Fellow fine-haired friends... Please report in!

[diamond_storm]

Hi everyone! I've made my way back to LHC after many years. Nice to see you all again! I've been through many ups and downs with my hair since then (literally - my hair has been many lengths :laugh:), and it's finally quite long - a little shy of waist length.

The thing is... no matter how long my hair gets, how healthy it is, what I do to it... it's always so tangly. I rarely wear it down, because when I do, it tangles within minutes. It doesn't feel silky and luxurious, that's for sure.

Running my hands through my hair? Forget it. Not gonna happen.

I don't use heat. I wear braids and updos most of the time. I gently detangle. Eat a healthy diet. Scalp massages. Oil. Henna. Decently regular trims. All the "right" stuff.

Am I fighting an uphill battle with fine hair that is just doomed to be lackluster? Do I need to ditch my dreams of lucious, long hair once and for all? Or is there someone - anyone! - out there who has cracked the code to fine hair that is both long and manageable?

Please share your tips on maintaining beautiful fine hair :heartbeat:

[sarana]

Sorry to say, I don't think it ever truly gets better, but very siliconey leave-in conditioner helps a bit for me, as well as sleeping with a bonnet

[rosenester]

:laugh: very relatable as a finey haired. I find it is a little better when I use a good combo of leave-ins (I layer curl cream, mousse and a serum), and make sure to keep up on clarifying hard water deposits. But still, if I want it to be run-fingers-through ready I’d have to brush it every 5 minutes.

[SandyBottom]

Conditioner and a satin bonnet are must haves for me. Castor oil can be quite thick and "sticky". Could that be part of it?

[Todd]

Glad I'm not the only one! I see girls outside with their hair down when there is enough of a breeze mile will tangle in just seconds. For awhile I was thinking it was because I'm not a girl!

[AspenSong]

I think it's just inevitable to a degree with certain hair types. When I got way long, and I was ultra babying my hair, it was the best it had or ever will be....and it was still "catchy" and would snag on itself and tangle up.
Just part of having silky, floaty, fine hair I think.
It doesn't mean you're doomed or you should give up or your hair is lackluster!

Best I can suggest is a lot of S&D, one weird end or fairy knot or split can mess up a lot more hair...for me anyway.
And find a serum that your hair loves with some cones maybe. Or a light oil.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

I think it's just what fine hair does when worn loose. For this reason I wear it bunned or braided and in a sleep cap at night, to minimise tangling.

[GothiePie]

Hi Diamond! I am an ultra fine (not just fine) girly. I have noticed using ACV rinses and not washing it completely out to help me along with Verb's ghost leave in condition and oil. I also fifthly (?) second the hair bonnet. I wear flexible, protective hair styles to bed and use my satin/silk hair bonnet when ever I lay down or sleep now. If it is particularly windy out, I do the protective styles + bonnet + sun hat/beanie to "hide" my bonnet depending on weather. It dones't get too hot, at least for me to double down on head coverings. You could also opt for using silk/satin scarves like they used to do in the 50s and 60s (I think those are the two decades.)

I really hope this helps. I also use my fingers and wooden combs/brushes now on my tangles. A lot less breakage.

[diamond_storm]

I also looove my cones. My hair definitely is not manageable without them! I've been thinking about adding a leave-in conditioner. Which one do you use?

[diamond_storm]

Seems like it's a universal struggle for us fine-haired ones :blushing:

Hard water is something I hadn't considered, but it could definitely be a possibility. I'll have to look into have to clarify hard water deposits!

Do you have a serum in particular that you love?

[diamond_storm]

That's a great question! I have sometimes wondered if castor oil might not be the best fit for my hair since it's so sticky and thick (I began using it for the purported hair-growth enhancement —*I oil my ends before I do my scalp massage every night, so I've convinced myself that the little bit remaining on my fingertips is benefitting me somehow :laugh:).

Do you oil your hair? If so, do you have a favorite oil? I have jojoba oil as well - I may give that a try tonight.

[diamond_storm]

Girl here and can confirm we have this issue as well! Seems like tangles do not discriminate based on gender :laugh: I'm convinced that someone within a 100-mile radius simply imagining a breeze is enough to make my hair tangle!

[diamond_storm]

"Catchy" is such a great way to describe it. My hair is constantly getting fairy knots — I've noticed they usually incorporate a piece of lint as well, so I've wondered if lint is confounding the tangles... I bought a fine-toothed comb, and it's amazing the amount of lint that comes out after a combing session!

Do you have a serum that works for you? I am thinking of switching my castor oil out for jojoba oil.

Also, hello fellow Missouri person!

