As some of you know, I had my hair cut real short a few months ago. Current length: 3" ;D  For me, shorter hair dictates use of pomade or gel, in order to keep it in line. At first, I was shampooing and conditioning every day, figuring that I whatever damage I was doing to the ends would just get cut off in a few weeks anyway. Well, I haven't gotten it cut...not sure if I will either.

So my question is: With daily applications of (Crew) pomade, what should I be doing to my hair in the shower? ACV rinses? CO? Shampoo 1x/wk? The past week, I've been rinsing with warm water and conditioning, followed by cool rinse. My thought is that the initial warm water may help dissolve some of the hair product gunk. Any suggestions for maintaining healthy hair under these conditions? Or suggestions of alternatives?

Oh right, and I've continued using the jojoba (before applying pomade). I'm not even sure if it makes sense to do so. I feel like I'm shooting in the dark here. Your thoughts, as always, are appreciated.

Steve

Hey Steve!  Glad to see you haven't left us altogether.   :)
I'm certainly no expert, and I'm hoping some of the others will jump in with suggestions too.  But my first gut reaction is to get you away from the pomade.  --I'm about 50% health nut, and so I try to stay clear of as much chemicaled-up products as my budget will allow (which usually ain't as much as I'd like).  In other words, have you tried aloe vera gel instead of the pomade?  And if'n you do continue to use the pomade, I'd surely wash my hair at least every other day--and do a vinegar rinse at least once a week.  *shrug*  Just my two cents worth.  Take care!   8-)

Hi Steve!  Trisha's suggestion of using aloe vera gel is a good one! I use it to tame my hair.  I was thinking maybe you could use shea butter, just a little bit. As for washing...I understand shorter hair needs to be washed more.  Try using diluting your shampoo with water.  I hope this helps and great to have you back!  :-* :)

Hi Trisha,

Great to hear from you. Aloe vera gel, eh? I'll look for it. The pomades that I've been using are actually my son's leftovers. He's away at college, and has since buzzed his hair...so, y'know, he wasn't going to use it. As I'm sure I've already mentioned, I'm not a fan of any hair goop, as a rule. But, if I gotta use something, I want it to have the least destructive impact on my hair. Your input is appreciated.

Steve

Lisabelle wrote on Mar 15^th, 2007 at 11:34am:

Hi Steve!  Trisha's suggestion of using aloe vera gel is a good one! I use it to tame my hair.  I was thinking maybe you could use shea butter, just a little bit. As for washing...I understand shorter hair needs to be washed more.  Try using diluting your shampoo with water.  I hope this helps and great to have you back!  :-* :)

Lisabelle,

Hmmm, shea butter? Thanks. I'll pick up some of that too and see which my hair prefers.

As for shampooing shorter hair more frequently; ya think? I just assumed that hair is hair is hair, and that regardless the length, it's going to get just as dirty. Furthermore, if I'm shampooing more often, even diluted, am I not subjecting my hair my to unnecessary wear and tear? Obviously, if I were going to get my hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks, then frequent washings would have less noticeable impact. As it stands at the moment, I'm leaning toward reclaiming my length, and then some.

I don't know...I'm just brainstorming here. What do you think of my theory on the subject? Thanks for chiming in.

Steve

Hey Steve!  My take on your situation - daily shampooing can be drying, but as your hair is short, it probably isn't getting overly tangled, so as long as you use a conditioner to get the moisture back to your hair, that should help.  As you hair gets longer, though, you should try to reduce the frequency of your shampooing.

I also agree that aloe vera gel can work well in place of pomade or other hair gels.  Be sure to use on that does not have alcohol in it (which would be drying).

Good luck!

You ladies keep me on the path to healthier hair. I appreciate all the assistance and your patience.

As my hair grows, I'm already starting to see those little awkward areas; tiny flip in back, wispy wings at the temples. I look forward to trying your suggestions to keep them under control.

My girlfriend works at Sally Beauty Supply. She was going to pick up some aloe vera gel for me on her day off (today), but believes theirs has alcohol. Timely addition bikerbraid. So...maybe Whole Foods or something similar? I haven't found shea butter yet.

Thanks again.
Steve

Hi Steve!  I use the Jason aloe vera gel, found at health food stores.  As for the shea butter, try the ethnic/Afro american hair section in drugstores or and Afro American hair supply shop.   :)

Excellent, Lisabelle.  :)

Wal Mart carries (or used to) a good alcohol-free brand of aloe vera gel called Fruit of the Earth.   :)  

Thanks again, Trisha. No offense to you or anyone else, but I avoid WalMart and Sam's purely on principle.

Did I need to include that? No, but I'm feeling rather chatty today. ::)

Still, I'll keep an eye out for Fruit of the Earth elsewhere.

Steve

Steve;
I have found Fruit of the Earth at Target and Ulta (a beauty and hair salon type store).  I'm sure you'll be able to find it somewhere other than the "evil" Wal-mart or Sam's (I don't shop at either of them myself for probably the same reasons you don't 8-) )

Bikerbraid,

I'll check Target.
Your bun is gorgeous! You got some sheen goin' on, girl. Yeah, I'm jealous.

Steve

:)  Thank you Steve.  Cameras can do wonders!

Chatty,Steve?  Me,too!  I don't go to Wal-Mart either based on principal,treatment of humanity or lack of it from the "powers that be" at Wal-Mart...............

Hey Curlgirl!

Fight the Power!

I've been on this soapbox elsewhere many times already. Again, it's not my intention to offend.

What I realize is that:
In many small towns, WalMart has destroyed the competition; alternatives don't always exist.
Cheap is attractive.
WalMart is convenient.

But, I live in St. Louis; alternatives abound. I offset the somewhat higher costs (of doing business with local shops) to my wallet by buying less crap. I could go on...but I won't. Anyone who hasn't yet seen Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, might consider renting it. I seriously doubt Wally World sells it.

So, I checked two Targets for "Fruit of the Earth" aloe vera gels...no luck. I've just gone to the FOTE website, and they list a "100% Aloe Vera Gel," described as, "Moisturizing Therapy for Dry, Irritated Skin." No haircare products that I've seen. Is this the same stuff you ladies were talking about? I might have been in the wrong aisle, huh?

Coincidently, while I was perusing the shelves, my girlfriend called and did find an alcohol-free gel at Sally's. Woo-hoo!

Nevertheless, I like to keep my options open, so if anyone can clear up my confusion about the "Fruit of the Earth" product that would be awesome. I did see JASON products at a health food place, but again, no hair gel.  :-[

Steve

Yes, Steve, the FOTE gel you saw is probably the same stuff.  You would find it with body lotions, skin care, or the sun burn remedies.  It is a clear gel.  They also have a green gel, but other than today (St Patrick's Day), I wouldn't recommend the green stuff on your hair.  It would remind me too much of the snot green brassy hair I used to have from swimming outdoors in pools with bromide and chlorine.  ;D

Thanks ;)

Hey Steve,
I'm with ya,Fight the Power!!  I'm from a big place,too and know what you mean.