Long hair care

[Weirdfisher]

My teenage DD has very long hair. Recently is has become very dry. Would you be able to share your hair care routine so we can get her hair back to its best.
she is very worried she will have to cut it off, we are booking in for a cut, as I think that will help, but hope it will just be a trim.

Coconut or olive oil, saturate hair and sleep with it in overnight, shampoo out next day. I have elbow length hair naturally thick, coarse and dry and this works for me. I also use a bit of coconut oil when it's dry after styling to smooth it. I use Osmo Deep Moisture shampoo and conditioner but I only wash my hair once a week.

A deep moisturising conditioner and a leave-in.
I use palmer's coconut oil leave in conditioner, which works well for me but might not be moisturising enough if it's very dry.

You could look at a high end brand like Redken if you have money to spend. Tony and Guy damage repair conditioner is really nice moisturising one at a mid-price point, and helped me recover my hair when it was very dry.

Identifying the reason it is so dry might help as well.
With mine, I know it's because of the hard water where I live, which I can't really do anything about, so I just have to use conditioners and not wash it too often.

Heat styling can also be a probem, or washing it too much. Is she doing either of those?

@Lindisfarne1
How do you cover your hair when you sleep with coconut oil/olive oil in it. I'm imagining my pillow being ruined and greasy! (But I'm interested in the method for my own hair!)

Has her diet changed - is she avoiding carbs? Not getting enough carbs can make your hair frizzy and dry. I used to go to a very famous hairdresser in West London and he always bemoaned how his clients only ate protein and veg, which kept them slim but ruined their hair.

I have a satin bonnet and also use an old thick pillow case. It’s made out of microfibre or something like that. I don’t move a lot in my sleep so just place it on top of the pillow.

I think a good cut is the first thing, I have just had a few inches cut from mine after a holiday and swimming had made it feel dry for the first time in my life, and it has improved it a lot already. My dryness is mostly down to having taken up swimming the last few months so after trying some different conditioners (which do feel lovely after washing but only seem to be a temporary fix), i have settled on using morrocan oil as a leave in conditioner after washing. This seems to be restoring it back to it's usual texture. My hair is fine, but lots of it, and I always thought something like that would be greasy or too heavy for it, but it's not at all. It's a thick luxurious oil, that smells amazing as a bonus. I use maybe a £1 coin size amount for shoulder length hair, on the ends and then comb it through. I also rarely dry it with the hairdryer now and if I do have been using a cooler setting. My hairdresser hadn't reccommended it to me but when I told her I'd been using she agreed that it amazing stuff. I got my bottles in a beauty subscription box kind of thing ages ago so were kind of free, I think it's a bit pricey but worth it as a little goes a long way. I will buy it once these have run out for sure

My long hair routine involves, trying to keep brief - deep conditioning- Olaplex, elasticizer, occasionally coconut oil (use a shower cap or cling film. Mulberry silk hair bonnet, and/or pillowcase. Slip silk scrunchies, mini version for ends of plaits. Avoid heat. Occasional pre oil, on ends of hair, before washing. Cold water rinse after washing and conditioning hair.

Protective hairstyles like plaits, etc

Hair oil on ends daily. I like Olaplex oil best.

Dry hair without rubbing with a cotton t shirt.

There's lots more I do, and products I use. I'm in a few long hair groups, it might be worth looking at some of those for more ideas.

Oh yes, like a previous poster I only wash my hair once or twice a week at most.

Fizbossshoes ....sorry just seen your post.

I use an old towel over my pillow and get a carrier bag put it on like a turban and use a peg to secure it.....glam eh 😃

Thank you so much! I have only just seen the replies. Lots to try here, I really appreciate it.

If you're going to use something like coconut oil please make sure to do a test patch. If her hair is sensitive to protein it can make her hair even more dry and brittle.

Silk pillowcase
Moisturising hair mask once a week
Use a clarifying shampoo occasionally to get rid of product build up

How would I know about the protein? Would I put it on a strand just to see if it dried out?

Yes, just test a little patch like you would with a new hair dye.