HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Magina, Don't worry about Lonesome. He has a wife, girlfriend and boyfriend. He'll do alright.
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- lucky420
- Posts: 9354
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- Burning Since: 2021
- Camp Name: Dye with Dignity
- Location: Reno, NV
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
I don't even know what this means.

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Me either.
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
- lucky420
- Posts: 9354
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:47 am
- Burning Since: 2021
- Camp Name: Dye with Dignity
- Location: Reno, NV
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Must be a Renoismspeak thing.
Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?
" I am a controlled substance". Savannah.
" I am a controlled substance". Savannah.
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Oh, I get it. "Luckier than a two-dicked donkey." Why didn't ya say so?
Those aren't buttermilk biscuits I'm lying on Savannah
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Pictures or it didn't happen Greycoyote
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Arthur Schopenhauer
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Y'all kill me. 

*** The Burning Man Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger
"Snark away, ePlaya, you magnificent bastards." -- McStrangle
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Extremely long, moderately curly, very fine, annoying as heck hair here. For 9 burns, I've done pigtail braids. As soon as they're too messy for my level of vanity (usually mid-day), I take them out, brush, re-braid. Then when I get ready at night, I do it again. About 3 times a day. I do not wash my hair while I'm there, instead, I rely on my natural oils to maintain frizz and keep my hair healthy.
I've literally never seen a change to the health of my hair using this method
Best of luck to ya love <3
I've literally never seen a change to the health of my hair using this method

Best of luck to ya love <3
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- Camp Name: Elliot's Bicycle Service
- Location: USA
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Great ideas, Savannah. I'm looking at how to make sure my fro isn't destroyed by the playa...Savannah wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 4:30 pm* Wigs are great (especially after sunset; they're a little hot in the daytime).
* Hats are awesome, chin straps in front or behind the head are helpful.
* One of my all-time favorites: a densely woven scarf or pashmina at least 5 feet long and 2 feet wide (or more). Wrap your head in it; put your goggles down on top of it (you may need to loosen the strap significantly). You can wrap 1 or more in such a way that it covers the top of your chest to help prevent too much sun. I bring no fewer than half a dozen scarves so I can swap them out when a good shake no longer gets the dust out.
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- Burning Since: 2017
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
I never have to worry about hair issues on the playa as I have none. That being said I have a question for my wife. First year she ended up with a rats nest (well not that bad, but yeah it was a wreck). Last year she had cornrows braided with extensions and it was so much better. The only thing she didn’t like is how itchy her scalp got by day 3. Mostly on the points where it was exposed. Any suggestions on how to prevent that?
- AntiM
- Moderator
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Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Scarves. Like a dust mask for your head.pedroescobar wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 7:43 pmI never have to worry about hair issues on the playa as I have none. That being said I have a question for my wife. First year she ended up with a rats nest (well not that bad, but yeah it was a wreck). Last year she had cornrows braided with extensions and it was so much better. The only thing she didn’t like is how itchy her scalp got by day 3. Mostly on the points where it was exposed. Any suggestions on how to prevent that?
- gaminwench
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- Camp Name: DOTA, EoD, OBOP, Destiny Lounge
- Location: Blue Ridge-la
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Pedro, I've worn braid extensions for years. For itchy scalp relief: tee tree oil in a spritzer bottle is magical.
"the prophecies of doom were better last year" trilo
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Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Thanks, I was thinking something like this would work. I assume she should spray it on the "exposed" areas of the scalp.gaminwench wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:34 pmPedro, I've worn braid extensions for years. For itchy scalp relief: tee tree oil in a spritzer bottle is magical.
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- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 2:59 pm
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Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Thanks, I was thinking something like this would work. I assume she should spray it on the "exposed" areas of the scalp.gaminwench wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:34 pmPedro, I've worn braid extensions for years. For itchy scalp relief: tee tree oil in a spritzer bottle is magical.
- gaminwench
- Posts: 3009
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:57 am
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: DOTA, EoD, OBOP, Destiny Lounge
- Location: Blue Ridge-la
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Yes, spray liberally. Watch her face when she does it the first time: you will see BLISS in action.
"the prophecies of doom were better last year" trilo
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Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Chiming in to second Ratty's suggestion. Astral Headwash is the best. I scrubbed about 5 other's hair and then the guy scrubbing mine did so for almost 20 mins. Omg. Zen. Pure. Zen. <3
Braids and get to astral headwash once and you're good to go!
- Papa Bear
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- Contact:
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
While those of us associated with Astral Headwash appreciate the sentiment, I'm afraid we are not an option this year. Astral Headwash is taking 2019 off.bluemirage2112 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 24, 2019 6:26 amChiming in to second Ratty's suggestion. Astral Headwash is the best. I scrubbed about 5 other's hair and then the guy scrubbing mine did so for almost 20 mins. Omg. Zen. Pure. Zen. <3
Braids and get to astral headwash once and you're good to go!
The assumption is that we'll be back in 2020... but we never officially talk about "next year" until next year.

