Im cognizant of the fact that it wasnt long ago that I posted an update but I felt I wanted to share this photo because Im becoming even more enthused about the use of oils. Especially for those of us with fine hair that takes abuse from various sources, it really does go a long way towards protecting it.
I know in the past, lots of damage comes from tangles in my hair that I never really get out. My regular use of Ojon oil helps some with this but what especially makes a difference is when I do a deep coconut oiling. I did one about 10 days ago. I like to do it while Im watching TV so Im in no hurry and can give each individual strand attention. I drench it and while doing so remove every last tangle. Ill then at least leave it overnight. This last time I left it in for 2 days. I can pretty well get away with it by tightly braiding it. It hides some of its oily appearance. By the time I S & C it, the oil has really seeped in and my hair is left super soft and with greatly reduced tangling.
This is after an Ojon treatment left in for 2 days. It wasnt a thorough as the coconut from the previous week but I think it provided further benefits. I dont normally wear it this greasy but I wanted to share how it looks.
Outstanding update, and great tips on oiling... thanks!
--Val
Looks very well kept and healthy Jason - no sign of the ends deteriorating now.
Duncan
Thanks Duncan. That's definitely the main purpose - to protect those ends. I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year brings.
Great update.
I'm a big fan of oils as wells.
I am now using this oil wich is a mix of flowers oils. It's from L'oreal so I guess you can find something similiar in US stores.
I really like it because you can use it in different ways:
- To seal split ends
- As heat protectant before blow drying
- Before shampooing
- Frizz control
It also smells great and is not heavy so it does not look greasy at all. In Argentina it costs about 12 USD but it lasts for 2 months or so.
Thanks!
That oil looks very interesting. I'm always up for trying new ones. Some work well with my hair and others don't. Jojoba, for instance, doesn't work well with my hair type. I'd only use it as a protectant against salt water.
Hi Jason,
Your hair looks absolutely superb here, and I can definitely see quite a bit more length as well. I am delighted for you that this treatment works so well.
I still have the oil that I purchased quite a few months back, but with some rather nice late summer weather, my hair has been sadly neglected lately. Once fall rolls around, and I am spending more time indoors, I plan to give more TLC to my hair, and do some sort of trim, followed by use of the oil.
Take care,
David
Hi David,
Thanks! I hear you about summer. Most of September has been great and it's important to squeeze in all the outside time we can.
Well, you've got the oil, so once Fall does set in, it would be worth a try. Even if you forgo a trim, I still think you should give it a go.
Best,
Jason
Looks good, Jason! Your hair has grown a lot since the major trim and the ends look healthier as well. Ready for Saturday!
Thanks Mark. I'm definitely hoping for new growth territory.
Yep, see you tomorrow!
Hi Jason,
I must say your hair is looking so healthy here! I just love the waves and color! The oil is definitely making a difference in the appearance of your hair! I do thank you for the inspirational pic man!
I still have not been able to use oil that much since I don't like the way it feels. I suspect I will have to get used to it as I get closer to my waist length goal. Thanks again for the wonderful pic!
Ted
Hi Ted,
Well, you're fortunate with your coarse and durable hair so that you may not need oil to grow your hair very long and for it to remain healthy. I guess it will be something that you can watch as your hair lengthens. You could always apply oil close to bedtime and sacrifice a pillowcase, then shower first thing in the morning so you wouldn't have it in your hair much during your waking hours.
Thank you.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the compliment! I definitely believe my hair is durable! It seems to like to be washed frequently and still feels pretty good. I suspect I will start using the oil when I get to about mid-back. I have thrown caution to the wind and have set my first goal at waist length.
I just can't wait to get to the point where my hair hangs down good. You know where the hair moves back and forth when you walk. Right now it just seems like it's sitting on my shoulders. The front is finally getting close to sitting behind my shoulders. Patience, patience patience I keep telling myself. Thanks again for the awesome inspiration my friend!
Ted
Beautiful, man!
It looks great. I didn't know about oil for finer hair. Thanks!
Thank you! I think at least for people with fine hair who are outdoors a lot, the oil definitely works wonders to protect it. I don't put my hair in buns but that would be another good method to protect it.
Hi Jason,
I also recently discovered coconut oil and I am impressed with the results. I used it for the first time last night. I only left it in for about 20 minutes and then shampooed it out. I immediately saw results. Your hair looks great!
Darrin
Hi Darrin,
I'm glad you've also enjoyed the benefits of using oil. That's nice that you saw results too with only a 20 minute application.
Thanks!
Jason
Hi Jason,
I forgot to ask you if the oiling brings out the waviness more in your hair. I found that my hair got somewhat wavier when I used the oil on it.
Ted
Hi Ted,
That's an interesting question. You'd think the oil would weigh the hair down and make it less wavy like when it's wet but in the photo, it appears that my waves are very evident. Maybe the oil does actually accentuate the waviness.