[GothiePie]

I use verb's leave in - https://www.verbproducts.com/collections/all/products/leave-in-mist
also It's a 10 Miracle lite - https://itsa10haircare.com/products/miracle-leave-in-lite

I heard great things about Verb's ghost line and I will eventually get around to trying it. I also heard Living Proof has a great lite leave in, too.

[diamond_storm]

Hello - Thank you for all these great tips! I've seen many people recommend a satin bonnet... I may have to do some searching on Amazon later :eye: I have a weird dislike of any constrictive feeling on my head while I sleep, so currently I just place a silk scarf under my head before I sleep. Maybe I could find a bonnet that's not too tight, though.

I'm going to try and ACV rinse next wash! And I will definitely check out those Verb products!!

[GothiePie]

That's a great question! I have sometimes wondered if castor oil might not be the best fit for my hair since it's so sticky and thick (I began using it for the purported hair-growth enhancement —*I oil my ends before I do my scalp massage every night, so I've convinced myself that the little bit remaining on my fingertips is benefitting me somehow :laugh:).

Do you oil your hair? If so, do you have a favorite oil? I have jojoba oil as well - I may give that a try tonight.

Jumping in here: I swear by jojoba oil. you still want to use very little and warm it between your hands and apply to ends only. I like to mix mine with various essential oils for scent, too. If I am applying to the scalp as a pre-poo, I use tea tree + lavendar + rosemary with it and leave it on for 1 - 4 hours before I do my modern hair cleanse.

[diamond_storm]

I use verb's leave in - https://www.verbproducts.com/collections/all/products/leave-in-mist
also It's a 10 Miracle lite - https://itsa10haircare.com/products/miracle-leave-in-lite

I heard great things about Verb's ghost line and I will eventually get around to trying it. I also heard Living Proof has a great lite leave in, too.

Not me just realizing that I replied incorrectly on all of my previous replies... I forgot to quote anyone, so it looks like I'm having a conversation with myself :laugh: Noob moment

Amazing - I will check these out!! thank you :heart:

[GothiePie]

Lol, that's all good. I don't always use the quote reply either.

[Natalia_A00]

Since I grew my hair long, the tangles have been a nightmare lol. I wear it loose but after that I need to spend some time detangling. I think it's a feature of longer hair (I didn't have this issue when it was short)

[Natalia_A00]

I remember having some success with some oils and the famous SMT treatment. However it's kind of time consuming

[SandyBottom]

That's a great question! I have sometimes wondered if castor oil might not be the best fit for my hair since it's so sticky and thick (I began using it for the purported hair-growth enhancement —*I oil my ends before I do my scalp massage every night, so I've convinced myself that the little bit remaining on my fingertips is benefitting me somehow :laugh:).

Do you oil your hair? If so, do you have a favorite oil? I have jojoba oil as well - I may give that a try tonight.

My scalp doesn't like being oiled. It doesn't get irritated or anything, it just causes a lot of shedding so I avoid it. I am able to use essential oils without any problem though. Once in awhile I might use a couple of drops of olive oil or coconut oil on my length only, but hardly ever.

[GothiePie]

Since I grew my hair long, the tangles have been a nightmare lol. I wear it loose but after that I need to spend some time detangling. I think it's a feature of longer hair (I didn't have this issue when it was short)

Lucky! If my hair wasn't shaved or a pixie at the longest, my hair always knotted up. I just am used to and expect the tangles at this point having fine hair. My hair, being fine, also is so so static prone. Anyone have tips to fight the static? I already do a lot that would naturally combat it, but I am having a bad static hair day today.

[GothiePie]

My scalp doesn't like being oiled. It doesn't get irritated or anything, it just causes a lot of shedding so I avoid it. I am able to use essential oils without any problem though. Once in awhile I might use a couple of drops of olive oil or coconut oil on my length only, but hardly ever.

Have you tried grapeseed or jojoba? I never experienced that. My hiar will just look like a grease pit, but I never had flakes. Do you happen to do ACV or shampoos that target flakes? I notice that I struggle with dandruff and if i'm not using a lice comb, ACV, and dandruff shampoos when I do my modern/conventional washes, I have flakes. But, I never flake if I oil my scalp, either.

[AspenSong]

"Catchy" is such a great way to describe it. My hair is constantly getting fairy knots — I've noticed they usually incorporate a piece of lint as well, so I've wondered if lint is confounding the tangles... I bought a fine-toothed comb, and it's amazing the amount of lint that comes out after a combing session!

Do you have a serum that works for you? I am thinking of switching my castor oil out for jojoba oil.

Also, hello fellow Missouri person!

