<font color="brown">The other thing about lanolin is the fact that is very high in sterols (ie. choleSTEROL) and is sort of waxy. If lanolin is really high on the list of ingredients, it can be a bit heavy for fine hair types. It really coats and moisturizes the hair (because it absorbs water), and offers great protection against the elements - - but as with anything that coats the hair, it can build up with continued use.
My experience with lanolin:
There is a product that I use every now and then called Super Protein Pac by Jheri Redding. Lanolin is the 5th ingredient (behind Hydrolyzed Collagen). Now I use this product if my hair is feeling particulary dry or brittle. I does indeed condition and moisturize the hair. My hair feels thicker, and ususally remains very moisturized until my next wash. HOWEVER, if I use it a second time, my hair feels heavy and flat. So the bottom line for me is that I only use this product every now and then.
The only products that seem to "over soften" my hair are Cholesterol Treatments (such as Queen Helene). If I am not mistaken, these products do use an ample amount of lanolin (and sometimes mineral oil) - with no balance of protein. My hair just does not benefit from Cholesterol Treatments, and gets "limp." But then again, my hair is in the fine/medium 4a category, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Anyway, my thoughts are that if you are not allergic to lanolin products, and you take precautions to avoid product buildup, I don't see where it would cause any detrimental consequences for your hair.
AngieK </font>