Most of my life people have recognized me by my hair, over my name. Having been sick almost all my life - my hair is the only part of my body which works well, which is admired by other people and cherished beyond all reason by me.

If I knew how to put up a photo of it I would. The only pics I have are on my own computer and somehow I can't seem to post those as avatars. Maybe they're too large? Maybe because they don't have their own URL?

My hair is thinning these days, but still considered thick by standards of my age (I'm 50) and loosely curly all the way to the ends by any standard. It's blonde by choice with streaks of white (not grey - seemed to have skipped that stage) running through it. I'm 5'7" and I can sit on the edges of my hair - though not by choice as I don't want to damage the ends.

I never, ever put a comb or brush through it - my beloved spouse finger picks it out every night and I wear it in a single braid at night, taking it out to massage my scalp and putting it back into a single or double braid.

I'm currently looking for ways to get my hair safely through the change - as menopause is on the nearby horizon. I know myself well enough to know that I will continue to bleach it - so not doing that isn't on the table. But, the following is my regime and I'm open for suggestions and advice:

I wash it three times a week with terrax shampoo and creme conditioner (left in for five minutes). I alternate shampoos and conditioners as my hair requires - usually three/four times a year. After I gently squeeze dry - never towel rub) I put on either BedHead leave in or Chrome leave in conditioner.

Once a month I use a Vit E/Olive Oil condition from ears to ends - wrap for an hour and gently wash.

My hair is dry, but in pretty good condition. I have split ends, but you have to hunt for them. I've colored and trimmed my own hair since 1986. I will never, ever, ever, allow anyone to approch me with a pair of hair cutting sizzors.

Well - that's me in a folicle - saying hi and looking forward to any and all ideas for this ol' girl to keep her hippy roots - literally.

with love;

Shai

Welcome to our community, Shai  Your hair sounds gorgeous! And your spouse must be a real special someone to care for your hair that way.

If you explore some of our recent threads, you might find some new ideas to try: oiling, the COW-C wash method, shampoo bars, CO, etc... we've got oodles of resources in the Abbreviations and FAQ sticky thread. If you find things you're interested in trying, give 'em a shot one at a time and see how your hair responds.

Brightest blessings
Anais

Such a warm welcome - thanx!

My spouse and I are planning to get out the camera to take some shots this weekend. I realized all my pics were old - several inches old.

We took measurements last night and my hair is 41 1/2 inches - not streched, just laying by itself. I'm so disappointed, I was hoping for 50 inches. It looks like it could be 50 inches - maybe if I stretched all the curl out of it, but alas, I won't do that.

I've been making the FAQ a daily habit and finding lots of ideas. I can't bare the thought that when the estrogen leaves so will a goodly portion of my tresses. I can't really tell on the genetic side what's in store as everyone above me passed from once kind of cancer of another before the age of 71. They'd all lost their hair to chemo years before that.

On the supplement front, I've started taking MSM, silica, cal/mag. zinc and the b's. Please forgive me if this isn't the correct forum or thread for this statement. But I'm still looking for whatever I can that will strengthen my roots, lengthen my growth time with each folicle and banish the splits.

Those of you who have pics of your locks up - wow!!! Such beautiful hair! It's more than heaven can allow to find a group of people who are as obsessive over their hair as I am. There's no way to explain this to some folk. Thank the goddess I married well.

Shai

Hi!

your hair sounds gorgeous!

Shai, you're hair sounds wonderful. 

I join everyone else who would love to see a picture.  (she says, despite never having posted one of herself... ) 

Long may it continue growing

Hi Shai, and welcome.
Your hair sounds great.  Count me in as one who would love to see it.
It sounds like you are already getting some good ideas on hair care.  I think you came to the right place for help and support.  Good luck and keep us posted.
Katie