Best Care For Baby-Fine Hair

**UP Lisa** · December 6th, 2011, 09:26 AM

I've been growing my hair for about 9 years,and it certainly has grown long. However, it seems like it could look better than it does. I don't have a lot of splits, but it does break very easily. I keep it up or braided except when it is drying, and I treat it as gently as I can, but it seems like I have more breakage in the length than I should. My biggest problem is keeping it from tangling so that I don't have to cut out knots.

I have colored it a couple of times with a professional demi-permanent color. I haven't thought i got much damage from that, but maybe I did. I'm about to cut it back to Waist again to thicken up the ends, but it doesn't seem like I should have to.

Interested in what others with truly baby-fine hair like mine do to keep theirs from getting damaged. Also, what is the longest you have gotten it to be?

**Lamb** · December 6th, 2011, 09:41 AM

I'm sure I'm the worst possible person to give advice here (considering my scissor-happy past), but at least I've got experience.

1. Heavy-duty treatments do not work with my baby fine hair. CO, or too frequent conditioning result in overladen hair with lots of build-up. There is no point in having hair of any length if it does not look good, and fine hair treated to the point where it resembles a greaseball is just ugly.
Keep the hair clean and use conditioner where you need to: the ends. Use leave-ins instead of regular conditioner or masks, if need be.

2. Fine-haired people should pay more attantion to avoiding mechanical damage and heat damage. (Abbrasion, sharp combs, combs with too thick tines, BBBs - unless your hair is stick-straight -, flat irons and blowdryers.)

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

4. Washing one's hair often is not a sin. Even if it happens every day. It just isn't.

I'm currently growing out my 2c / F /i/ii hair out for the umpteenth time, this time accepting the fact that haircare routines followed by people with more or coarser hair than mine do not suit me. Here's hoping I can make it this time.

**SwordWomanRiona** · December 6th, 2011, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Lamb

I'm sure I'm the worst possible person to give advice here (considering my scissor-happy past), but at least I've got experience.

1. Heavy-duty treatments do not work with my baby fine hair. CO, or too frequent conditioning result in overladen hair with lots of build-up. There is no point in having hair of any length if it does not look good, and fine hair treated to the point where it resembles a greaseball is just ugly.
Keep the hair clean and use conditioner where you need to: the ends. Use leave-ins instead of regular conditioner or masks, if need be.

2. Fine-haired people should pay more attantion to avoiding mechanical damage and heat damage. (Abbrasion, sharp combs, combs with too thick tines, BBBs - unless your hair is stick-straight -, flat irons and blowdryers.)

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

4. Washing one's hair often is not a sin. Even if it happens every day. It just isn't.

I'm currently growing out my 2c / F /i/ii hair out for the umpteenth time, this time accepting the fact that haircare routines followed by people with more or coarser hair than mine do not suit me. Here's hoping I can make it this time.

I agree about the mechanical damage! Very dangerous for us fine-haired people! I always make sure my hair isn't brushing against anything when sitting down! About the blow-dryer, I don't use it on the length, but I have no option but to use it on the roots (very propense to colds and sore throats, I am!). I haven't noticed any damage, though, I don't blow-dry overmuch and move the blow-dryer a lot.
I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week...I have greasy roots, but I don't want to wash my length more than twice a week...I have to consider scalp washes, but for now, dry shampoo is my friend

About the ponytails and buns on top of the head...I think that depends on the person, I love those styles and I think they look good on me, fine hair and all

. I've never had any problems with my hairline. I try not to make them overtight, of course!

**UP Lisa** · December 6th, 2011, 11:30 AM

I have used both corn starch and face powders to get more time between shampoos, but I worry about them clogging up hair follicles.

quote=SwordWomanRiona;1895269] I agree about the mechanical damage! Very dangerous for us fine-haired people! I always make sure my hair isn't brushing against anything when sitting down! About the blow-dryer, I don't use it on the length, but I have no option but to use it on the roots (very propense to colds and sore throats, I am!). I haven't noticed any damage, though, I don't blow-dry overmuch and move the blow-dryer a lot.
I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week...I have greasy roots, but I don't want to wash my length more than twice a week...I have to consider scalp washes, but for now, dry shampoo is my friend

About the ponytails and buns on top of the head...I think that depends on the person, I love those styles and I think they look good on me, fine hair and all

. I've never had any problems with my hairline. I try not to make them overtight, of course![/quote]

**SwordWomanRiona** · December 6th, 2011, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by UP Lisa

I have used both corn starch and face powders to get more time between shampoos, but I worry about them clogging up hair follicles.

quote=SwordWomanRiona;1895269] I agree about the mechanical damage! Very dangerous for us fine-haired people! I always make sure my hair isn't brushing against anything when sitting down! About the blow-dryer, I don't use it on the length, but I have no option but to use it on the roots (very propense to colds and sore throats, I am!). I haven't noticed any damage, though, I don't blow-dry overmuch and move the blow-dryer a lot.
I try not to wash my hair more than twice a week...I have greasy roots, but I don't want to wash my length more than twice a week...I have to consider scalp washes, but for now, dry shampoo is my friend

About the ponytails and buns on top of the head...I think that depends on the person, I love those styles and I think they look good on me, fine hair and all

. I've never had any problems with my hairline. I try not to make them overtight, of course!

[/quote]

Well, I use it once a week at the most, and usually the day before actually washing, so I don't think it causes much build-up. I sometimes do have some (minor) problems when it comes to brushing the white off my scalp

.

