active site devoted to supporting guys with long hair, unfortunately it may be my last days with it. Here's my big problem:
I have naturally very thin hair, I have closely compared photos of me since about 15 and it appears it was always ridiculously thin, but when I had it short it looked perfectly normal.
Very depressingly, my grandfather (who was also the only family member to have my blond hair) started experiencing male pattern baldness at about my age. I have a healthy hairline right now (I think?) but my temples seem about an inch higher then as a kid.
I have been growing it for about 1 yr from 3in length, and now it looks extremely thin throughout, especially in the front. If I do not wash it for one day it gets very stringy (reminds me of gollum's hair from lord of the rings haha)
To counter this, I have tried many different volumizing products, gels, sprays which do help just a little bit BUT for some reason I have also noticed today that my hair is really damaged, about 1/3 hairs dont reach even close to terminal length and there's lots of frizz with broken hair throughout.
(I also have a habit of headbanging/windmilling when I listen to music or play guitar which tangles the hair a lot and I should probably stop that...)
My hair looks like a disgusting mess now and I am quite upset over it- I REALLY don't want to get it cut but it looks hardly appropriate and I don't think any girls would like it.
I would love any suggestions but please dont just recommend one product- i've tried them all, a routine would be better. Great thanks if you took the time to read through all this haha :).
(and yes my hair is clean and brushed in the pic, its just that bad...)
Don't be so self consious, your hair looks great!
Everybody worries if their hair looks good enough, we are our own worst critics. Just take proper care of your hair and it will look good.
If you enjoy headbanging keep on doing it, why would you have long hair if you can't enjoy it? If maximum lenght is your goal instead of having fun you probably should stop with headbanging. But even with waist lenght hair I sometimes headbang.
First off, your hair doesn't look bad. It may not look as full as you'd wish, but with fine hair I doubt it ever will.
I also have very fine hair and have tried just about every product known to man. I can either have fluffy hair that tangles easily or slightly clumpy hair that doesn't. The fluffy hair looks a bit fuller but is a nightmare to keep untangled. I've decided that I'd rather deal with slightly oily hair that doesn't tangle so badly. So my current regimen is to shampoo and condition about once a week, and the rest of the week I just rinse and condition. Afterwards I apply a hair lotion to add some light oils to the hair. The lotion keeps the hair moisturized which minimizes damage and helps in preventing it from tangling.
While our hair may never be as fantastic looking as those with thick hair, it sure beats the alternative of short hair!
--Dale
Dale's Facebook Page
Well I think your hair from the pic looks good nice length, however men who have light blond hair fair complection do have a high risk of losing their hair at a young age, Enyoy your long hair for as long as you do have it don't cut it, your hair is beautiful.
Tom
Hi Stan and welcome to the board. I think you are too self critical. Your hair looks looks great in the picture you posted. You can do nothing much to thicken up your hair, maybe one of the "volumising" shampoos/conditioners could help and it may take a little more caring for than thicker hair - but that too can bring it's problems. You just look like a natural long hair, so don't give up, think positive and keep posting. Ian
I honestly didn't notice any issues and only starting to critically look at it when you were mentioning all the negative, and I still had a hard time seeing everything that you were pointing out. I don't think you have bad hair, maybe damaged but that is hard to tell just by the pic alone. I mean if you did super close up shots maybe we could see more of the damage but like everyone had said I think you were being just a tad bit too critical of your hair. People have issues with their hair, EVERYONE, and like they say the grass always looks greener on the otherside. I would gravitate towards the more tame straight hair locks like Axl Rose (Guns n Roses) or them asian samurais *swoon*, but I have wavy thick hair. Not trying to brag but it gets tangled easy, and can be a bitch to keep maintained. When I finally do get a curl to go the correct way, instead of straight into my retina, then it has gotten frizzy from the blow drying >,<. So just enjoy your hair for as long as you got it, some are lucky enough to have it longer than others, and don't stress about it (stress isn't good for hair health either.) For split ends and such make sure you comb gently, like you're combing a baby kitten, and start using some sort of a moisturizer like coconut oil or jojoba oil. I would be very gentle on the oil, because with the description of your hair, it may make it look more greasy. I would suggest jojoba because it absorbs quickly and coconut may be a bit too oily.
Ziggy
After spending a good half and hour on my hair, I realized that if curls/waves went the same direction on both sides the world would be a much happier place *sigh*.
Hair looks fine to me....and no need to stop headbanging, just take your time and get the tangles out with your fingers instead of a brush or comb
Stan-I think your hair looks great! I love the length and it goes well with your features...(You have great features) I think you are just overreacting....I have been taking Biotin, Saw Palmetto and MSM,you can get them at any health store and they are pretty cheap...It has helped me with less hair shedding...Don't get bummed out, just keep trying different products...I highly recommend 'Henna", it will definitely make your hair fuller and healthier...There is colorless henna which just conditions your hair...
