Best Care For Baby-Fine Hair

[UP Lisa]

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]

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]

I qualify! My hair's really fine and delicate, and tangles very easily...The longest it has been is fingertip, I think, and it's now a bit past classic. At the moment, I have to deal with a good number of splits in the last inches of my hair, they're not really visible (I've been told by many that my hair doesn't have splits, actually!), but there. That was because I spent a few years neglecting my fine hair - meaning I wore the same low ponytail nearly everyday and didn't disentangle it properly :o. Now I'm back to proper haircare, I think it's much better. My ends are split-free and a bit thicker (now trimming again!!), and the rest of the splits will be disappearing (I hope) with S&D and future trims...
This is what I do to care for my fine hair:

-I never use a comb to disentangle!! Only my fingers. I disentangle my hair very patiently and slowly, morning and night and after washes, and try not to break through tangles, but take hairs one by one from the knots. If I feel the knot is too damaged to save more hairs -and if it's small-, I may be forced to cut it off :(...
-I use a very gentle brush, intended for babies. It works and doesn't damage my fine hair.
-I wear my hair down as well as up and in braids, but I tend to alternate between all the styles, and have special care not to sit on my hair or brush it against anything when it's down.
-I use Klorane's shampoo for fine hair...It claims to be able to give fine hair a bit more boost, and take static electricity, and so far, I haven't noticed a huge boost, but my hair seems to like it.
-I use pure aloe vera gel on the length as a leave-in. I have the hope it will help my splits...;)
-Using henna and cassia has helped my hair too.

Keeping my hair from tangling is my main problem too...For the moment being, I just treat it very carefully, and try to keep it untangled everyday so that I don't have to deal with huge knots...Now I disentangle frequently - and as soon as I begin to notice some tangling-, I've been able to keep it from tangling too much...But still, it tangles sooo easily!
So I'll keep an eye on this thread!

[Cupofmilk]

I have really baby fine hair. I have grown to TBL in the past which is about 41 on me I think. That was in the days when I used to wash my hair with shampoo and conditioner every second day and I brushed my hair when wet. The knots were incredible. I did manage to grow as I trimmed so much off - so progress was very slow.I once cut a knot the size of a cigarette packet out of my nape hair!
These days I am at BCL which is ok. My ends aren't perfect but they're not bad. I use oil every day - camellia and I have worn my hair down about once year. I have decided not to worry too much about my ends as I have wavy hair and am going for the fairytale look. I aim to get to classic which is 6 inches away or so.

[SwordWomanRiona]

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!

[javagrl]

My hair is alot like yours. i have slightly wavy fine hair. I have been using head and shoulders shampoo (duck and cover) recently. It gets my oily scalp clean. Instead of using a rinse out conditioner in the shower, I use it out of the shower on towel dried hair from the ear down. It makes finger combing easier. I might towel dry one more time with a microfiber towel and then comb again and then I'm done. This way your length gets the weigh-down and moisture but your scalp gets the deep clean to unclog your follicles.

If you want to beef up your conditioner experience, you can always add just a touch of jojoba or coconut oil to the conditioner or douse with these overnight and shampoo the next day. I haven't been doing this for too long, but I notice that my hair looks good and feels good at the same time.

[Babyfine]

I so agree with Lamb's point # 3, about updo's.
My go to updo's are a french twist and lazywrap buns,or a Gibson Tuck.

The longest my hair has ever been is MBL. I always seem to cut it back at that point.

To avoid tangles, I have to wear it up on a daily basis, something I don't always like to do. Mane and Tail original conditioner from the ears down is the best conditioner I've used to help with the detangling process(plus my hair likes protein)
I do color with a demipermanent 3 times a year, I'm sure it causes some damage even if not immediately apparent. My goal someday is to stop coloring completely.
I also oil overnight on occasion.

[SlightlySoprano]

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]

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.

[vanillabones]

Thank you fine thin hairs for sharing your techniques. I look forward to following this thread to know what to do for my hair once it is long.

I haven't had long hair in years but when I did and it was virgin I damaged it mechanically often and had a ton of tangles. My hair is only shoulder length but I never wear it down, it is too ugly. I comb in the shower when my conditioner is setting and I comb it again with detangler right after the shower and that is all. I try not to touch my hair when it is dry or it becomes greasy faster. Washing every day is becoming something I'm embracing instead of using dry shampoo to stretch washes because it doesn't make my scalp feel good and is hard to wash out. I use Klorane's dry shampoo it is my favorite.

I wish I had long fine thin hair so I could use soft rollers overnight on the ends, does anyone do that?

I don't use a brush only a comb. I hate CO. I CWC with non-cone condish, sls-free poo, then cones. I do like sulphates however but want to be gentle with fragile hair.

[PinkyCat]

My hair is ultra baby fine - and curly! It's downright floaty! :p Think Dee Snider!

The longest it's been is TBL. It was dry then though, because I used harsh shampoo & cones. So no cones or sulfates anymore. It also LOVES a protein treatment now and then. I never did get many splits either - must be a finey thing. My leave-in cocktail: V05 condish (smells good) with a few drops of EVOO mixed in, coconut oil from shoulder length down, shea butter on ends - then up it goes! When I wear it down, I use MUCH less oils if any - but this is on occaisions when the "big guns" must be out - maybe once every other week.

Oh yeah - no heat either.

[MsBubbles]

Detangling after washing was a nightmare for me, and caused me a lot of avoidable mechanical damage and excessive shedding.

Scalp washes were the answer for me. I would probably have a lot thinner, tapering hair by now if I had continued with the full washes the whole time, rather than protecting the ends and only washing my scalp.

It can seem like a lot of trouble in the beginning but now I have figured out the best way to do a scalp wash, for my hair, it's as routine as regular washes were before.

I have a greasy scalp and stretching washes didn't work for me. I do scalp washes about 5 x week.

[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]

[UP Lisa]

I have done scalp washes, but only a few times in the past. I guess I need to get back into it. I have never felt that it hurt my length to get shampoo on it, since I always condition, and my hair never feels dry. Maybe it does, though.



Detangling after washing was a nightmare for me, and caused me a lot of avoidable mechanical damage and excessive shedding.

Scalp washes were the answer for me. I would probably have a lot thinner, tapering hair by now if I had continued with the full washes the whole time, rather than protecting the ends and only washing my scalp.

It can seem like a lot of trouble in the beginning but now I have figured out the best way to do a scalp wash, for my hair, it's as routine as regular washes were before.

I have a greasy scalp and stretching washes didn't work for me. I do scalp washes about 5 x week.

[UP Lisa]

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!



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.

[UP Lisa]

Where did you get your baby brush? I have one old brush made by Vidal Sassoon that I use. It has the softest boar bristles I have ever found. It would be good to have a spare, though. I have bought other brushes, but they are always too stiff.



I qualify! My hair's really fine and delicate, and tangles very easily...The longest it has been is fingertip, I think, and it's now a bit past classic. At the moment, I have to deal with a good number of splits in the last inches of my hair, they're not really visible (I've been told by many that my hair doesn't have splits, actually!), but there. That was because I spent a few years neglecting my fine hair - meaning I wore the same low ponytail nearly everyday and didn't disentangle it properly :o. Now I'm back to proper haircare, I think it's much better. My ends are split-free and a bit thicker (now trimming again!!), and the rest of the splits will be disappearing (I hope) with S&D and future trims...
This is what I do to care for my fine hair:

-I never use a comb to disentangle!! Only my fingers. I disentangle my hair very patiently and slowly, morning and night and after washes, and try not to break through tangles, but take hairs one by one from the knots. If I feel the knot is too damaged to save more hairs -and if it's small-, I may be forced to cut it off :(...
-I use a very gentle brush, intended for babies. It works and doesn't damage my fine hair.
-I wear my hair down as well as up and in braids, but I tend to alternate between all the styles, and have special care not to sit on my hair or brush it against anything when it's down.
-I use Klorane's shampoo for fine hair...It claims to be able to give fine hair a bit more boost, and take static electricity, and so far, I haven't noticed a huge boost, but my hair seems to like it.
-I use pure aloe vera gel on the length as a leave-in. I have the hope it will help my splits...;)
-Using henna and cassia has helped my hair too.

Keeping my hair from tangling is my main problem too...For the moment being, I just treat it very carefully, and try to keep it untangled everyday so that I don't have to deal with huge knots...Now I disentangle frequently - and as soon as I begin to notice some tangling-, I've been able to keep it from tangling too much...But still, it tangles sooo easily!
So I'll keep an eye on this thread!

[UP Lisa]

Doesn't the rinse-out conditioner leave your hair greasy if you don't rinse it out?


quote=javagrl;1895322]My hair is alot like yours. i have slightly wavy fine hair. I have been using head and shoulders shampoo (duck and cover) recently. It gets my oily scalp clean. Instead of using a rinse out conditioner in the shower, I use it out of the shower on towel dried hair from the ear down. It makes finger combing easier. I might towel dry one more time with a microfiber towel and then comb again and then I'm done. This way your length gets the weigh-down and moisture but your scalp gets the deep clean to unclog your follicles.

