Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Buy the right scissors for your haircutting
The most important tool
If you are a professional hairdresser you would know why it is so important to buy right kind of hairdressing scissors. Your comfort with the most significant tool in your business is essential. It is vital to select the right set of scissors for your hair salon. Never compromise on the quality of the hairdresser’s inseparable tool. For different hair type you would require special kind of scissors. One pair is required for each hair type. Professional hairdressing scissors are not inexpensive and a professional hairstylist would never use anything low than the right scissors.
Variety of scissors
For creating different hairstyles you would require a different kind of scissors. As you are going to be using the scissors all day you must make sure that each and every aspect of the hairdressers scissors are considered before purchasing them. The scissors should have sharp blades. You can go for bevel edge blade from Germany as they are long-lasting but you need to be an expert to handle them well to your advantage. You can even go for the Japanese convex blade scissors which are quite light weight and are superb for meticulousness in cutting. Another significant aspect of the hairdresser scissors is that it should have a handle which you would be comfortable holding all day long. The handles should be simple and light weight and easy for you to slide your fingers into them. They are available in different type of grips; Offset grip is for those haircutters who like to use their thumb and ring finger. The opposite grip is most common one which is used by hairdressers who like to use their thumb and middle finger. Apart from these two there is the crane grip, which is favored by most of the professional hairdressers. You should also decide well in advance the length of the blades which are most suitable to you.
Be selective
Professional hairdressing scissors are priced well. Don’t go for something if you are getting for discount but it doesn’t meet your requirements. It would not be of any use to you if you do not purchase the right pair of scissors. Go for a branded one only if it meets your requirements not because it claims to be good. Hot scissors this season are the Joewell hairdressing scissors. These are incredibly classy and stylish and you can even go for pink hairdressing scissors too as they are chic and quite sought after. The quality of this is superb. The blades have extra long life and are durable. The reason they are so distinct is that they are hand-crafted from utmost stainless steel alloy. These are perfect for everyday use because they have a standard polish which is long lasting. Most importantly the pink inserts and pink thumb rest and centre screw make in an exciting tool to work with. Unless and until the hairdresser is in love with his or her work and tools the job is not complete.
Different hair type requires different scissors
Many a times you would find that the quality of hair you cut is different; the same scissors are not able to help you do the job properly without fuss. Ideally you must have different type of scissors for different hair texture as well. Since each haircut requires a different kind of haircutting scissor, it is also crucial to have a different hairdressing scissor for each hair type. It is also quite vital to keep sharpening your hairdressing scissors from time to time. As per the experts hairdressing scissors sharpening is a multiple step process. You need to establish the edge and then gradually make it finer and finer until it is done and the polish of the outer edge is refined even more. Sharpening the inner edge is the hardest part and it is quite possible that while trying to sharpen the same we may break it. It is a slow and gradual process; you can not do and get away with it at once. It is wise to get the sharpening of scissors is done by professional scissor sharpening machines as you do not want your most important and vital tools to be ruined in any way. It is interesting how you never thought about these minute details about the haircutting scissors until you actually decided to open your own haircutting salon. So while you are buying more expensive and important tools and machinery for your haircutting salon you need not forget the importance of a good haircutting tool. With the boom in technology, research and developments are on and there is also some measureable development in the field of hairdressing and styling. With this boom we are coming across latest fashion tools for our haircutting jobs and these are incredibly helpful in changing the persona of the client in your hairdressing salon.
The most important tool
If you are a professional hairdresser you would know why it is so important to buy right kind of hairdressing scissors. Your comfort with the most significant tool in your business is essential. It is vital to select the right set of scissors for your hair salon. Never compromise on the quality of the hairdresser’s inseparable tool. For different hair type you would require special kind of scissors. One pair is required for each hair type. Professional hairdressing scissors are not inexpensive and a professional hairstylist would never use anything low than the right scissors.
Variety of scissors
For creating different hairstyles you would require a different kind of scissors. As you are going to be using the scissors all day you must make sure that each and every aspect of the hairdressers scissors are considered before purchasing them. The scissors should have sharp blades. You can go for bevel edge blade from Germany as they are long-lasting but you need to be an expert to handle them well to your advantage. You can even go for the Japanese convex blade scissors which are quite light weight and are superb for meticulousness in cutting. Another significant aspect of the hairdresser scissors is that it should have a handle which you would be comfortable holding all day long. The handles should be simple and light weight and easy for you to slide your fingers into them. They are available in different type of grips; Offset grip is for those haircutters who like to use their thumb and ring finger. The opposite grip is most common one which is used by hairdressers who like to use their thumb and middle finger. Apart from these two there is the crane grip, which is favored by most of the professional hairdressers. You should also decide well in advance the length of the blades which are most suitable to you.
Be selective
Professional hairdressing scissors are priced well. Don’t go for something if you are getting for discount but it doesn’t meet your requirements. It would not be of any use to you if you do not purchase the right pair of scissors. Go for a branded one only if it meets your requirements not because it claims to be good. Hot scissors this season are the Joewell hairdressing scissors. These are incredibly classy and stylish and you can even go for pink hairdressing scissors too as they are chic and quite sought after. The quality of this is superb. The blades have extra long life and are durable. The reason they are so distinct is that they are hand-crafted from utmost stainless steel alloy. These are perfect for everyday use because they have a standard polish which is long lasting. Most importantly the pink inserts and pink thumb rest and centre screw make in an exciting tool to work with. Unless and until the hairdresser is in love with his or her work and tools the job is not complete.
Different hair type requires different scissors
Many a times you would find that the quality of hair you cut is different; the same scissors are not able to help you do the job properly without fuss. Ideally you must have different type of scissors for different hair texture as well. Since each haircut requires a different kind of haircutting scissor, it is also crucial to have a different hairdressing scissor for each hair type. It is also quite vital to keep sharpening your hairdressing scissors from time to time. As per the experts hairdressing scissors sharpening is a multiple step process. You need to establish the edge and then gradually make it finer and finer until it is done and the polish of the outer edge is refined even more. Sharpening the inner edge is the hardest part and it is quite possible that while trying to sharpen the same we may break it. It is a slow and gradual process; you can not do and get away with it at once. It is wise to get the sharpening of scissors is done by professional scissor sharpening machines as you do not want your most important and vital tools to be ruined in any way. It is interesting how you never thought about these minute details about the haircutting scissors until you actually decided to open your own haircutting salon. So while you are buying more expensive and important tools and machinery for your haircutting salon you need not forget the importance of a good haircutting tool. With the boom in technology, research and developments are on and there is also some measureable development in the field of hairdressing and styling. With this boom we are coming across latest fashion tools for our haircutting jobs and these are incredibly helpful in changing the persona of the client in your hairdressing salon.
You Cause Split Ends When You
Split Ends
Split Ends occur when the cuticle is damaged and the fibres of the cortex unravel. The hair is dry, brittle and prone to tangling and can split at the end or anywhere along the shaft. Split ends can be a major hair problem. Although there are many hair products out there which claim that they can repair your split ends, the only way to effectively get rid of them is to cut your hair. Luckily, however, there are a number of things that you can do to control a problem with split ends once it has occurred.
Causes of Split Ends
- Over perming or coloring
- insufficient conditioning
- too much brushing or back combing especially with poor quality brushes
- careless use of spiky rollers and hair pins
- excessive heat styling and not having the hair trimmed regularly, can also cause Split Ends.
- Cut or trim your hair with a dull instrument scissors
Split Ends Treatment and solutions
Split Ends cannot be mended, the only lon-term cure is to have them snipped off. What is lost in the length will be gained in quality. It may help if you reduce the frequency with which you shampoo, as this in itself is stressful to hair and causes split ends to extend up the hair shaft.
Never use a dryer too near the hair, or set it on too high a temperature. Minimize the use of heated appliances. Try conditioners and serums that are designed to seal split ends temporarily and give resistance to further splitting.
Split ends cannot be mended, just temporarily sealed. The only permanent cure is to have your hair trimmed regularly.
How to Get Rid of Split Ends
Moisturize When You Wash HairThe dryness that split ends are known to cause can be a major problem. In order to ensure that your hair is not affected by this, the best thing that you can do is use a moisturizing conditioner when you wash your hair. Get out any tangles with a comb after you have finished showering to make managing hair with split ends easier for yourself.