Take care,
Dee.
Well it can sometimes be difficult to tell from a picture but to me it looks just fine. I think that you're being overly self-critical (which we all do from time to time). I would just let it grow because as I said I think it looks fine.
As others have pointed out already:
1. The grass is always greener on the other side. Thick hair has its problems too such as being more difficult to wash (more shampoo, more rinsing so as not to leave in sticky residue), and can get pretty puffy and messy without a little oiling.
2. When you get tangles be sure and take your time to carefully comb them out with your *fingers*, until you can easily pull your fingers through them without encountering any tangling. *Then* use your brush or comb. This will greatly cut back on broken and pulled hairs.
Yes I do that but it only makes it more oily and stringy when I use fingers
Man I've nothing of value to add to this post only to tell you that you're hair is awesome... :D reminds me of kurt kobain.....
haha thanks, never saw the semblance
Thanks everyone, although only one post gave practical suggestions, but I really appreciate the support (I don't get ANY positive support elsewhere to keep my hair long) - although I am inferring noone here would recommend a short haircut to anyone, regardless of the state their hair was in.
Perphaps the picture isnt detailed enough but my hair is quite damaged and too thin to work with, and I dont have enough hair to cover my temples and it looks very awkward in my opinion- I just wish the front grows 2-3 more inches so I can tie it back and see how it goes from there. Anyone know how I can style it for now so it doesn't look as ridiculous?
this is a higher resolution pic (just washed and dried with volumizer)-- it's looks really awkward how thin it is, you can see my skin everywhere!!-- but I guess I'll just try to keep it and see what happens- thanks for the support!
Yes, you have 'fine' hair (in both senses).
I think we are our own worse critics. My hair is thin (both from being fine and from getting to be an old man - lol) at the temples and sometimes I wish it were thicker.
I also have a difficult time getting it to behave itself.
I think your hair looks great in the pictures - and I suspect that some negative comments you got maybe have been playing over and over and have given you the wrong impression of your long hair.
I know some people would like to make me hate my hair so that I'll cut it all off again. Sometimes I hear my inner voice and realize that it isn't my voice at all - but someone else's negativity. When I look again - I actually like my hair (mostly) in its long state.
I hope you'll keep growing and enjoying your long hair.
Welcome to the board.
Your hair type is very similar to mine.
My hair's very fine and brittle, and when it was about the same length as yours is, it did start to look greasy very quickly. The thing is, washing your hair actually stimulates your scalp to produce the natural oils you wash off, so if you cut down on the amount of washing, you'll gradually reduce oil secretion. Another thing that helps is brushing. Don't overdo it though, as that can damage your hair too.
As for the length, the short, straggly hairs are your future long hairs, so take care of them. I've managed to grow mine long enough to sit on now, but that's only because I take quite good care of it. I normally wear it in a braid, letting it out for special occasions, and I oil my hair lightly every time I wash it.
Hi Stan,
I think your hair looks just plain WONDERFUL; but hey, I tend to think of everyone as having great-looking hair, except for me... But this is only human nature, to often see only our own physical flaws.
If your hair is really & truly "damaged" (even though I don't see any evidence of that in your pics myself), try applying a small amount of beneficial oil onto your hair ends. Oils I've used with success are: Kukui nut oil, Almond oil, Jojoba, and even just plain old ordinary Olive oil (actually my favorite!)... just a small amount, though, and only apply it to the lower half of your mane.
Hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco
Ah!!! Thanks, Ken! I think that's the vital clue. I've read other people recommending oil and thought about it but I've got very thin hair like the OP and I thought it would just make matters worse - clumping the hair together and emphasising its straggliness.
But just applying it to the lower half and leaving the top alone makes sense. Tidies up the bushy bottom without emphasising the thinner top. Is that the secret?
BTW, Stan. I think your hair looks awesome! Like someone else said, you remind me of Kurt Cobain. Your face totally, completely, utterly suits long hair. Yeah, we all get bad hair days but you've got EASILY enough to look wicked. Don't even THINK of cutting it!
Damon
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Hey Stan. To be perfectly straight with you, I think your hair looks great. I believe Ken said "we are our own worst critics," and I agree with that.
You mentioned your hair receding a bit at the temples. That's quite normal in your 20s and 30s, and is not necessarily related to male pattern baldness.
I say keep growing!
Take care.
Seriously Stan,do not cut it, your hair with your facial structure are really very cool, awesome look.
Cheers Dave
Hi Stan,
Please don't feel discouraged, and as the others sad, sometimes we are our own worst critics. Your hair does look good, and I hope you persevere and continue your long hair growing journey!
Keep it growing,
David