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Well, I just cut about two inches off my hair (tonight). I hated to do it, but no shampoo/conditioner I've tried could fix the split-ends. Another bad thing, is the water where I live. It has so much crap in it, that it dries your hair out -- no matter how good the shampoo or conditioner. This is the worst water I've ever used.
I'm hoping that my hair will recover in the next few months. I've been using Aussie products 'religiously' the past few months -- with no luck. Even if I don't fully rinse the conditioner out, my hair is still dry as hell!
My hair was at half-back length a few months ago, now I have about 5 inches to go to reach that. However, I have a friend (former short-hair) and his hair is way longer than mine now. He lives on the coast (of CA) about 30 minutes from me. The water there is great! His hair is curly and still longer than mine!
I would consider moving there, but it would take an extra half-hour (making it 50 minutes or so) to get to work (I'm not a 'morning person' at all, anyway).
Anyway, todays lesson; is that, if the water sucks -- your hair will too. Perhaps it's a 'short-hair' conspiracy......
I agree with what you are saying. The water at my university is horrible. Today was the first day in over a week that I showered elsewhere and I felt an incredible difference. The only question I have is How can the girls at this school maintain such nice hair???
Yeah - Funny that... girly chat needed I think...
I have been wondering that every frickin day up here at my hard water university.
Here's a thought. Talk to them. Ask them. Women love it when guys take an interest in them and can actually carry on a conversation. You might even get a date! They're not that scary, I promise.
They don't stop with just shampoo and conditioner. There's also leave in conditioner, oil treatments, and a whole bunch of other stuff they put in their hair.
Ask them! Most women have a lifetime of sharing information about their hair; guys are usually reluctant to bring such subjects up, even though guys want to look good, too! Anyway, find someone whose hair is a similar texture to yours, with good condition and style, and ask what shampoo, conditioner, and styling products/techniques she uses. If the girls can get their hair to look good washing in that water, so can you!
I don't understand what you are considering "bad" water? What is the crap that is in the water that is damaging your hair? Water has a basic ph that can change slightly from place to place, but not much. If it did vary much, it would be undrinkable and make people sick. Are we talking about chlorine or flouride? Most cities chlorinate and flouridate their water these days. Just curious.
Robert
__________heidi w.'s response below___________
It is possible to have bad water that is considered drinkable; it's also possible to have bad water that people drink and shouldn't be drunk as the testing by the local water board hasn't been performed in a timely manner. (NPR has had radio time given over to water issues and among them poor quality water that people are being told is OK to drink.)
However, for the purpose of this question, bad water is usually considered water that is high(er) in mineral content. Example: salt. These minerals can end up, over a duration, being left on the hair making it harder for hair care products to lock in (so to speak). In my response above, I did suggest getting a filter for the shower head which can be purchased relatively inexpensive to quite fancy!! This can help significantly with reducing the mineral deposits to your hair.
As for the other person asking about how can girls get such fab hair with the same water: aaaah, we have our secrets! No, really, we don't mind sharing. They might be using different products; they may have installed a filter; they may be using vinegar rinses and conducting some version of a hot oil treatment; they may be using a better quality set of products, particularly conditioner; they may be oiling hair length or using a quality leave-in conditioner.
anyway, hope this helps, heidi w. (from TLHS)
1) Learn to dust your hair. No matter the condition of water and combination of products, damage happens, particularly for those of a length that can't be put up or in a braid somehow. Dusting is very easy. Simply search your hair for damage and make a blunt cut above the point of damage. Watch the lean of your hand and line the scissors up at a 90 degree angle to the hair strand to cut straight across and straight down, one hair strand at a time. You will need to search in strong light (sunlight is best) and against an opposing color background as distinguished from the color of your own hair. Use moustache scissors, or if your pocketbook can take it, 5-1/2" barber scissors (approx. $25 US).
3) Boil the water first. If you can collect rain water. Buy a filter that attaches to the shower head (there are many varieties and these can get pretty fancy!) to filter out the nasty minerals.
4) Use a vinegar rinse.
5) Do use a heavier conditioner such as Biolage's Conditioning Balm. Try it in the tube size (around $17 US) and if you like it, then buy it by ordering from your chosen vendor (Super Cuts carries this product line) the size (I think around 38 fl oz) that is a pump jug. It'll save you money in the long run.
6) Have you considered a cone free shampoo?
7) Oil your hair. Go to TLHS Guestbook and look for posts by Heidi W. wherein I give instructions on how to oil hair length. You'll love what oiling does for your hair and I guarantee will offset the water problem and you will never again need to trim as you just did--only microtrim! I promise.