If you want to beef up your conditioner experience, you can always add just a touch of jojoba or coconut oil to the conditioner or douse with these overnight and shampoo the next day. I haven't been doing this for too long, but I notice that my hair looks good and feels good at the same time.[/quote]

[MsBubbles]

I have done scalp washes, but only a few times in the past. I guess I need to get back into it. I have never felt that it hurt my length to get shampoo on it, since I always condition, and my hair never feels dry. Maybe it does, though.

No, I didn't say drying. The shampoo/conditioner wasn't the problem. I said mechanical damage from detangling afterwards.

[UP Lisa]

I don't really know if I get any more damage from detangling after washing than I get at any other time.




No, I didn't say drying. The shampoo/conditioner wasn't the problem. I said mechanical damage from detangling afterwards.

[FrozenBritannia]

I have baby hair too. I have no idea what to do with it. I finger comb and use a very wide tooth comb after and then I leave it alone and put it up. When it gets a bit longer I would like to start wearing it down a bit, so I will be watching this thread to see what I should and shouldnt be doing to it!

[uptosomeone]

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. :shrug:

[Anje]

Not a whole lot I can say that hasn't already been said. Mine's pretty fine, and similar to yours. I've gotten it to a lower tailbone, though right now it's a few inches shorter. Keeping it contained decreases the tangles decreases the number of kinked hairs I get which breed more tangles. But the hairs with sharp kinks in them are what I'm constantly fighting with lately.

For my hair, though, I find over-cleansing to be more of a problem than overconditioning. Too much shampoo makes my hair dry and splitty, makes my scalp start pumping out oil, and it makes all my baby hairs frizz in every possible direction. CO washing with a light conditioner (Suave's good, but I can't do too many repetitions of the heavier ones I've tried) seems to give me the best balance between volume and frizz.

[UP Lisa]

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.



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. :shrug:

[UP Lisa]

Funny. I don't think my hair has ever frizzed in my life. And I don't ever notice "baby hairs".



Not a whole lot I can say that hasn't already been said. Mine's pretty fine, and similar to yours. I've gotten it to a lower tailbone, though right now it's a few inches shorter. Keeping it contained decreases the tangles decreases the number of kinked hairs I get which breed more tangles. But the hairs with sharp kinks in them are what I'm constantly fighting with lately.

For my hair, though, I find over-cleansing to be more of a problem than overconditioning. Too much shampoo makes my hair dry and splitty, makes my scalp start pumping out oil, and it makes all my baby hairs frizz in every possible direction. CO washing with a light conditioner (Suave's good, but I can't do too many repetitions of the heavier ones I've tried) seems to give me the best balance between volume and frizz.

[Delila]

For me, mechanical damage seems to be the biggest issue overall. Rubbing against clothing, collars, chairs, sitting on it, tying off braids, securing updos, catching on jewelry, etc..

I have to be careful about creating my updos, over time if I use the exact same one and put too much tension in my hair, it will cause damage which makes my hemline look thinner than it should.

Currently I'm growing out some damage, so there's a place where my braid begins to thin out pretty noticeably. Luckily, the thicker bit really does seem to be moving down my length, so I'm doing something right.

I've been using a BBB for scalp massage, only after I carefully finger detangle, and sometimes use a Tangle Teezer instead of the BBB.


I wash my hair a few times a week, only putting shampoo at my scalp, only putting conditioner on my length. My scalp is oily, and hates getting conditioner on it.

I get along best with a separate detangler, either a creme rinse that's rinsed out or a detangling spray that's left in.

For about six months this year (Jan-Jun) I did a monthly cassia obovata treatment, but in the heat of summer I just couldn't cope with the effort of it, so I only recently picked up with it again. My hair does seem to appreciate it, but it does need a bit of extra moisture just afterwards, so I slather my head with a cheap CO type conditioner during the rinse out process, as the extra moisture really seems to help ease things along.

The main thing I've learned it to just be patient with myself, and to just STIFLE the urge to cut. Some days, some months, my hair looks much better than others, with no particular rhyme or reason, and no change in my routine.

[ladyshep]

Wow, some great advice here already! One of my friends has very long fine hair and she uses Redken anti-snap.

[girlcat36]

Great thread, UP Lisa! I was going to start a same type thread today as my baby fine hair is driving me crazy. My hair and scalp hate sulfates and cones and I still haven't settled on routine after 4 years at LHC. I guess the most important thing that I do regularly is sleep on a silk pillowcase. I hate updos because I look like a skinned rat with a minuscule bun.

[Libbylou]

Ok, another finey here, at what length did you start to get tangles? My hair is well into shoulder length and I have very few tangles if any. I use EVO as prewash and wash 5x per week.
Most do's have to be redone several times a day because of the slip, with the exception of a pony.

[girlcat36]

I dont really get much in the way of tangles anymore. When I used to use cones I did get loads of tangles, even at shoulder length.

[Babyfine]

I'm eagerly looking forward to be able to do scalp only washes, right now my hair is still too short at APL for me to be able to manage it well. But I'm trying.
I do CWC when I do shampoo.

[Lamb]

Where did you get your baby brush? I have one old brush made by Vidal Sassoon that I use. It has the softest boar bristles I have ever found. It would be good to have a spare, though. I have bought other brushes, but they are always too stiff.

I'm not the poster you addressed, but I see baby brushes in the appropriate sections of drugstores or baby-stuff stores. Imagine you are shopping for your 3-week-old baby. ;)

[Fairlight63]

Another finey checking in. I am having trouble with my hair right now being so dry, I think from the heat that we use in the house. I think that I am going to have to go back to using a silk sleep cap at night. I woke up this morning & my hair was so dry & tangly (had it in a high pony tail) it looked like cotton candy, spider webs or something when trying to separate it to braid it. I sprayed it down with water & put some jojoba oil on it, it was much better. I could separate it without ripping out hairs.
I will be keeping an eye on this thread:eye:

[SwordWomanRiona]

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 :D.

[kittymallow]

Hairsalons have alot of treatments and masks for fine hair :) i know redken water rush giver lots of moisture but does not weigh down at all. And i think some brands even have volume masks so your hair gets nourishment but not weigth.. personally i love matrix biolage age rejuvanating mask. It makes the hair sooo easy to wear. It turns Silky and soft and not greasy,and it is ment for older hair.. i dont care about that.. i am 21 and i love the entire age rejuvanating line :P

[SwordWomanRiona]

I'm not the poster you addressed, but I see baby brushes in the appropriate sections of drugstores or baby-stuff stores. Imagine you are shopping for your 3-week-old baby. ;)

Yes, that's what I was going to say. I get mine in a regular supermarket, it's among the 'beauty and hygiene products'. The only brush that doesn't kill my hair. It looks like this one:
http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230856295

[UP Lisa]

Thank you. I just ordered another brush today that is supposed to have soft bristles, but I'll probably be disappointed again.....



Yes, that's what I was going to say. I get mine in a regular supermarket, it's among the 'beauty and hygiene products'. The only brush that doesn't kill my hair. It looks like this one:
http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230856295

[hanne jensen]

I have very fine, fragile hair. I just have a lot of them. My fine hair gets either build up or gets fried very quickly. Stretching hairwashes is not an option for me. The dirtier my hair is, the dryer it is. My hair hates most poos and any conditioner will make my hair seem limp and without any body. Then it builds up. So, to avoid having to clarify my hair every third hairwash, I've developed my own way of washing that I'd like to share. I wash my hair every 2 days.

In a 250 ml bottle, mix 1 tbs ACV. Fill almost to the top with warm water. Add some poo. I let a small stream flow from the poo bottle as I say enough. Gently swirl to mix. Wet your thoroughly detangled hair. Dump this concoction on your head, concentrating on the scalp. Make washing motions. Put some on your length, gently squeezing it through your length. Fill the empty bottle with water and dump on your head. Squeeze excess out, secure hair up and do shower stuff. Take hair down and gently rinse while rinsing your body. Wait to detangle until your hair is damp. I usually finger detangle. Because I use so little poo, my hair doesnt dry out or tangle too much. It's also very easy to rinse completely out.

[FrozenBritannia]

I have very fine, fragile hair. I just have a lot of them. My fine hair gets either build up or gets fried very quickly. Stretching hairwashes is not an option for me. The dirtier my hair is, the dryer it is. My hair hates most poos and any conditioner will make my hair seem limp and without any body. Then it builds up. So, to avoid having to clarify my hair every third hairwash, I've developed my own way of washing that I'd like to share. I wash my hair every 2 days.

