new thread
...makes hair straighter, because that's what I does, ever since I started using it. When I Water Only washed it, you could see real curls in my hair.
Also, if I use conditioner, should I avoid putting it on my scalp?
Hi Michail,
Sometimes conditioners can make your hair appear straighter. They do this by weighing down the strands because conditioner tends to build up on hair. Of course, some people might have different results. Some people say conditioner makes their hair more curly/wavy. Conditioner generally should only be applied to the length of your hair. You should use shampoo on your scalp.
Another thing is that your hair appears to be naturally somewhat straight. Someone with curly hair would experience less curliness if they didn't give their hair the proper moisture. So, they would use products which do not moisturize. This is probably not a good idea-especially with long hair.
You will have to experiment with different products and routines to get the perfect one for your hair. This is what is so fun about growing our hair. I think your hair curls more with water only because your hair is getting more moisture since it isn't being stripped by shampoo. I notice my hair seems straighter when I use shampoo. I usually only shampoo 3 times per week. The other days I do only water or conditioner washes. I have found that Pantene products tend to make my hair straighter.
I hope this helps you. I am still experimenting myself. Have a great week my friend!
Ted
Hello Ted,
this was indeed a very helpful and insightful response. So in conclusion to that, is it better for my hair to Water Only wash it or to use conditioner and sometimes shampoo?
I will make sure to follow your advice and try to experiment until I find what is perfect for my hair.
Thansk a lot!
Hi Michail,
I just went and checked your pic below. It looks like your hair is right at shoulder length. This will also cause your hair to curl. If the hair curls at the front of your head or starts curling close to the scalp, you might have curly hair. Doesn't look that way to me though. Hope this helps.
Ted
Hey Ted,
my hair is actually longer in the back and this is where it really curls, but maybe the longer I grow it, the less it will be curly. Who knows?
Also, you said you only washed your hair with shampoo 3 times a week, right? Isn't that a little bit too much? From what I understand, washing it too much (and also with shampoo) causes the hair to dry out.
Hi Michail,
I believe the reason your hair is longer in the back is due to the way hair grows. Also, if you had any layering before your hair will do that. If you want your hair to stay even at the ends you have to keep getting them trimmed. But it will take away length. What I am going to do is let my hair grow to a little past my goal length. Then I will have the ends trimmed to my actual goal length.
Some people who tend to have thin ends keep trimming their ends often. This will help thicken up the hemline(ends) after some time. Possibly your hair will appear less curly the longer you grow it. Some people don't discover curliness until their hair gets longer. And even sometimes the curls are only at the very ends of your long hair. This is what makes growing hair so much fun and interesting!
As far as my wash schedule, I do vary it quite a bit. But at my current length I can get away with this schedule. I suspect when my hair reaches waist length I will be down to 1 time per week. Longer hair dries out at the ends quite a lot. But my scalp tends to be very oily. You may have different requirements. Hope this helps!
Ted
Hey Ted.
I actually did cut my hair in the front at one point and I absolutely regret it, but that was more than a year ago and since then I had one trim almost a year ago where I cut off more than two inches. I think the length difference between my front and back hair is now how it would have been if I didn't cut it.
I agree. When you grow your hair it, you will discover what hair type you really have. How would a person with short hair ever know if he might have wavy or curly hair if he never grew it out? He might believe his entire life that his hair is straight (which it is at that length). But this is what makes short hair very boring.
Thansk again.
Hi Michail,
I would agree with your points here. Please keep your hair growing!
Ted
Yes. Conditioner relaxes the hair a bit. In fact I've heard that people who've had perms avoid conditioners because it counters the effect. Conditioners are really made for the hair shaft, so there's no real need to get much on the scalp, though it shouldn't do any harm if you do.
I see. It's just that it only occasionally makes my hair look straighter. Most of the time, the curls are visible.
Anyways, thanks for your response.
Man, you guys are supportive AND smart! I even feel smart because I was going to type pretty much what Ted said. Come to MLHH and you'll leave feeling smart AND pretty...maybe even pretty smart.
Many thanks Tony! I just love this board and how it supports long hair on men. Yes, you are correct. MLHH will get you smarter! And, of course, we're all pretty!
Ted
I also realized that it makes my hair stiffer. Is this normal too?
That's not something I've ever noticed about conditioner. It's reasonable to suspect it caused the hair to hold moisture for longer, though, and I suppose that could make it feel a bit stiffer.
I think this might be the reason.
Anyways, thanks for your answer.