new thread
Hi everyone,
I am curious if anyone never uses conditioner. I am going to experiment with not using conditioner for a while. I believe Trolleypup does not, but I could be wrong. Please feel free to correct me Trolleypup. If you don't use conditioner, I would be interested in your results. Hair type would be nice to know also. Thanks for the help!
Ted
Hey Ted
For almost all of my life (until 10-11 years ago?) I didn't even know about conditioner, and despite, in my particular case all seemed very well. Guys used to grow long hair that looked great to me in the 60's, 70's, and into the 80's and as far as I know, they were not using conditioner. In fact, in the very early days, we would use a cake of Ivory Soap. Can you imagine? Horrors! Oh well, for whatever it is worth.
Justin~
I DO believe that many these days go far overboard in worry about their hair, and in doing so lose a great deal of the fun in just having long hair. If one is to be worried/concerned to such a high degree every single day about their hair, this would really be too bad. Conditioner IS an important help in assuring that the hair stays healthy the longest possible, and I suppose in many a case depending on hair-type or whatever, rescues many a guy from "Early Terminal." But then, no doubt some guys do not need it for great long hair success. There always seems to be exceptions about everything I guess.
Well, I first grew mine out in the '70s and shamelessly used my "Long and Silky" conditioner. I don't recall shampoo and conditioners sold in matched sets back then, but conditioners were certainly available. My hair has always been fine and kind of curly so it tangles when long if I don't use conditioning.
Hi Justin,
That's amazing you didn't know about conditioner! I do remember the old Ivory soap! Used that for a long time(but not for hair). I washed my hair last night and did not use conditioner. I didn't really notice much difference in the softness. A little more tangling though. I find that my scalp gets oily when I use too many products. I just think I have been blessed with durable hair. I also think the conditioner makes my hair too fluffy and flyaway. Sounds like the opposite of what conditioner should do.
I think I am going to experiment and see what happens with no conditioner. Perhaps I will stretch out my washes with shampoo further. Thanks again for the reply my friend!
Ted
One thing to keep in mind is the mineral content of your water, specifically how 'hard' or 'soft' it is. In areas with 'hard' water a lot of residue is left on the hair resulting in a gummy feeling that makes hair tangle and clump when you fail to use a conditioner. In areas with 'soft' water you may not notice as much a difference between using conditioner or not. In my case I have very 'hard' water that even with mechanical softening is still too hard to avoid conditioner unless I want hair that comes out of the shower tangled.
--Dale
Hi Dale,
Thanks for the reply! Yes, we have hard water here also. But when I washed my hair last night I didn't use conditioner. I did notice a little more tangling in the shower. But once I did my usual final rinse with cold water, the tangling went away. After my hair dried, there was minimal tangling when combing.
My hair is really not that long yet. So possibly when I get to longer lengths, I will need conditioner. Only time will tell. But that's what is fun about growing hair and experimenting. Also, I have wavy rather than curly hair, which may make a difference. Thanks again for the reply my friend!
Ted
I don't use conditioner as a shampooing compliment anymore but i do use a styling leave in conditioner to control my fly away fine hair. The conditioner adds a bit of "weight" and helps to keep my shoulder length hair from becoming a fly-away mess. It also softens it a bit more. On days that i happen to not use it, my hair is really soft as well.
The conditioner is called "SLEEK & SHINE --intensely smooth leave-in conditioning cream" from Garnier Fructis.
I've been using it for a few years now and, although they've changed the formula a couple times since, i really like it. You can buy it most places that carries the various Garnier Fructis products hair care line. I usually buy it at Target but i've seen it at wal*mart and other stores as well.
Also be warned, a little product goes a long way, at least for me it does; if i put too much in, the hair is weighed down.
Hi Frank469,
Thanks for the reply. I may try that in my future experiments. However, I like to keep my routine simple and that usually involves shampoo and conditioner. It seems like my scalp does not like if I use too much product. I think I may need to experiment to find the perfect product for my hair type. I do thank you for your informative reply my friend!
Ted
Hi Ted,
The answers here will depend on the hair texture of each person.
People with really fine or straight hair may not need to use conditioner because their hair is naturally conditioned (thats why they have that natural fine hair).
People with curly, wavy or poofy hair cannot not use conditioner. The reason why hair is poofy , is because it does not condition naturally on its own, so the hair "poofs out" looking for moisture in the atmosphere . So of you condition , your hair will stop doing that.
Also, dont forget that a lot of natural moisture is taken away when you wash with shampoo, so when you use conditioner you give back to your hair all the moisture that your hair lost while you washed it.