Comb With a Leave-in ConditionerOne of the main problems with split ends is that they can make getting a comb through your hair seem impossible. When you use a leave-in conditioner in combination with a wide toothed comb, you will have the easiest time managing your hair. It will help ensure that you get the tangles out, which may be more common when you have split ends.
Avoid Using Hot Styling ToolsBlow dryers, curling irons and flat ironers should all be avoided until you can get a haircut. The main reason is because they are actually known to cause or worsen split ends, especially when they are not used properly. Make sure that you use curling irons and flat irons when the hair is dry and, ideally, in combination with a hair serum. Also, be sure to not overuse these tools. Only using them several times a week is the best.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Healthy Curls
Sulfate, Protein, and Silicone-Free Products
This list started with this post on the naturallycurly.com message boards and has developed through the assistance of many helpful curlies, although anicetta on naturallycurly.com deserves special mention (and perhaps a bronze plaque) for her contributions.
I have not verified the ingredients lists and have also not tried most of these products, so this list should be considered a starting point only. You should still read the ingredients and look at reviews before considering buying any of these.
On that note, if you read the ingredients for any of these and notice any sulfates, proteins or silicones, please MUA mail me and let me know so I can remove it from the list! (And, conversely, please mail me and let me know if there's any products I should add!!)
Last Updated 11/7/06
Contents:
I. Shampoos:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
II. Conditioners:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
III. Styling Products:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
I. Shampoos:
Curlmart:
•Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask (not really a shampoo, but it cleans so I’m putting it here)
•Curl Junkie Chamomile & Jasmine Conditioning Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus Bliss Moisturizing Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•DevaCurl No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaBrown Low-Poo (1 water-soluble 'cone)
•DevaBrown No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo
•Kiehl’s Castille
•Little Shop of Beauty Aloe Hair and Body Wash
•MOP C-System Clean
•MOP C-System Hydrating
•Phyto Phytojoba Gentle Regulating Milk Shampoo - Dry Hair Formula
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment
•Avalon Organics Chamomile Citrus Highlighting
•Avalon Organics Awapuhi Mango Moisturizing
•Avalon Organics Aloe Vera Jojoba Fragrance Free
•Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Glistening (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Peppermint Revitalizing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Scalp Treatment (arginine--amino acid)
•Alba Botanica Volumizing
•Alba Botanica Replenishing
•Alba Botanica Balancing
•(Burt’s Bees) Doctor Burt's Herbal Treatment Shampoo with Cedar Leaf & Juniper Oil
•California Baby
•Kiss My Face Aromatherapeutic
•Kiss My Face SaHaira (wheat amino acids)
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free Shampoo
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Drugstore:
•ISOPLUS Conditioning
Back to Top
II. Conditioners:
Curlmart:
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hair & Scalp Pomade
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hot Oil Treatment
•Blended Beauty All Natural Scalp and Hair Oil
•Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioning Treatment
•Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
•Blended Beauty Straightening Glaze Conditioning Setting Spritz
•Curl Junkie Give 'em The Slip! Instant Conditioner (one water-soluble silicone)
•Curl Junkie Healthy Condition Daily Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions SLIP Detangler (silk amino acids)
•Jessicurl (any)
•Oyin Honey-Hemp
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Auntie Rhubarb Moisture Bomb 2 in 1 Leave In
•Aveda Elixir Leave-on Conditioner (wheat amino acids)
•Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Conditioner
•Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner
•Kiehl's Leave-In
•MOP c-system moisture complex
•MOP Lemongrass Conditioner for fine hair (wheat germ? don't know if this is a protein or not)
•MOP Burdock Nourishing Rinse (wheat germ?)
•MOP Mixed Greens
•Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Smells So Sweet Mango & Papaya (Sandra will make it without Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein upon request)
•Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac (silk amino acids)
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
◦Generic Value Products Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
◦Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Leave In
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
•Aubrey Organics White Camellia
•Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta (amino acids)
•Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•Aussie Real Volume for fine hair (old formula only; new formulation has 'cones)
•Garnier Fructis Fortifying (Fine Hair Formula)
•Suave Naturals Waterfall Mist
•Suave Naturals Lavender
•Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze
•Suave Naturals Mango Peach
•Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple
•Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Strawberry
•Suave Naturals Aloe
•Suave Vanilla Floral Cond.(silk protein, but very low on ingreds list)
•White Rain Extra Body
•White Rain Lavender Vanilla
•White Rain Energizing Citrus
•White Rain Tropical Coconut
•White Rain Ocean Mist
•White Rain Apple Blossom
•VO5 Sun Kissed Raspberry
•VO5 Tangerine Tickle
•VO5 Tea Therapy Nourishing
Back to Top
III. Styling Products:
CurlMart:
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Honey
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Jam
•Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding
•Circle of Friends Einar's Arctic Freeze Hyper Hold Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Erik's Shaping Hair Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Luc's Lemon Lime Shine Hair Slicker
•Circle of Friends Valerie's Vanilla Freeze Hair Spray (one water-soluble silicone, hydrolyzed silk)
•Curl Junkie Curl Fuel Curl Enhancing Spray
•Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil (all)
•Curl Junkie Guava Curl Crème (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Pomade (all)
•Curls Pure Essentials Moisturizer (silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions Curlkeeper
•Curly Hair Solutions Gel
•The Jane Carter Solution condition and sculpt
•Greenridge Herbals Jojoba Shea Hair Butter
•Hamadi Shea Pomade
•Jessicurl (any)
•Long Lovely Locks (any)
•Mop Top Anti-Frizz Gel (silk amino acids)
•Mop Top Pomade
•Oyin Greg Juice
•Oyin Shine and Define Styling Serum
•Qhemet Biologics Honeybush Hair Tea
•Qhemet Biologics Herbal Henna Botanical Softening Oil
•Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm
•Qhemet Biologics Karite Nut Curl Milk
•Qhemet Biologics Amla/Olive Heavy Cream
•Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioning Instant Detangler
•Shea Terra Organics Certified Organic Shea Butter
•Tai Texture Lavender Mist
•Tai Texture Whip Creme
•The Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade
•Biolage Gelee (old formula)
•Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (hydrolized silk
•Boots Essentials Curl Creme (pink version)
•Boots Botanic Frizz Free Curl Cream (white, UK Formula)
•Fresh Sugar Shea Butter
•Jack Black Body-Building Hair Gel
•Kinky Curly Curling Custard
•Little Shop of Beauty cocktail hair & body mist
•Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue
•MyHoneyChild (any, except perhaps the type 4, type 3/4, and type 4/3 hair cremes, which contain soy butter)
•Oyin Whipped Pudding
•Tigi Control Freak Serum (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Wella Liquid Hair Brilliant Spray Gel Volume & Texture (Strong Hold)
•Wella Liquid Hair Power Shift Shaping Gel (Strong)
•Wella Liquid Hair Kryptonite Acrylic Gel (Ultra Hold)
•Wella Bonk Raw Hair Jam Strong Hold Gel
•Wella Liquid Hair Crystal Styler Styling Gel (Extra Strong)
•Wella Bonk Crystal Dynamite Iridescent Shine Gel
•Wella Bonk Mega Spiker Extreme Hold Styler
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
•Aura Radiant Humectant Pomade
•Aura Hypoallergenic Gel
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Shine-A-Loc
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Oil
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Care Professional Firm Hold Styling Gel w/ Aloe Vera
•Volumax Styling Gel
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
◦Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel
◦Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf & Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•African Pride Brain Sheen Spray Extra Shine (1 water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Aussie Tizz No Frizz
•Aussie Dual Personality Water + Gel
•Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick
•Dax Relax Shine & Hold Gel
•Dax Relax Texturizing Foaming Mousse
•Dove Defined Texture Molding Cream (silk amino acids)
•Dove Gel, Define & Shine Control
•Dove Gel, Shape & Life Volumizing
•F/X Curl Booster Fixative Gel
•F/X Curls Up Curl-Reviving Mousse (spray/pump bottle)
•F/X Root Lifter Volume Booster (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil
•Got2Be Defiant Define + Shine Pomade
•Got2B Spiked Up Gel
•Head Wear Strung Out Styling Goo
•Head Wear Thickening Gel
•Head Wear Pliable Putty
•Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel
•Herbal Essences Texturizing Pomade (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil
•ISOPLUS Wrap Lotion
•John Frieda Frizz-Ease Relax Moisture Remedy Rehydrating Balm (discontinued?)
