How do I keep my hair healthy? (20)

1 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-07 07:18 ID:4ASP5gSd

I'm a guy that wants to grow my hair long. My hair is black and straight, and the length is currently up to the end of my neck. I use a pretty hot temperature to shower. I sometimes use shampoo, but another guy told me that might be part of the problem. When I don't use shampoo it sometimes make my hair feel full of gunk and stickyness...

When I comb it out after a shower, some hairs (around 3-4) fall out.

What should I do?

2 Post deleted by moderator.

3 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-07 08:38 ID:Heaven

Ok, so basically: wash them the most often you can. When they're very long, every day can be problematic, but once every three days is the very limit.

And if you have to take a shower without shampooing them, just tie them and stick them to the top of your head (use a hairpin or whatever), or these silly plastic tops made for that purpose. If you wet them without washing them with shampoo, they'll end greasy and sticky.

Invest in a good shampoo. Try some brands, find one which works well for you, and then stick to it. If you want really clean, strong, good looking hair, you can't really skip that and use cheap shampoo/shower gel. Really.

Brush them a lot. Ideally, each time they've been exposed to something that can make knots in them. That means, when you wash them of course, but also when you wake up, and maybe during the day also. I usually don't do it, but sometimes I really regret it. The two other are imperative.

Knots = weakness = broken hair.

Oh, and also, it's normal to lose hair. Trust me, after you brush them often, you'll lose less, but it's usually scary to look at the brush and clean it aftewards... but that doesn't mean you're going bald.

4 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-07 13:34 ID:6Y2pVLiB

I think it's natural to so many hairs every day. If you're only losing 3-4 when combing, then you're doing pretty well.

5 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-07 14:26 ID:LqPZguk0

Wash your hair at least every two days. Use a good shampoo and then a conditioner. It'll make your hair feel healthier. A good conditioner makes so much difference.

I'm not sure but I heard that hot showers damages your scalp. Before stepping out try to give your head/scalp a good rinse with cold water. It's supposed to help your hair growth. Dunno if that works though.

6 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-07 16:30 ID:Heaven

Don't brush your hair too often. The less you brush your hair, the less you wear the "fabric" out. But do brush it or else it will get tangled and knotty and more prone to wear.
Never force a brush through your hair. Brush it out, starting at the tips, slowly working your way up with strokes down through the hair. This should solve any knots that aren't too hardcore. If you ever do get too hardcore knots, try applying olive oil to your hair and comb it all out, still by working your way from the tip to the root.

>A good conditioner makes so much difference.
So very yes. A good conditioner is more important than a good shampoo. Shampoos are mainly just for removing grease on your scalp and hair, while as conditioners treat your hair.

>Before stepping out try to give your head/scalp a good rinse with cold water. It's supposed to help your hair growth.

Uh. I thought the cold water was so that the scales on the hair strands would close down properly, making the hairs even more smooth.

7 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-07 16:33 ID:Heaven

People normally lose up to 100 hairstrands a day, depending on how dense the distribution of hair follicles and other factors are. New hairs grow, too old hairs fall out.

8 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-07 18:57 ID:b5DPVOqz

>>3 and >>6 seem to contradict. Brush your hair often, don't brush your hair often. What to do?

9 Name: suomynonAmAI : 2007-06-08 00:53 ID:8YC5LTkU

>>8
I think these tips vary from hair to hair.

10 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-08 07:00 ID:8aW7lyLE

I used to have a woman brush my hair for me, as she knew better than I did.

No fucking hope of that right now, however.

11 Name: Gin : 2007-06-08 07:20 ID:AHk15Ccs

Shampoo then use the conditioner.. leave the conditoner in your hair for 10 minutes then rinse.

Never use blow dryers.. the heat ruins the hair.

12 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-08 07:29 ID:4ASP5gSd

I know that I shouldn't use blow dryers.

But I don't understand >but once every three days is the very limit.

Does it mean I can't wash my hair more often, like once every 2 days, or does it mean I can't wash my hair less often, like once every 4 days?

How should I dry my hair? I currently cover my hand in a towel and grab a few hairs, then slowly run them down my head. When it' still a bit wet, I brush it.

13 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-08 08:07 ID:pMrkdZUD

No, I said the more often possible. After three days without washing your hair goes greasy, knots get harder to unknot, and stuff you don't want start to accumulate at the base of the hair, weakening them. Plus, this probably also smells and long greasy hair are really unappealing anyway.

To dry them, just put a towel on them to absorb most of the water, then wrap a dry one around your shoulders and let your hair dry naturally. Brushing them while they're still a bit wet is what you should do.

For the brushing, as >>9 said it depends on how strong/straight/bold your hair is. But the idea was to brush them as soon as you do something that might end up with lots of knots.

14 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-08 09:25 ID:4ASP5gSd

Ah, I see.

So this is what I should do:
Wash hair in cold water
Shampoo
Rinse
Conditioner
Wait 10 mins or so
Rinse
Dry
Brush

Right?

15 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-08 10:33 ID:EMlGHaV8

>>1
3 or 4 hairs fall out did you say?
That, I assure you, is COMPLETELY NORMAL.
On average, people lose about 50 hairs a day (don't ask me how they got that figure). Point is, there is nothing to worry about.

I guiltily wash my hair with hot water too (it's winter, can't blame me), but it's true that it makes your hair fall out more than cold water.

Definitely use conditioner if you have mid-length/long hair. Even with straight asian hair, it feels heaps dry and breakable when I don't. I leave it in for about five minutes (water-conservation cough). See what works best for you.

I don't know what the dealio is with brushing. I don't get knots, so I brush my hair so that it dries straight. But I think if you have thin hair-strands, the general concensus is that you leave it to dry first so you don't get split ends. Btw, if you're leaving it to dry, don't twist your hair into a towel. Wrap it in a towel, by all means, but don't twist it.

Oh, and wash your hair about every two days (three days tops) if you have long hair. Too much, and it damages your hair. Too little, and it's a matter of hygiene.

16 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-08 12:14 ID:LqPZguk0

Using conditioner will leave your hair virtually knot free.

17 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-08 16:30 ID:RuKJWbmL

Thanks guys.

What method of cleaning your hair (when shampooing) do you recommend? I usually dig my fingers through then run them out.

18 Name: Anonymous : 2007-06-09 06:42 ID:Heaven

>Too much, and it damages your hair. Too little, and it's a matter of hygiene.

seconded.

>>17
i give myself a scalp massage when i do the shampooing. The tips of my hair never get greasy (I don't wash them that seldom) so my scalp is the only bit that needs to be worked through thoroughly. The hair I just fold and press together against itself so that the shampoo gets more evenly distributed, rubbing it a bit. Don't do this if your hair gets tangled too easily.

19 Name: FutureBaldy : 2007-06-09 08:37 ID:mxZm45HK

Ah, thanks for all the help.

20 Name: ao : 2007-06-30 19:31 ID:F/ibJZos

hahaha 3-4?
I've got pretty long hair and I lose over 100 everyday while brushing and twice as much in the shower after shower and just when I pull them a little..it's horrible, but what can I do...

once your hair gets longer try not to shampoo all of it, just the scalp then just slide the shampoo over all hair and wash it out. too much shampoo on the ends isn't good

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