Haha, hello other Missouri dweller!!
Yeah the lint thing is usually a part of any bigger tangles I ever get as well.
I would def switch from Castor oil to Jojoba. Much lighter oil! Castor works well for me as a scalp and oil to put in before a shower as a conditioning oil...but it is heavy!
I also occasionally use some of the Plant derived Hemi Squalene from The Ordinary. It's got an almost dry oil feel to me and it's very light and absorbed easily also.

Serum wise, I have just been grabbing whatever is at WalMart to slap some cones on and smooth things. I usually do a couple drops of the Hask Argan oil serum after some of my Mielle Rosemary Mint leave in conditioner.

[SandyBottom]

Have you tried grapeseed or jojoba? I never experienced that. My hiar will just look like a grease pit, but I never had flakes. Do you happen to do ACV or shampoos that target flakes? I notice that I struggle with dandruff and if i'm not using a lice comb, ACV, and dandruff shampoos when I do my modern/conventional washes, I have flakes. But, I never flake if I oil my scalp, either.

I tried grapeseed at some point, but it left me looking stringy (probably used too much) and seemed to trap lint. I didn't use much and it went rancid:(. Never tried jojoba but have been a little curious about it. So many seem to love it. Let us know how it goes! I don't use ACV at all or any dandruff products and don't have problems with it although I did as a child. Have you tried tea tree oil or maybe a tea tree shampoo? That might help with the dandruff struggles.

ETA: Oh wait, I meant hair shedding, not flaking skin to be clear.

[GothiePie]

I tried grapeseed at some point, but it left me looking stringy (probably used too much) and seemed to trap lint. I didn't use much and it went rancid:(. Never tried jojoba but have been a little curious about it. So many seem to love it. Let us know how it goes! I don't use ACV at all or any dandruff products and don't have problems with it although I did as a child. Have you tried tea tree oil or maybe a tea tree shampoo? That might help with the dandruff struggles.

ETA: Oh wait, I meant hair shedding, not flaking skin to be clear.

I love jojoba oil and ACV. For fallout, I heard a few things could help with this from MSM, lavender, and rosemary (lightly researched = slightly backed/inconclusive). I aslso really love tea tree oil. I use it with jojoba.

[GothiePie]

Hi everyone! I've made my way back to LHC after many years. Nice to see you all again! I've been through many ups and downs with my hair since then (literally - my hair has been many lengths :laugh:), and it's finally quite long - a little shy of waist length.

The thing is... no matter how long my hair gets, how healthy it is, what I do to it... it's always so tangly. I rarely wear it down, because when I do, it tangles within minutes. It doesn't feel silky and luxurious, that's for sure.

Running my hands through my hair? Forget it. Not gonna happen.

I don't use heat. I wear braids and updos most of the time. I gently detangle. Eat a healthy diet. Scalp massages. Oil. Henna. Decently regular trims. All the "right" stuff.

Am I fighting an uphill battle with fine hair that is just doomed to be lackluster? Do I need to ditch my dreams of lucious, long hair once and for all? Or is there someone - anyone! - out there who has cracked the code to fine hair that is both long and manageable?

Please share your tips on maintaining beautiful fine hair :heartbeat:

I went scouraging for information on how hair gets tangled. It lead to this site. https://goldielocks.com/blogs/news/how-to-prevent-hair-tangles#:~:text=Heat%20styling%2C%20chemical%20tre atments%2C%20even,It's%20a%20tangled%2C%20knotted% 20nightmare.

I then looked up damage hair information to see how damaged hair can present. It lead me to an archived forum from LHC and if you have any ends whatsoever that feels coarser, is weirdly squiggly, or bent in 90 degree angle/s it is a split end that wasn't split fully for whatever reason (probably because the strand was healthy enough to try and fight it, or something??) So, I did a test, I cut strands that matched these descriptions despite my eyes and brain telling me no, theose are healthy, and sure enough, my hair now does not tangle like it did just moments prior to cutting those ends that matched those descriptions. like it was the definition of instant gratification!

Try this out, it could be dead/damaged ends which apparently cause friction with other strands/other damaged strands.

[angel-baby]

My hair tangles as soon as you look at it. My hairstylists always comment on it - they'll comb a leave-in into my wet hair, go to section it, and immediately find new tangles.

In addition to being fine-textured, my hair is also wavy/occasionally curly, and I have a LOT of it. For the most part I don't brush it, so at least I don't have to worry about brushing through tangles unless it's right before I wash my hair. When I wear my hair down, I make sure and rub a few drops of hair oil into the midlengths and ends to keep it moisturized and strong. I sleep with my hair in a braid or pineapple to keep it from getting tied in knots overnight. Clarifying regularly seems to help, and so does refreshing and scrunching vs. brushing.