In a 250 ml bottle, mix 1 tbs ACV. Fill almost to the top with warm water. Add some poo. I let a small stream flow from the poo bottle as I say enough. Gently swirl to mix. Wet your thoroughly detangled hair. Dump this concoction on your head, concentrating on the scalp. Make washing motions. Put some on your length, gently squeezing it through your length. Fill the empty bottle with water and dump on your head. Squeeze excess out, secure hair up and do shower stuff. Take hair down and gently rinse while rinsing your body. Wait to detangle until your hair is damp. I usually finger detangle. Because I use so little poo, my hair doesnt dry out or tangle too much. It's also very easy to rinse completely out.

That sounds interesting. I wonder if it would work with white vinegar?

[ktani]

I used to get most of my mechanical damage during washing but I have that down now to the lowest it has ever been, thanks to my adjusting my steeping time for catnip tea. My hair currently (I need to trim it back out of preference) is below waist, pulled down. Before catnip use it did not look thicker, not could I ever grow it this long without a breakage taper. I wear it down most of the time.

For others with fine hair, keeping products light is the key, in my opinion and as for treatments, you can make them lighter, with the choice of products used in recipes, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=1897183&postcount=26.

[PrairieRose]

I have very fine hair too! I also have a lot of past damage form chemical processing:( I have been using henna to strengthen and EVOO , coconut oil and or Shea butter for moisture. Unfortunately I am still dealing with split ends. I try to S & D, hoping not to have to cut length. I also started using a BBB, but I think that was way to harsh. So I am not using the BBB anymore!

[ktani]

I have very fine hair too! I also have a lot of past damage form chemical processing:( I have been using henna to strengthen and EVOO , coconut oil and or Shea butter for moisture. Unfortunately I am still dealing with split ends. I try to S & D, hoping not to have to cut length. I also started using a BBB, but I think that was way to harsh. So I am not using the BBB anymore!

It can be really hard with fine hair, finding a treatment or oil that will not be too heavy.

For a finishing oil (a light leave-in), usually silicone is used or a good surface oil, avocado being one.

Split ends are caused by dryness, and this time of year, depending on both indoor and outdoor humidity levels, many people get very dry hair because the humidity can be very low for both.

You can always try a touch of mineral oil on your ends, to help prevent water or moisture loss, as it has been shown (http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc1975/cc026n05/p00227-p00234.pdf) to slow that better on skin, than natural sebum and vegetable oils, saturated and unsaturated, and should wash out out of your hair more easily than some other natural oils (mineral oil is naturally derived and cosmetic mineral oil is pure and safe). It does not replace a good conditioning oil.

[cnd0020]

Another finey checking in. I am having trouble with my hair right now being so dry, I think from the heat that we use in the house. I think that I am going to have to go back to using a silk sleep cap at night.

Where can I find a silk sleep cap? And how do I wash it?

[UP Lisa]

I would think tenderheaded.com would have them. Not sure about the best way to wash, but by hand with a mild detergent I would assume. No dryer.



Where can I find a silk sleep cap? And how do I wash it?

[cnd0020]

Thanks! (I'm a hair care newbie!)

[long]

I have fine soft hair. I saw on another thread ktani mention the mineral oil and I had a feeling to try it because my ends were feeling dry. So the last few washes I have washed with a simple shampoo/no conditioner and treating the ends when still a little damp with a very small amout of baby oil. My hair has never been better.... so smooth and silky and no greasy roots and the ends do not feel dry. I feel like I could actually stretch wash a day. I had been using a small amount of conditioner and then coconut oil and that was ok but nothing like this. So I think I will keep up with this and see how it goes.

[ktani]

I have fine soft hair. I saw on another thread ktani mention the mineral oil and I had a feeling to try it because my ends were feeling dry. So the last few washes I have washed with a simple shampoo/no conditioner and treating the ends when still a little damp with a very small amout of baby oil. My hair has never been better.... so smooth and silky and no greasy roots and the ends do not feel dry. I feel like I could actually stretch wash a day. I had been using a small amount of conditioner and then coconut oil and that was ok but nothing like this. So I think I will keep up with this and see how it goes.

Glad to hear that it worked so well. It should wash out fairly easily as well, without any problems.

ETA: Here is the study that says mineral oil works better than sebum and vegetable oils at preventing water loss from skin in low humidity,
http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc1975/cc026n05/p00227-p00234.pdf

And information on mineral oil, well referenced as usual, from Paula Begoun
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/963/mineral-oil.aspx

ETA: 2 I have not been suggesting that mineral oil be used to replace a deep conditioning oil like coconut oil or as a treatment. Mineral oil in this case is being used in a very small amount as a finishing oil for the prevention of moisture or water loss. It can also be used to add shine to hair, again in a very small amount. It is often used with other oils in conditioners. In this case, it needs nothing else to be used with or added to it.

[highlightedmess]

Hi everyone!

I'm new, and it is great to find other people with the same hair type as me! Hardly anyone I know has fine hair.

My hair is a little bit longer than shoulder length. I got my (hopefully) last set of blonde highlights a couple of weeks ago. I think my hair is really starting to suffer from the chemical damage because the front part of my scalp has been thinning a lot.

I used to shampoo my scalp and condition my ends basically every day until a couple of weeks ago. I now am doing BS/ACV every day or every other day depending on how nasty it looks.

I got my Tangle Teezer (yea for Amazon prime!) today after reading about it on here. It is amazing :D I also recently got a Mason Pearson BBB but I managed to rip a ton of hair out by accidentally using it on damp hair at first :eek:

Well I'm really looking forward to learning from you all and I'm so glad I found this place!

[ktani]

Hi everyone!

I'm new, and it is great to find other people with the same hair type as me! Hardly anyone I know has fine hair.

My hair is a little bit longer than shoulder length. I got my (hopefully) last set of blonde highlights a couple of weeks ago. I think my hair is really starting to suffer from the chemical damage because the front part of my scalp has been thinning a lot.

I used to shampoo my scalp and condition my ends basically every day until a couple of weeks ago. I now am doing BS/ACV every day or every other day depending on how nasty it looks.

I got my Tangle Teezer (yea for Amazon prime!) today after reading about it on here. It is amazing :D I also recently got a Mason Pearson BBB but I managed to rip a ton of hair out by accidentally using it on damp hair at first :eek:

Well I'm really looking forward to learning from you all and I'm so glad I found this place!

Welcome to LHC!

[vanillabones]

I see some people do scalp washes to avoid damaging length but avoiding having to risk problems from washing out dry shampoo. How do you do a scalp wash? What is this? My scalp gets oily daily. I only use sulphates when clarifying and have been for almost a year so clearly my adjustment period would be over in weaning off of the sulphate washes.

[vanillabones]

Hi everyone!

I'm new, and it is great to find other people with the same hair type as me! Hardly anyone I know has fine hair.

My hair is a little bit longer than shoulder length. I got my (hopefully) last set of blonde highlights a couple of weeks ago. I think my hair is really starting to suffer from the chemical damage because the front part of my scalp has been thinning a lot.

I used to shampoo my scalp and condition my ends basically every day until a couple of weeks ago. I now am doing BS/ACV every day or every other day depending on how nasty it looks.

I got my Tangle Teezer (yea for Amazon prime!) today after reading about it on here. It is amazing :D I also recently got a Mason Pearson BBB but I managed to rip a ton of hair out by accidentally using it on damp hair at first :eek:

Well I'm really looking forward to learning from you all and I'm so glad I found this place!

Hello! We are practically hair twins :D

[long]

Really interesting ktani.... We have been having dry cold weather here in Northern CA so this may be the perfect thing for now.

[ktani]

Really interesting ktani.... We have been having dry cold weather here in Northern CA so this may be the perfect thing for now.

There should be no long term build-up or residue for you either, so this may be the "perfect thing" for you. Another advantage is that there is no added weight to your fine hair.

The fact that it has also replaced your need for conditioner is fantastic! There are other people here with natually oily hair who do not require conditioner either.

ETA: Non drying oils can be washed out of hair pretty easily. The no build-up or residue issue is about the amount of oil used to the amount of and strength of the shampoo used. Shampoos are designed to remove sebum, so even a mild one should be able to remove most of the mineral oil used in such a small amount, each wash.
_________________________
http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.com/ (http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.com/)

[highlightedmess]

Hello! We are practically hair twins :D

Yea!! :D I'm not alone after all!

My next stop is the honey thread... I need to figure out how to get my hair to be lighter without bleaching it.

My hair is normally brown but I have been getting blonde highlights since shortly after graduating high school. Most people are surprised when I tell them I highlight my hair. The hair on my eyebrows/body is a very light brown.

[Miss Catrina]

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. :shrug:

I agree. When my hair was APL, low ponytails just looked sad and pathetic, higher ones looked better. I think it was because the higher up I put a ponytail, the healthier and thicker the hair in the elastic was.

[ktani]

Yea!! :D I'm not alone after all!

