My hair is so wrecked it makes a crunching sound

[SayMama]

I've not treated my hair very well the past few years. I wash and blow dry it 5/6 days out of 7 (it's very fine and greasy, looks awful if it's not freshly washed) and, due to not much money and huge aversion to going to the hairdressers, I've been cutting it myself the past year or so (thank you MN haircut!)

It's in pretty bad condition. I've tried to do some damage control, bought some of that Superdrug coconut oil (didn't do much despite slathering it on every other night and leaving it overnight) and I've just bought some heat defence spray.

The ends look awful, all frazzled and make a horrid crunchy sound if you play with it. Is their anything I can do to avoid chopping it? I've finally got it to a length I like!

My hair had a bit of a mishap this year and I use Elasticizier by Philip Kingsley to try to get some life back into it. I got it from John Lewis.

It really does something! It was quite expensive (for me) but I have really found it was worth it.

I'd stop washing it every day, maybe try washing it every other and use dry shampoo if you think it looks flat. The heat and over washing really does affect your hair majorly.

I would second the elastiziser and not washing it every day.
If you could find some extra cash, I would see if you could manage a trip to the hairdresser or see if you can find a local mobile hairdresser to come to you.

Mine was like that, crispy and fried! I stopped using shampoo with silicones, it took about a month but now it is blummin lovely if I do say so myself. Putting coconut oil on (as I did for months) won't do anything if you hair is basically varnished. Mine was varnished and cooked on with the straightners. I reckon do a clarifying treatment, switch to silicone free shampoo, get a cut and then do a coconut oil treatment after a few weeks.

Ok I see I'm going to have to sabe some pennies for elasticizer and swallow some brave pills and go to the hair dresser I don't know what it is about them, I just feel so darn uncomfortable and embarrassed having my hair cut!

janmoomoo Can I ask, what shampoos do you recommend that are silicone free?

Thank you everyone who replied!

OP maybe find a local college near you and see if they have a hair and beauty salon and get your hair cut there to save some pennies. It may mean that you have to be flexible with how long it might take etc but if you can do that then maybe give it a whirl.

I use ojon shampoo and that has really helped mine. Has meant I don't need to wash it as often too which is also helping