support/suggestions... cut or not?

Edit: I'm going to add some pix of the damaged hair in a reply.

Howdy.  I've arrived via google with a bit of a dilemma.

I'm 19 and have been growing my hair out for about 4 years now.  I try to get the ends trimmed off every 3-4 months because they split so easily.  I'm a little unsure of what to do with it lately though, because not only are about 2 inches of ends just fried, but the entire underlayer of my hair is destroyed (split ends, very thin).  In addition to that, due to experience with razored layers from years and years ago, the very front pieces of my hair are also very damaged.  Thin pieces of new growth at the front are finally at my chin, but they are very dry and the ends are also split.  I have NO idea what to do with this mess. 

I suffer from frizzy/poofy waves at this length and it doesn't air-dry very well at all.  I usually wear it up in a ponytail/bun or blow dry (as little as possible). 

This is from April:

Here are a few others:

June http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4312506&a=31 798599&p=72056689
October http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4312506&a=31 933397&p=73029926

What I'm thinking is that I need to get the ends trimmed off again and may possibly have to cut long bangs (a bit above my chin) to fix all the damage at the front... but I have no idea what to do about underneath.  I won't be getting anything done until just before Christmas, but I've been trying to find a solution for about a month now.  Obviously I'd rather just not cut at all, but the split ends are just atrocious.

So... I don't really know what I'm asking here to tell the truth.  I just know that I don't receive any help at any of the other (general) messageboards I go to.  If my fellow long-haired freaks (it's a term of endearment ) have anything to contribute, I would certainly appreciate it.  Thanks.

Your hair looks great in the pictures! But of course we can't see splits, etc..  Bet a few inches trimmed if you think it's necessary.

Do you live close to a George Michael salon (specializes in long hair)? They will do a split-end trim where they carefully look for splits and trim them (takes about 45 minutes when I go). They also offer a special one hour conditioning treatment that is the best. If you can find a GM salon, it's worth the trip. (I go to one about twice a year. It's about a 1.5 hour drive for me.) You will feel a lot better about your hair when you walk out after a few hours of "hair pampering"

I have no idea what happend to the under layer of my hair... my hair isn't even layered, so it's not like it's exposed or anything.  I haven't died my hair for over five years, and it's growing in lighter now than I used to dye it.  And I don't really wear it down a lot at all.  It's in two french braids right now.

Unfortunately if I want to keep my hair long, I can't cut 100% of the damage out because the damage that's underneath starts right at my neck and goes the whole way down.  Although it is just a very thin layer of growth that is wrecked: mostly the hair growing right from the top of my neck.

Also unfortunate is the fact that there are no spectacular salons in my area.  Not that I know of anyway.  The last hairdresser I went to couldn't even trim my hair straight and there are still longer pieces here and there. 

Hair routine... ack.  It's not great as I don't have a lot of hair product, but here goes:

Wash with some kind of shampoo (currently Life brand banana scented) every 1-2 days.

Condition probably 2-3 minutes with Dove moisturing condition.

I use Herbal Essences leave-in conditioner to comb out the knots. (One thing I miss about short hair: no knots!)  I've had to use more and more of this over time.  And I can't find another brand that I like.

Then I usually throw it up in a ponytail with goody ouchless elastics and wrap it up in a bun (otherwise my shirt gets soaked).

If I blowdry, I use Garnier Fructis Long & Strong anti-split ends serum and a Physique straightening blow dryer...something about ions.  I don't have a straightening iron anymore.  I have so much hair now that my natural curl has more or less pulled itself right out.

So...that's about it?  I'm not sure if that helps at all, haha.

Since that picture doesn't demonstrate the damage underneath, here are a few pictures.

The braids had been in for about 24 hours, but I rebraided the long part 2-3 times in class that day.  All of the damage from underneath is what is coming out from the braids:

And here are a few during air-drying post-wash/condition/comb:

I just looooove my hair when it's long.  I found a whole bunch of pictures I have over the time I've been growing them out and I can't really imagine going back... so I guess I better go find some scissors and get rid of some split ends... and maybe make one more appt. at the hairdresser for Christmas time.

You'd be surprised how STRONG fabric scrunchies are. As a general rule: the bigger the hair tie, the less damage.

The other thing you can do is spending only an extra 5 minutes if you can, to squeeze your pony in a towel to get as much water out as possible. I understand this is difficult because you shower in the morning, but if you can shift your schedule and spare only 5 extra minutes for squeezing excess water, it will make a difference.

HTH
Anais

Weeeeell... for awhile I was using a comb in the shower when I had conditioner in my hair because otherwise I couldn't get ANYTHING through it.

And then I kind of got lazy and was using a brush...

But I got a comb a few days ago.  It does really work a loooot better.  I'm finding my leave-in isn't really working as well as it used to though.  Could be my hair though, I suppose.  I have Herbal Essences leave-in, and haven't been able to find another one.  I might actually have to go into a salon to find something else if I want it that bad.

Suggestions?  But of course... wouldn't be here if I wasn't.  Thanks for the link.