•La Bella Icy Cool Styling Gel
•La Bella Styling Gel Super Hold 9 (keratin amino acids)
•La Bella Super Spikes Styling Gel
•L'oreal Out of Bed Instant Texture (cream gel) (1 water-soluble silicone)
•L'oreal Studio Line Anti-Frizz Gel (1 water-soluble silicone) (discontinued)
•L'oreal Studio Line Texture Grab Gel
•Luster's Pink Short Looks Gel
•Luster's S-Curl Texturizer Stylin' Gel
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Selectives Control Substance Molding Putty
•Soft Sheen Gold Care Free Curl Hair & Scalp Spray for Dry Curls & Body Waves (wheat amino acids)
•Suave Anti-Frizz Smoothing Gel with Aloe - Extra Hold
•Suave Firm Control Gel
•Woltra Cocoa Butter Stick
•White Rain Classics Styling Gel
Back to Top
Design by Andreas Viklund.
Sulfate, Protein, and Silicone-Free Products
This list started with this post on the naturallycurly.com message boards and has developed through the assistance of many helpful curlies, although anicetta on naturallycurly.com deserves special mention (and perhaps a bronze plaque) for her contributions.
I have not verified the ingredients lists and have also not tried most of these products, so this list should be considered a starting point only. You should still read the ingredients and look at reviews before considering buying any of these.
On that note, if you read the ingredients for any of these and notice any sulfates, proteins or silicones, please MUA mail me and let me know so I can remove it from the list! (And, conversely, please mail me and let me know if there's any products I should add!!)
Last Updated 11/7/06
Contents:
I. Shampoos:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
II. Conditioners:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
III. Styling Products:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
I. Shampoos:
Curlmart:
•Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask (not really a shampoo, but it cleans so I’m putting it here)
•Curl Junkie Chamomile & Jasmine Conditioning Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus Bliss Moisturizing Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•DevaCurl No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaBrown Low-Poo (1 water-soluble 'cone)
•DevaBrown No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo
•Kiehl’s Castille
•Little Shop of Beauty Aloe Hair and Body Wash
•MOP C-System Clean
•MOP C-System Hydrating
•Phyto Phytojoba Gentle Regulating Milk Shampoo - Dry Hair Formula
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment
•Avalon Organics Chamomile Citrus Highlighting
•Avalon Organics Awapuhi Mango Moisturizing
•Avalon Organics Aloe Vera Jojoba Fragrance Free
•Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Glistening (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Peppermint Revitalizing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Scalp Treatment (arginine--amino acid)
•Alba Botanica Volumizing
•Alba Botanica Replenishing
•Alba Botanica Balancing
•(Burt’s Bees) Doctor Burt's Herbal Treatment Shampoo with Cedar Leaf & Juniper Oil
•California Baby
•Kiss My Face Aromatherapeutic
•Kiss My Face SaHaira (wheat amino acids)
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free Shampoo
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Drugstore:
•ISOPLUS Conditioning
Back to Top
II. Conditioners:
Curlmart:
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hair & Scalp Pomade
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hot Oil Treatment
•Blended Beauty All Natural Scalp and Hair Oil
•Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioning Treatment
•Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
•Blended Beauty Straightening Glaze Conditioning Setting Spritz
•Curl Junkie Give 'em The Slip! Instant Conditioner (one water-soluble silicone)
•Curl Junkie Healthy Condition Daily Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions SLIP Detangler (silk amino acids)
•Jessicurl (any)
•Oyin Honey-Hemp
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Auntie Rhubarb Moisture Bomb 2 in 1 Leave In
•Aveda Elixir Leave-on Conditioner (wheat amino acids)
•Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Conditioner
•Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner
•Kiehl's Leave-In
•MOP c-system moisture complex
•MOP Lemongrass Conditioner for fine hair (wheat germ? don't know if this is a protein or not)
•MOP Burdock Nourishing Rinse (wheat germ?)
•MOP Mixed Greens
•Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Smells So Sweet Mango & Papaya (Sandra will make it without Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein upon request)
•Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac (silk amino acids)
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
◦Generic Value Products Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
◦Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Leave In
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
•Aubrey Organics White Camellia
•Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta (amino acids)
•Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•Aussie Real Volume for fine hair (old formula only; new formulation has 'cones)
•Garnier Fructis Fortifying (Fine Hair Formula)
•Suave Naturals Waterfall Mist
•Suave Naturals Lavender
•Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze
•Suave Naturals Mango Peach
•Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple
•Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Strawberry
•Suave Naturals Aloe
•Suave Vanilla Floral Cond.(silk protein, but very low on ingreds list)
•White Rain Extra Body
•White Rain Lavender Vanilla
•White Rain Energizing Citrus
•White Rain Tropical Coconut
•White Rain Ocean Mist
•White Rain Apple Blossom
•VO5 Sun Kissed Raspberry
•VO5 Tangerine Tickle
•VO5 Tea Therapy Nourishing
Back to Top
III. Styling Products:
CurlMart:
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Honey
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Jam
•Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding
•Circle of Friends Einar's Arctic Freeze Hyper Hold Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Erik's Shaping Hair Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Luc's Lemon Lime Shine Hair Slicker
•Circle of Friends Valerie's Vanilla Freeze Hair Spray (one water-soluble silicone, hydrolyzed silk)
•Curl Junkie Curl Fuel Curl Enhancing Spray
•Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil (all)
•Curl Junkie Guava Curl Crème (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Pomade (all)
•Curls Pure Essentials Moisturizer (silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions Curlkeeper
•Curly Hair Solutions Gel
•The Jane Carter Solution condition and sculpt
•Greenridge Herbals Jojoba Shea Hair Butter
•Hamadi Shea Pomade
•Jessicurl (any)
•Long Lovely Locks (any)
•Mop Top Anti-Frizz Gel (silk amino acids)
•Mop Top Pomade
•Oyin Greg Juice
•Oyin Shine and Define Styling Serum
•Qhemet Biologics Honeybush Hair Tea
•Qhemet Biologics Herbal Henna Botanical Softening Oil
•Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm
•Qhemet Biologics Karite Nut Curl Milk
•Qhemet Biologics Amla/Olive Heavy Cream
•Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioning Instant Detangler
•Shea Terra Organics Certified Organic Shea Butter
•Tai Texture Lavender Mist
•Tai Texture Whip Creme
•The Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade
•Biolage Gelee (old formula)
•Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (hydrolized silk
•Boots Essentials Curl Creme (pink version)
•Boots Botanic Frizz Free Curl Cream (white, UK Formula)
•Fresh Sugar Shea Butter
•Jack Black Body-Building Hair Gel
•Kinky Curly Curling Custard
•Little Shop of Beauty cocktail hair & body mist
•Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue
•MyHoneyChild (any, except perhaps the type 4, type 3/4, and type 4/3 hair cremes, which contain soy butter)
•Oyin Whipped Pudding
•Tigi Control Freak Serum (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Wella Liquid Hair Brilliant Spray Gel Volume & Texture (Strong Hold)
•Wella Liquid Hair Power Shift Shaping Gel (Strong)
•Wella Liquid Hair Kryptonite Acrylic Gel (Ultra Hold)
•Wella Bonk Raw Hair Jam Strong Hold Gel
•Wella Liquid Hair Crystal Styler Styling Gel (Extra Strong)
•Wella Bonk Crystal Dynamite Iridescent Shine Gel
•Wella Bonk Mega Spiker Extreme Hold Styler
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
•Aura Radiant Humectant Pomade
•Aura Hypoallergenic Gel
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Shine-A-Loc
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Oil
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Care Professional Firm Hold Styling Gel w/ Aloe Vera
•Volumax Styling Gel
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
◦Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel
◦Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf & Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•African Pride Brain Sheen Spray Extra Shine (1 water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Aussie Tizz No Frizz
•Aussie Dual Personality Water + Gel
•Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick
•Dax Relax Shine & Hold Gel
•Dax Relax Texturizing Foaming Mousse
•Dove Defined Texture Molding Cream (silk amino acids)
•Dove Gel, Define & Shine Control
•Dove Gel, Shape & Life Volumizing
•F/X Curl Booster Fixative Gel
•F/X Curls Up Curl-Reviving Mousse (spray/pump bottle)
•F/X Root Lifter Volume Booster (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil
•Got2Be Defiant Define + Shine Pomade
•Got2B Spiked Up Gel
•Head Wear Strung Out Styling Goo
•Head Wear Thickening Gel
•Head Wear Pliable Putty
•Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel
•Herbal Essences Texturizing Pomade (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil
•ISOPLUS Wrap Lotion
•John Frieda Frizz-Ease Relax Moisture Remedy Rehydrating Balm (discontinued?)