[Dark40]

I'm glad I'm not the only fined-haired too. That's why I always wear my hair up the majoirty of the times. Now, there are times when I wear to down but I just keep on combing it, and it won't get tangled or snagged.

[diamond_storm]

I went scouraging for information on how hair gets tangled. It lead to this site. https://goldielocks.com/blogs/news/how-to-prevent-hair-tangles#:~:text=Heat%20styling%2C%20chemical%20tre atments%2C%20even,It's%20a%20tangled%2C%20knotted% 20nightmare.

I then looked up damage hair information to see how damaged hair can present. It lead me to an archived forum from LHC and if you have any ends whatsoever that feels coarser, is weirdly squiggly, or bent in 90 degree angle/s it is a split end that wasn't split fully for whatever reason (probably because the strand was healthy enough to try and fight it, or something??) So, I did a test, I cut strands that matched these descriptions despite my eyes and brain telling me no, theose are healthy, and sure enough, my hair now does not tangle like it did just moments prior to cutting those ends that matched those descriptions. like it was the definition of instant gratification!

Try this out, it could be dead/damaged ends which apparently cause friction with other strands/other damaged strands.

Ohhh very interesting :disbelief I used to have a LOT of those squiggly ends, especially when my hair was damp. Since I got pregnant and had a baby, most of them seem to have disappeared. Are your ends still feeling nice, Gothie? I may have to sit down and do an S&D while little one naps sometime.....



My hair tangles as soon as you look at it. My hairstylists always comment on it - they'll comb a leave-in into my wet hair, go to section it, and immediately find new tangles.

I've gotten the hairstylist comments as well... One of the last times I went to a salon, the stylist commented on how my hair was difficult because it's so fine. She said it's tough for people with hair like me to grow it long, and that it just never looks great. Definitely planted a seed of doubt in my mind shudder:

[GothiePie]

Ohhh very interesting :disbelief I used to have a LOT of those squiggly ends, especially when my hair was damp. Since I got pregnant and had a baby, most of them seem to have disappeared. Are your ends still feeling nice, Gothie? I may have to sit down and do an S&D while little one naps sometime.....




I've gotten the hairstylist comments as well... One of the last times I went to a salon, the stylist commented on how my hair was difficult because it's so fine. She said it's tough for people with hair like me to grow it long, and that it just never looks great. Definitely planted a seed of doubt in my mind shudder:


They make money off of regulars. I understand it, but what she said, she never should have said. To answer your question, yes. I went from constant knotting at around 2 inches of my ends (like, tiny tiny tiny knots, too) to barely any. If I had to give a percentage estimate, from hgih 90%s to between 2%-7%. I do not regret taking the time to pick apart the bad hair strands from the healthy.

What I had done when I trimmed the bad ended hair strands was I went a good 2 - 4 cm above where the damage visually appeared to begin to cut it. That way, I knew for a fact I cut the true start of the damage.

[diamond_storm]

They make money off of regulars. I understand it, but what she said, she never should have said. To answer your question, yes. I went from constant knotting at around 2 inches of my ends (like, tiny tiny tiny knots, too) to barely any. If I had to give a percentage estimate, from hgih 90%s to between 2%-7%. I do not regret taking the time to pick apart the bad hair strands from the healthy.

What I had done when I trimmed the bad ended hair strands was I went a good 2 - 4 cm above where the damage visually appeared to begin to cut it. That way, I knew for a fact I cut the true start of the damage.

That's awesome that you feel a positive change! I kind of abandoned S&D for microtrims since I don't have a lot of free time anymore. I bought a serum, and my hair seems to love it! It hasn't been as tangly since I started using it. So I'm hoping that will help :)

Your hair looks lovely in your pic, by the way :crush:

[GothiePie]

That's awesome that you feel a positive change! I kind of abandoned S&D for microtrims since I don't have a lot of free time anymore. I bought a serum, and my hair seems to love it! It hasn't been as tangly since I started using it. So I'm hoping that will help :)

Your hair looks lovely in your pic, by the way :crush:

That is great news! Which serum? And thank you! :blushing::cloud9:

[GothiePie]

That is great news! Which serum? And thank you! :blushing::cloud9:

So does yours, it looks so long!

[diamond_storm]

So does yours, it looks so long!

Thank you :crush: :heartbeat I got the OGX Coconut Milk Serum! It smells yummy and is super silicone-y, which my hair loves!

[GothiePie]

Thank you :crush: :heartbeat I got the OGX Coconut Milk Serum! It smells yummy and is super silicone-y, which my hair loves!

Oooh, I am so happy you found it! I can't do a lot of cones or additives because I hav elow porosity hair :sad: