Expert: Tish Jones - 5/10/2007

Question
Hi Tish,

I'm a 22 year old caucasian male in Georgia. I've had the SAME haircut for over eight years and I want something different. I've got the regular short-and-parted-to-the-side look. It's functional and conservative and all- but a bit boring.

Here's what I want: The haircut I've decided I wanted is the shaggy look (commonly known as the "frat shag", "southern shag", etc...) Hopefully you'll know what I'm talking about. It's immensely popular here in Georgia among the college-aged guys.

My hair is very coarse and has the tendency to be bushy and (awkwardly) curly. This is why I keep it short- out of fear. Ha Ha.

So, just grow it out and BANG- Instant Shag, right? Wrong!

Here's the problem:
The vast majority of my head looks great with the shag when i tried to grow it out a few years ago. I was really happy with it until I saw my bangs.

The bangs kind of curl an inch or two longer than I have them now and they just stop. It's really ugly. If I wore a baseball cap or put in some kind of paumade or whatever to straighten the curled bangs, it looked okay. The length improved somewhat but then my bangs looked thin.

What I need is about a good four inches of good, thick (just like the rest of my hair) growth only out of my bangs. What can I do? I really would try anything, I've looked into hair plugging but can't find anything. Should I try rogaine or something?


Thanks for your help!


Answer
Hmmm... You could try a thing or two and see if it helps you. First, you could let the bangs grow while getting the rest maintained until the bangs seem to be the length you would like them to be. Then after they are the right length you could get a chemical straightener put on all of your hair or just the bang section. This will, of course, grow off and have to be redone within two or three months so it could get expensive if you have it done in a salon. You could attempt to do it yourself if you feel comfortable enough. How? Glad you asked. You can go to Wal-Mart and buy a home perm. You would follow the instructions on the box with the exception of using perm rods. Instead, you would comb your hair straight during the entire processing time. This isn't exactly the same as a salon would do it but it is how the salons used to have to straighten hair before they created products made specially for straightening which are thicker so that they hold the hair straighter during processing time. Remember to keep the hair as straight as possible for the time specified by the manufacturers directions. It must be kept straight during both the processing and neutralizing phase of the perm. It's worth a try, right? As far as thickening your hair? You could try a salon product called Nioxin or Fine Solutions, both are for thinning hair and I have had great results from them in my salon. My fiance' even uses it because he is thinning on top. Don't give up on finding a new style. You may even consider finding a local salon that would give you a free consultation to help you find the perfect look for you and help you achieve it! Good luck and thank you!