new thread
Hello everyone:
During the same time last year (mid-April of 2003), I decided to grow out my hair, and this continued until mid-March of this year. It was pretty cool from the front, as it grew to chin level, but the back stayed in the awkward phase forever due to "maintenance cuts" (never again).
I cut my hair very short (you could say a "marines cut") in mid-April, and have been growing it out ever since (I probably have about an inch or a little bit more). Do you guys have any tips? Also, is it alright for a long hair to have trimmed hair along the sideburns and to shave off the hair on the back of the neck (I'm speaking as a guy here). Also, I use Pantene Pro-V "Smooth & Silky" shampoo + conditioner twice daily. Is this ok, as I've heard that one shouldn't use shampoos so much. In that case, what should one do in order to keep one's hair feeling "clean"? Thanks alot.
progressively bring your washing frequence down and it will feel clean. when the hair is abused with harsh chemicals it builds a defensive system which is what you feel as "not clean".
good luck with the growing, my main tip is... break your mirrors and look at your hair in 2 years :)
-vincent
I like that one! Wish I followed it :-)
Hello Longhair Vet,
If it works for you, sure it's all right. Some folks have very pronounced neck hair and prefer to shave it. Others leave it be. You have time to experiment.
Twice a day seems a bit too much to shampoo, you will want to cut that routine down to a comfortable level since them little 1 inch hairs will eventually be the ends of your long hair. Anything you can do to cut down on the "wear and tear" will help in the long run.
Pantene contains silicone to give hair that smooth feeling and for some it can cause hair to be dry.
Hope this helps.
Congratulations on your decision to try again. The fact is that last time after one year of growth you were probably in the worst part of the awkward stage. Yes the maintenance cuts probably made it take much longer but everyone's situation is different and I know some people for work or social reasons have to keep their hair looking neat.
Washing your hair twice a day is probably excessive (everyone is different). If you want to have long hair in good condition you have to minimize the amount of washing. What are you doing that makes your hair so dirty? Consider wearing a cap or bandana so your hair doesn't get dirty. If you are working out let me say that, in my opinion, your own sweat is not 'dirty' and doesn't have to be washed off. When I am at the gym I cover my hair with a bandana to soak up sweat and keep it out of contact with the equipment.
Reducing your hair washing will take some adjustment as your scalp is used to being stripped of oil twice per day. I suggest you reduce the washing to once per day for a few weeks, then change to every other day. You scalp may itch but over time it will get used to the less frequent washing. One thing that helps me with the itching is that after I shampoo I rinse my scalp with 50-50 Apple Cider Vinegar and water. This removes any product buildup and neutralizes the scalp pH. After the vinegar rinse I apply conditioner. On days you shower without washing your hair you should wear a shower cap.
As for the sideburns and neck it is an individual preference. I regularly trim the hair on the back of my neck up to the hairline. Be *very* careful about nibbling into the hairline - these hairs will be essential to make a future ponytail look good. Since my beard stops before the sideburn area I use some of the hair in front of and below my ear to fill out the area and square the whole thing off. There are some pictures of my hair in a ponytail that show this in the bonus picture sections on my website.
Good luck with your hair growth goals!