My next stop is the honey thread... I need to figure out how to get my hair to be lighter without bleaching it.

My hair is normally brown but I have been getting blonde highlights since shortly after graduating high school. Most people are surprised when I tell them I highlight my hair. The hair on my eyebrows/body is a very light brown.

Just start with the first post of the Honey thread, and browse through the topics there but start with the first few links.

There are pictures at the bottom of the post.

[Anje]

Funny. I don't think my hair has ever frizzed in my life. And I don't ever notice "baby hairs".
Whenever my follicles start, they seem to have the idea that I'm a curly, but they can't maintain it for more than about 4 inches of making hair. (Everyone else in my family is 3a+.) Hence the frizzy baby hairs. I may be rather unique in this regard, I really don't know.

[Lianna]

Where can I find a silk sleep cap? And how do I wash it?

I got mine at Pretty AnntoiNet's (http://prettyanntoinets.com/category_18/Habutai-Silk-Bonnets.htm). They are real silk (not synthetic, which doesn't breath), not too expensive for me {$18} and they deliver worldwide. I just hand wash it with soap.


My scalp gets oily daily.

Mine too but I think it might be just that the fine hair is easily weighted down by my sebum, even if not a lot of it. I think I'm gonna give that "conditioner only at ends" another go...usually that means super poofy roots for me though (2c).

I think the tangle teezer is pretty good too, I can't comb my hair while dry because I can hear it snap, but I can brush with the tangle teezer (and BBB after if I choose so).

[PrairieRose]

Thanks ktani for the tips:)

[ktani]

Thanks ktani for the tips:)

My pleasure!

[holothuroidea]

I'm eagerly looking forward to be able to do scalp only washes, right now my hair is still too short at APL for me to be able to manage it well. But I'm trying.
I do CWC when I do shampoo.

I do "scalp only" washes and my hair is much shorter than yours! There are a couple of tricks:

Make a foam out of your shampoo by diluting it with water in a bottle. Shake up the bottle and use the foam on DRY hair. This stops the suds from traveling. Also, some surfactants' suds travel more than others. I use a shampoo with lauryl and decyl glucoside and it doesn't travel to my ends at all.

Massage the foam in your scalp with your head upside down and rinse with your head right side up or sideways.

The rest of your hair will get wet but you should be able to avoid getting any shampoo on it.

Hope this helps!

Also, re: oils. Ktani, you mentioned that jojoba is a liquid wax and will build up on hair. My hair loves jojoba oil, and I never get build up from it. This may have something to do with the fact that my own sebum is very waxy, maybe my hair and skin is designed to absorb waxes better? I can't wait to get my hands on some CJ oil, though, it sounds wonderful. And I keep meaning to try catnip but never get around to it. I think it's the idea of spending my only free time of the day with my head in plastic wrap. :D

[ktani]

I do "scalp only" washes and my hair is much shorter than yours! There are a couple of tricks:

Make a foam out of your shampoo by diluting it with water in a bottle. Shake up the bottle and use the foam on DRY hair. This stops the suds from traveling. Also, some surfactants' suds travel more than others. I use a shampoo with lauryl and decyl glucoside and it doesn't travel to my ends at all.

Massage the foam in your scalp with your head upside down and rinse with your head right side up or sideways.

The rest of your hair will get wet but you should be able to avoid getting any shampoo on it.

Hope this helps!

Also, re: oils. Ktani, you mentioned that jojoba is a liquid wax and will build up on hair. My hair loves jojoba oil, and I never get build up from it. This may have something to do with the fact that my own sebum is very waxy, maybe my hair and skin is designed to absorb waxes better? I can't wait to get my hands on some CJ oil, though, it sounds wonderful. And I keep meaning to try catnip but never get around to it. I think it's the idea of spending my only free time of the day with my head in plastic wrap. :D

When I used it years ago my scalp produced a lot more oil. I found that it did build-up on my hair. I did not think I was using that much. It is not a drying oil, so clarifying should not be necessary to remove it. I just stopped using it and it washed out of my hair and my hair was better.

[UP Lisa]

I picked one up last night at my grocery store. The brand is Gerber, and the brush looks just like yours. It does seem to work well for my hair. Seems funny to be using such a little, tiny brush, though!:)



Yes, that's what I was going to say. I get mine in a regular supermarket, it's among the 'beauty and hygiene products'. The only brush that doesn't kill my hair. It looks like this one:
http://s7v1.scene7.com/is/image/JohnLewis/230856295

[Babyfine]

I do "scalp only" washes and my hair is much shorter than yours! There are a couple of tricks:

Make a foam out of your shampoo by diluting it with water in a bottle. Shake up the bottle and use the foam on DRY hair. This stops the suds from traveling. Also, some surfactants' suds travel more than others. I use a shampoo with lauryl and decyl glucoside and it doesn't travel to my ends at all.

Massage the foam in your scalp with your head upside down and rinse with your head right side up or sideways.

The rest of your hair will get wet but you should be able to avoid getting any shampoo on it.

Hope this helps!



Thanks! I'll have to try that! I do try to avoid getting shampoo on the length but just let it run down.

[CurlyMopTop]

I'm in this boat. I don't have a regular routine yet because I'm still experimenting and tweaking. A couple of things that I have learned are that my hair does better when it's kept up the majority of time, it doesn't like brushing, most oils as a leave-in, too much conditioner, or stretching washes too much, but loves the occasional protein treatment, the diluting of poos and condishes, and just plain leaving it alone (little manipulation). ;) I've never tried a baby brush though, I might have to give it a whirl! :D

[Annalouise]

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?

:)Hi Lisa,
The longest I've gotten to is waist.
I am starting over after cutting back to shoulder this summer. I can grow decent hair to BSL but it is after that that it gets tricky.

I do get a lot of split ends. So this time around my hair will be trimmed every 3 months.

My hair is also oily and my hair looks oily and flat by about 1.5 days since washing it.

About Updos: I don't look good with my hair pulled back. I look better with my hair down.:) But I'm hoping that with regular trims and a blunt hemline my hair should be ok to where down. (Plus a leave in conditioner).

I wouldn't recommend chemically treating (dying) fine hair. It will damage it. There is no way around that. Just go grey.:D



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.

Amen sister!:)

[UP Lisa]

I had never colored my hair in my life till last year. Never had any desire to. However, I always wondered what I would look like with Red hair, since I have coloring like a Redhead. So after much research, I decided to try it. I liked it so much that I did it again, but don't plan on doing it anymore. I only wish I would have thought of doing it when my hair was shorter, so it wouldn't have mattered as much.

Lisa


[quote=Annalouise;1898406]:)Hi Lisa,
The longest I've gotten to is waist.
I am starting over after cutting back to shoulder this summer. I can grow decent hair to BSL but it is after that that it gets tricky.

I do get a lot of split ends. So this time around my hair will be trimmed every 3 months.

My hair is also oily and my hair looks oily and flat by about 1.5 days since washing it.

About Updos: I don't look good with my hair pulled back. I look better with my hair down.:) But I'm hoping that with regular trims and a blunt hemline my hair should be ok to where down. (Plus a leave in conditioner).

I wouldn't recommend chemically treating (dying) fine hair. It will damage it. There is no way around that. Just go grey.:D

[Armelle]

My daughter has super fine hair. I have thick, coarse hair so I have NO idea how to take care of hers. :( Her hair has large waves and cowlicks and does not grow very fast. When it's clean and dry, it poofs out and is the epitome of 'bad hair day'. When it's oily, it's flat and icky looking but she prefers it that way because she can at least get it to go in a downwards direction.

She has trouble washing her hair and it usually looks dirtier AFTER she washes it. I'm guessing she doesn't rinse out the shampoo or conditioner very well.

She does use the flat iron most mornings. Even though I think the thing is evil... her hair does look MUCH better after she presses it.

Not sure what to do for her...

[UP Lisa]

How old is your daughter? Is she old enough to wash her hair properly?


quote=Armelle;1898468]My daughter has super fine hair. I have thick, coarse hair so I have NO idea how to take care of hers. :( Her hair has large waves and cowlicks and does not grow very fast. When it's clean and dry, it poofs out and is the epitome of 'bad hair day'. When it's oily, it's flat and icky looking but she prefers it that way because she can at least get it to go in a downwards direction.

She has trouble washing her hair and it usually looks dirtier AFTER she washes it. I'm guessing she doesn't rinse out the shampoo or conditioner very well.

She does use the flat iron most mornings. Even though I think the thing is evil... her hair does look MUCH better after she presses it.

Not sure what to do for her...[/quote]

[ktani]

The full moisture vapour oil study 2007
http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2007/cc058n02/p00135-p00145.pdf
See pages 1 and 11

No oil used sealed hair from moisture. Mineral oil allowed less moisture pick up from the air than coconut oil. In low humidy that does not matter.

