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Hello, I've been reading this board for a while now, but I haven't posted very much.
My last proper haircut was on 2 May 2002, i.e. just about a year ago, and I'm wondering whether it is time for a trim. It was quite long at the front to start off with, so it's now past chin length at the front and it's collar length at the back. The longest hairs are about 10 inches. Hair type is quite coarse and wavy.
Recently, I am finding that I have quite a lot of split ends and also that my hair gets very tangled at the ends. The question is: if I have the ends trimmed, will it reduce the tangling? If yes, then I want to have a trim. If no, then I won't bother because it *looks* OK as it is.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Damaged ends and tangling are kind of a vicious cycle. The damaged ends are more likely to tangle, and in combing out the tangles you tend to cause more damage to the ends. I just got 3in trimmed off (down from 18in to 15in) and I have MUCH less tangling.
Of course, this is no way to increase length. The key to that is to prevent the damage in the first place by being very careful when you work out the tangles.
Yes, split ends can contribute to tangling. If you have split ends when your hair has been growing for just a year, then you are not taking the best care of it (not a criticism, just a statement - taking care of long hair is much different from short hair, and takes some time to learn). If I were you, I'd get the splits trimmed off, it won't take much length, and will definitely reduce further tangling and thus, further damage. Let the stylist know you want to grow it long and to just take off half an inch at most - that's only one month's growth. Then, resolve to be as careful and gentle with your hair as you can. Treat it like fine lace. Don't brush or comb vigorously - take your time and be slow and gentle. IN fact, you might want to eliminate brushing altogether and just use a wide-tooth comb. My hair is wavy and coarse, and I never use a brush. If you are going out in the wind, confine your hair with a bandanna or cap to keep it from blowing around and tangling. Detangle with your wide comb or pick before you get your hair wet. When you shampoo or condition, use a gentle scalp massaging motion on your scalp, don't pile your hair up on top of your head and rub at it. Just let it hang down and allow the suds to flow down and squeeze through your length to gently cleanse. Shampoo infrequently, and use gentle shampoo when you do - stay away from ammonium laurel sulfate or ammonium laureth sulfate, these are harsher detergents. You can rinse and condition on days you don't shampoo. Use a good conditioner, at least every time you shampoo. You might want to avoid those with silicones (any ingredient ending in -cone), as those ingredients can make hair very brittle over time, and coarse hair is usually somewhat brittle to begin with. A light oil, like jojoba oil, on the ends, is very lubricating, softening, and moisturizing. Rub just a tiny drop between your palms and then smooth it over and through your hair ends to lubricate and add shine. Stay away from the scalp and hairline to avoid a greasy look. You can apply to wet or dry hair. I do this almost daily to make my hair easier to detangle. Whatever you do, don't give up, it is worth the effort to have fabulous long hair.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think I'm quite careful with my hair, but maybe I was less careful in the beginning. For example I used to use a hairdrier when it was shorter, but I stopped doing that some time before Christmas.
I've only been "growing" for a year, but the longest ends must be about 20 months old, given the length my hair was when I started. I have been intentionally living in what people here would probably call "the awkward stage" for the past 20 years or so, before finally deciding to "grow". The splits aren't that noticeable really.
I'd go and get the ends trimmed, but I'm really worried that the hairdresser will make a mess of things. I've never been happy with the results of professional haircuts, even at the fairly expensive salons like Vidal Sassoon and Charles Worthington where I used to go, in London's west end. (Because of this I cut/hacked at my own hair for about 6 years, while I was a student!)
I think I might keep the ends for now, snipping off any very noticeable split ends, and continue to monitor the situation! I'll also investigate getting a better quality brush (or even comb).
Funny you should mention silicones - I tried the dreaded Pantene Pro V "Smooth and Sleek" conditioner for the first time this week, on a recommendation on this board, and find my hair looks better than it has for weeks! (Better than with my usual Aussie or John Frieda.) I'm not sure whether to believe all the hype against silicones.
I've never tried jojoba oil! There's another thing for me to investigate...