My hair feels like it's got PVA glue in it

[MyFuckingHair]

Not entirely sure whether this is a Health or a Style & Beauty issue really but I'm so fucked off with my hair and thought I'd see if any of you have ever had anything like this and if you've any advice.

So for the past five years, every six months or so, my hair will suddenly go from healthy and glossy, to a weird 'gluey' texture overnight. It usually lasts about a week and during that time, it doesn't matter how many times I wash my hair, it doesn't get any less weirdly textured. In fact, it seems to make it worse. I can't even pull a brush through it when it is like it. It looks frizzy and feels greasy. When I run my hands through my hair afterwards, my skin feels sticky somehow. If I try to wash it again, it's like the shampoo refuses to foam up.

And then it will go fine again for another 6 months to a year. In fact, I get frequent compliments on how healthy/ long/ thick my hair looks (ironic!)

But it's happening again and I am SO fed up with it. My hair isn't coloured and aside from shampoo and infrequently, conditioner, I don't use any products on it.

What is wrong with me? Help me MN It's particularly bad at this time of year when I can't cover my hair with a hat.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I think you need a clarifying shampoo to use evey couple of weeks.

My hair does the same and I suddenly remembered clarifying shampoo today. I couldn't find any early when I was shopping, I'll have to look tomorrow .

[MyFuckingHair]

Do you have one you'd recommend Dame?

Honestly, I'd spend any amount at this point to stop this happening.

[MyFuckingHair]

p.s. really nice to hear from somebody whose hair does the same. I told a friend of mine about this and she looked at me like I was an alien.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

No, it only occurred to me today that I needed it I'll have a look on Boots tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

stylecaster.com/beauty/what-is-clarifying-shampoo/

Sounds like us, doesn't it?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Just had a Google and apparently Vosene is a clarifying shampoo!

[MyFuckingHair]

Vosene? That's a shocker!

That link it great - interesting that it mentions swimming pools. I spent half of last week in a swimming pool so perhaps that's why it's happened now. I need a new hair routine I think. A good shampoo for everyday use and then a clarifying one for once per week/ fortnight. I've got to find a solution, it's driving me up the wall.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I'm sure I've got some Vosene, I'll dig it out .

[MyFuckingHair]

Oooh, let me know how you get on. I just washed mine with tresemme and it feels el-mingo.

[SilentlyScreamingAgain]

Most kids' shampoos are good for this.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I haven't got vosene I just checked, will definitely get some tomorrow and report back!

Maybe baby shampoo would be good, hairdressers always say don't use it as it's stripping- just what we need!

[MyFuckingHair]

I wonder why they make baby shampoo to be so harsh? I'm going to buy some tomorrow

[mineofuselessinformation]

It's not harsh, it just doesn't have the silicon in it or the other 'products' that build up in your hair, which is why it washes it all out and doesn't replace it.

[MollHackabout]

My hair does exactly this every few months! I use Pantene clarifying shampoo for a few washes and it sorts itself out.

[MyFuckingHair]

I'm so glad that I started this thread. I genuinely thought that my hair might be too idiosyncratic for help. Out of interest, if your hair is like this, why do you think it is like it?

I've alternately wondered whether i'm not washing shampoo out thoroughly enough, whether my hormones are raging or whether it is somehow stress related? I rinse my hair loads so i'm thinking it can't be that but maybe...anyway, interested to hear your thoughts.

[ChishandFips33]

I have fine hair too and wash it every day or it's lank.

Every week/few days I use baby shampoo (and wash twice) purely because as someone said it hasn't got silicone in so I feel it strips the build up off without damaging my hair - cue swishy soft hair again (I follow with aussie conditioner that does have silicone in!)

If I don't do this I get your symptoms so think it's the 'cones' building up and drying my hair out as it prevents conditioner getting through my theory anyway

I tried completely 'cone' free but my hair can't cope,no matter how long I stick it out for

[MyFuckingHair]

Right, I've been out and spent about £30 (normal for some I know, but I've never pampered my hair). £20 on Moroccanoil clarifying shampoo, £2 on baby shampoo and some Aussie deep conditioner.

I've just washed with the baby shampoo and it's feeling better than it did yesterday. It's not fully dry yet though - the test will be what it looks/ feels like when it's dry. I let it air dry so I'll let you in a few hours!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Oh wow, I've never spent that on shampoo

I haven't got anything yet, I'll go into town on Friday .

[mrsfluffytail]

I get this a lot. Tresemme deep cleansing works well but I find my scalp gets dry and flakey. I've been using body shop ginger shampoo for a long time which solved the problem until now.

Recently, the sticky feeling has started to build up again and I bought loreal extraordinary clay masque and shampoo. I used it for the first time tonight and my hair feels transformed - really soft and silky and my scalp isn't clogged at all. I'd really recommend trying it- half price in boots right now.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I tried that clay shampoo and it was dire for my hair, I flung it after one use. Although Tresemme is great it makes my scalp itchy and flaky

Getting vosene tomorrow!

[Cakescakescakes]

I had exactly this when BF and pregnant on and off. It's hormonal. I tried everything (fairy liquid, vinegar, baby shampoo, clarifying shampoos, Tgel etc). The best I found was Redken Cleansing Cream. It's about £10 online or from a salon. I use it a couple of times in a row when I get a flare up and then once a week on an ongoing basis as it leaves my hair so swishy. Honestly it is 100 times better than anything else I tried to shift the waxy greasy clumps.

[TheCompanyOfCats]

T'is I, the OP (have NC'd and can't be arsed to change back).

I'm tempted by the clay masque but L'Oreal tends to bugger my hair up after a few washes. I just don't trust them.

That's interesting Cakes - that's what I always wonder: is it a build up of 'cones' (or whatever else is in shampoo), is it the water or it is a hormonal thing? Someone somewhere must have a definitive answer. It always seem to coincide with times of high-stress for me but that could be a coincidence. I'm not sure how stress could make my hair waxy (aside from the roots being oily - I can sort of understand that)?

Oh, and the baby shampoo experiment is v,v,v,v,v successful thus far. Nice soft locks today.

[tessiegirl]

Have had this - try WASHING UP LIQUID!!!!! Honestly, it works! Lather the washing up liquid on hair, rinse then shampoo as normal

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I think it's a build up of cones too as I use loads of products to tame my mop.

I've got Vosene and if that doesn't work I'll try washing up liquid!

[BareFacedKitty]

Alberto balsam tea tree worked for me ☺️