So, I’ve been meaning to talk about this for a while. At what point are we crossing the line of being “idiosyncratic” and quirky about our hair obsessions into pyschotic?
I mean, I admit to taking things to the point that make some believe that I’m a little crazy (although, they thought that before anyway;-). I carry a pair of sheathed scissors in my purse in order to destroy split ends and knots at any time, no matter where they may hide!!! I also regularly inspect the hair on my sink and in my hands to make certain that it is shed and not broken. I’ve saved my hair balls to compare the amount of shed hair from week to week (though I didn’t get to the point of saving it in a ziplock bag, I’ve contemplated it). I have about 6 satin pillowcases and make certain that I bring one with me on trips so that I don’t have to lay my head on cotton (mind you, I always have a satin bonnet or scarf too). I wince and get upset whenever I hear a hair “pop,” despite the fact that it doesn’t happen often at all anymore! I also become distraught if I’ve been working with my hair and discover a ragged-edge nail because I’m contemplating what damage it may have caused to my strands!
However, about a month ago, Michelle commented that some women were using Monistat cream on their hair and scalp to promote hair growth. Now, that made even my obsessive behind think, “A yeast infection cream on your head?!?! Well that’s just crazy.” LOL!!! Over the last year on the hair sites, I’ve also read about taking pre-natal vitamins when not nursing, pregnant nor having any plans to get there (I researched but don’t feel comfortable about doing that until I talk to my doctor), using veterinary quality shampoo and conditioners made for horses to promote growth (MegaTek) and employing safety pins to try to remove SSKs. I also suspect that far more of us than will admit spend an inordiante number of hours stalking Fotki, Youtube and hair sites and find ourselves up to the wee hours of the night or watching the sunrise because we couldn’t pull our exhausted and red-eyed selves away from the computer.
So, what say you?
When does “idiosyncratic” about our hair cross the line into “One Flew Over the CUCKOO’s Nest?!”
What hair-related things do you find yourself doing that you know are a little obsessive, quirky or (shoot, let’s admit it) crazy?
hairscapades 
Here is my quirky hair habit. I look for split ends. I don’t mean I see a split end and cut it. I mean I section my hair off and flip it so that it’s in front of my face and go through my hair looking for split ends and snip away. Crazy? Yeah. Obsessive? Yeah. Why do I do it? My split ends are far and few between and I wear my hair in buns or braid outs and don’t see the need to cut healthy hair just because a few strands are split.
On a side note (completely off the topic). Who’s watching the premier of the Thundercats next Friday 7/29?
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Gina, shoot, doesn’t everybody do that?!?! Every day that I’ve taken my hair out of the bun this week, I’ve flipped it towards my face and looked for splits and knots to snip them!!! I not only have a pair of scissors in my purse, I keep a pair handy in the bathroom too!! And I’m the same, I snip out the splits and knots so I don’t have to trim. I had the “trim” that turned into a “cut” in February to get rid of a thin layer and I’ve usually gone for a trim about once every 6 moths. But, now that I’m doing S&Ds (search & destroys), I’m trying to see how long I can go without needing a “professional” cut/trim.
As to Thundercats … Whaaaaaaaa?!?!?! Are you a girl after my own heart;-)?!?!? Your comment reminded me to put a note on my calendar so that I set the DVR to tape it=). I actually don’t have high hopes for it as so many of the cartoons they are doing now are solely for kids and don’t have the sophistication of the fare from the 90s and early 2000s (Batman, JLU, etc.). And, I’m not really feeling the anime look of the characters. But, I’ll give it a try. I would have never suspected that Avatar: TLA would have become my favorite cartoon series ever when I first saw the commercials for it as it had an anime appearance. I’m glad I gave it a chance because it continues to bring me joy=). Wow, that was a ramble in answer to a simple question! LOL!!
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lol you know you was thinking of trying it j/k.
I can’t even get with the S&Ds. Too stressful, plus I can hardly see the ends of my hair so I don’t bother. Now, when it gets real long that I can actually just lift my hair and look right at it without needing to wince, then ummm maybe lol
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Yes! My friend told me about the Monistat thing. I thought she was crazy. (Still think she is!) She said someone told her it made their hair grow. She ended up trying it for a day or two and said that she thinks it made her get a yeast infection! I dunno if that’s possible, but that was her reason to stop using it on her scalp.
