Care Regime Suggestions for Fine Hair

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this board but have always had some length of long hair, although never as long as I would like since I've been an adult.

This is a short recount of my hair history: I had waistlength or longer hair that has always been baby fine until I was about 10 when I became very sick for the next 9 years or so.  During this time, my hair became thinner, finer, brittle, etc so my mom cut it to BSL and then forced me to perm it, thinking that would add volume.  Of course, it was as fragile as my health, so it broke off horribly, etc and didn't have the ability to grow back well.

Now that I'm an adult, my health problems have improved and my hair is once again healthy and able to grow although it is very very fine and somewhat thin (but not balding or wispy thin).  It doesn't appear to grow because the ends were constantly breaking off so three months ago I cut off 5" (gasp! I know) of wispy uneven ends that made it look ragged. However, since I cut it I have 3 months of healthy grow and beautiful ends with no breakage.  I got ahead of the damage so that now it all looks great.  I only use a blowdryer in the winter because of work but other than that no heat styling tools are used. 

My hair is currently 22" but I'm 5' 8" with a long, thin neck so it doesn't even reach BSL. My goal is small of my back or at least past the bottom of my bra strap.  I'm currently an everyday washer-I never thougth about this being bad for my hair-and I want to go to as infrequent a schedule as I can.  Right now if I don't wash my hair everyday, it is a grease ball by 10AM.  It's so fine that the oil just overwhelms it.  I realize that the frequent washing can contribute to the oily state it's in.

Today I did my first CO wash and my hair was still squeaking clean when I rinsed it out.  I couldn't believe it. 

I welcome any suggestions you have for shampoo and conditioner products, both natural and commerical, to put my hair in the best possible shape and allow me to start a successful transistion to less frequent washing and longer locks!

Thanks!

Hey JerCat - I like your name! I'd say keep trying CO and see if it works for you. My fine hair really hates shampoo. Also, comb VERY gently starting from the bottom and working carefully up the length. Use up-dos to protect your hair whenever possible. As for products, I like Giovanni direct leave in, Aveda products, coconut oil, and a nice carrot seed oil spray made for the face (but great in the hair) by Burt's Bees. Hope that helps!

Greetings and welcome, JerCat!  Thank you for sharing your hair history with us.

JerCat wrote: I welcome any suggestions you have for shampoo and conditioner products, both natural and commerical, to put my hair in the best possible shape and allow me to start a successful transistion to less frequent washing and longer locks!

While I don't have specific product recommendations, you could try diluting your shampoo in an (otherwise) empty plastic bottle (a used-up shampoo bottle works well).  Also, try gradually stretching the interval between one wash to the next.  This may allow your scalp to adjust to being cleaned less frequently, and over time it may take longer to accumulate oils.  Some people swear by BBB (boar bristle brushes) on thoroughly-detangled hair, to move the sebum from the scalp through the strands.

Just a few ideas which might help...