[holothuroidea]

If your daughter is 8 or older (and it definitely sounds like it) then it is something she will have to figure out for herself. Answer her honestly and kindly when she asks questions, and don't judge or criticize her choices. We all had to learn at some point.

ETA: If she asks a specific question about fine hair that you don't know the answer to then it's great to have a resource like this, isn't it?
As far as product residue after washing goes, fine hair shows build up really easily and non-porous hair doesn't absorb most product. It might not be a rinsing issue, maybe her conditioner is just a poor match for her.

[vanillabones]

I still do not understand what scalp washing is... if you're going to bother washing your scalp anyway why not just conditioner after too aka normal washing or CWC? :( I don't understand. Or is this washing your hair without having to get in the shower? Which I also don't understand how that would be possible lol.

[LaceyNg]

i use shampoo bars for scalp-only washing. it cleans the excess oil at the root area but doesnt travel down the ends to dry them out at all. i dont need any conditioner, and its nice b/ the poo bar can be used as a face and body wash too :)

[holothuroidea]

I still do not understand what scalp washing is... if you're going to bother washing your scalp anyway why not just conditioner after too aka normal washing or CWC? :( I don't understand. Or is this washing your hair without having to get in the shower? Which I also don't understand how that would be possible lol.

Some people are like me and have scalps that need the washing but hair that hates it. Some with very long hair like to only get their scalp wet so the rest of it doesn't take forever to dry. There are multiple reasons to do a scalp only wash, but if it has never occurred to you then there is no need for you to even think on it.

[Lianna]

I still do not understand what scalp washing is...

Article for scalp only wash with pictures: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/vbjournal.php?do=article&articleid=85

For me, the main reason that I would choose to do a scalp wash is to prevent the length from getting wet...drying long hair is annoying. Drying hair is annoying, period. :p My hair is still short so I don't do it yet.

[ktani]

I have fine soft hair. I saw on another thread ktani mention the mineral oil and I had a feeling to try it because my ends were feeling dry. So the last few washes I have washed with a simple shampoo/no conditioner and treating the ends when still a little damp with a very small amout of baby oil. My hair has never been better.... so smooth and silky and no greasy roots and the ends do not feel dry. I feel like I could actually stretch wash a day. I had been using a small amount of conditioner and then coconut oil and that was ok but nothing like this. So I think I will keep up with this and see how it goes.

I replied to this post earlier. However in searching mineral oil under European cosmetics listings, I was surprised to find mineral oil listed as an antistatic, http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.details&id=35850

" Functions
ANTISTATIC (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.results&function=12&search)
EMOLLIENT (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.results&function=25&search)
SKIN PROTECTING (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.results&function=53&search)
SOLVENT (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.results&function=55&search) "
which can make it even more useful as a finishing oil used very lightly.

ETA: Putting it al together with this information,
The study that says mineral oil works better than sebum and vegetable oils at preventing water loss from skin in low humidity,
http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc1975/cc026n05/p00227-p00234.pdf

Information on mineral oil, well referenced as usual, from Paula Begoun
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/963/mineral-oil.aspx

And people here wanting to avoid questionable ingredients in products, cosmetic mineral oil, which is safe and derived from a natural product as many ingredients are in natural products, although not in their natural state, it looks more and more like mineral oil has a valid place in a hair care routine, if someones chooses to use it.

ETA: Many natural ingredients and conventional ones too, need to be purified to be deemed safe to use cosmetically, or added to food.

ETA:2 A drying oil ETA:3 like grape seed - is not a problem used on skin, which naturally sheds. This is what is of interest to me from the Mayo Clinic, colour added by me
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/moisturizers/SN00042
"Dry skin. To restore moisture to dry skin, choose a heavier, oil-based moisturizer that contains ingredients such as antioxidants, grape seed oil or dimethicone, which helps keep your skin hydrated. For very dry, cracked skin, petrolatum-based products are preferable. They have more staying power than creams do and are more effective at preventing water from evaporating from your skin."

[long]

Thanks for all your research ktani. I think all this is really interesting. It seems like mineral oil has some very good uses for skin and hair. The baby oil on my ends is still working great and it has a much lighter feel than other oils, a few drops is all it takes and it spreads over all the strands very easily. Coconut oil is nice but made my ends seem a little sticky, the baby oil makes them feel soft, silky and more seperated if that makes sense. It doesn't seem to build up or weigh the hair down at all.

[ktani]

Thanks for all your research ktani. I think all this is really interesting. It seems like mineral oil has some very good uses for skin and hair. The baby oil on my ends is still working great and it has a much lighter feel than other oils, a few drops is all it takes and it spreads over all the strands very easily. Coconut oil is nice but made my ends seem a little sticky, the baby oil makes them feel soft, silky and more seperated if that makes sense. It doesn't seem to build up or weigh the hair down at all.

You are very welcome.

It should not build up or weigh hair down. It is about the amount used and it should not need to be reapplied between washing and the first application.

What gave me the idea was the initial study and the drops only of baby oil used.

I have oiled my hair in the past with non hair penetrating oils like jojoba, and using it lightly, it did not weigh my hair down or make it look greasy.

However, overuse of any oil can do both. The advantage in this case, like using any non drying oil, is that it should simply wash out of your hair with the next wash, and not leave a residue, provided you do not get heavy handed with it.

ETA: Extrapolating from the skin research study, the reason vegetable oils need reapplying when used to oil hair as a grooming aid is because they are not as effective at preventing moisture loss from hair. Mineral oil should not cause the same problem.

Result? You need less oil and therefore build up and build-up as in residue should not be a problem.

ETA:2 It may also, as an emollient, replace the need for conditioner or a leave-in detangler, used exactly the same way, sparingly, especially since it has antistatic properties as well.

ETa:3 Catnip tea used the way I do is also antistatic. I have had no static issues with my hair at all since the heat went on in my apartment this year and I have had issues with that in the past. I attribute the difference to the steeping time I am now using as well as applying the tea more thoroughly through my hair, as I have changed nothing else about my catnip routine.

[vanillabones]

Oh, thank you for posting that. I see now. My hair takes only about 30 mins to dry so it doesn't bother me, but I see how with longer hair it could be a task to have to shower all of it. I definitely see myself using this technique someday when I have super long hair.... I get lazy and don't always like to get in the shower and hate the greasy scalp look as well.
I think even if I had long hair doing this would get the majority of my hair wet anyway =/ must take some skills!

[SlightlySoprano]

I ordered some jojoba oil recently and so far I'm LOVING it!!! It's a nice, light oil that does a lot of good for my baby fine hair! :)

[cmg]

Actually, "Jojoba oil" is a wax that happens to be liquid at room temperatures.

[lynnala]

Great thread! Boy, do I ever agree about the updos. Even at it's longest, my hair in a bun looks like a walnut on my head. Only occasionally, if all the planets are in alignment and maybe if the hair-gods are happy that day, I can put my hair up in a messy thingy and it will look okay. I've settled on pigtails as my 'do of choice. The hair is off my neck but it still looks like I have some!

So far, CV shampoo bars leave my hair at it's best. My fave is the sunflower and soapnuts. I can't use conditioner but I sometimes use macadamia oil on my ends when I sleep. Ktani, thanks for the heads up about mineral oil. That might be a good thing to use on shampoo day, as my hair gets very flyaway on the first day after washing. I'm also going to check into the baby brushes. I used to have a boar bristle baby brush, but it just made my hair oily. Maybe a synthetic won't do that.

I recently cut my hair to just below shoulder. I couldn't take the stringy spaghetti hair anymore! :eek:

[Lunarise]

I stopped brushing my hair and surprisingly it tangles a lot less. I've also managed to stretch my washes to ever other day by switching to shampoo bars. Seriously, they were a miracle. Never in my life have I been able to go more than one day without a good wash.

[MyKing'sQueen]

I stopped brushing my hair and surprisingly it tangles a lot less. I've also managed to stretch my washes to ever other day by switching to shampoo bars. Seriously, they were a miracle. Never in my life have I been able to go more than one day without a good wash.
What kind of shampoo bar do you use? I would love to stretch washes too! I haven't tried any shampoo bars yet and I'm almost out of my shampoo, so I might have to order one. And do you use a conditioner or any kind of rinse afterwards?

[Hollyfire3]

How can you tell if u even have fine hair? I know my hair is super thick but how will i know if the strands are fine?

[lynnala]

What kind of shampoo bar do you use? I would love to stretch washes too! I haven't tried any shampoo bars yet and I'm almost out of my shampoo, so I might have to order one. And do you use a conditioner or any kind of rinse afterwards?I'm not who you asked, but I use CV bars (Chagrin Valley), been using them for a few years now exclusively. No conditioner needed. I occasionally use a vinegar rinse, but even that makes my hair limp. But the CV bars are great. You can order sample bars to try out a few.