For me, its an important step because if you wash your hair and do not condition, eventually your hair will dry out and will look like this:
One more thing i would like to add: Conditioner should be applied in the ends of your hair, not on your scalp. Its ok to apply shampoo on the scalp to get rid of any built up. But when it comes to conditioner it is suggested to apply in the ends.
Also, bear in mind that every new routine you try, you have to try it for at least 1 month to see the results. Let your hair get used to the new routine.
Hi Dave,
Thanks much for the reply! I do agree that this depends upon a person's indidvidual hair type. I consider my hair lightly wavy and moderately thick. I think my hair does not necessarily poof out. I just think that I am at that stage where my hair still hasn't all grown enough to weigh itself down.
I am not sure about your statement that people with curly and wavy hair cannot use conditioner. Then you go on to say that they should use conditioner. Doesn't sound right to me. Even though my hair is wavy, I don't seem to have the problems you mention. Perhaps my hair is straight with a body wave throughout (type 1c). I need to let it grow some more to better be able to type it. Believe it or not, I don't have much tangling after not using conditioner.
I do agree about applying conditioner only to the ends of the hair. I suspect when I get to mid-back, conditioner will be necessary. And yes, you are correct about giving my hair some time to adjust to new routines. Thanks again for your excellent reply!
Ted
Hi Ted, i actually said that people with that type of hair cannot NOT use conditioner. Its like a must to use conditioner if you have that hair type.
But hey, give it a try and experiment and let us know how it worked out for you.
I stand corrected, Dave. I am definitely going to keep experimenting. That's what is so interesting about growing our hair! Never know what might happen!
Ted
Ted. I use conditioner (a dab) every moerning when I shower. Only. I live in a dry climate (Phoenix, az) and though my hair is nearly straight, with just the slightest of waves. If I dont condition it. I can't get a brush or comb through it without risk of damage. Having a partner who is a stylist helps a lot as he knows my hair well and proffers the right product. Seems to work. As an aside. when I am in areas with naturally "soft' water, like Missouri. (Phx has "hard" water) I need less or no conditioning. It may be worth checking the water in your area. that might determine the amount or even need for your hair type to be conditioned.
Hi Jason,
Thanks a bunch for your reply! Do you wash your hair with shampoo every day? I wonder because you said you use conditioner every day. That is interesting you can't get a comb or brush through it. Your hair appears to be easy to comb. I guess pics don't always tell the whole story:) But you are fortunate to have a partner who knows about these things! Makes life easier.
Yes, we have very hard water here I know. But for some reason I seem to be able to not use conditioner and have no problems. My hair does not tangle and feels soft without conditioner. I am going to only use shampoo for a while and see what happens. Maybe my hair will come to hate me for it. Who knows? I like the way my hair feels without conditioner in it. Thanks again for the great reply! I do look forward to your next update my friend!
Ted
Hi Ted,
There used to be a regular user who posted here a long time ago, who had amazing hip-length hair, named "EdG"... in fact, the last pic I saw of him, his hair had grown to knee-length!
Anyway, as I recall, Ed G said once that he didn't use conditioner on his hair. He also wrote about how he would dry his hair in front of an electric fan after shampooing -- took around an hour for it to dry this way.
I'm the exact opposite, though: many times I go into the shower to wash my hair with CONDITIONER ONLY -- no shampoo whatsoever.
But in an average week, however, I usually do use shampoo at least once per week. Ideally I follow this up with not only a cooler water temperature rinse, but also a generous conditioner application, followed up with a final cool-water rinse; then last but not least, a small application of olive oil massaged into my hair ends (to help prevent split ends).
It's all about whatever works best for you, what you feels brings out the very best in both your hair and your scalp.
"Onward & Downward!"
- Ken in San Francisco
Actually for the last few months i've used only conditioner,
no shampoo at all.
On the length only.
Hi Trolleypup,
Okay, on the length only. That makes sense to me. I am thinking when I get down around mid-back and longer things will change. I haven't even totally cleared the shoulders completely yet. Thanks again for the reply my friend!
Ted
I never use conditioner. I tried using it a few times, but all it did was leave my hair feeling greasy and weighted down. That being said, if I wash it too often, it gets dried out and brittle and I end up with severe tangling issues. I usually just shower every other day (every day seems to make my skin dry out and crack), but I only shampoo about once a week. Usually I just use hot water on my hair.
The times I did try conditioner, I broke out in a rash, so I may be allergic to at least one of the ingredients anyway.
Hi Michael,
Thanks a bunch for your reply! You seem to get the same results I do. Although I can get away with washing daily if I want. I think I am going to wait until my hair gets considerably longer before I try using conditioner regularly. I hardly have any tangling problems. At my current length, I don't notice much difference in the feel of my hair without conditioner. Thanks again for the informative reply my friend!
Ted