Thanks!
Jason
------------
Your hair looks super, Jason. Waist length should be easy now. The oils work very well for you. (I discovered putting oils on the comb works well for me. It spreads the oils more evenly.)
Scott
Thanks Scott.
I'm hoping I can at least reach waist with it still looking decent. It does seem to still be growing at a pretty good pace so it would appear that less is breaking off.
I do a finger application and then use a boar bristle brush to distribute the oil.
Hi Jason,
Have to say your hair looks fabulous nowadays and it looks like the oiling is definately helping.I'm off and on with the use of oils as too much just weighs down and clumps my hair together.Looks as if I hadn't washed it in weeks even though it was washed only a day earlier.Tomorrow I plan to rehenna my hair again so what I may do is oil my hair up the night before, then in the morning is when I apply the henna and leave it in for awhile before rinsing it all out.Will be interesting how my hair texture will be afterwards but sometimes you just have to experiment:) Anyway great hair my friend and enjoy the upcoming weekend.Cheers...
Mârk
Hi Mark,
My hair tends to look like that too after a heavy oiling. I really couldn't wear it out loose or in a ponytail but the braid does disguise the look a lot. That might be an option for you.
I think the plan to oil before henna is a good one. It will be interesting to see the results.
Thanks,
Jason
Although I don't think I will ever use oil, I find this to be rather helpful, especially for people with my hairtype.
It's looks pretty awesome.
Thanks! Well, if you decide to go for super length, you could always give it a try.
Wow Jason. That oil is just the greatest thing. Such magnificent long hair. Bravo! :-)
Justin~
Thanks Justin! I used to think my original length goal could never be reached so it's kind of exciting to see possibilities ahead.
I just applied my first deep coconut oil condoning. All I can say so far is my hands feel great right now, so that can't be bad :) It took about an hour until I was comfortable with it being across every hair. I also made sure to massage it into my scalp as well. Now to figure out how to comfortably sleep with the I'll in my hair.
peace :)
Jarvis
Cool, let us know how your hair came out after the application!
Wow, that look is great! I'm going to have to step up my treatment game and hope my hair looks that great when its as long as yours!
Sort of a related story, but I was at church this weekend and 2 friends (both women) were talking about hair oils and products, as one of them recently took a job managing a salon. Not really thinking, and probably to their surprise, I just interjected myself into the conversation. As a result she is going to hook me up with some argan oil that I can try for my hair!
-Tommy
Thanks! Oiling becomes more important as the hair gets longer and therefore older but I'm sure it's beneficial in the earlier stages of growing as well.
Hi Jason,
What a great thread here, thanks so much for sharing your experience with oiling -- and the pic of your hair looks TERRIFIC!!!!
As you might remember from my own comments on the subject of oiling over the years on MLHH, I have gravitated towards using olive oil as my main preference for beneficial hair oil nowadays -- although I still like the Kukui nut oil (although much harder to find). Jojoba oil doesn't quite do it for me anymore -- the results aren't quite as good for me as olive oil. Almond oil is another good oil for the hair; but it's hard to find 100% "pure" almond oil -- seems like most almond oils sold in stores have one additive or another.
Some days I'm more successful than others at getting only the lower half of my mane oiled. On days when the oil is either too much and/or crept too far up my hair strands and into my scalp, my hair will be left feeling and looking too greasy -- in which case, I usually follow up with a water-rinse only the next day.
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and comments about this topic, Jason, as I firmly believe that beneficial oils are one of the biggest secrets to having great-looking long hair VS dry frizzy-looking long hair!
- Ken
I forgot to mention in my previous reply that I seem to have the most success with applying the beneficial oil into the lower half of my mane whenever my hair is still damp from after having just shampooed and conditioned it from the shower. I guess it must be a bit easier for the hair strands to be able to absorb the oil that way -- while at the same time, I'm also allowing my hair to air-dry on its own, while finger-combing and eventually using a regular comb towards the end of the ritual.
Another way in which I help distribute the oil into my ends especially, is to twist and coil my hair into a "tornado", tightly winding and squeezing the lower half of my mane to help in the oil distribution process... This is what works best for me, anyway!!
Also I found it interesting that you mentioned Ojon products -- my partner loves loves LOVES Ojon shampoo & conditioners! Yes, Ojon is expensive; but it really is a nice thing to treat oneself to every once in a while!
Thanks again for starting this thread, it was great to read all of your comments, as well as the others who replied!
- Ken
Hi Ken,
Thank you about the hair shot! I agree that at least for finer hair types, oiling is key to protecting the strands to maximize their potential growth.
Jojoba doesn't work well with my hair either. I'm quite happy with the coconut/Ojon combination but am open to more experimenting too. I love the smell of Ojon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences,
Jason