[Lunarise]

I actually use CV bars too! Currently I've fallen in love with the Ayurvedic Herb bar and the olive babassu bar.

I always use an apple cider vinegar rinse afterward. I put 1 and a half teaspoons of ACV in one of those big coffee to go mugs, fill it with water, dump it all over my hair, and let it sit for a minute or so before I rinse it out. :) Leaves my hair smooth and not limp at all.

[MyKing'sQueen]

Awesome! I love trying new stuff out! Hope they work for me as well as they've worked for you:D

[Libbylou]

About the mineral oil and petroleum products on skin and hair. For the past couple months I have been using Vaseline (sparingly) on my face and body for dryness. My face has never felt so soft. I apply to damp skin. I think I will try the baby oil instead of food oil to my hair today and see if it helps with the static.

[ktani]

Great thread! Boy, do I ever agree about the updos. Even at it's longest, my hair in a bun looks like a walnut on my head. Only occasionally, if all the planets are in alignment and maybe if the hair-gods are happy that day, I can put my hair up in a messy thingy and it will look okay. I've settled on pigtails as my 'do of choice. The hair is off my neck but it still looks like I have some!

So far, CV shampoo bars leave my hair at it's best. My fave is the sunflower and soapnuts. I can't use conditioner but I sometimes use macadamia oil on my ends when I sleep. Ktani, thanks for the heads up about mineral oil. That might be a good thing to use on shampoo day, as my hair gets very flyaway on the first day after washing. I'm also going to check into the baby brushes. I used to have a boar bristle baby brush, but it just made my hair oily. Maybe a synthetic won't do that.

I recently cut my hair to just below shoulder. I couldn't take the stringy spaghetti hair anymore! :eek:

You are very welcome.

The key is to use it lightly. You only need a few drops.

I am pleased for you that you are pleased with your new hair length.

[cmg]

I'd say one thing about shampoo bars; they last FOREVER

[lynnala]

Awesome! I love trying new stuff out! Hope they work for me as well as they've worked for you:DI would recommend checking out The Shampoo Bar Thread (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=74&highlight=shampoo+thread) for more info. There can be a breaking in period at first while your hair gets used to the bar.

[karli]

Seems as if my fine hair works slightly different :) I've always kept it "longish" but wasn't able to grow it past bsl before I started with co.. Around bsl the friss was too bad, and my hair looked kind of wooly..

Split ends has always been a problem, still is, they don't travel up the strand though, and I can only see them in the car.. Something about the light there.. During my first year here, I gave cat nip a fair chance, didn't work for me :(

My hair doesn't tangle at all, so I usually only fingercombs it, mechanical damage is a real problem.

My hair loves avocado oil, it's by far the best oil for it. In my conditioners I mix avocado with shea.. The more the better.. I've also been able to stretch my washes to 4-5 days, seems as if the more I dry out my scalp, the oilier the hair gets (overcompensating) I can put quite a lot of avocado oil in my newly co-ed hair without it showing.. (exept in less friss and more shine :)

Coconut and oliveoil is almost impossible to wash out of the hair, haven't understood why, but the third time my ends got scaringly dry and splitted, I decided to give up on coconut..

Henna, or rather henndigo has helped a lot to.. Makes my strands stronger, and again, less friss..

At the moment my hair is about hipish, but I have more taper than I would prefer.. So even if it grows with a reasonable speed, I keep trimming and trimming..

[indiana]

My fine textured hair is a tangled mess when I leave it down. I have to wear it up to keep it under control. I completely agree about the mechanical damage - gentle combing will sometimes generate one of those cringe inducing "snaps" that we all hate. It's so much work.

My hair is about 2 inches from classic. I wore it down yesterday and after 7 hours, I had tangles from my neck all the way to my ends. It looked nice and felt nice to wear it down but it took a good 25 minutes or so to get it back under control. Then, I oiled it and braided. But, even braids left hanging down my back will get tangles underneath.

I wash daily, no getting away from it. SLS free shampoo and cone free conditioner. I have tried all of the suggestions on the board for skipping shampoo days but they don't work for me. So, I wash my scalp and condition the heck out of my length. I also oil my ends frequently.

I wish the tangles were not there but my hair is so straight. I read this article and felt a little better, at least I know it's not completely due to my treatment of my hair. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=straight-hair-is-knottier-than-curly-hair

[Fairlight63]

Thank you for that article, indiana. It describes my hair completely! My hair is so fine & hard to comb - even with a wide tooth comb.
The strands just cling to each other. It is even hard to finger comb it, I have to pull the strands apart. Trying to braid it at night is an experience, in of itself, it keeps wanting to tangle back up. I do have old hair dye on it, that is probably why it tangles as bad as it does.

How do you use a shampoo bar? do you rub it between your hands then put the soap in your hair??

[UP Lisa]

Sounds just like my hair.



Thank you for that article, indiana. It describes my hair completely! My hair is so fine & hard to comb - even with a wide tooth comb.
The strands just cling to each other. It is even hard to finger comb it, I have to pull the strands apart. Trying to braid it at night is an experience, in of itself, it keeps wanting to tangle back up. I do have old hair dye on it, that is probably why it tangles as bad as it does.

How do you use a shampoo bar? do you rub it between your hands then put the soap in your hair??

[Renate]

My hair is also very fine. I never ever comb/brush when it's wet. This is the most damaging for me. I can almost feel my hair stretching then breaking >_<

Funny enough, wide-tooth combs only work for detangling. They make my hair looks limp. I detangle, then I ran a finer-tooth comb. It divides the strands and makes my hair looks fuller.

I also pay a lot of attention to my ends. My hair is straight and has a straight-across cut, so it is very obvious when the ends need a cut and it also looks ugly... So I never get to the point where it shows they need a cut.

I also avoid combing the scalp - it tends to get greasy.

[DarkAlice]

i know alot of people might argue with me but I finally found a routine that works for me and my baby fine tangly hair...I only comb it right after being washed with a coney shampoo and conditioner, after that I only finger comb til the next washing...also africas best doo gro has all the essential oils in it and is good for a pre-wash treatment!!!

[UP Lisa]

I grew my hair to BCL by not combing or brushing it. If I had combed and brushed, I would not have had any hair to get long.

Now I sometimes brush with a baby soft brush, but I probably shouldn't even do that. So you certainly have the right idea.



i know alot of people might argue with me but I finally found a routine that works for me and my baby fine tangly hair...I only comb it right after being washed with a coney shampoo and conditioner, after that I only finger comb til the next washing...also africas best doo gro has all the essential oils in it and is good for a pre-wash treatment!!!

[MissManda]

I feel a little confused here... What exactly is baby-fine hair? Since I started coming to hair forums, there seems to be a distinction that is made between fine and baby-fine, but I've never been sure about what the difference is. :confused: Is it super-fine hair where the individual strands are even smaller than normal fine hair? Does it refer to the combination of thin (not many hairs) and fine or super-fine hair? I hope this doesn't make anyone feel bad or anything. I'm just curious and want to understand. :flower:

[holothuroidea]

I think it is just the way to describe fine hair that's extra fine. It's possible to have baby-fine hair that's relatively thick (although I think it's pretty rare).

I have a baby (15 months) and when I compare my individual hair strands to hers- mine are finer. That's baby-fine hair!! My other dd's hair (4 years) is finer than mine, though.

[snowfitness1]

Hello! I saw this thread and had to reply! It's amazing to see people describe their hair much as I would of my own! Mine is crazy fine...and the story of my life is that it's SUPER tangly! I have a good bit of hair, but the texture itself is angel fine. I saw someone describe their hair as 'floaty'...and I feel the same about mine!! :p I wanted to share with you guys how I have managed to get hair that is no longer so floaty, is super healthy, and is waaaaay less tangly!! First, my number one most awesome hair 'armor' is HENNA! I happen to adore rich red hair and it matches my skin tone perfectly, so I guess I am lucky in that way. (But there are many options with henna and other herbs for hair color.) It's important to use body art quality henna because it's pure. (I buy mine from www.hennasooq.com) Henna literally coats the hair shaft with a keratin protein (if I'm not mistaken) and for me it's like magic!!! It has texture now, yet is silky, shiney, healthy...and a gorgeous color red!!! My hair also grows like crazy now! Another great thing is that I had really really blond hair (from the salon) that I colored over and due to the richness of henna is extremely well blended with my fresh, much darker, outgrowth! See??? MAGIC! Besides the henna being the best thing God put on this earth, there are some other things that I have found over the years of my life that are essentials for my hair. First, there's the Mason Pearson Detangler brush. I'm not kidding...this will change your life if you have tangly hair!!! It can be used wet or dry, and it, too, is MAGIC!! I will never ever be without one. (Be warned, they are expensive...like almost $90...but for me it was so worth the investment because I suffered so much with tangles at my neck especially!) Second, I will always always have some Terax Crema conditioner on hand. It's THE most amazing detangler conditioner on the planet!!! (And I truly believe I have tried them ALL.) Currently I am using Aveda Damage Remedy which does a nice job for me now that my hair is so healthy from the henna, but even just this morning I had to pull out the Crema for an emergency detangle! (My hair had become hopelessly tangled in my necklace overnight, and I could not get it free from it! Isimply spray a little water on my hair and put the tiniest amount of Crema and VOILA, the tangles come free!!! There is truly no other substance that works this perfectly in my hair!) So there are my faves...I hope they help some of you!

