When I first went natural I went around the Internet soaking up every bit of natural advice that I could get my hands on. In particular there was one forum discussion about length retention in which a woman was discussing her two cousins who were sisters: one with coarse and the other with fine hair. The coarse-haired sister had no problem growing her hair while using a regimen of frequent protective styling, while the fine-haired sister had to treat her hair like a delicate piece of antique lace in order to grow and retain her length.
I’m not saying that coarse-haired naturals manhandle their hair like it’s a lasso in a rodeo, but I have found that being as gentle as possible with my fine strands has been key in growing and retaining my length on my natural journey.
December 2010
Coarser hair can definitely withstand more manipulation with less risk of breakage than fine hair, simply because the strand is more substantial. It’s like the difference between wearing sheer panty hose and, say and opaque footed tights. The sheer panty hose you can put a run in with a simple snag of a hangnail while the tights you can handle a bit more because they are built more durably. (Yes, the tights will run too, but it will take more work)
Here are three things you can make sure you’re doing daily to make sure you’re taking care of your lace/sheer panty hose-like fine hair.
- Always wear protection: Protect your delicate strands while you sleep from tugging on a cotton pillow case with a satin cap or a satin pillow case. Make sure you do this every night. Not just the nights that you remember, but every night. I promise this will be worth your while in the long run!
- Keep your hands out of your head: That mindless pulling and twirling of your hair that you’re doing while you read hair blogs or working at your computer can really do a number to fragile strands. Leave them be or risk lots of snaps, crackles, and pops.
- Hydrate x 2: First off, hydrate your body from the inside out. Secondly, hydrate your strands with a good water and/or aloe based moisturizer. Dry hair is especially more brittle and thus susceptible to breakage. Imagine what sort of havoc dryness could risk on fine strands!!
*Now that we have the lace rule of thumb underneath our belts, next up in the series we’ve got POROSITY and FINE HAIR.*
Cassadie – thanks for your wonderful suggestions!
Can you please add hair coloring recommendations for fine hair? I too henna and indigo like Cheryl at Feb 09 10:08.
What can you recommend for color for those who don't want to rock a "little gray headband"?
glad you're enjoying the series all!
I'll definitely be sharing my favorite products in a post dedicated to JUST that. but first we've gotta get through the basics, such as porosity, because that plays a huge factor in what products may work best for you!
y'all so fiiiiiine 😀
Good article! I am def more gentle with the fine sections of my hair.
Hey Cassidy!
I was wondering if you could recommend some aloe/water-based products to use? And how often do you style your hair? Can you share your regimne with us? Great post! =]
What products are you using? Your hair looks so healthy and shiny! Please share 🙂
Great post!
*But I think that moisturizing 2 times a day and sealing with shea butter doesn't work for me!*
I am one year natural but I still haven't figured out my regimen because I have so many different textures and my strands are so fine. But I think that moisturizing and sealing with shea butter. I don't know if it's true but fine hair seems to tangle easier than coarse hair. I haven't retained a lot of length in one year but I guess it's normal. Great post Cassidy! Keep 'em coming 🙂
I loved the panty hose analogy too. I always thought it was the opposite that coarse hair was very delicate and because it looks tough we handle it tougher which is the wrong thing to do. It is good to know that coarse hair can withstand a little rougher care but that we care for it delicately. I'm trying to go the moisturizing, protective styles, and handling with extreme care route. Thank you for the article I'm loving CN it's getting better and better (It was good to begin with but man it's getting gooder and gooder). I know I like saying gooder from a commercial I saw.
Love the panty hose analogy! I am still laughing out loud at the fact that I was 'twirling' my hair while reading this post!
Cassidy!
I look forward to your "fine hair" posts! It is so great to have someone focus on this topic. As a fine haired transitioner (almost a year post) I like to do a LOT of different hairstyles, and the tips you have provided (esp. "Hydrate X2") are awesome. I have noticed a change in the texture and shine of my hair since upping my water intake.
Gracias!
http://adventuresinbayarealand.blogspot.com/
I have to say that I am a fine stranded natural but I find that regularly moisturising with water based moisturizers does me more harm than good. i've taken to once a week "sealing" with a shea butter mixture and then leaving my hair alone for the rest of the week in a protective style, i really works well.
as for keeping my hands out of my hair, that is something i'm still working on…
This was very helpful. I do have a finer texture of hair than most of the ladies I see in styling how-to videos. I have come to realize I have to be a lot more delicate with my hair than I am used to especially due to straightening and coloring. Moisture is the key!
Fine-hair natural here!!!! Can't wait for the next segment!!!
Good post. Even though my curls are kinky/coily/uber-tight, my strands are kind of fine and my hair breaks easily. I've noticed that when I'm not as careful w/my hair I have breakage so I definitely have to be careful and keep my hair as moisturized as humanly possible.
I understand. I have been doing a one step up and two steps back dance with my hair. I have been trying to grow it at least shoulder length fot two years now. At year one, I went for a trim and she did a hack job. I started all over again. I got it back to before she hacked it, then I did a Henna and Indigo treatment, 2x. I thought it was helping me, but in fact it made my hair so dry and brittle, that I lost several inches of hair. I've stopped the breakage and I am working on getting it back to it's pre-henna/indigo days. But here we go again, starting to grow it out again. So I know all too well how fine hair is delicate and is not easy to retain length without going the extra mile.
same here. i have medium strands and i feel as if i treat my hair very hamfisted, which is prolly why i don't do braid outs anymore. i need to touch my hair as little as possible.
Very good post.
LOL @ "I’m not saying that coarse-haired naturals manhandle their hair like it’s a lasso in a rodeo…”. This reminds me of myself!!!
My strands are very thick. And I have often found myself manhandling my hair. Lucky for me my hair can take a beating with little to no damage. But I have noticed that if I use some restraint my hair rewards me for it. Great article, loved the panty hose example.