Greetings All -
I've been reading all the posts here regularly for a month. This is a wonderful forum. I've learned much from your accumulated wisdom.
My journey started about 16 months ago when my wife stopped cutting my hair. For 16 years she was the only person who cut it and it was always buzzed to a number 1 - Marine style. I had longish hair in the 70's. I always wore a beard in the winter which my gal really disliked. We made a deal: I grow the top of the head out and no more beard. So it's now it's just on my shoulders and I really love it. She does too.
Normally, I ponytail it unless it's just been washed. I do tend to wet it most days and add just a bit of conditioner. The question I have is whether you all think it's a bad idea to ponytail with a scrunci while it's still wet on those days. Will it damage it? Note: I never blow dry it and even try not to towel dry it aggressively.
Ok - now a funny anecdote: I go to the dentist today. He's an ex-NFL linebacker. BTW he's an awesome dentist. Haven't seen him in a while. He's totally straight laced and about 6'-3" still built like a linebacker. Never have we talked football. But today I got the feeling he was eyeing my ponytail and tested me. "what do you think about Sunday?" Without hesitation I said I like Joe Flaco. Any Rookie who can beat Tom Brady at his own game is ok by me.... and I'm from New England. He was cool with that. I notice that people treat me a little different with long hair - is it just me or am I imagining things?
Grow on -
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks for your post, I enjoyed reading it!
Re. your question about wet ponytails:
I've always tried to avoid pony-tailing my hair while it's still extremely wet; however, if it's only just a little bit damp, it has proved to be no big problem for me -- in fact, braiding is actually a bit easier whenever the hair is still slightly damp.
The theory behind not braiding or pony-tailing extremely wet hair that I've always heard is that if wet hair is left tied together in a confined space for too log (all day, for example), it develops a "moldy" smell -- and in extreme cases, can even bring about mold or rot (like I imagine if left that way for WEEKS maybe - LOL)....
You are doing the right thing by NOT using a blow-dryer, though. Unless you use it on the coolest setting and/or lowest force, most blow-drying helps to eventually dry and damage long hair by contributing to split ends, etc.
Take Care -- and WELCOME to MLHH!!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Congratulations on entering the free world of being a longhair!
If you are careful, you should be OK - wet hair is more easily damaged if the ponytail band is too tight - otherwise, just enjoy!
Hello: My name is Tom, I have short hair because I like it that way, but I do like long hair on most men, but not all guys. Your hair sounds great, shoulder length is a nice length, also I do like facial hair I do have a goate. I work in supplies in the medical field at a group of hospitals here in Cincinnati, so keep it long sounds great.
Tom)Hairboy)