new thread
Before I ask my questions to clarify I have a shaved head right now since I am starting fresh. I know its early to damage hair since its bald but I want to know any advice tips so I can take of it earlier since it will be long time to grow it long. First question is I always take hot showers since I don't like cold showers and wanted to know if that would damage my hair or cause split ends? To clarify when I do take the hot showers I just have the hot water on my body only and I don't let the hot water touch my head. But I am worried that the steam could damage it but I do use a bathroom fan. Second is can you wash or rinse hair with hot or warm water? Third is should I get my hair trimmed before my desired lenghth goal which is shoulder lenghth hair right now or should you trim after? Last If I do get split ends before I reach my goal should I trim it than or should I just let it grow until I reached my goal?
On water temperature: The surface of a shaft of hair is comprised of "scales" (see scanning electron microscope photo, above). Exposure to heat causes the scales to lift/open, increasing the potential for various types of damage, including split ends. This is true regardless of the heat source (air, liquid water, or steam). Washing and rinsing with cool water is recommended to minimize damage. If you are concerned about hair damage, you would do well to acclimate yourself to taking cooler showers. In addition to being better for your hair, this also provides a number of other health benefits.
On trimming: If you develop the habit of trimming your hair during the growing-out process, you will only delay achieving the long hair for which you purport to be striving. Resist the urge. Remember my "4 C's"... Be Confident, and keep your hair Clean, Conditioned, and Combed (or brushed). Time will take care of the rest. If, once you have reached your goal length, you perceive split ends to be a problem, your best option is to employ the "seek and destroy method," whereby you put on some good music, sit down with a pair of SHARP scissors, and patiently go through your hair, removing split ends as you find them by cutting the hair shaft a small distance above the split.
Cheers,
Val
"But I am worried that the steam could damage it but I do use a bathroom fan."
I don't think steam would hurt hair that is already wet. But steam can certainly affect the texture of dry hair, like when you shower, but are not washing your hair. Humidity can have a huge affect on hair, dependent on the hair texture.
"Second is can you wash or rinse hair with hot or warm water?"
No hot water. You wash with warm, but you will get the best results if you rinse with the coolest water that you can stand. Rinsing out the conditioner is always the very last thing I do in the shower.
"Third is should I get my hair trimmed before my desired length goal which is shoulder length hair right now or should you trim after?"
You will get a variety of opinions on this, because everyone's mileage will vary on this one. My hair was 2-3 inches long when I began to grow it. I had a standing appointment to get it trimmed every 12 weeks. I found a stylist that I had TOTAL trust in. If I say to take off 1/8", that is exactly what she takes off. I feel my hair looked great during the entire growing process. It took 3.5 years to grow it waist length. No one could believe how fast I grew it...and that was with scheduled trims (not cuts). I personally highly recommend finding a good stylist who does exactly what you want, stick with her/him, and tip very well! In 28 years, I've only had two different stylists. If you go into a cheap salon and get a different stylist every time and expect great, consistent results....that's just not logical.
If you don't care what your hair looks like during the growing process, then don't worry about getting any dustings/trims.
"Last If I do get split ends before I reach my goal should I trim it than or should I just let it grow until I reached my goal?"
The only remedy for split ends is to trim the hair shaft just above the split. If you don't, the split will eventually continue all the way up the shaft, then that hair shaft is completely ruined. Not all types of hair are prone to splits. You might not experience much, thus won't have to worry about it.
Taking good care of your hair will help prevent splits from happening in the first place.
A lot of this is trial and error. You have to experiment to see what is best for YOUR hair. Do whatever it takes for you to feel good about your hair as you grow it. Don't worry about what others do, or what others tell you to do. Do what works for you.
Good luck!
As always with hair, Your Mileage May Vary!
I love hot water, and I'm willing to put up with the damage I have accumulated in my hair from the water and the steam (the longest hairs are 8+ years old at the tips.
When I wash my hair, I do finish with an acidic rinse and cooler (but still warm water).
No manipulation of wet hair...wrap in a microfiber towel, then airdry. After dry, finger detangle and comb out to finish.
If your goal is shoulder...and you have a average growth rate, your longest hairs will be less than 2 years old, and unless you have unusually fine or fragile hair, honestly, you should be able to use pretty much any wash and care regime (other than flat ironing, bleaching and coloring, ripping through tangles when wet).
My advice for growing hair is not cutting until you are past your goal, but it is your hair, and if you want to shape it, that is your business.
At shoulder length you will barely be able to do S&D with or without eyestrain. Unless you are abusing your hair, you shouldn't need to.
Glad to hear that especially from someone with hair as awesome
as yours. There are health benefits from hot showers too.
Particularly if one has respiratory problems. My hair seems to
be surviving OK.
Heat will not harm your hair so don't worry about any of these issues in the shower. Hair is very resilient and more so that many hear would say.
Two no trims along the way,. your hair will even out as it gains weight but do read about and expect the 'awkward' stage. Worry about split ends when your hair is at the preferred length.
I'd say just relax. Split ends generally don't happen until you have longer than shoulder length. I find that brushing/combing hair that has tangles tends to cause most of my problems.
Bruce