Ladies (& Gents?),  

I am the newb here. After several days poring over your questions and answers, I think I've come up with a starter plan to healthier, longer hair. Your suggestions, warnings, and general input are what I'm looking for with this thread.

Maybe it would be helpful to provide a glimpse of where I'm starting. I'm 46, my hair has thinned over the years...but at least I still have it. As shown in my avatar, my shoulder length locks are moderately wavy and especially drier about the temples. Are gray hairs inherently drier?

The plan is: One drop of jojoba (temples and below) brushed through nightly at bedtime, tie a loose high ponytail or rope. One CWC shampoo per week. C-Suave Humectant, W-Redken Densify, C-Redken Finish Up. Any other "needed washings" shall be Redken Finish Up.

I don't suppose I'm looking for product reviews as much as I'm wondering about the wisdom of this approach. I understand everyones' scalp, and hair is different and that experiment is key. Yet, if you have any insights to add...please shoot 'em my way.

Thanks, hairapparent

Welcome and thanks for your participation in the forum!  You may or may not be aware that the conditioners and shampoo you have chosen have cones (silicone) in them.  This can be good and bad for your hair.  Silicones cover the strands of hair and make them more protected (good).  But they can also keep out needed moisture (bad).  They tend to mask damage (good). But you don't know if your hair is really healthy (bad).  They can make your hair appear thicker (good).  But can keep your hair from really strengthening itself (bad).  

Personally, I found that going "cone" free and taking the vitamin Biotin helped my hair.  At first it was not good, because I saw the damage I had been masking.  But as time went on, my hair got healthier and happier.

Other folks like cones.  So you have to see for yourself what works and what doesn't.  Just my suggestion.  Oh, and by the way, be sure you cover your hair when you ride that bike!  Wind ruins hair!

Kathy explains the pros/cons to -cones very well.  I might add, that if you think you prefer to use the -cone products, just add a vinegar rinse to your routine (between the shampoo and conditioner) after a few shampoos.  I found that when shampooing daily, a weekly vinegar rinse worked well.  When I increased the length of time between shampoos, I could also stretch out the time between the vinegar rinses.  (A splash of vinegar in a 2 liter bottle of water would probably be a good amount for you to pour over your hair.)

Kathy,

I'll be darned, the Redken Densify shampoo does in fact contain Polysilicone-8. Good catch. I can't for the life of me find -cones in the conditioners, however. Obviously, I will need to start taking a magnifying glass to the store. I will give the Biotin a shot too. How much do you take, if I may ask?

So, given that I'm covered in -cones, would this be a good time to clarify with an ACV/water solution and start fresh? Maybe the baking soda and shampoo technique? Any other suggestions? This brings up a couple new questions: When clarifying, should I turn up the heat a bit to strip all the gunk out, or am I better off sticking with a cool - lukewarm shower? Lastly, does it take a number of cleanings to rid one's head of cones? How can you tell whether you've gotten it all?

As for riding, there's no denying the risk of wind damage. Although there's no sensation like the wind blowing through your hair, it just isn't worth it. I wear a helmet and at least two ponytail holders.

Thank you,
hairapparent

A little Google search suggests that Polysilicone-8 is water soluble. So...(thinking out loud) if water dissolves it...what does Polysilicone-8 do?

When the silicone is water soluable, it is less likely to build up on the hair.  It will wash out with the next shampooing.  The vinegar rinse will ensure that other product is not building up on the hair.  Many will notice a difference after just one rinsing.  

I'm not a big advocate of the baking soda clarifing - I think it is a bit harsh and REALLY dries the hair.  A good conditioning is a must after that type of clarifying.

Glad to hear you are a helmet wearer!  I like to have my long hair friends around a loooonnnnngggg time, and have them have enough brain power to know what is going on around them.  (Brain damage is not a fun thing).

Good luck with your new routine.  Let us know how it is working.  I am also glad you keep that head covered.

The advice and encouragement I've received here my first week has been incredibly valuable. Thank you all. I have begun a Personal Hair Journal to track my experiences. I welcome any and all input.

As a rider, I support an individual's right to choose whether to wear a helmet. I would choose to wear a protective lid even if it weren't Missouri law.

hairapparent

hairapparent wrote on Oct 26^th, 2006 at 10:50pm:

As a rider, I support an individual's right to choose whether to wear a helmet. I would choose to wear a protective lid even if it weren't Missouri law. hairapparent

Good for you!  :)