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Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
Ooooh so sad, and so magical immediacy <3
- missymuffin
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:57 pm
- Burning Since: 2015
- Camp Name: Tiger Man
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
I'm pretty good at (french) braiding hair too! Maybe I'll bring an extra brush and hair bands in case anyone needs their tresses tamed.
Astral did save my head in 2017. Will miss them this year.
"Life is short"
-Grandma Jo's Locket
-Grandma Jo's Locket
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
I have long hair, been burning for 12 years, and this is what I have learned:
*whenever you're going to wash dusty hair, rinse it first with either diluted conditioner or diluted vinegar, to loosen the dust. Then shampoo. Shampoo is terrible at removing alkaline dust, it's really more of a solvent for sebum (grease). I haven't worked with dry shampoos on the playa-playa dust is so good at absorbing grease that I don't know what you would need an additional grease- absorbent dust for. But I don't have personal experience here.
*For fine and or delicate hair, you can do braids, you just need to add wool dreds, synthetic hair, or some other kind of filler. It pads the hair so that you're not putting sharp kinks in it when you're braiding.
*Use silicone based lube, not oil. Oil attracts and traps dust and becomes sticky, silicone doesn't.
*The absolute best protection for your hair is to physically cover it, so that's a hair sock, hat, scarf, wig, etc. Second best would be braids. The less surface area you have exposed to dust the better.
*Don't try to brush your hair when it's dusty, it's at its most brittle and more likely to break. Give yourself a scalp massage instead if you would like the feeling of brushing your hair but can't take a shower.
*when your hair is still wet post-shower, braid it, wrap it or do whatever you're going to do. It will dry just fine, and this way dust doesn't have a chance to stick to your wet hair.
*keep hair from getting tangled while you're sleeping, so that could mean securing it in a bun at the top of your head, putting it in a silk sleeping cap, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase.
*Put off trimming your hair before the playa, get a trim as soon as you can after (so that the dry ends don't have a chance to split and then have the splits travel up the length of the hair).
*whenever you're going to wash dusty hair, rinse it first with either diluted conditioner or diluted vinegar, to loosen the dust. Then shampoo. Shampoo is terrible at removing alkaline dust, it's really more of a solvent for sebum (grease). I haven't worked with dry shampoos on the playa-playa dust is so good at absorbing grease that I don't know what you would need an additional grease- absorbent dust for. But I don't have personal experience here.
*For fine and or delicate hair, you can do braids, you just need to add wool dreds, synthetic hair, or some other kind of filler. It pads the hair so that you're not putting sharp kinks in it when you're braiding.
*Use silicone based lube, not oil. Oil attracts and traps dust and becomes sticky, silicone doesn't.
*The absolute best protection for your hair is to physically cover it, so that's a hair sock, hat, scarf, wig, etc. Second best would be braids. The less surface area you have exposed to dust the better.
*Don't try to brush your hair when it's dusty, it's at its most brittle and more likely to break. Give yourself a scalp massage instead if you would like the feeling of brushing your hair but can't take a shower.
*when your hair is still wet post-shower, braid it, wrap it or do whatever you're going to do. It will dry just fine, and this way dust doesn't have a chance to stick to your wet hair.
*keep hair from getting tangled while you're sleeping, so that could mean securing it in a bun at the top of your head, putting it in a silk sleeping cap, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase.
*Put off trimming your hair before the playa, get a trim as soon as you can after (so that the dry ends don't have a chance to split and then have the splits travel up the length of the hair).
Pomegranates are the most perfect food.
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
I have long hair, been burning for 12 years, and this is what I have learned:
*whenever you're going to wash dusty hair, rinse it first with either diluted conditioner or diluted vinegar, to loosen the dust. Then shampoo. Shampoo is terrible at removing alkaline dust, it's really more of a solvent for sebum (grease). I haven't worked with dry shampoos on the playa-playa dust is so good at absorbing grease that I don't know what you would need an additional grease- absorbent dust for. But I don't have personal experience here.