•La Bella Icy Cool Styling Gel
•La Bella Styling Gel Super Hold 9 (keratin amino acids)
•La Bella Super Spikes Styling Gel
•L'oreal Out of Bed Instant Texture (cream gel) (1 water-soluble silicone)
•L'oreal Studio Line Anti-Frizz Gel (1 water-soluble silicone) (discontinued)
•L'oreal Studio Line Texture Grab Gel
•Luster's Pink Short Looks Gel
•Luster's S-Curl Texturizer Stylin' Gel
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Selectives Control Substance Molding Putty
•Soft Sheen Gold Care Free Curl Hair & Scalp Spray for Dry Curls & Body Waves (wheat amino acids)
•Suave Anti-Frizz Smoothing Gel with Aloe - Extra Hold
•Suave Firm Control Gel
•Woltra Cocoa Butter Stick
•White Rain Classics Styling Gel
Back to Top
Design by Andreas Viklund.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Check out Blastoff Network
Check out this great site called Blastoff Network! It’s a free online shopping network that pays you cash back every time you OR your friends shop online! There are over 600 popular stores, great travel sites, unsurpassed wireless deals, and even merchant specials for greater savings!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Products For Hard Water
LUSH's Hard Shampoo Bar
Anyone who has ever tried to wash their hair in hard water knows what a beauty nightmare that can be. The heavy build-up of mineral deposits can turn even the healthiest, most lustrous hair into a certified mess--and
fast. Why? The hard water's excess calcium and magnesium content interferes with the ability of your shampoo to form much lather. Not only that, but the small amount of lather that does beat the odds and actually bubble up combines with those pesky minerals to create a film of mineral salts on your hair. That film is so dense it winds up being very hard to rinse out, which leaves your locks rough, dull, dry, brittle, and tangled to the extreme. Now granted, you could invest in a water softener for your home to avoid this problem. But I've recently discovered a product that gets the job done just as well--and is wonderfully nourishing for all types of hair to boot. That product is LUSH's Hard Shampoo.
LUSH's Hard Shampoo comes in a 1.9 ounce round pink bar and features an amazing list of moisture-packed natural ingredients. Inside you'll find a blend of cocoa butter, hibiscus extract, shea butter, camella oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, coconut butter, geranium bourbon oil, lavender oil, fresh free range eggs, cornflower petals, red rose petals, blue mallow flowers, and gardenia extract. The shea and cocoa butters hydrate each strand of hair, making it as soft as it can be. The eggs are filled with protein, which means they give your locks strength and resilience. All those essential oils smooth fly-aways and add a much-needed dose of healthy shine. And last but not least, the flower petals and extracts infuse the entire formula with a long-lasting summer garden scent. Your locks will smell like freshly-picked blossoms all day long!
Close Published by Suzanne Donahue
Anyone who has ever tried to wash their hair in hard water knows what a beauty nightmare that can be. The heavy build-up of mineral deposits can turn even the healthiest, most lustrous hair into a certified mess--and
fast. Why? The hard water's excess calcium and magnesium content interferes with the ability of your shampoo to form much lather. Not only that, but the small amount of lather that does beat the odds and actually bubble up combines with those pesky minerals to create a film of mineral salts on your hair. That film is so dense it winds up being very hard to rinse out, which leaves your locks rough, dull, dry, brittle, and tangled to the extreme. Now granted, you could invest in a water softener for your home to avoid this problem. But I've recently discovered a product that gets the job done just as well--and is wonderfully nourishing for all types of hair to boot. That product is LUSH's Hard Shampoo.
LUSH's Hard Shampoo comes in a 1.9 ounce round pink bar and features an amazing list of moisture-packed natural ingredients. Inside you'll find a blend of cocoa butter, hibiscus extract, shea butter, camella oil, jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, coconut butter, geranium bourbon oil, lavender oil, fresh free range eggs, cornflower petals, red rose petals, blue mallow flowers, and gardenia extract. The shea and cocoa butters hydrate each strand of hair, making it as soft as it can be. The eggs are filled with protein, which means they give your locks strength and resilience. All those essential oils smooth fly-aways and add a much-needed dose of healthy shine. And last but not least, the flower petals and extracts infuse the entire formula with a long-lasting summer garden scent. Your locks will smell like freshly-picked blossoms all day long!
Close Published by Suzanne Donahue
Hard Water And Your Hair
In any cleaning process involving water, the surface tension of water must be reduced so the water can spread out, wet, and soak into a surface. Surface tension is what causes water to bead up. You can see surface tension at work by doing a little experiment. Place a drop of water onto a piece of waxed paper and notice how the drop will hold its shape and will not spread. You can even play a game and push the little drops together--they will join to make bigger drops. Now add a bit of soap to your water and place a drop of the soapy water on the waxed paper—it will no longer hold its shape. When teaching about surface tension, I had a contest with my students to see if any of them could put more drops of water on the head of a penny than I could. I put a few drops of soap in their water—and guess who always won? It was a great teaching tool because it demonstrated how soap reduces surface tension. Many of them went home and challenged their parents!
Substances that decrease surface tension are called surface-active agents or surfactants. Soap is a natural surfactant. Basically, any surfactant that is not a soap is a detergent. You hair and scalp get clean because surfactants decrease the surface tension of water and allow the water to mix with the dirt and grease (sebum) so it can be washed away.
For years people used soap to wash their hair, dishes, clothes, etc. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, household detergents became available. It is believed that the first synthetic detergents were developed by the Germans in the First World War period, due to a shortage of fat needed in the soapmaking process.
But why did people switch from natural soap to synthetic detergent? Soaps and detergents behave differently in hard water. Soaps can form a scum in hard water that will not rinse away easily. Detergents react less to the minerals in hard water. Plus synthetic detergents were much cheaper than soap.
WHAT IS HARD WATER?
Many incorrectly believe that only “well water” is hard water. However, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it is estimated that more than 85% of the water used by consumers in the US can be classified at some level of “hard” water.
Rainwater is soft and mineral free. But, when it falls to the ground it seeps through the soil and rocks and dissolves minerals which give it its character. If the rainwater water passes through hard rock, it remains soft. However, if the ground water seeps through softer rocks, like the limestone very common in the Great Lakes Basin, it dissolves lots of minerals, principally calcium and magnesium, along the way. The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases. The term “hard water” was originally coined to refer to water that was difficult or hard to work with. Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water; and the minerals in hard water can decrease soap’s lathering capabilities.
What does this have to do with hair?
You need water to shampoo your hair and hard water makes it harder to wash your hair. Each hair shaft is made up of little scales, like shingles on a roof. Hard water tends to make the scales stand up, which makes your hair feel rough and tangly. Since your hair is tangled and rough, it is more difficult to rinse out all of the soap. Soap is less effective in very hard water because its reacts with the excess minerals to form calcium or magnesium salts. These are not easily soluble in water and can result in soap film. Washing hair in soft water will have a different result because it leaves fewer insoluble deposits on the hair.
In commercial shampoos, natural soap has been replaced by synthetic surfactants.
What's the difference between a synthetic surfactant and natural soap?
Soaps are biodegradable products produced from natural, renewable resources like olive, palm, or coconut oils.
