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Gentle hair care advice?


Greta
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I've had my hair long in the past - waist length at the longest.  Right now it's shoulder length, and I'm thinking I'd like to grow it out to mid-back, bra-strap length.  

 

When I had it long before, it was what my stylist calls "virgin hair":  no chemical processing whatsoever.  Also, I just washed it every other day since my scalp does not tend to be oily.  And I didn't heat-style it either.  So it was super healthy, with no visible damage or split ends or anything, even at that long length.

 

Now, I color my hair (to cover gray), *and* I have to wash every single day now (since I exercise every day and get sweaty and disgusting!).  So I think I will need to treat it more gently than I did before in order to keep it undamaged at a longer length.

 

Any advice for me regarding super gentle shampoos or anything else I can use/do to keep it healthy-looking?

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My hair always, without fail, looks/feels/styles best when I color with Feria (currently intense violet) and use the corresponding L'Oreal vibrant color shampoo and conditioner.  I don't know about gentle, but my hair is crap when I don't use those products...even when I use a different type of L'Oreal hair color.

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a shampoo made for treated hair.  I buy mine at Costco when they have their "coupon".  I have a dispenser in my shower, so I don't remember the brand.  (it was a more expensive one.)

 

I also have long hair, and have regular foils to blend the gray (which I'm tired of doing as you can see it after a week.), and it is in very good condition.

 

 

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My hair is about that length and I color every 7 weeks.  I also flat iron and use a hair dryer so it takes quite the beating! However, I use Redken Magentics shampoo and conditioner, and I always apply a heat protectant before using a flat iron.  It has kept my hair shiny and healthy for over a year.  Love it! (It smells good too. :))

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I'd go with a high quality shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. I'm partial to Redken and Paul Mitchell products, but it really depends on your hair what will work best. Avoid using too hot water. Even though my hair is color treated, in the winter I usually use Redken All Soft shampoo and conditioner. They're not specifically for color treated hair but are super moisturizing and work very well for me.

Edited by Pawz4me
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I love the Long Hair Community forum for tips, but as someone who has had virgin hair down to the top of my thighs and currently has chemically lightened hair down to my waist, I'd say the care isn't much different.

 

You still want to avoid heat styling and rough brushing - combing is best and breaks less strands. Use whatever shampoo or conditioner your scalp likes. I do a mask on my length every week or two to help keep it soft and moist, but this varies depending on your hair texture and scalp oiliness.

 

Wear it back more to decrease mechanical damage, the more updos and braids the less rubbing, fraying, and tangling. Sleeping with a satin weave pillowcase (mine is silk and I love it) also helps, along with night braiding.

 

If you're dyeing as opposed to bleaching like me, you have even less to worry about. The damage is really minimal. By far the worst damage you can do is blow drying, heat straightening, and chemical relaxing/straightening/perming. Basic common sense hair care goes a long way.

 

My hair would be back down to tailbone with minimal breakage if I wanted it that long again - but one thing my hair stylist cautioned me is to NOT do massive changes in the color on the length. We picked a warm blonde two or three levels lighter than my natural color and we keep it there, so it is root touch ups and toning along with maybe twice yearly highlights to blend the regrowth in a little better and prevent the 'flat' look. Once we originally took my length up so many levels of color we haven't touched it except to cut out any brassy tones that come out as the cooler tone over the top of the lightened portion fades. If I rebleached or even colored over my length extensively it would accumulate more damage and be in worse condition, but just picking something and keeping it is no big deal :)

Edited by Arctic Mama
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The common thread between shampoos for color treated hair is that none of them contain sodium laureth sulfate (they will usually say "sulfate free").  That's what you're looking for.  Sodium Laureth Sulfate not only strips your color (leaving it faded and/or brassy), but is also very harsh for your hair and scalp.  Stay away from sulfates, and you'll be much happier.

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Sulfate free shampoos. Shea Moisture ones are good. 

