h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just don't do it -- if you have wet or damp hair, you should towel dry it or blow dry it so that it is almost dry. Otherwise, the atmosphere will pull out more moisture than you want and the hair goes brittle and dry. One stylist recomends a quick towel dry and a five minute blast.

Also putting wet hair into a pony tail makes it more vulnerable to breakage. Just tie it loosely.

I blot out the excess water by wrapping a towel round my head for a minute or two. Then I comb my hair and let it dry naturally, usually because I'm so rushed in the morning that I don't have time to blow dry my hair. My hair is in great condition *because* I don't use a dryer, according to my stylist. Mind you, my hair is quite short (collar length). I probably wouldn't do this if it was any longer.

Cheerful Dragon - I agree entirely. Are we twins? Even now, out of work, voluntarily and temporarily, I wash my hair and comb it back. And there it is. By the time I have got to the shops it's dry. Last night I washed it in the shower a quarter of an hour before we were due to be at our table at the restaurant. I didn't think about it again.

I believe that hair dryers and rubbing with a towel are very detrimental in the long run, making your hair "frizz" - to use a lay word. If I had long hair, I would also avoid rubber bands, or pulling it with a comb or brush when wet. Rubbing your head or scratching, apart from being impolite, produces a lot of sebum, which is OK if you wash frequently, but not nice when your hair is greasy already. Another problem I've never had.

Otherwise, as much as I would like to write pages on this subject, I have never really thought about it much, never having had problems with my hair.

There is one piece of obvious common sense which I can impress on anyone and everyone and that is: get a good hairdresser who can give you a good haircut. One that will stay right in all weathers and at all times of day. And make sure your parents have good hair and have passed it on to you - but there's very little that can be done about that!

I would like to know how people get their hair to look like felt. And what it feels like - to touch and to wear. It looks most unpleasant.

Elastics are probably the worst thing you can do to your hair. When mine was long I discovered scrunchies, and made my own - a covered ponytail elastic, with a simple crochetted ruffle. My husband has his first-ever ponytail, and I have him using pony-O's - those soft chinile thingies - in black when I can find them for him. His hair is fine and curly, and its staying in good shape. I watch for split ends, and I've almost got him away from brushing it fuzzy!

I used to tie loops of knicker elastic when I had bunches in the sixth form

buy a piece of elastic, the same sort of stuff you would use for putting in the waste band of pyjamas or for making garters to hold your football socks up. then sew down the long edge of a piece of fabric, (fake velvet is good and cheap) turn this right side out, thread the elastic through it. knot the elastic then sew together the ends of the fabric. this is very cheap, works out at about thirty english pence per scrunchy, depending on the fabric, and it doesnt damage your hair. if you buy a pack of elastic then you can spread the cost over lots and lots of CHEAP presents for friend and relatives. I have found this very helpful in the past.

you can also but fake leather which can be used for this, if you happen to like that sort of thing.....

FABT

Many articles in women's magazines also say that if you are out of doors, a headscarf is a sensible idea if it is windy or you are in an open-topped car. How Sloany can you get. Even if it is sensible in the long run

They're still recommending headscarfs? I didn't think anyone wore them anymore! I'm more likely to wear a baseball hat in summer, and I never go anywhere without my hand-knit touque or tam in winter! but a headscarf - not since we saw the last of the '60's. For anyone with no experience - if you tie them loosely the slip off and get lost, if you tie them tight, you look like something out of the 1950's. And if you tie them behind your neck, they cramp your ears, and bunch your hair up at the back of your head.

Well I didn't say I wore one. Heaven help us. There are definitely more trendy things which serve the same purpose.

Ah, the advantages of short(ish) hair. If it does get messed up by the breeze, a quick comb through takes care of it. If it gets wet, it doesn't take long to dry. Only a completely bald head would be easier to take care of!