Synthetic surfactants, like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS), and others, are made from petrochemicals and created in a chemical factory. Although these synthetic surfactants do not react with hard water minerals as much, they do not produce the lather that consumers like. The lather comes from the addition of synthetic lather or foam boosters--like cocamide monoethanolamine. So, these detergent shampoos lather well in all types of water and rinse off easily and completely.
That's their only good point. Sadly detergent is very harsh, and damages your hair. It cleans out dirt and strips out the oil, including the natural oil that makes your hair shiny and strong. Conditioner was introduced as people noticed that detergent shampoo took all of the oils out of their hair and left it feeling dry and brittle. The oils your hair needs to be healthy come naturally from your scalp. Conditioner simply puts artificial oils in your hair so that you do not notice the damage done by your detergent shampoo. Natural soap is better for washing hair, because it does not strip the oils that are naturally in hair. Commercial shampoo is detergent. Detergents are really excellent cleaners (for dishes, laundry, and garage floors)!
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Shampoo manufacturers love to spread misinformation claiming that soap is "harsh." But, the problem with using a natural soap shampoo is often in the water, not the soap.
The first step is determining the hardness of your water. The map below provides some general information for those living in the US. If you are served by a municipal water company, call the city offices or the Superintendent of Water and ask for the test results. Another way is to call for a free hard water test kit from the makers of Diamond Crystal water softening products. Consumers can call (800) 428-4244 for the free kit, which includes an easy-to-use test strip, a coupon for a free bag of water softening salt, and other helpful information.
If your water is not too hard, just use your all natural soap shampoo and a bit of conditioner. The conditioner will help the scales on your hair lie flat, and allow the last of the soap to rinse out. You might have to experiment with different soaps and conditioners.
If your water is very hard you can use a weak acid rinse, like vinegar or lemon juice. The acid makes the scales lie down flat, and again allows the soap to be rinsed more easily. Please read our information on Natural Vinegar Rinses.
I believe I found another way for those of your customers with hard water that cannot afford a water softener and is something better than the vinegar rinse. I had bought some samples of your shampoo bars. I was very sad to realize that my water is hard as hard can be here. I was looking for water softeners but they are too rich for my blood and tried your vinegar rinse solution but it just didn't work for me. I was starting to get really depressed about it, so I decided to think just what was the problem. I decided to try regular filtered water instead, since filtered water takes away all that stuff that makes it unsafe for drinking. So, I filled up some bottles with filtered water and took a shower with that. It WORKED! It rinsed all of the soap from my hair and my hair was left feeling very soft. I got online right away and found shower head filters that cost much much less than a water softener. Jessica
Substances that decrease surface tension are called surface-active agents or surfactants. Soap is a natural surfactant. Basically, any surfactant that is not a soap is a detergent. You hair and scalp get clean because surfactants decrease the surface tension of water and allow the water to mix with the dirt and grease (sebum) so it can be washed away.
For years people used soap to wash their hair, dishes, clothes, etc. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, household detergents became available. It is believed that the first synthetic detergents were developed by the Germans in the First World War period, due to a shortage of fat needed in the soapmaking process.
But why did people switch from natural soap to synthetic detergent? Soaps and detergents behave differently in hard water. Soaps can form a scum in hard water that will not rinse away easily. Detergents react less to the minerals in hard water. Plus synthetic detergents were much cheaper than soap.
WHAT IS HARD WATER?
Many incorrectly believe that only “well water” is hard water. However, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it is estimated that more than 85% of the water used by consumers in the US can be classified at some level of “hard” water.
Rainwater is soft and mineral free. But, when it falls to the ground it seeps through the soil and rocks and dissolves minerals which give it its character. If the rainwater water passes through hard rock, it remains soft. However, if the ground water seeps through softer rocks, like the limestone very common in the Great Lakes Basin, it dissolves lots of minerals, principally calcium and magnesium, along the way. The degree of hardness becomes greater as the calcium and magnesium content increases. The term “hard water” was originally coined to refer to water that was difficult or hard to work with. Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water; and the minerals in hard water can decrease soap’s lathering capabilities.
What does this have to do with hair?
You need water to shampoo your hair and hard water makes it harder to wash your hair. Each hair shaft is made up of little scales, like shingles on a roof. Hard water tends to make the scales stand up, which makes your hair feel rough and tangly. Since your hair is tangled and rough, it is more difficult to rinse out all of the soap. Soap is less effective in very hard water because its reacts with the excess minerals to form calcium or magnesium salts. These are not easily soluble in water and can result in soap film. Washing hair in soft water will have a different result because it leaves fewer insoluble deposits on the hair.
In commercial shampoos, natural soap has been replaced by synthetic surfactants.
What's the difference between a synthetic surfactant and natural soap?
Soaps are biodegradable products produced from natural, renewable resources like olive, palm, or coconut oils.
Synthetic surfactants, like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS), and others, are made from petrochemicals and created in a chemical factory. Although these synthetic surfactants do not react with hard water minerals as much, they do not produce the lather that consumers like. The lather comes from the addition of synthetic lather or foam boosters--like cocamide monoethanolamine. So, these detergent shampoos lather well in all types of water and rinse off easily and completely.
That's their only good point. Sadly detergent is very harsh, and damages your hair. It cleans out dirt and strips out the oil, including the natural oil that makes your hair shiny and strong. Conditioner was introduced as people noticed that detergent shampoo took all of the oils out of their hair and left it feeling dry and brittle. The oils your hair needs to be healthy come naturally from your scalp. Conditioner simply puts artificial oils in your hair so that you do not notice the damage done by your detergent shampoo. Natural soap is better for washing hair, because it does not strip the oils that are naturally in hair. Commercial shampoo is detergent. Detergents are really excellent cleaners (for dishes, laundry, and garage floors)!
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Shampoo manufacturers love to spread misinformation claiming that soap is "harsh." But, the problem with using a natural soap shampoo is often in the water, not the soap.
The first step is determining the hardness of your water. The map below provides some general information for those living in the US. If you are served by a municipal water company, call the city offices or the Superintendent of Water and ask for the test results. Another way is to call for a free hard water test kit from the makers of Diamond Crystal water softening products. Consumers can call (800) 428-4244 for the free kit, which includes an easy-to-use test strip, a coupon for a free bag of water softening salt, and other helpful information.
If your water is not too hard, just use your all natural soap shampoo and a bit of conditioner. The conditioner will help the scales on your hair lie flat, and allow the last of the soap to rinse out. You might have to experiment with different soaps and conditioners.
If your water is very hard you can use a weak acid rinse, like vinegar or lemon juice. The acid makes the scales lie down flat, and again allows the soap to be rinsed more easily. Please read our information on Natural Vinegar Rinses.
I believe I found another way for those of your customers with hard water that cannot afford a water softener and is something better than the vinegar rinse. I had bought some samples of your shampoo bars. I was very sad to realize that my water is hard as hard can be here. I was looking for water softeners but they are too rich for my blood and tried your vinegar rinse solution but it just didn't work for me. I was starting to get really depressed about it, so I decided to think just what was the problem. I decided to try regular filtered water instead, since filtered water takes away all that stuff that makes it unsafe for drinking. So, I filled up some bottles with filtered water and took a shower with that. It WORKED! It rinsed all of the soap from my hair and my hair was left feeling very soft. I got online right away and found shower head filters that cost much much less than a water softener. Jessica
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Find The Perfect Shampoo & Conditioner For Your Hair Type
Shampoo is meant to remove dirt, sebum (a.k.a. oils), and product buildup from your hair. But there are dozens of different brands to choose from, and even more types within those brands.
The same goes for conditioners. Conditioners are meant to add shine, protect hair from drying out and allow for easier combing. Here, we run down the best shampoos and conditioners for four different hair types.
1.Coarse, curly hair
See a list of the best shampoos and conditioners for dry hair
Curly hair is almost always dry hair and here's why: Oils produced in the scalp don't travel as easily down the hair shaft as they do with straight hair.
We've found creamy, moisturizing shampoos work best for this hair texture. Look for wheat germ oil, shea butter and nut oils (macadamia, for example) in your shampoos. These tend to coat the hair shaft, trapping water inside.
Conditioners: More than any other hair type, women with coarse, curly hair must condition every time they shampoo. Look for an ultra-moisturizing conditioner made especially for coarse hair. Once a month use a hot oil treatment. For extra-dry hair, use an intense moisturizing treatment every 2 weeks.