 

Also, you don't have to use shampoo everyday because you work out. I don't. Sweat is mostly water. I just rinse my hair with water or "wash" with conditioner if my head feels extra sweaty. I shampoo once or maybe twice a week. Otherwise sweat just evaporates as it's water. You can use dry shampoos if you feel you need to freshen your hair. Sweat on your head is not going to smell. You don't have the odor causing bacteria on your head like on other places of your body. Trust me no one can tell I don't wash my hair every day, and I do some pretty intense workouts. 

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a shampoo made for treated hair. I buy mine at Costco when they have their "coupon". I have a dispenser in my shower, so I don't remember the brand. (it was a more expensive one.)

 

I also have long hair, and have regular foils to blend the gray (which I'm tired of doing as you can see it after a week.), and it is in very good condition.

Gardenmom5,

Can you explain the "foil" treatment that you're doing to blend your gray? I am ready to let my gray grow out but want to transition gradually. My gray is showing far too quickly to keep up with. My hair is dark brown, long, spiral curls and virtually no layering. Thanks!

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Gardenmom5,

Can you explain the "foil" treatment that you're doing to blend your gray? I am ready to let my gray grow out but want to transition gradually. My gray is showing far too quickly to keep up with. My hair is dark brown, long, spiral curls and virtually no layering. Thanks!

 

for starters, look online (youtube too) about color oops, vitamin c color remover etc.  (how to remove brown hair dye)   or talk to your hairdresser.  it's possible to remove alot of the color (depending upon type and color applied) before transitioning.  it shoudln't hurt the natural color, just where color was deposited.   it won't make your hair gray - but it can lighten the brown.  It can turn it brassy gold - which can be bleached then dyed similar to your natural color. if you want a diy - go to a good beauty supply for suggestions. they know their products.  foils  (a small section of hair is colored and wrapped in foil while the color sets) added to give depth.

 

I've been doing three different color foils (professionally) for awhile.  before that, it had it colored.  now, I can see gray at my temples and hairline within a week, it's just not worth it to me anymore.   I do have another appointment in a week to have my stylist do some of this. (and you need to let it grow out a bit so the stylist can see what is natural.)

 

it was interesting to read on some sites that as your hair grays, you skin tone will also change.

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Depending on if and how your water is treated, you may want an inline water filter.  It will filter out chlorine and the heavy salts.  Most of them will work for about 4,000 gallons, which with average use, will last about a year.  A lot of the stripping of color and general damage can come from the water before any product touches your hair.  

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Depending on if and how your water is treated, you may want an inline water filter. It will filter out chlorine and the heavy salts. Most of them will work for about 4,000 gallons, which with average use, will last about a year. A lot of the stripping of color and general damage can come from the water before any product touches your hair.

Wow, I never thought about this.

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I only actually shampoo twice a week. The rest of the time I use conditioner only-it will clean your hair without stripping it. Lately I have been using the L'Oreal EverPure smoothing duo for color treated hair. It works great. My hair is healthier than it has been in a long time. There are other ones in that line for different hair types so you would choose the one that works for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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So, this is weird. I assumed, like you said Suzanne, that shampoos for color-treated hair would be more gentle, but I checked both of the brands I have on hand, and the ingredients are just like any standard shampoo! Sodium laureth sulfate is second on the list, just after water.

 

I had to go to Target today anyway, so I looked for a sulfate-free shampoo. I didn't find any of the ones mentioned here, but I did find Renpure Coconut Milk Shampoo. So I'll try that and if it doesn't work out then I have an excuse to go to Ulta!

 

Thanks for all the help!

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I used it for almost that long (about 14 years) both as shampoo and body wash.  

 

Actually, I still use Traite as body wash, but I switched to Mastey Color Protection Shampoo for my hair.  It's enriched with Argan oil, olive oil, and grape seed extract to condition and protect from heat and environmental hazards.  I love the way my hair shines and feels.

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So, this is weird. I assumed, like you said Suzanne, that shampoos for color-treated hair would be more gentle, but I checked both of the brands I have on hand, and the ingredients are just like any standard shampoo! Sodium laureth sulfate is second on the list, just after water.