**SlightlySoprano** · December 6th, 2011, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Lamb

I'm sure I'm the worst possible person to give advice here (considering my scissor-happy past), but at least I've got experience.

1. Heavy-duty treatments do not work with my baby fine hair. CO, or too frequent conditioning result in overladen hair with lots of build-up. There is no point in having hair of any length if it does not look good, and fine hair treated to the point where it resembles a greaseball is just ugly.
Keep the hair clean and use conditioner where you need to: the ends. Use leave-ins instead of regular conditioner or masks, if need be.

2. Fine-haired people should pay more attantion to avoiding mechanical damage and heat damage. (Abbrasion, sharp combs, combs with too thick tines, BBBs - unless your hair is stick-straight -, flat irons and blowdryers.)

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

4. Washing one's hair often is not a sin. Even if it happens every day. It just isn't.

I'm currently growing out my 2c / F /i/ii hair out for the umpteenth time, this time accepting the fact that haircare routines followed by people with more or coarser hair than mine do not suit me. Here's hoping I can make it this time.

This! What works for people with M/C/ii/iii hair makes my hair look horrible and limp. Also, when I do updo's, I take care to keep them nice and loose. French braids are a great updo that you can do somewhat loosely and they look very soft and romantic, while still keeping your hair back/out of harms way. I also use lighter oils (jojoba, not olive) as the heavier oils make me look like a grease ball.

**Babyfine** · December 6th, 2011, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Lamb

I'm sure I'm the worst possible person to give advice here (considering my scissor-happy past), but at least I've got experience.

1. Heavy-duty treatments do not work with my baby fine hair. CO, or too frequent conditioning result in overladen hair with lots of build-up. There is no point in having hair of any length if it does not look good, and fine hair treated to the point where it resembles a greaseball is just ugly.
Keep the hair clean and use conditioner where you need to: the ends. Use leave-ins instead of regular conditioner or masks, if need be.

2. Fine-haired people should pay more attantion to avoiding mechanical damage and heat damage. (Abbrasion, sharp combs, combs with too thick tines, BBBs - unless your hair is stick-straight -, flat irons and blowdryers.)

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

4. Washing one's hair often is not a sin. Even if it happens every day. It just isn't.

I'm currently growing out my 2c / F /i/ii hair out for the umpteenth time, this time accepting the fact that haircare routines followed by people with more or coarser hair than mine do not suit me. Here's hoping I can make it this time.

I agree with all these points for myself(and I'm scissor happy as well)
Co didn't work for me, nor does brushing and I shampoo every 3 days alternating between Nioxin step 3 and a low poo(since I have color treated hair) Sometimes I shampoo every 2 days.
I'm always tweaking my routine so I'm hesitant to post my routine -but I shampoo every 2-3 days using a moisturizing conditoner from the ears down and a light styling product to define my waves after towel drying. Right now I'm using Devacurls Angel or Aloe Vera gel. I use much less than most people just about a nickel size.

**UP Lisa** · December 6th, 2011, 11:41 AM

I have been wearing my hair in buns for years, and don't like the way it looks so flat against my scalp, but haven't known what else to do. I have trouble french braiding, since my hair is so hard to separate into sections. It wants to stick together like glue. it is spider-web hair!

Originally Posted by Lamb

I'm sure I'm the worst possible person to give advice here (considering my scissor-happy past), but at least I've got experience.

1. Heavy-duty treatments do not work with my baby fine hair. CO, or too frequent conditioning result in overladen hair with lots of build-up. There is no point in having hair of any length if it does not look good, and fine hair treated to the point where it resembles a greaseball is just ugly.
Keep the hair clean and use conditioner where you need to: the ends. Use leave-ins instead of regular conditioner or masks, if need be.

2. Fine-haired people should pay more attantion to avoiding mechanical damage and heat damage. (Abbrasion, sharp combs, combs with too thick tines, BBBs - unless your hair is stick-straight -, flat irons and blowdryers.)

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

4. Washing one's hair often is not a sin. Even if it happens every day. It just isn't.

I'm currently growing out my 2c / F /i/ii hair out for the umpteenth time, this time accepting the fact that haircare routines followed by people with more or coarser hair than mine do not suit me. Here's hoping I can make it this time.

**uptosomeone** · December 6th, 2011, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Lamb

3. The updo that looks fab on someone with 2c / M/C /iii hair will not look the same on someone else with 1a / F /i/ii hair. High ponytails, or buns on top of the head, etc. - updos that leave the hairline visible - rarely look good on people with fine and/or thin hair. More relaxed styles, however, do.

I agree with all of your points except for this. I'd consider myself a fine thin haired girl (my ponytail circumference is 2") but have never stayed away from ponytails. Topknots, yet (they look like a pimple on my head) but a high pony actually makes my hair looks thicker.

**UP Lisa** · December 6th, 2011, 01:58 PM

I think she must have meant that with these types of styles it is easier to see the thinness of the hair. I know in my case, my hair looks SO flat to my head when pulled back. I don't like it, but what can I do? I have to keep my hair up.

Originally Posted by uptosomeone

I agree with all of your points except for this. I'd consider myself a fine thin haired girl (my ponytail circumference is 2") but have never stayed away from ponytails. Topknots, yet (they look like a pimple on my head) but a high pony actually makes my hair looks thicker.