Out of control hair, wisdom needed..

[smee]

Just posted this in chat, but Kreecher told me to hot foot it over here.

I lost lots/ most of my hair last year due to chemotherapy and it's grown back incredibly curly. Great to have hair back, but am not at all sure what to do with it. There's lots of it - looks mad. It's about 3 inches long and sticks out everywhere. It laughs in the face of all and any hair gel and spikes up out the back if I wrap a headband/ scarf round it. Is there anything I can do to relax the curls/ straighten it a bit to make it manageable? Any ideas welcomed.

I don't know about making it straighter but Aveda Be Curly works to control the curl a bit or you can use a little bit of conditioner as hair cream - this works just about as well.

I love mad curly hair though, so that might be less than helpful!

I spent years and years taming and yuko-ing my lovely curly hair.

I now do curly girl (next to no shampooing and if I do it's non sulfate and paraben) method and my hair has never looked better. People have stopped me to ask about it.

I also never style it or dry with with heat and the only styling aids I buy is Boots curl creme and argan oil.

The curly hair method will over time encourage your curls and leave it in nice, distinct clumps (doesn't sound nice but curly hair people will know what I mean)

Curly hair (even mad curly hair) cut well is so youthful. There's something about volume and shine and movement that really lifts a face.

I let it dry naturally and inbetween shampooing with non silicone conditioners I just run wet fingers through it.

You need a good structured cut (although you don't have to get it cut all the time as the curl stops it growing out quickly) and if not long, something longer at the sides than the back can work well.

And good luck with your recovery!

Thank you JJ and otchayaniye - might well try that Aveda JJ, though I'd bet the Boots curl creme is cheaper. Have never even heard of argan oil..