 

I had to go to Target today anyway, so I looked for a sulfate-free shampoo. I didn't find any of the ones mentioned here, but I did find Renpure Coconut Milk Shampoo. So I'll try that and if it doesn't work out then I have an excuse to go to Ulta!

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

That's interesting.  It used to be the case that color protecting shampoos didn't have SLS, but I guess we need to be more careful to read labels these days.  It's not surprising.  There is no oversight for cosmetic companies, so they can claim whatever they want.  They must have all jumped on the color protecting bandwagon.  Thanks for filling me in.

 

I hope the Renpure works for you.  If not, Jason's shampoo is all natural, and doesn't have SLS (at least it didn't the last time I checked).  It smells like marigolds, and is thick like honey, but it is gentle.  You can get it at health food type stores.

 

Pippen and I mentioned shampoos made by Mastey.  I don't know where she gets hers, but I have to order it from Mastey.com  The company is located in Santa Clarita, CA, and they have distributors there, but not everywhere.  They also have really good information about hair and hair care on their website.  

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Thanks, Suzanne! I have used some Jason products before and liked them. In fact, it seems like I had some kind of seaweed shampoo of theirs years ago -- sounds weird but I really liked it! I think I stopped buying it simply because the store where I always shopped stopped carrying it. I had forgotten about that. I'll have to see if any of the other local health food stores carry it.

 

And I will check out the Mastey website, too!

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You didn't find Shea Moisture in Target? Weird. Maybe you didn't look in the right place. It's usually not in the aisle with the "regular" shampoos

Oh, where should I have looked? I was on an aisle with shampoo and conditioner on one side and styling products on the other. I just assumed if they had it, that's where it would be.

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I'm not impressed with the Renpure shampoo I bought, so I'm definitely going to keep experimenting.

 

Or maybe sulphate-free will just take some getting used to?

 

This one didn't seem to rinse clean, but left my hair feeling a little heavy/greasy. I hope that's not typical.

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I'm not impressed with the Renpure shampoo I bought, so I'm definitely going to keep experimenting.

 

Or maybe sulphate-free will just take some getting used to?

 

This one didn't seem to rinse clean, but left my hair feeling a little heavy/greasy. I hope that's not typical.

That's why I said to use a shampoo your scalp likes, that's honestly where the cleansing is most needed anyway and most that aren't clarifying formulas don't strip color too badly unless it is red or you have very resistant grays.

 

Granted, your hair can be clean and still feel soft and a little oily, it's a feeling many people aren't used to but perfectly safe. I personally need a stronger shampoo or my scalp goes nuts though, so I use one more comparable to Biolage and it's a good balance of cleansing enough without killing my color. I tried to use shampoo bars, go no poo, and use all manner of more gentle, natural brands. No dice, my hair hates them and my scalp hates them more :p

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That's why I said to use a shampoo your scalp likes, that's honestly where the cleansing is most needed anyway and most that aren't clarifying formulas don't strip color too badly unless it is red or you have very resistant grays.

 

Granted, your hair can be clean and still feel soft and a little oily, it's a feeling many people aren't used to but perfectly safe. I personally need a stronger shampoo or my scalp goes nuts though, so I use one more comparable to Biolage and it's a good balance of cleansing enough without killing my color. I tried to use shampoo bars, go no poo, and use all manner of more gentle, natural brands. No dice, my hair hates them and my scalp hates them more :p

 

 

When I had my hair long years ago, I did experiment with several non-shampoo methods/products, and I didn't like any of them.  I was hoping the sulphate-free shampoos would be gentle on my hair, but still get my scalp clean and keep it happy (it would get gradually itchier and yuckier feeling the longer I used the non-shampoo products).  I do remember liking Jason, so maybe that one will work.  Or Mastey - that seems to be well liked.  Or maybe I'll just have to go with a CWC method with regular shampoo.  But I'll have fun experimenting anyway!   :001_smile:

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Target places Shea Moisture products in different places. Your best bet is to ask. I wander up and down all the beauty/hygiene aisles until I find it. I've even been to some stores that separate the Shea Moisture products in different areas. 

 

Sally Beauty usually carries it and you can sometimes find it at Ross. 

