long hair care investment

[shampoostyler]

I have hair about a yard long or longer at the back of my shoulder blades and from the crown. I am so tired of the investment long hair takes, and how a consideration for doing your hair or how it will look has become a part of everything I do, from when i work out to what happens when i go dancing.

I am starting to think I should do extensions and get my hair cut medium long to get strength. Then get extensions for big events.

But will the hair at my roots get weaker?

[Toni]

Hi Shampoostyler!

Maintaining long hair properly is certainly a challenge. And you're so right about how it can consume a lot of your time for not only the physical care, yet the thought process of anticipating working around all your activities with decisions involving your hair styles.

I admire your decision to go shorter to a medium length. Am sure you will find you still have lots of versatility, yet the stress will be reduced on your hair. As for its strength. The longer your hair is, the more likely you have thinning ends. These are stressed, split and stripped ends that start here on the ends and work their way up the hair shaft. Clipping these off improves your hair's strength right there. Your hair is pure protein called keratin and once it is damaged, it's damaged and nothing short of cutting the damage off will rid you of the weaker hair. Products claiming to cure split ends are only masking them.

Hair extensions are becoming more and more popular and while there is still some things to learn about their long term use, we do know that proper application and removal should not be a problem on your own natural hair if you find a stylist who is experienced and knowledgeable, one who shows care and concern for your hair. As long as your "events" are not often, there should not be any damage to be fearful of. In reality, any activity such as frequent brushing, styling, braiding, etc. that causes scalp stimulation and blood flow increase, actually s***ds up the growth of your hair. You will find that a few special events involving extensions over a period of time will find your hair quickly back to its initial length in no time. Unless you keep it cut of course. It's all part of the care and maintenance, no matter what the length, to do all it takes to care gingerly for your precious hair, each and every strand.

Good luck with your decision, whatever it is, I wish for it to be a happy one.

[clubcory]

Pull a long hair out and stretch it. It should have some give. if it snaps you have no resilience and may be losing hair due to its lack of elasticity. Brushing, tugging, pinning, tyind, anything can cause breakage.

Put some proteins and vitamins into your conditioning or leave in a good detangler. Wash less frequently and try to get more nutrition in your diet.

[sheen]

I agree with everyones advice. I too have long hair and sometimes it can be quite a pain to take care of, especially with an active lifestyle. Just make sure you keep your hair trimmed. As for the extensions, I knew someone that did that and eventually she had to get her hair cut short because of the stress it put on her hair.

[classyhair]

Originally Posted by Toni

Products claiming to cure split ends are only masking them.

Toni, what's your opinion of Aussie's Dual Personality shampoo and conditioner ("root cleanser + tip mender")?

Got the greasies at the roots and frazzles at the ends? Even them out! This pH-balanced recipe ceases the grease and quenches those ends.

[Toni]

Originally Posted by classyhair

Toni, what's your opinion of Aussie's Dual Personality shampoo and conditioner ("root cleanser + tip mender")?

I don't mind trying different Aussie Products as I have liked the ones I have tried. However, even when the most trusted products claim to mend the ends sets off red flags with me.

I would use it only to help hold me over until I got a trim and then afterwards for maintenance and protection. After all, the ends get a lot of abuse.

[classyhair]

Originally Posted by Toni

I don't mind trying different Aussie Products as I have liked the ones I have tried. However, even when the most trusted products claim to mend the ends sets off red flags with me.

I would use it only to help hold me over until I got a trim and then afterwards for maintenance and protection. After all, the ends get a lot of abuse.

Thank you. I agree with you that nothing fixes split ends. My interpretation of this particular Aussie product is that it cleans the scalp really well and helps to prevent split ends from happening in the first place.

[veronica]

Split ends cannot be mended. They are dead. And as those with long hair know, more movement around the face can take years off. A lot of people get shorter hair or bangs or some crown level waves and their hair "lightens up".
Consider a trim to give shape more fullness around the neck and a shorter trimmed longer "level" will look long by comparison.

[dippitydo]

I had long hair forever and it really was a pain. I was always afraid to cut it, but once I did it really looked better because it was fuller and it was healthier. I felt a great freedom from cutiing it. It is still past my shoulders, but it is much easier to maintain.

[veronica]

Well, people are more accepting these days about extensions. I think if you could find tresses that match your color and work them for certan outfits and looks that would be ok, then maintain a real head of shorter hair. Going shorter than your shoulders makes a lot of outfits harder to do though.