Extra tip: Curly hair should not be washed every day. You'll only dehydrate hair and make it more frizzy and unmanageable. Another alternative to shampoo washings is to rinse the hair with water and then follow with a conditioner. Also, lay off the blow dryer (they tend to dry out hair even more) and let curls dry naturally.
2.Fine, oily, or limp hair See a list of the best shampoos and conditioners for fine hair
Fine hair is most susceptible to looking 'oily' and can get this way after only one day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones that were made for your curlier sisters. You want a gentle shampoo marked for daily or frequent washing. The secret fine hair shampoo lies in a body-building ingredient called panthenol. Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle making each strand thicker. Another tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washings. Not only will the powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well.
Conditioners: Not all limp-haired ladies need conditioners. If you find you can easily comb out hair after washings without a conditioner you can skip it. Conditioners are good for combing out fine hair. Just don't let the product touch your scalp. Massage a light-weight conditioner from mid-shaft down and no need to leave it on for long. If you have extremely greasy hair, look for the oil-absorbing tea-tree oil in your conditioner.
Extra tip: Consider using a spray conditioner. They tend to be more light-weight and therefore don't weigh the hair down. Also, unless your hair is extra-oily, there's no need to 'rinse and repeat.' One shampoo will do you. You don't have to lather twice.
3.Processed hair Adding moisture is key for colored, permed and relaxed hair. Unfortunately, overly processed hair can suffer from oily roots but dry shaft and ends. Therefore, washing processed hair can be tricky business. You want to cleanse the roots while moisturizing the ends. We suggest washing hair every other day with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Then use a strong conditioner only on the mid-shaft to ends of hair. Here are other shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:
•Colored. Hair experts swear color-protection shampoos contain gentle cleansers and ingredients that preserve color. Other experts suggest shampoos for color-treated hair are just another way for companies to make money off you. They suggest using a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo instead of the pricey specialized shampoos. We say: Whatever works for you. Don't mind paying for the fancy stuff? Then do it. If you like it, then stick with it. Dozens of products on shelves must mean they work for somebody.
•Permed or relaxed. Any moisturizing shampoo will work for your hair type but apply it only to roots and rub it in well. Then apply a quick burst of water. While the water is running down the hair shaft, massage hair to remove any dirt and grime. Rinse well. You don't want to skip the conditioner. Make sure to keep conditioner from the roots.
Conditioners: Look for a rich conditioner to be used primarily on the ends of your hair. Avoid conditioners that contain silicone, since they tend to strip color.
Extra tip for processed hair: Wash your hair only every few days to prevent drying out. You can use a dry shampoo; or if you're blond, a talcum powder, in between washings.
4.Dry, damaged hair
Avoid clear shampoos and go straight for the creamy ones. These smooth, detangle and diffuse static.
Conditioners: Again, moisturizing is key. You'll want to look for an ultra-moisturizing conditioner.
Julyne Derrick
The same goes for conditioners. Conditioners are meant to add shine, protect hair from drying out and allow for easier combing. Here, we run down the best shampoos and conditioners for four different hair types.
1.Coarse, curly hair
See a list of the best shampoos and conditioners for dry hair
Curly hair is almost always dry hair and here's why: Oils produced in the scalp don't travel as easily down the hair shaft as they do with straight hair.
We've found creamy, moisturizing shampoos work best for this hair texture. Look for wheat germ oil, shea butter and nut oils (macadamia, for example) in your shampoos. These tend to coat the hair shaft, trapping water inside.
Conditioners: More than any other hair type, women with coarse, curly hair must condition every time they shampoo. Look for an ultra-moisturizing conditioner made especially for coarse hair. Once a month use a hot oil treatment. For extra-dry hair, use an intense moisturizing treatment every 2 weeks.
Extra tip: Curly hair should not be washed every day. You'll only dehydrate hair and make it more frizzy and unmanageable. Another alternative to shampoo washings is to rinse the hair with water and then follow with a conditioner. Also, lay off the blow dryer (they tend to dry out hair even more) and let curls dry naturally.
2.Fine, oily, or limp hair See a list of the best shampoos and conditioners for fine hair
Fine hair is most susceptible to looking 'oily' and can get this way after only one day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones that were made for your curlier sisters. You want a gentle shampoo marked for daily or frequent washing. The secret fine hair shampoo lies in a body-building ingredient called panthenol. Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle making each strand thicker. Another tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washings. Not only will the powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well.
Conditioners: Not all limp-haired ladies need conditioners. If you find you can easily comb out hair after washings without a conditioner you can skip it. Conditioners are good for combing out fine hair. Just don't let the product touch your scalp. Massage a light-weight conditioner from mid-shaft down and no need to leave it on for long. If you have extremely greasy hair, look for the oil-absorbing tea-tree oil in your conditioner.
Extra tip: Consider using a spray conditioner. They tend to be more light-weight and therefore don't weigh the hair down. Also, unless your hair is extra-oily, there's no need to 'rinse and repeat.' One shampoo will do you. You don't have to lather twice.
3.Processed hair Adding moisture is key for colored, permed and relaxed hair. Unfortunately, overly processed hair can suffer from oily roots but dry shaft and ends. Therefore, washing processed hair can be tricky business. You want to cleanse the roots while moisturizing the ends. We suggest washing hair every other day with a shampoo made for normal hair. Concentrate on cleaning the scalp. Then use a strong conditioner only on the mid-shaft to ends of hair. Here are other shampoo tips for the following processed hair types:
•Colored. Hair experts swear color-protection shampoos contain gentle cleansers and ingredients that preserve color. Other experts suggest shampoos for color-treated hair are just another way for companies to make money off you. They suggest using a gentle cleanser such as baby shampoo instead of the pricey specialized shampoos. We say: Whatever works for you. Don't mind paying for the fancy stuff? Then do it. If you like it, then stick with it. Dozens of products on shelves must mean they work for somebody.
•Permed or relaxed. Any moisturizing shampoo will work for your hair type but apply it only to roots and rub it in well. Then apply a quick burst of water. While the water is running down the hair shaft, massage hair to remove any dirt and grime. Rinse well. You don't want to skip the conditioner. Make sure to keep conditioner from the roots.
Conditioners: Look for a rich conditioner to be used primarily on the ends of your hair. Avoid conditioners that contain silicone, since they tend to strip color.
Extra tip for processed hair: Wash your hair only every few days to prevent drying out. You can use a dry shampoo; or if you're blond, a talcum powder, in between washings.
4.Dry, damaged hair
Avoid clear shampoos and go straight for the creamy ones. These smooth, detangle and diffuse static.
Conditioners: Again, moisturizing is key. You'll want to look for an ultra-moisturizing conditioner.
Julyne Derrick
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Types of Shampoo
All shampoos fall into one of two categories:
1. cleansers (Prell, Herbal Essence, Breck) that need a follow-up conditioner
2. combo of cleanser and conditioner that don’t clean as well as a straight cleanser and don’t
condition as well as a conditioner but will do a good job of both tasks. Most shampoos are in
this category but differ as to which kind of conditioning ingredient they contain.
All conditioners (whether as a separate product or combined in a shampoo) accumulate on the
shaft and can’t be removed by using the same product all the time. It’s good to use a simple
cleansing shampoo after every two or three uses of a conditioner or a conditioning shampoo.
Other special shampoos types:
1. Dry shampoos: powders brushed onto hair and are then brushed out. They don’t really clean,
but it’s a good stopgap if you can’t shampoo.
2. Baby shampoos: these are meant for babies, who have fine hair and not much of it. It’s not
strong enough for an adult, even if you use it everyday.
3. Shampoos for color-treated hair: these need to be rich in moisturizers and protein to return
water to the shaft. They should be low in alkalinity, and should not have sulphated castor oils
that will strip color.
4. Shampoos for processed hair: these need to be rich in moisturizers and protein to return
water to the shaft. They should be low in alkalinity.
5. Daily use shampoos: these are very gentle and have low amounts of cleansers and usually
contain conditioners. They’re not strong enough to remove the normal buildup of styling
products.