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Target places Shea Moisture products in different places. Your best bet is to ask. I wander up and down all the beauty/hygiene aisles until I find it. I've even been to some stores that separate the Shea Moisture products in different areas. 

 

Sally Beauty usually carries it and you can sometimes find it at Ross. 

 

 

Weird!  Thanks for letting me know - next time I'll just ask.

 

Or I could try Sally.  There's a Sally in a shopping center that I'm at frequently for other stores anyway.  Thanks for mentioning that!

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I've never found a sulfate free shampoo I can tolerate. They do horrible things to my hair. Horrible. And make my scalp feel positively nasty.

 

 

Wow - well that's disappointing but also good to know.  The horrible things that it did to your hair - was it that it left a lot of build-up on it over time?  That's what I experienced with the non-shampoo stuff.

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Wow - well that's disappointing but also good to know.  The horrible things that it did to your hair - was it that it left a lot of build-up on it over time?  That's what I experienced with the non-shampoo stuff.

 

No, it was more that the sulfate free products seemed to really dry my hair out and made it very prone to tangling (a problem I don't normally have).

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My hair is about that length and I color every 7 weeks.  I also flat iron and use a hair dryer so it takes quite the beating! However, I use Redken Magentics shampoo and conditioner, and I always apply a heat protectant before using a flat iron.  It has kept my hair shiny and healthy for over a year.  Love it! (It smells good too. :))

 

Sorry to thread-steal: what heat protectant do you like?

 

Back to the regularly scheduled thread!

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No, it was more that the sulfate free products seemed to really dry my hair out and made it very prone to tangling (a problem I don't normally have).

 

 

Oh, that's worse.  Build-up can always be removed with a good clarifying shampoo.  

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Sorry to thread-steal: what heat protectant do you like?

 

Back to the regularly scheduled thread!

When my hair is damp, I love Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum. I've used it for years to help my thick hair not be so big or puffy. It helps with static too.

If my hair is dry, and I'm simply running a flat iron over it, I use TresSemme Thermal Creations Heat Timer Leave In Spray. I got it at Walmart I think.

Both last forever for me, as I don't style my hair daily. I like to tell myself I'm trying to keep my hair shiny and healthy when I go a day or two without styling, but really I just want to be lazy and wear a pony tail. :)

Edited by mmasc
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When my hair is damp, I love Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum. I've used it for years to help my thick hair not be so big or puffy. It helps with static too.

 

 

 

I need that product!   :D   Thanks for mentioning it!

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That serum I mentioned helps! I have a lot of hair, and I get it thinned every 7 weeks when I color, but I still need something to get it flatter/smoother so it isn't too big/full. It's supposed to lessen drying time too, but it takes me forever no matter what. But, I have noticed that the shampoo I've fallen in love with helps with that too. I can go 3-4 days without washing and no body can tell at all! However, my hair and scalp lean towards dry/itchy, not oily. So I think I really found my sweet spot with this shampoo. :) If I watch the sales at Ulta or Beauty Brands, I can get the liters for $15!

I sound like a walking Redken Magentics commercial, but I really do love it! Lol

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My hair is about that length and I color every 7 weeks.  I also flat iron and use a hair dryer so it takes quite the beating! However, I use Redken Magentics shampoo and conditioner, and I always apply a heat protectant before using a flat iron.  It has kept my hair shiny and healthy for over a year.  Love it! (It smells good too. :))

 

 

I bought a flat iron (and use it to curl my hair). I have been using Tresseme Thermal Creations before using the flat iron. So far, so good, but what do you use? If there is something better (and/or cheaper), I'd like to know about it. Please. :)

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No, it was more that the sulfate free products seemed to really dry my hair out and made it very prone to tangling (a problem I don't normally have).

You're not he only one - many users have reported issues with cocamidopropyl betaine, which is the most popular non-sulfate cleanser. It can be murder to the pH balance of your scalp and hair, depending on your body chemistry.
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You're not he only one - many users have reported issues with cocamidopropyl betaine, which is the most popular non-sulfate cleanser. It can be murder to the pH balance of your scalp and hair, depending on your body chemistry.