[MissManda]

I think it is just the way to describe fine hair that's extra fine. It's possible to have baby-fine hair that's relatively thick (although I think it's pretty rare).

I have a baby (15 months) and when I compare my individual hair strands to hers- mine are finer. That's baby-fine hair!! My other dd's hair (4 years) is finer than mine, though.

I didn't see this until today, :o but thank you for answering my question! :) That makes a lot of sense.

I think I have some hairs that could be described as baby-fine, but it's all mixed in with my average-fine hair. The hair around my temples/hairline is probably baby-fine since it is very floaty and tangles more than most other parts of my hair.

[dancingrain91]

I have baby fine hair with some regular fine mixed in. I don't know if I qualify for this because my hair is not thin. I have a 3.5 in diameter ponytail. It's not super thick but I feel like having more hair makes it more tangle prone. I get lots of splits but my growth rate is fast and I don't get them in the length really. Hairline issues have never been a problem except that I have a widow's peak. I have it luckier than some of the thicker haired girls I know because my baby hairs are unruly and tend to disguise it. I condition all my hair after I shampoo as if I were doing a CO wash and then condition the ends again. I pre oil my hair with coconut oil all over and post oil with EVOO on the ends. I can wash my hair every other day and I often condition my hair with a light hair cream on off days. My ends are really dry. I try to avoid shampoo on them as much as possible. BBB's don't seem to hurt my hair even though it isn't straight. Mine isn't very stiff feeling though. I also sleep with my hair in a braid. I don't know how much of this is truly working for my hair, I'm still experimenting with options to get it healthier. It feels soft as silk though and not greasy at all. Volume is no issue. My hair will stick straight out at the slightest provocation.

[Earth Angel]

I also have baby fine hair and its thin, my ponytail circumference is about 1.5" :( It has a tendency to break easily so haven't been able to grow it past BSL yet, or if I ever will. It is wavy though and can sometimes give the appearance of more hair, but its also very flyaway and if I put too much product or oils in, it will clump them together and make it look stringy.

I'm just wondering if I should give cassia a try to see if it helps thicken my fine hairs a bit

[rowie]

My friend would use those really soft 100 percent boar bristle brushes from Mason Pearson. I think they even sell brushes for fine soft type hairs.

[Louise148]

I also have baby fine hair and its thin, my ponytail circumference is about 1.5" :( It has a tendency to break easily so haven't been able to grow it past BSL yet, or if I ever will. It is wavy though and can sometimes give the appearance of more hair, but its also very flyaway and if I put too much product or oils in, it will clump them together and make it look stringy.

I'm just wondering if I should give cassia a try to see if it helps thicken my fine hairs a bit

Your hair sounds a lot like mine. I'm not sure what my ponytail circumference is as I'm growing out a pixie and it's not yet long enough for me to measure but I would think it will be about the same as yours. I also have a bit of a wave so my hair can sometimes look a little bit more than it really is.

i have tried cassia twice now and to be honest I can't tell any differnence in my hair at all. It's doesn't feel thicker, stronger or conditioned, it just feels the same. But....that's not to say it won't work for you. There is a cassia thread on here somewhere which is a good database of info and lots of people saying they love it so give it a go and see if your hair responds to it. I brought enough cassia for about 6 treatments so I am going to stick with it until I've used it up and see if I get a gradual build up of effects from it though as I have read that can happen.

[silverthread]

I don't know what will work for anyone else, but I treat my baby fine hair like I would treat a baby's fine hair. No tugging, no sharp or snaggy hair toys. I use a Bass BBB for babies. Bought it a natural food store. The bristles are blonde and super soft. I dilute my shampoo, 7 to 1. Only wash once every 4 to 6 days. No harsh chemicals. No dye. No heat. My hair's only 20.5" long so far, so I may have to modify my routine as it grows.

[rachelbethany]

I don't know why I've never thought of diluting my shampoo! That's a great idea.

[vanillabones]

It's been a few years since I posted here and I've learned a lot about my baby fine hair but I still use the same routine more or less but I'm just starting to have problems now that it is past BSL I'm afraid that it won't grow much further. I'm getting terrible fairy knots unless it is up 24/7 that means no wearing it down at all not in the car, not to sleep, not outside nothing. My hair looks worse down than up anyway. My hair looks better on the top of the head or in a high pony actually :/ but never tightly because my hairline shouldn't be shown off :doh:
Tangles have not been a problem until now.... same with split ends. I've always gotten white dots but now I'm finding splits that split 3 times in one strand OMG O_O
Tying off a braid is a no no... and I only trust my wide tooth wooden comb but that doesn't take care of the fairy knots so I use my tangle teezer but all I can hear is my hair ripping and I see it stretch and dang is it traumatizing to my poor baby hair.
I've been patient with stretching washes and sparingly using dry shampoo. I've started washing more frequently again (every other day or 2 days) and I'm OK with that. I also bought a new shampoo I saw on a commercial which I've never done before it's Dove's new oxygen moisture shampoo for flat hair it says it'll give 95% more volume and the ingredients list is surprisingly small I'm excited to use it and I won't feel guilty! My hair is midback and I don't know how much further it will grow it is not fairy tale ends but it does grow in a harsh 'V' now. I don't want to have ultra long hair if I can't enjoy it so I think it's time for some routine changes. I'm afraid to try a scalp wash due to the tangles on my length. My hair has no volume and no body and the baby hairs on my forehead are peaking out again and look awful but I refuse to sacrifice some of my hair for bangs to hide it.

How is everyone else been doing with their baby fine hair? :( I think I will try the mineral oil next as many people are having good results with that. Shampoo bars would be next my next step as my hair is extremely oily at the scalp only. I haven't used conditioner on my scalp since it was shorter than shoulder.

[rachelbethany]

@vanillabones You talk about splits and hearing your hair ripping. One thing that makes a HUGE difference in length damage, to me, is finger-combing. I usually do it before I wash my hair, and, if necessary on days between washes. I have to set aside a chunk of time to finger-comb the whole length, but if I'm careful, I can eventually remove almost all the knots with no ripping. If I do find an un-removable one, I carefully trim it out of my hair. But it's rare that I have to do that. And, once I've combed it thoroughly with my fingers, a comb slips through it easily. I like doing it right before washing because that's when my hair is naturally its oiliest, and distributing all that oil from scalp to ends seems to help it hold up better to washing, too.

[snolol]

Hello! I saw this thread and had to reply! It's amazing to see people describe their hair much as I would of my own! Mine is crazy fine...and the story of my life is that it's SUPER tangly! I have a good bit of hair, but the texture itself is angel fine. I saw someone describe their hair as 'floaty'...and I feel the same about mine!! :p I wanted to share with you guys how I have managed to get hair that is no longer so floaty, is super healthy, and is waaaaay less tangly!! First, my number one most awesome hair 'armor' is HENNA! I happen to adore rich red hair and it matches my skin tone perfectly, so I guess I am lucky in that way. (But there are many options with henna and other herbs for hair color.) It's important to use body art quality henna because it's pure. (I buy mine from www.hennasooq.com) Henna literally coats the hair shaft with a keratin protein (if I'm not mistaken) and for me it's like magic!!! It has texture now, yet is silky, shiney, healthy...and a gorgeous color red!!! My hair also grows like crazy now! Another great thing is that I had really really blond hair (from the salon) that I colored over and due to the richness of henna is extremely well blended with my fresh, much darker, outgrowth! See??? MAGIC! Besides the henna being the best thing God put on this earth, there are some other things that I have found over the years of my life that are essentials for my hair. First, there's the Mason Pearson Detangler brush. I'm not kidding...this will change your life if you have tangly hair!!! It can be used wet or dry, and it, too, is MAGIC!! I will never ever be without one. (Be warned, they are expensive...like almost $90...but for me it was so worth the investment because I suffered so much with tangles at my neck especially!) Second, I will always always have some Terax Crema conditioner on hand. It's THE most amazing detangler conditioner on the planet!!! (And I truly believe I have tried them ALL.) Currently I am using Aveda Damage Remedy which does a nice job for me now that my hair is so healthy from the henna, but even just this morning I had to pull out the Crema for an emergency detangle! (My hair had become hopelessly tangled in my necklace overnight, and I could not get it free from it! Isimply spray a little water on my hair and put the tiniest amount of Crema and VOILA, the tangles come free!!! There is truly no other substance that works this perfectly in my hair!) So there are my faves...I hope they help some of you!