1. cleansers (Prell, Herbal Essence, Breck) that need a follow-up conditioner
2. combo of cleanser and conditioner that don’t clean as well as a straight cleanser and don’t
condition as well as a conditioner but will do a good job of both tasks. Most shampoos are in
this category but differ as to which kind of conditioning ingredient they contain.
All conditioners (whether as a separate product or combined in a shampoo) accumulate on the
shaft and can’t be removed by using the same product all the time. It’s good to use a simple
cleansing shampoo after every two or three uses of a conditioner or a conditioning shampoo.
Other special shampoos types:
1. Dry shampoos: powders brushed onto hair and are then brushed out. They don’t really clean,
but it’s a good stopgap if you can’t shampoo.
2. Baby shampoos: these are meant for babies, who have fine hair and not much of it. It’s not
strong enough for an adult, even if you use it everyday.
3. Shampoos for color-treated hair: these need to be rich in moisturizers and protein to return
water to the shaft. They should be low in alkalinity, and should not have sulphated castor oils
that will strip color.
4. Shampoos for processed hair: these need to be rich in moisturizers and protein to return
water to the shaft. They should be low in alkalinity.
5. Daily use shampoos: these are very gentle and have low amounts of cleansers and usually
contain conditioners. They’re not strong enough to remove the normal buildup of styling
products.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Oil vs Soap vs Water
Soap vs. oil vs. water:
Water alone is not able to penetrate grease or oil because they are of opposite polarity.
When grease or oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) are mixed with a soap- water solution, the soap molecules work as a "bridge" between polar water molecules and non-polar oil molecules. Soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar at opposite ends of the molecule.
The oil is a pure hydrocarbon so it is non-polar. The non-polar hydrocarbon tail of the soap dissolves into the oil. That leaves the polar carboxylate ion of the soap molecules are sticking out of the oil droplets, the surface of each oil droplet is negatively charged. As a result, the oil droplets repel each other and remain suspended in solution (this is called an emulsion) to be washed away by a stream of water. The outside of the droplet is also coated with a layer of water molecules.
Water alone is not able to penetrate grease or oil because they are of opposite polarity.
When grease or oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) are mixed with a soap- water solution, the soap molecules work as a "bridge" between polar water molecules and non-polar oil molecules. Soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar at opposite ends of the molecule.
The oil is a pure hydrocarbon so it is non-polar. The non-polar hydrocarbon tail of the soap dissolves into the oil. That leaves the polar carboxylate ion of the soap molecules are sticking out of the oil droplets, the surface of each oil droplet is negatively charged. As a result, the oil droplets repel each other and remain suspended in solution (this is called an emulsion) to be washed away by a stream of water. The outside of the droplet is also coated with a layer of water molecules.
Is Coconut Oil water Soluble or Not?
I am a layman, and took Chemistry course over 40 years ago, so this answer will be temporary until a Chemist can improve it.
I suspect that in the first test tube [oil and water only] that there probably will be a partial break-up of the oil and some mixing into the water, but this will be temporary until the oil seperates, floats to the surface, and partially recombines.
In the case of the second test tube [oil, water, and soap] that the soap will reduce the surface tension of the oil, allowing it to break up into smaller particles, and possibly form a stable, or at least simi-stable emulsion in the water.
I suspect that in the first test tube [oil and water only] that there probably will be a partial break-up of the oil and some mixing into the water, but this will be temporary until the oil seperates, floats to the surface, and partially recombines.
In the case of the second test tube [oil, water, and soap] that the soap will reduce the surface tension of the oil, allowing it to break up into smaller particles, and possibly form a stable, or at least simi-stable emulsion in the water.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Why Shampoo Is Clear and Conditioner Is Not??
by Right Brain on February 28, 2009 · 3 comments
Stephanie Seeks Clarification: Is there a scientific reason why shampoos are usually clear or close to clear and conditioners usually are not?
The Right Brain Clears Things Up:
Great question! Shampoos are composed mainly of water and surfactants. (If surfactants sounds to technical, you can call them detergents. If detergents reminds you too much of laundry, you can call them foaming thingies. Whatever.)
Anyway the foaming thingies, uh I mean the surfactants, are soluble in water so the shampoo is clear. It’s like putting salt into water – all the salt dissolves and you can still see through the water.
Clarifying conditioner
Conditioners on the other hand are composed mainly of water and conditioning agents. Most conditioning agents are not compatible with water (they won’t dissolve in it). So, to make a conditioner you have to create a special type of mixture called an emulsion. Emulsions are just small particles of oils suspended in water. (Think about the kind of 2-layer oil and vinegar salad dressing that you have to shake before using. That’s a simple emulsion.) In an emulsion, the light passing through the product is scattered when it hits all those tiny suspended oil particles. That light scattering makes the conditioner look opaque.
By the way, you can make a clear conditioner by using water soluble conditioners or a special type of emulsion known as a microemulsion. But there’s never been a successful one on the market because people don’t believe they work! (Does anyone remember the original Clean and Clear from the late 80s? They had a clear hair conditioner. Ahh, sweet memories.)
Stephanie Seeks Clarification: Is there a scientific reason why shampoos are usually clear or close to clear and conditioners usually are not?
The Right Brain Clears Things Up:
Great question! Shampoos are composed mainly of water and surfactants. (If surfactants sounds to technical, you can call them detergents. If detergents reminds you too much of laundry, you can call them foaming thingies. Whatever.)
Anyway the foaming thingies, uh I mean the surfactants, are soluble in water so the shampoo is clear. It’s like putting salt into water – all the salt dissolves and you can still see through the water.
Clarifying conditioner
Conditioners on the other hand are composed mainly of water and conditioning agents. Most conditioning agents are not compatible with water (they won’t dissolve in it). So, to make a conditioner you have to create a special type of mixture called an emulsion. Emulsions are just small particles of oils suspended in water. (Think about the kind of 2-layer oil and vinegar salad dressing that you have to shake before using. That’s a simple emulsion.) In an emulsion, the light passing through the product is scattered when it hits all those tiny suspended oil particles. That light scattering makes the conditioner look opaque.
By the way, you can make a clear conditioner by using water soluble conditioners or a special type of emulsion known as a microemulsion. But there’s never been a successful one on the market because people don’t believe they work! (Does anyone remember the original Clean and Clear from the late 80s? They had a clear hair conditioner. Ahh, sweet memories.)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Sulphate, Protein and Silicone-Free Products for Hair
Healthy Curls
Sulfate, Protein, and Silicone-Free Products
This list started with this post on the naturallycurly.com message boards and has developed through the assistance of many helpful curlies, although anicetta on naturallycurly.com deserves special mention (and perhaps a bronze plaque) for her contributions.
I have not verified the ingredients lists and have also not tried most of these products, so this list should be considered a starting point only. You should still read the ingredients and look at reviews before considering buying any of these.
On that note, if you read the ingredients for any of these and notice any sulfates, proteins or silicones, please MUA mail me and let me know so I can remove it from the list! (And, conversely, please mail me and let me know if there's any products I should add!!)
Last Updated 11/7/06
Contents:
I. Shampoos:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
II. Conditioners:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
III. Styling Products:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
I. Shampoos:
Curlmart:
•Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask (not really a shampoo, but it cleans so I’m putting it here)
•Curl Junkie Chamomile & Jasmine Conditioning Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus Bliss Moisturizing Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•DevaCurl No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaBrown Low-Poo (1 water-soluble 'cone)
•DevaBrown No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo
•Kiehl’s Castille
•Little Shop of Beauty Aloe Hair and Body Wash
•MOP C-System Clean
•MOP C-System Hydrating
•Phyto Phytojoba Gentle Regulating Milk Shampoo - Dry Hair Formula
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment
•Avalon Organics Chamomile Citrus Highlighting
•Avalon Organics Awapuhi Mango Moisturizing
•Avalon Organics Aloe Vera Jojoba Fragrance Free
•Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Glistening (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Peppermint Revitalizing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Scalp Treatment (arginine--amino acid)
•Alba Botanica Volumizing
•Alba Botanica Replenishing
•Alba Botanica Balancing
•(Burt’s Bees) Doctor Burt's Herbal Treatment Shampoo with Cedar Leaf & Juniper Oil
•California Baby
•Kiss My Face Aromatherapeutic
•Kiss My Face SaHaira (wheat amino acids)
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free Shampoo
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Drugstore:
•ISOPLUS Conditioning
Back to Top
II. Conditioners:
Curlmart:
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hair & Scalp Pomade
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hot Oil Treatment
•Blended Beauty All Natural Scalp and Hair Oil
•Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioning Treatment
•Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
•Blended Beauty Straightening Glaze Conditioning Setting Spritz
•Curl Junkie Give 'em The Slip! Instant Conditioner (one water-soluble silicone)
•Curl Junkie Healthy Condition Daily Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions SLIP Detangler (silk amino acids)
•Jessicurl (any)
•Oyin Honey-Hemp
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Auntie Rhubarb Moisture Bomb 2 in 1 Leave In
•Aveda Elixir Leave-on Conditioner (wheat amino acids)
•Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Conditioner
•Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner
•Kiehl's Leave-In
•MOP c-system moisture complex
•MOP Lemongrass Conditioner for fine hair (wheat germ? don't know if this is a protein or not)
•MOP Burdock Nourishing Rinse (wheat germ?)
