How Can I Protect My Long Hair?

[theLynxmissesthesnow]

Hello,

I'm a first-timer, browsing the forums and making lists and such. One thing I've yet to find is how to protect my hair. I need my hair for work, so I'm worried about the desert/sun/dust- It's very long and soft and shiny. Does anyone just come back fine? Is there anything you would suggest...

[catinthefunnyhat]

Hi Lynx

You might want to try this thread: http://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?f=279&t=55540&p=835101. You might also want to try using the "search" feature of this site (upper right-hand corner) or -- better yet -- use Google and search for [eplaya long hair] or something.

Welcome here and good luck!

[pink]

Whatever you do, don't try to brush it. When you get off-playa, for the first shower, depending of the length, use half to a whole bottle of hotel conditioner BEFORE you shampoo. Rinse, and recondition. Repeat until you can get your fingers through it easily. Then, and only then, shampoo and condition again.

I always snag a handful of conditioners off the maid's cart at the hotel. They seem to understand. Or bring a big bottle of your fave ultra-dry hair stuff. My hair has never been super long on the playa, but I've used this routine since my first burn but since I just let it go to dreads for a week, and it's super fine, I can swear by this method.

[theLynxmissesthesnow]

Whatever you do, don't try to brush it. When you get off-playa, for the first shower, depending of the length, use half to a whole bottle of hotel conditioner BEFORE you shampoo. Rinse, and recondition. Repeat until you can get your fingers through it easily. Then, and only then, shampoo and condition again.

I always snag a handful of conditioners off the maid's cart at the hotel. They seem to understand. Or bring a big bottle of your fave ultra-dry hair stuff. My hair has never been super long on the playa, but I've used this routine since my first burn but since I just let it go to dreads for a week, and it's super fine, I can swear by this method.

I would love it if you could elaborate further on these hair products you've mentioned. I do not know what ultra-dry stuff is... In the real world, I generally do nothing to my hair, I shampoo and condition every 2-4 days (longer if it doesn't look dirty)... it's really thick reddish hair that tends to enjoy being left alone. So I'm not too hip on products...

I've read so far to use coconut oil and braid it... and dreds aren't really an option for me...

[delle]

You're over-reading.

Ultra-dry is what your hair will be. Just get a good conditioner.

[misfit]

my hair is mid-back length and i use, "no more tangles", on and off playa. its simple, spray on and comb out using a thick toothed comb.

[pink]

Dreds are what I get after a week or more on playa-not something I try for. I just let it mat up, since usually by the time I even get to camp from Gate, I can't get a comb through it. In defaultia, I use just a wee bit of body building conditioner- I have thin, oily, baby fine hair. The playa is the only time I can get a nice spiky punk-do!

Braiding is popular with those with thicker hair, but just don't try to unbraid without conditioning the crap out of it first.

[dr.placebo]

The major problems will be intense sun, very alkaline dust, and intense dryness.

If you have access to a lot of water you can try to stay clean, but my guess is that within minutes after washing a dust storm will come up and defeat your best efforts.

My guess is that the best protection is to minimize exposure. That is, wear your hair up and wear a hat or scarf.

And both on the playa and afterwards be gentle to your hair, since it may be somewhat brittle.

[Eric]

The thread linked right below your original post is the place to start. It is nothing but information on your question.

[Simon of the Playa]

i have a really bad blow job joke involving pulling of hair, but for the sake of all involved will keep it to myself...

[theCryptofishist]

i have a really bad blow job joke involving pulling of hair, but for the sake of all involved will keep it to myself...

If only you had at the time...

[illy dilly]

i have a really bad blow job joke involving pulling of hair, but for the sake of all involved will keep it to myself...

Now- you must tell!

[Bob]

Hello, I'm a first-timer, browsing the forums and making lists and such. One thing I've yet to find is how to protect my hair. I need my hair for work, so I'm worried about the desert/sun/dust- It's very long and soft and shiny. Does anyone just come back fine? Is there anything you would suggest...

Think of it as a souvenir.

[Roberto Dobbisano]

A six-year old comes crying to his mother because his little sister pulled his hair. "Don't be angry," the mother says. "Your sister doesn't realized that pulling hair hurts." A short while later, there's more crying, and the mother goes to investigate. This time the sister is bawling and her brother says, "Now she knows."***




***you may cringe now.

[Lonesomebri]

Two words for dealing with your long hair on the playa-

Mohawk Monday

[EvatheElephant]

the answer is really simple! dont wait until youre off the playa to take care of your hair. i have hair to my hips and im always getting compliments on the playa about how soft and clean my hair is. the tip is to wash your hair daily or every other day during the day, clip it up and cover your hair with a scarf, cloth or linen. (youll prolly use this anyway to wear on your head dunked in cold water to keep you cool or to keep the dust out of your nose and mouth.) in the evening when dust storms isnt a problem, lose the scarf and your hair is super clean and soft while everyone elses has clumps of dust in it. a long thin scarf or cloth comes in real handy on the playa

[Ugly Dougly]

Wear a hat.