Hey everyone. I'm new to these forums and I have a couple questions that I hope you can all help me with.

So, I've been reading a lot about how washing your hair everyday is very bad for it, and can cause a lot of damage and dryness. My hair has been pretty dry for as long as I can remember.. because I've been washing it pretty much everyday for almost my entire life. Now, I've been reading about people who only "wash" there hair with water, or even just conditioner once in a while. I've tried the water only method, but I had to stop because I had to return to work, and I just didn't see how I could possibly be working with my hair looking the way it did. I managed to keep up with the water only washing for.. I think it was 16 or so days. But.. in order for it to work, you have to stick with it for a month (even two months for some people) by that time, your scalp adjusts to the changes, and doesn't produce as much sebum which allows you to go longer without washing your hair. Is there another approach I can take to doing this? Or someway that I can hide the greasiness in the meantime? I can't wear hats, or scarves or anything to work so that won't help at all. I also tried washing my hair with baking soda & apple cider vinegar yesterday. I haven't taken a shower yet today, and my hair looks noticably cleaner than if I would have done my CO washings. Of course it's only been a day since I've tried it so I'm not getting my hopes up. Would this be a good approach?

Ok, I have ONE more question. Um.. I want to start growing my hair out really long, but instead of cutting off the damage now, and having to deal with short hair for a while.. couldn't I just trim the ends every month or so until the new growth comes in and pushes down the old growth allowing me to get rid of the frizziness and split ends? Is that a reasonable way to do it or am I better off just cutting all of the damage off now instead of gradually? I still want to just cut off however much is necessary each month or two, but if the damage just travels up to the root, it might not work. I am going to start taking hair vitamins as well (I know it won't help my already damaged hair but it should definitely help the new growth that will come in)

Anyway, sorry for the long post.. and I hope I explained everything clearly enough.

Hi and welcome, Primula.  When you wash everyday with shampoo, are you following it with a conditioner?  It is important to condition every time you wash, and condition from the ears down so your scalp doesn't get too greasy.
Some people who have oily scalp also have dry ends.  You can wash everyday, as long as the shampoo you're using isn't too harsh and you condition every time.
Midnight Angel washes her hair every day and it looks great.  I wash my hair every other or every 2 days, I have dry skin, scalp and hair.

About your second question, it is really a personal choice.  It can be very hard emotionally to go for the big chop and start growing long from fresh ends.  The thing is that damaged hair has to be cut off, the damage will travel up the hair shaft and cause tangles and more breakage.  It is because of that reason that I cut off all the damage when I started growing my hair out, what? 4 years now? and for me it was the right decision.

I personally think taking vitamins is a good thing for overall health.

Please be sure to introduce yourself in the New Members section!

This post should really be moved to the Introductions forum.

Anyway, greetings and welcome aboard, Primula...interesting screen name. You either have a fondness for Latin diminutives or primrose plants. ;)

*ahem* In regards to your questions, it is absolutely critical to begin the long hair journey without damage. And yes, that may mean being a shorthair for awhile. Most of the members here have had shorter hair than they would've liked in order to have healthier hair. It's a temporary phase.
   So yes, my advice is cut now and grow from there, making sure to get regular trims afterward.

As for washing, how often is up to you. Whenever your hair needs it, go for it. The idea of shampoo causing damage is absolute folly. So long as you're using a shampoo that is gentle and tailoured to your hair type, there's really no harm done.
   As Sakina mentioned, the top half of my hair gets washed every single day. I use the CWC (condition, wash, condition) method pretty much every other day. That's where you apply a light conditioner from the ears down, shampoo from the ears up and rinse both out at the same time, then use a regular conditioner. It keeps the ends of my hair from becoming too dried out.
   But I also wash the entire length of my hair 2-3 times per week.

You mentioned that your hair is dry. As in all over or just at the ends? If it's dry all over, you could probably get away with alternating between COW's (conditioner-only washes) and CWC's...and perhaps putting a day or 2 between hair washes. My hair isn't dry all over, so I'm just guessing here. ::) It's basically about doing whatever your hair needs.

Anyway, lovely to meet you and I hope you like it here. :)

My hair is pretty much dry everywhere.. especially the ends. The roots are pretty greasy as well as my side bangs after just a day of not washing it.  I have been doing CO washes for quite a few weeks now. My hair is a little less dry using that than when I used shampoo.. and my hair doesn't tangle as easily anymore either.. but besides that nothing else has changed too much. I really dread having to cut my hair (again) it's just a little past shoulder length now. But oh well.

Welcome Primula!  I'm glad you joined us here.

Increasing the amount of time between shampoos is something that takes time.  I went from daily to once a week shampooing, but it took me months to get my scalp adjusted.  If that is what you want to do, try not washing on weekends to start, then skip a day during the week.  After several weeks (or months) skip another day.  If you feel your hair needs to be washed, on a "non wash" day, try using just a light conditioner and rinsing.  Most conditioners have some cleaning properties.

As for the dry hair - join the crowd - mine is very dry (and fine).  I use jojoba oil on the ends of my hair to give it moisture.  During the winter I oil my hair nightly.  It takes just a tiny bit of oil to help keep the hair in good condition.  You might also try leaving a small amount of conditioner on the ends (NOT the scalp of course).

Removing the damage eventually will be necessary.  If you can't handle a big cut, then try trimming 1/2  - 1 inch every 6 weeks until it is health.  During that time be sure to check for split ends and remove those as well, keeping in mind all your hair is not one length and the splits can be anyhwere!

Good luck with reaching your hair goals!  

Welcome,Primula!  Enjoy the boards here.  Happy growing!

Thanks for all of your advice everyone, and for your welcomings. =] I'll try out some different things and see what happens.

Welcome and Happy Growing! :)

Welcome PRIMULA :)

welcome!   :)