HELP!!! I Have HAY Hair~

ETA

http://aphogee.com/

Stop using shampoo. I use ONLY conditioner and my hair has changed so much, and for the better.

I used Dove conditioner for dry hair. It is NOT a washing conditioner or anything that remotely shampoo.

I put a bunch in the palm of my hand and rub the conditioner into my scalp and down the hair shaft just like it was shampoo. I use a spiky looking brush to get the tangles out and then rinse it out. I condition it again and comb/brush it through. I rinse my hair well and put it in a towel when I get out. I put a little bit of mousse in it if I'm going somewhere.

I also use Aphogee Gloss Therapy from Sally's a lot too. It coats the hair shaft and makes the hair smooth and shiny.

Cut a few inches off.

I have thick wavy hair that's a few inches past my shoulders. I started coloring about three years ago.

The only thing that keeps the ends from drying out is trimming them off. For whatever reason the rest of my hair really benefits from regular trimming.

I'll just bet that you're doing your color wrong. Alkaline is for your roots. Acid is for what's below the roots. If you use the same stuff for the rest of your hair as you use for the roots, you get hay hair. This happened to me when I lived overseas and the colorist didn't tell me she did not have the right formula for my hair. In desperation, I went back to my original colorist in the states during a trip home and she told me this. I ended up buying color from her and taking it with me along with instructions on how to use it.

What she had to do was cut off a lot of my hair, Osohapi. I didn't want that, but it was necessary.

But it won't help to cut your hair if you're not figuring out what is causing it in the first place. If I were you, I'd spend the money to go to a good colorist. Take what you're using and show it to her. Get some advice and let her help you with your hair.

My experience is that when it gets like this, a haircut is about the only thing that makes an immediate difference. I have long hair too (not as long as yours and I'm not gray yet) but in the summer, it just gets dry and brittle feeling. A trim of a inch or two makes a huge difference.
One simple thing you can do is get a good conditioner for dry or colored hair. Apply it to your hair in the shower and then put it all up in a shower cap. The heat from the shower will help it sink in. I do this every time I wash/condition my hair.
I have also used olive oil (in the hair and wrapped up overnight) with pretty good results. It's a lot of work sleeping that way, though, and I just didn't care for the maintenance involved. Rinsing in warm beer in the shower also helps my hair feels soft and shiny, so that might be something you can try.
Anyway, a few ideas. Hope this helps!

There's no repairing damaged hair.
If you have a lot of split ends - you need to cut the damaged ends off - otherwise the splits keep running up the length of your hair shafts and the damage spreads.

The other thing you can do going forward is to figure out how/where your hair gets damaged and then stop doing that.
I had horrible split ends - from dyeing my hair every month - it was totally frying my hair.
I stopped with the dye and switched to henna.
I stopped using anything that would heat up my hair - no curling iron, and only rarely use my blow dryer (on cool only).
I keep my hair braided at night and up in a bun during the day.
I haven't had split ends in years since I started taking better care of my hair!

I'd talk to your hair stylist for a product recommendation. My daughter's hair was looking greasy on the underside. I thought it was product build up and used a clarifying shampoo on her. MISTAKE! Her hair was so dry and like straw. She resumed her normal routine and it got better. After that I would consult a professional before I tried something again.

it sounds gorgeous. i'd stop coloring it (gray is so in right now), get a few inches cut off, and do some deep moisturizing like hot oil treatments. i'll bet your sensible coconut oil treatment DID help, but you'll need to repeat it frequently since your long locks have a lot of damage.
khairete
S.

I know that you are very attached to your hair, but I just want to put out an observation that I've made as I look at what hairstyles I want to have as I continue to age. I notice that when women get older, having long hair can sometimes age them. Gray hair in particular seems to look more youthful when it's cut in a shorter, modern cut - not the grandma-style beehives. Just food for thought. I'm wondering myself when I need to make the big chop to look a little younger.

I have curly hair too, and it will get dry so easily if I am not careful. I use a no sulfide shampoo especially for that I got at the hairstylist. It does not suds up so it feels different than a normal shampoo, but it is much better for curly hair. You already wash your hair less often...this is great. Besides the shampoo and conditioner, I use a deep conditioner every other time I wash. Then I always put in a leave in conditioner that the stylist recommended after I get out of the shower. Someone suggested moroccan oil...that is basically the same concept. I use Ten. I color my hair too and if you are using a really harsh brand then your hair will get very dry. I'd cut it slightly shorter also...I think it would make it easier to manage.