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lol @ Michelle but LMBO @ Rece’s comment!!
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i’ve seen a few threads about monistat in the curlynikki forums. apparently the anti fungal properties are supposed to promote hair growth. this one doesn’t seem so obsessive because it treats scalp issues and the end result of a healthier scalp is longer healthier hair. more like re purposing than full on insanity. but the side eye i’d get from the check out clerk because i’m always buying monistat is enough to make me just say no.
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I thought about the horse stuff (MTG) and even went looking for some. When I finally found it at a tractor store, I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. Although I admit to being a PJ at times, I am also very prone to allergic reactions, so that keeps me from trying all these “growth aids.” Thank goodness!
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Ok, since I’m still transitioning, I realized just this morning that I have to have an even amount of newgrowth on each side of my head, I mean like same length and width for the most part, or I will start all over again with putting my hair in a bun. Seriously, I know it’s crazy because my hair is growing all different but I couldn’t imagine going out with one side looking relaxed and all the waves are on one side. Maybe it’s a military thing; “cover and allignment” or whatever, lol. Also if I find one ssk, I will sit there for an hour freaking out trying to detangle the thickness hoping that isn’t the result of that.
Have more time to really take a look at my hair since being in Germany, didn’t even realize how much it’s grown, lol.
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Ky, when Michelle first told me about it, I did research it to find the reasons. I actually found a pretty good post that explained the “scientific” principles behind using it on the scalp and found the same as you. I then did some reading on what causes dandruff and the information I found indicated that all of us have bacteria on our scalps, some just have significantly more than other, which results in varying degrees of dandruff. So, my thing is, if the bacteria on the scalp is at healthy levels (as need to exist down under … otherwise you’ll end up with a yeast infection), could using Monistat on the scalp be counterproductive. If the bacteria on the scalp is at unhealthy levels, there are already shampoos, OTC and prescription, specifically formulated for dandruff.
However, really, I just wondered what you guys thought was crossing the line. I’ve been intrigued by quite a few things I’ve read touted to “grow more and thicker hair!!!” But, once I research some of the items that seem a little more “out there,” I’ve decided to leave them alone. The claims of increased thickness and/or growth are enough to snag the attention of many of us. Just hope that everyone does their research and these products don’t produce more harm than good.
Lavendar, yeah girl, if you are prone to allergic reactions, you definitely need not be experimenting with things that are formulated for animals!! *lol* I researched the MTG too. Again, those claims will get you!! But, I never got that close to purchasing it. I was struggling with excessive shedding and the stuff I read said that it could cause more. Then, there was some information that was discomforting about the manufacturers pulling promotions on their site for using it on human hair. I can’t remember everything that I read, but it was enough to make me abandon any contemplation about using it very quickly.
@ Jen, LOL! The hair crazies have begun!! I think we all definitely have different levels of them. Shoot, I spend an excessive amount of hours daily on writing new posts for this blog and trying to keep up with the other sites and my NC.com GOC blog!!
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shelli u r SO not alone I can say that ..”I also regularly inspect the hair on my sink and in my hands to make certain that it is shed and not broken. I’ve saved my hair balls to compare the amount of shed hair from week to week AND keep them in plastic bags. i felt as though I was shedding a whole lot and believe it or not i still don’t know the pattern because i have hypothyrodism and recently had surgery so i’m back to sending how my hair starts behaving after all that. PLUS i recently got a trim so i have a lot to take notes on! LOL
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You know, I think there are times when it’s not obsessive, at times it’s diagnostic. Sometimes you just never paid that much attention to it before, so you know don’t if the shedding is normal or increased. When you begin to notice though, in order to determine if it’s getting worse, better or the staying the same, you HAVE to compare the hair shed during the same period! I don’t think it’s necessary indefinitely. But, given what you are experiencing, I don’t think that is obsessive at all! It’s smart;-)!!
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Actually, I am reluctant to put my head where someone else has had theirs. Especially on airlines and other public places.
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