*For fine and or delicate hair, you can do braids, you just need to add wool dreds, synthetic hair, or some other kind of filler. It pads the hair so that you're not putting sharp kinks in it when you're braiding.
*Use silicone based lube, not oil. Oil attracts and traps dust and becomes sticky, silicone doesn't.
*The absolute best protection for your hair is to physically cover it, so that's a hair sock, hat, scarf, wig, etc. Second best would be braids. The less surface area you have exposed to dust the better.
*Don't try to brush your hair when it's dusty, it's at its most brittle and more likely to break. Give yourself a scalp massage instead if you would like the feeling of brushing your hair but can't take a shower.
*when your hair is still wet post-shower, braid it, wrap it or do whatever you're going to do. It will dry just fine, and this way dust doesn't have a chance to stick to your wet hair.
*keep hair from getting tangled while you're sleeping, so that could mean securing it in a bun at the top of your head, putting it in a silk sleeping cap, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase.
*Put off trimming your hair before the playa, get a trim as soon as you can after (so that the dry ends don't have a chance to split and then have the splits travel up the length of the hair).
*2 weeks before the burn every year I apply neutral, no color henna to my hair. It seals the cuticle and keeps dust out. It will make your hair feel slightly dry/tacky for a week, and then it absorbs sebum from your scalp and works like a charm. It doesn't have a color but for my blond hair it makes it slightly golder colored. only I have ever noticed this so it is not a strong effect. Should not be an issue for you unless you have silver or white hair.
*whenever you're going to wash dusty hair, rinse it first with either diluted conditioner or diluted vinegar, to loosen the dust. Then shampoo. Shampoo is terrible at removing alkaline dust, it's really more of a solvent for sebum (grease). I haven't worked with dry shampoos on the playa-playa dust is so good at absorbing grease that I don't know what you would need an additional grease- absorbent dust for. But I don't have personal experience here.
*For fine and or delicate hair, you can do braids, you just need to add wool dreds, synthetic hair, or some other kind of filler. It pads the hair so that you're not putting sharp kinks in it when you're braiding.
*Use silicone based lube, not oil. Oil attracts and traps dust and becomes sticky, silicone doesn't.
*The absolute best protection for your hair is to physically cover it, so that's a hair sock, hat, scarf, wig, etc. Second best would be braids. The less surface area you have exposed to dust the better.
*Don't try to brush your hair when it's dusty, it's at its most brittle and more likely to break. Give yourself a scalp massage instead if you would like the feeling of brushing your hair but can't take a shower.
*when your hair is still wet post-shower, braid it, wrap it or do whatever you're going to do. It will dry just fine, and this way dust doesn't have a chance to stick to your wet hair.
*keep hair from getting tangled while you're sleeping, so that could mean securing it in a bun at the top of your head, putting it in a silk sleeping cap, or sleeping on a silk pillowcase.
*Put off trimming your hair before the playa, get a trim as soon as you can after (so that the dry ends don't have a chance to split and then have the splits travel up the length of the hair).
*2 weeks before the burn every year I apply neutral, no color henna to my hair. It seals the cuticle and keeps dust out. It will make your hair feel slightly dry/tacky for a week, and then it absorbs sebum from your scalp and works like a charm. It doesn't have a color but for my blond hair it makes it slightly golder colored. only I have ever noticed this so it is not a strong effect. Should not be an issue for you unless you have silver or white hair.
Pomegranates are the most perfect food.
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:51 am
- Burning Since: 2019
- Camp Name: The Sweaty Betty’s
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
My camp, the Sweaty Betty's, will be washing hair at 7:15 D! We use a system that consists of minimal water, combing out dust & a few drops of soap to keep MOOP down. Come visit us 

- missymuffin
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:57 pm
- Burning Since: 2015
- Camp Name: Tiger Man
Re: HAIR concerns on the playa? ;)
*Use silicone based lube, not oil. Oil attracts and traps dust and becomes sticky, silicone doesn't.
What kind of lube? Like sexy-time silicone lube????
What's worked for you?
What kind of lube? Like sexy-time silicone lube????
What's worked for you?
"Life is short"
-Grandma Jo's Locket
-Grandma Jo's Locket