 

So much conflicting information out there!   :sad:   Plus, I guess a lot of it is going to come down to personal experience, which varies.  For example, I know a lot of people swear that silicones are death for hair, but my hair loves silicones!

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My hair likes them too, especially now that I color/bleach. Not so much when it was virgin, but it still behaved better with certain products than others. It really is SO individual, and a lot of what other longhairs like I really don't find works for me and my scalp. Like I said way up above, gentle handling and preventing heat and mechanical damage made a much bigger difference in the quality and texture of my hair than processing the color did. I have no more splits now than I did with virgin hair and it has been lightened almost four levels. But if I wear it down a lot of try to straighten or blow dry it? No bueno.

 

See what works for you. You can always tweak down the road :)

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My hair likes them too, especially now that I color/bleach. Not so much when it was virgin, but it still behaved better with certain products than others. It really is SO individual, and a lot of what other longhairs like I really don't find works for me and my scalp. Like I said way up above, gentle handling and preventing heat and mechanical damage made a much bigger difference in the quality and texture of my hair than processing the color did. I have no more splits now than I did with virgin hair and it has been lightened almost four levels. But if I wear it down a lot of try to straighten or blow dry it? No bueno.

 

See what works for you. You can always tweak down the road :)

That's encouraging! I am just adding color, not bleaching, so hopefully not a big deal. It's healthy so far, shoulder length, so I can probably keep it that way since I generally avoid heat styling, and with a little gentle handling.

 

One thing I remember liking when I had long hair before was a final rinse with apple cider vinegar (diluted in a lot of water, of course!). It made my hair feel so soft, I loved it! But my husband HATED the smell ( in the bathroom, not on my hair. Hair didn't smell at all once it dried). So I quit doing it. Does anyone know what it is about ACV that's good for hair, and if its effects can be replicated with a less smelly product?

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Vinegar rinses are lovely. Just use citric acid instead - I put about a teaspoon in a in of liter of water and dump away, and no smell. Just don't get it in your eyes :o

Edited by Arctic Mama
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Vinegar rinses are lovely. Just use citric acid instead - I put about a teaspoon in a in of liter of water and dump away, and no smell. Just don't get it in your eyes :o

 

 

This is great - I did not know about this.  And it looks like it's pretty widely available and inexpensive.  Yay!

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"I love Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum" I was in the locker room at the pool the other day and a woman with thin short hair raved about this. I haven't tried it yet. 

My hair has been down below my knees at times in my life, cut short and scorched by perms, layered and shoulder length, and now back down to the middle of my back "virgin" hair going silver. I swim 3x a week. This is rough on the hair even though the pool is a combo chlorine/salt mix. I use argan oil after every shower, always condition even if it leaves my hair limp, and live with split ends because that is what my hair does. Shampoos are really specific to hair type. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. Also, after a certain length,  I find it essential to braid my hair otherwise it gets caught on door knobs and shopping carts.

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"I love Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Serum" I was in the locker room at the pool the other day and a woman with thin short hair raved about this. I haven't tried it yet. 

My hair has been down below my knees at times in my life, cut short and scorched by perms, layered and shoulder length, and now back down to the middle of my back "virgin" hair going silver. I swim 3x a week. This is rough on the hair even though the pool is a combo chlorine/salt mix. I use argan oil after every shower, always condition even if it leaves my hair limp, and live with split ends because that is what my hair does. Shampoos are really specific to hair type. What works for one will not necessarily work for another. Also, after a certain length,  I find it essential to braid my hair otherwise it gets caught on door knobs and shopping carts.

 

 

The worst hair damage I've ever had was from the semester-long swimming class I took one year at college.  It was bad!  I learned *later* from a friend that because your hair absorbs a lot of water (almost like a sponge) when you get it wet, you should wet it thoroughly with normal tap water first.  Then apply conditioner, then put on a swim cap.  I wasn't doing any of those things, I was just jumping right in.  

 

Lots of people seem to love argan oil.  I'll have to try it!

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