This is so helpful! Does anybody have suggestions re. henna if I have naturally dirty blonde hair?
The results you've gotten from henna treatments sound too good to be true!
I will def look into finding a suitable dupe for that hairbrush... I unfortunately don't have $130 (current amazon price) to spend on a brush right now.

[Groovy Granny]

I don't henna but love the VENTED WET BRUSH for dry or wet hair detangling.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BCU43MC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I tend to use that one in the shower and bought a Boar Bristle version for dry hair.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY96HVW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It has mixed bristles which penetrate the scalp hair better and is great for distributing your natural sebum or oils/serums used on the ends.

And only @$20 for both of them ;)

[Kalamazoo]

I think using my hair tea & aloe vera https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=150332&page=11 (both spraying them on my hair & occasionally drinking them) has made my hair a whole lot less floaty & less tangley. It feels like it may have thickened up & strengthened the individual strands just a wee bit. I did at one time join "The Velcro Ends Coddlers" group. I no longer have velcro ends to coddle.

I would estimate that I'm washing my hair about twice a month now. I'll have to keep track of it better to tell you precisely. But being past The Change has significantly cut down on how greasy my hair gets. Oh. And I've all but abandonned shampoo.

I also use wooden combs. (I've tried oxhorn, but I like wood better.)

Cocoa butter makes a fabulous rub-on detangler.

I also use a satin pillowcase. (I've tried to get a silk pair, but failed. I ordered from too cheap a vendor on eBay, & they thought that "100% genuine mulberry silk" was interchangeable with "100% genuine mulberry silk LIKE". Oh well. I got to keep them for free. eBay's return policy is wonderful!)

And yes, I wear my hair up, even though I look SO much better with it down! But at least it's there so I can let it loose when it's important.

And you can read about all the rest of my crazy hairy kitchen adventures, starting right here: https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=150332&page=4

I don't think my hair's growing all that fast right now. I think I may have to wait 'til summertime to get another growth spurt going. But at least it feels thicker & fuller to me now than a year or two ago. That's significant, because I'm 63, & I started trying to grow my hair because it was getting too thin.

I'm fortunate to not be on any medications. The only time I ever permed it was 40 years ago, & I've never dyed it with commercial dyes, only the "blonde hazard" ingredients noted on that other thread. (because I'm not ready to go grey!)

All my secrets are on that other thread, "Does eating peppermint grow hair faster?"

[lapushka]

This is so helpful! Does anybody have suggestions re. henna if I have naturally dirty blonde hair?
The results you've gotten from henna treatments sound too good to be true!
I will def look into finding a suitable dupe for that hairbrush... I unfortunately don't have $130 (current amazon price) to spend on a brush right now.

There's an entire henna forum for you to explore.

Always strand test, that's almost rule n°1. Never just dump the entire thing on your head, hoping for the best. Henna color can be *very* unpredictable, even on two heads of seemingly the same hair.

Have a look see there!

[Neoma]

I have straight, baby fine hair that tangles easily.

The routine that works best for me is:
* apply conditioner to the length of my hair before I get in the shower -- sometimes I leave it on for a few hours beforehand
* hold the length out of the show spray and only wet the scalp
* shampoo scalp only
* Rinse everything out
* condition from scalp to tips
* Rinse
* Towel dry
* Apply a couple of drops of a very light coney conditioner (Ghost Oil by Verb)
* Detangle with Tangle Teaser
* Wear hair up secured with hair safe hair accessories
* Braid hair before bed to avoid a headful of tangles

I generally cleanse my hair every other day.

[snolol]

Should you keep your hair out of the shower water on no-wash days?

[MusicalSpoons]

This is so helpful! Does anybody have suggestions re. henna if I have naturally dirty blonde hair?
The results you've gotten from henna treatments sound too good to be true!
I will def look into finding a suitable dupe for that hairbrush... I unfortunately don't have $130 (current amazon price) to spend on a brush right now.

Henna is super-duper permanent; definitely research and strand test but if you're in any doubt, don't do it. Research, research, research, and research some more.


Should you keep your hair out of the shower water on no-wash days?

Yes!

[Kalamazoo]

This is so helpful! Does anybody have suggestions re. henna if I have naturally dirty blonde hair?
The results you've gotten from henna treatments sound too good to be true!
I will def look into finding a suitable dupe for that hairbrush... I unfortunately don't have $130 (current amazon price) to spend on a brush right now.

Henna. It works absolutely perfectly for some.

My hair, I've been told, is blondette ... otherwise known as dirty blonde. But I've always thought of it as brown.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to have red hair. A deep red, almost a little purplish.

So I tried henna. Despite the fact that I consider myself a brunette, there's enough blonde in my hair so that the yellow mixed with the red henna to make a shade of orange that ... Well, actually, it was a pretty color in its own right, but I felt like it fought with my skin tone.

Nobody said anything. I don't think anybody actually noticed. But I didn't like it.

So I was able to crush 4 blueberries into my next hair mask and blueberry over it, and get back to looking brown.

But so many people have so many good things to say about henna! The only way you can know for sure is to try it yourself. But yeah, definitely do a strand test first.

Personally, now that I've had my wild fling (24 hours with henna on my head! WHEE!!!!!) I'm very contented to have my brown hair back.

ETA: If I get serious about changing my hair color again, I think I'll try a paranda or Secret Extensions or a wig or something, where I know exactly what color I'm getting, & that I can remove easily when I get tired of it.

ETA: I've read other people's comments about using "purple color-correcting shampoo" to deal with "brassiness". My guess is that that's what most people do instead of blueberries.

[snolol]

Henna is super-duper permanent; definitely research and strand test but if you're in any doubt, don't do it. Research, research, research, and research some more.



Yes!

Thank you!

[Laurelann]

I have straight, baby fine hair that tangles easily.

The routine that works best for me is:
* apply conditioner to the length of my hair before I get in the shower -- sometimes I leave it on for a few hours beforehand
* hold the length out of the show spray and only wet the scalp
* shampoo scalp only
* Rinse everything out
* condition from scalp to tips
* Rinse
* Towel dry
* Apply a couple of drops of a very light coney conditioner (Ghost Oil by Verb)
* Detangle with Tangle Teaser
* Wear hair up secured with hair safe hair accessories
* Braid hair before bed to avoid a headful of tangles

I generally cleanse my hair every other day.

Neoma, thank you for these ideas; I'm going to give them a try! I don't have a Tangle Teaser (yet??) but I'm thinking of getting a wood wide tooth comb. Right now I'm not detangling at all while wet, (just using fingers when almost dry) & wrapping my hair in a t-shirt instead of towel drying.

[Neoma]

Neoma, thank you for these ideas; I'm going to give them a try! I don't have a Tangle Teaser (yet??) but I'm thinking of getting a wood wide tooth comb. Right now I'm not detangling at all while wet, (just using fingers when almost dry) & wrapping my hair in a t-shirt instead of towel drying.
You're very welcome! A wide-tooth comb would work just fine. I've had long hair most of my life, way before they invented Tangle Teasers. I always used a wide-tooth comb.
:flower:

[Dirtyblonde]

How would well would Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in work for tangles? I know it's not aimed at my hair type, but it doesn't have any cones or heavy oils/butters that typically would weigh my hair down. I may dilute too. Other recommendations are welcome, especially if they smell good.

[Zesty]

How would well would Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in work for tangles? I know it's not aimed at my hair type, but it doesn't have any cones or heavy oils/butters that typically would weigh my hair down. I may dilute too. Other recommendations are welcome, especially if they smell good.

I can recommend it. I'm not in the "baby fine" category but it works on my hair and I gave it to my SIL to use on her toddlers' hair and it works great for them as well, as a leave-in. A little goes a long way but it's hard to overdo in my experience. I think it smells pretty good. Diluting it in a spray bottle as a detangler would probably work great!

[lapushka]

How would well would Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in work for tangles? I know it's not aimed at my hair type, but it doesn't have any cones or heavy oils/butters that typically would weigh my hair down. I may dilute too. Other recommendations are welcome, especially if they smell good.

I have F hair as well, though admittedly lots of it. I don't believe there are products for a hairtype. I use products aimed at type 4 ladies & gents, I just use a lot less of it; and it works.

My mom is i and F, and uses the curl enhancing smoothie styler by Shea Moisture to set her rollers. It works like a charm, so much hold and her curls last for at least a solid week, then it sort of sags a little, but it still has the volume & definition.

So don't look past certain products just because you think they aren't meant for you.

I use it all!

[UP Lisa]

You're very welcome! A wide-tooth comb would work just fine. I've had long hair most of my life, way before they invented Tangle Teasers. I always used a wide-tooth comb.
:flower:

Funny. I can't seem to use a comb of any type on my hair. Only in the shower with a lot of conditioner on.