How much does hair weigh?

[lydiajo]

Even if your hair is not heavy, you could be holding your head of center because of an unbalanced hair style.

[PraiseCheeses]

Well mine seems to weigh a ton when it is wet o.0

Actually I recently had surgery on my neck and the PT wants me to cut off my hair. From just past waist to chin length. Apparently the weight is messing with my recovery. AND she made a big deal out of my doing side pony tails, all I can do with limited mobility atm, since it throws me off balance. I came home and ranted to my husband and he mentioned that many years ago he saw a Dr who claimed a good 90% of his patients were there because of putting their wallet in back pocket {men of course} since they sat slightly askew all day and it messed with their spine, caused pinched nerves, etc.

FWIW, all the gals in the office have longer hair. Well the PT's is past shoulder but her office managers is mid back so long for non LHC people. I am not exactly sure what to do about this situation :C

I missed this thread when it started, but wanted to let you know that my sympathies are with you - I had a double discectomy and a fusion from C5-C7 last May. My hair was between BSL and waist at the time, and I was reassured by doctors and PTs that cutting would not be necessary. Washing was definitely tricky for a couple months; it was actually easier to bend forwards, detangle, and wash that way. I could support my head and neck with my hands much more easily; bending backwards really hurt and still does. Putting my hair up smack on the top of my head while it was drying made it easier to support the weight of wet hair. Braids felt much better balanced and more weightless than buns - and as you've mentioned, you can do them on the side without contorting too much. I really only noticed the weight of my hair when it was wet. Sometimes I'd notice the weight of a heavy fork, so I stuck with sticks for a while.

If your DH is able and willing, his help can go a long way. DBF learned to braid my hair and helped me support my head, especially while lying down and getting up from lying down. Personally, I imagine long hair would be a lot easier to deal with during recovery, because you can wash it, put it up, and basically leave it for four or five days. No constant restyling, no reaching up to brush hair out of your face, etc.

The doctor might be onto something about years of sitting askew on a fat wallet (a problem I'll never have - ha! ) but unless you notice your hair specifically causing you pain, I highly doubt the PT.

Best of luck with your recovery!

[Ligeia_13]

This is so cool! I just weighed my hair best I could with the kitchen scales and it's 40gr. I'm going to weigh it the next time I wash it to see the difference.

Wow, it weighs twice as much when it's wet!

[Rimi]

It's almost 1 a.m. and I'm wanting to get out of my warm cozy bed to weigh my hair. Thanks, folks. Just thanks.

[anitacs9101]

Bishonenrancher did a video about this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XduqBu1s44Y

[HintOfMint]

This thread reminds me of a little joke my friend made. When I was talking about having gained a bit of weight, he replied, "Where, in your hair? That's at least ten pounds, fatty!"

[Haziel]

7.4 ounces.
I'm somewhere below hip and above bum length. I'm probably going to cut it to shoulder blade length because it's to heavy to wear any higher
a low bun/pony/braid. Planning to donate it and do this over again.

[Panthera]

My hair weighs about 120 grams if I rest my head against my hands and throw the hair to a bowl. The number went up to 180g if I got really close to the bowl but I think I was pushing my hair against it a bit. I have a wash day today, I'll try to remember to weigh it when it's towel dry.

[MusicalSpoons]

Ooh what an intriguing thread! I put my hair into a bowl on the kitchen scales which went between 85g and 90g depending on how close I got to the bowl - BUT I weighed my fork while I was at it and in the bowl it barely registered; flat on the scales it weighed 24g. I'm not sure my hair weighs as much as the scales said to be honest, though going by some of the other numbers maybe it does. I'll have to try again with a flatter-bottomed bowl (most of the others were in the dishwasher at the time) and see if it does better with the hair fork too

[Elodea]

I just weighed mine; it's at least 250 grams/9 oz when dry (approximately) based on leaning over a bowl placed on a food scale and letting the hair fall into it. Next time I wash maybe I'll try to weigh it while it's somewhat wet and see how much heavier it is. I remember being curious about how much it weighed and weighing it in the past (it was a similar length to my current hair), but I don't remember what the number was.

At 9 oz (at least), that means my hair weighs as much as some pieces of steak do! It's about tailbone length with minimal tapering.

I've never cut off enough hair at once to have that "feels so much lighter!" feeling, but I guess I can see how that could happen. It's definitely heavy enough that I can feel the weight of it on my head/scalp, and an ill-positioned bun isn't always comfortable, but I wouldn't say the weight of it has been a major annoyance.