My hair is long like yours, but straight. A good haircut (a few inches off) with some carefully cut in layers always works for me.

Get some of it cut and use the coconut oil everyday, just a little bit to manage the curl and keep the frizzes away.

You may want to try a more natural hair color that wont dry out your hair.

Some hair color products are better quality than others, and do less damage to the hair - you may want to shop around or ask your colorist. I have a relative who is a hair stylist and she says there is a big difference between brands.

I agree about not coloring the ends each time (if you have been doing that). Just color the roots only and then just pull it through to the ends the last 5 minutes or so.

I would also spend a bit more for products designed for dry curly or coarse hair. Some of the products for ethnic hair are designed for very dry hair - I know friends who shop for those. Coconut oil is a big ingredient in those too.

I use Moroccan Oil (it smells heavenly) in my hair every time I wash. I don't have dry hair but grey so I need something to keep it in place and it's moisturizing. You just leave it in every day as you go about and it gives nice shine.

Wash only the top of your head and leave the conditioner on the ends as long as you can. Sounds like you're doing everything right though :)

A trim will remove split ends. I would just trim up to the point that is bad. Coloring is your worst enemy. I have used hennas - years ago - you have to be careful sometimes with grey hair so if you go that route, make sure to do a strand test. The red-ish colors can turn hair a bit pink (on grey) so you'd have to do one without red in it if you go that route.

Good luck :)

When my daughter got "hay hair" we tried a Alberto V05 Hot Oil Treatment. It was somewhat helpful, but not a miracle cure - hers was due to chlorine, though so that might make a difference. My mom has used a mayonnaise treatment (has to be real mayo) and she swears by it.

Hope one of these does the trick for you!

Try a rinse with 1 tablespoon of vinegear in 1 cup of water. It does wonders for making my hair soft and getting rid of the frizzies.

Important note: if you look online, there are lots of sites taking about vinegear rinses for hair and how good they are. Some of them will suggest a stronger vinegear solution - like half and half vinegear/water. But, those can take the color out of your hair, so stick with the 1T to 1C so you don't rinse out your color.

Cut off the damaged parts. Stop using shampoo-I use Wen, haven't used shampoo in years. I also use Wen oils on my scalp and Remoist deep conditioning treatment on my hair. Finally, have you had your thyroid checked. Thyroid disease can make your hair extremely dry.

My hair dresser just told me that if I do go in the sun to add coconut oil or deep conditioner before going outside. Or you can just put the coconut oil on with a shower cap & use your hair dryer to heat it up. So yes apply heat while conditioning... Also look for a hair product to use in your hair after you style it, a leave in conditioning oil that isn't as heavy as an actual deep conditioner.

I'm going to try an apple cider vinegar rinse...I'll let u know if it works....but if it's that long a trim is probably your best bet

You need a haircut and to not wash it often(if you are).

Stop using shampoo. I've used only cleansing conditioner for 5 years (like Wen, but a cheaper brand from Sally's, Hair One) and it is totally worth it! Once, I ran out and had to shampoo my hair because I was too lazy to go to the store; I regretted it for a month (that's how long it took my hair to recover!) Recently I stopped combing after showers too, now I towel dry my hair and let it dry the rest of the way naturally before combing/brushing and I've been loving the results, absolutely no frizz! Less labor for me, and better looking hair, what more could I ask for?!?

Redken All Soft ... It's amazing.

I've heard the no-shampoo rule for curly hair too - I haven't gone whole hog yet but I have gone to shampooing only ever other day or so - I just wet it in the shower on the off days. That has helped a lot. Then I use a leave-in conditioner (by Garnier), Aussie sprunch mousse, and a gentle-hold Aussie hairspray. It has helped my frizz a lot. Everyone's hair is different so just wanted to let you know what I do. Good luck!

I would definitely TRY rinsing with about 1/4 cup vinegar in a gallon of water.
And you might try an old (but effective) product called CremeActive - get it from a salon. A little goes a LONG way!