•MOP Mixed Greens
•Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Smells So Sweet Mango & Papaya (Sandra will make it without Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein upon request)
•Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac (silk amino acids)
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
◦Generic Value Products Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
◦Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Leave In
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
•Aubrey Organics White Camellia
•Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta (amino acids)
•Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•Aussie Real Volume for fine hair (old formula only; new formulation has 'cones)
•Garnier Fructis Fortifying (Fine Hair Formula)
•Suave Naturals Waterfall Mist
•Suave Naturals Lavender
•Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze
•Suave Naturals Mango Peach
•Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple
•Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Strawberry
•Suave Naturals Aloe
•Suave Vanilla Floral Cond.(silk protein, but very low on ingreds list)
•White Rain Extra Body
•White Rain Lavender Vanilla
•White Rain Energizing Citrus
•White Rain Tropical Coconut
•White Rain Ocean Mist
•White Rain Apple Blossom
•VO5 Sun Kissed Raspberry
•VO5 Tangerine Tickle
•VO5 Tea Therapy Nourishing
Back to Top
III. Styling Products:
CurlMart:
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Honey
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Jam
•Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding
•Circle of Friends Einar's Arctic Freeze Hyper Hold Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Erik's Shaping Hair Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Luc's Lemon Lime Shine Hair Slicker
•Circle of Friends Valerie's Vanilla Freeze Hair Spray (one water-soluble silicone, hydrolyzed silk)
•Curl Junkie Curl Fuel Curl Enhancing Spray
•Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil (all)
•Curl Junkie Guava Curl Crème (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Pomade (all)
•Curls Pure Essentials Moisturizer (silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions Curlkeeper
•Curly Hair Solutions Gel
•The Jane Carter Solution condition and sculpt
•Greenridge Herbals Jojoba Shea Hair Butter
•Hamadi Shea Pomade
•Jessicurl (any)
•Long Lovely Locks (any)
•Mop Top Anti-Frizz Gel (silk amino acids)
•Mop Top Pomade
•Oyin Greg Juice
•Oyin Shine and Define Styling Serum
•Qhemet Biologics Honeybush Hair Tea
•Qhemet Biologics Herbal Henna Botanical Softening Oil
•Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm
•Qhemet Biologics Karite Nut Curl Milk
•Qhemet Biologics Amla/Olive Heavy Cream
•Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioning Instant Detangler
•Shea Terra Organics Certified Organic Shea Butter
•Tai Texture Lavender Mist
•Tai Texture Whip Creme
•The Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade
•Biolage Gelee (old formula)
•Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (hydrolized silk
•Boots Essentials Curl Creme (pink version)
•Boots Botanic Frizz Free Curl Cream (white, UK Formula)
•Fresh Sugar Shea Butter
•Jack Black Body-Building Hair Gel
•Kinky Curly Curling Custard
•Little Shop of Beauty cocktail hair & body mist
•Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue
•MyHoneyChild (any, except perhaps the type 4, type 3/4, and type 4/3 hair cremes, which contain soy butter)
•Oyin Whipped Pudding
•Tigi Control Freak Serum (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Wella Liquid Hair Brilliant Spray Gel Volume & Texture (Strong Hold)
•Wella Liquid Hair Power Shift Shaping Gel (Strong)
•Wella Liquid Hair Kryptonite Acrylic Gel (Ultra Hold)
•Wella Bonk Raw Hair Jam Strong Hold Gel
•Wella Liquid Hair Crystal Styler Styling Gel (Extra Strong)
•Wella Bonk Crystal Dynamite Iridescent Shine Gel
•Wella Bonk Mega Spiker Extreme Hold Styler
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
•Aura Radiant Humectant Pomade
•Aura Hypoallergenic Gel
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Shine-A-Loc
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Oil
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Care Professional Firm Hold Styling Gel w/ Aloe Vera
•Volumax Styling Gel
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
◦Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel
◦Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf & Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•African Pride Brain Sheen Spray Extra Shine (1 water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Aussie Tizz No Frizz
•Aussie Dual Personality Water + Gel
•Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick
•Dax Relax Shine & Hold Gel
•Dax Relax Texturizing Foaming Mousse
•Dove Defined Texture Molding Cream (silk amino acids)
•Dove Gel, Define & Shine Control
•Dove Gel, Shape & Life Volumizing
•F/X Curl Booster Fixative Gel
•F/X Curls Up Curl-Reviving Mousse (spray/pump bottle)
•F/X Root Lifter Volume Booster (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil
•Got2Be Defiant Define + Shine Pomade
•Got2B Spiked Up Gel
•Head Wear Strung Out Styling Goo
•Head Wear Thickening Gel
•Head Wear Pliable Putty
•Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel
•Herbal Essences Texturizing Pomade (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil
•ISOPLUS Wrap Lotion
•John Frieda Frizz-Ease Relax Moisture Remedy Rehydrating Balm (discontinued?)
•La Bella Icy Cool Styling Gel
•La Bella Styling Gel Super Hold 9 (keratin amino acids)
•La Bella Super Spikes Styling Gel
•L'oreal Out of Bed Instant Texture (cream gel) (1 water-soluble silicone)
•L'oreal Studio Line Anti-Frizz Gel (1 water-soluble silicone) (discontinued)
•L'oreal Studio Line Texture Grab Gel
•Luster's Pink Short Looks Gel
•Luster's S-Curl Texturizer Stylin' Gel
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Selectives Control Substance Molding Putty
•Soft Sheen Gold Care Free Curl Hair & Scalp Spray for Dry Curls & Body Waves (wheat amino acids)
•Suave Anti-Frizz Smoothing Gel with Aloe - Extra Hold
•Suave Firm Control Gel
•Woltra Cocoa Butter Stick
•White Rain Classics Styling Gel
Back to Top
Design by Andreas Viklund.
Sulfate, Protein, and Silicone-Free Products
This list started with this post on the naturallycurly.com message boards and has developed through the assistance of many helpful curlies, although anicetta on naturallycurly.com deserves special mention (and perhaps a bronze plaque) for her contributions.
I have not verified the ingredients lists and have also not tried most of these products, so this list should be considered a starting point only. You should still read the ingredients and look at reviews before considering buying any of these.
On that note, if you read the ingredients for any of these and notice any sulfates, proteins or silicones, please MUA mail me and let me know so I can remove it from the list! (And, conversely, please mail me and let me know if there's any products I should add!!)
Last Updated 11/7/06
Contents:
I. Shampoos:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
II. Conditioners:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
III. Styling Products:
•Curlmart
•Salon/Internet
•Sally's Beauty Supply
•Health Food Store/Trader Joe's
•Drugstore
I. Shampoos:
Curlmart:
•Blended Beauty Volcanic Clean Mask (not really a shampoo, but it cleans so I’m putting it here)
•Curl Junkie Chamomile & Jasmine Conditioning Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus Bliss Moisturizing Shampoo (silk amino acids)
•DevaCurl No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•DevaBlonde No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaBrown Low-Poo (1 water-soluble 'cone)
•DevaBrown No-Poo (wheat, soy, and oat amino acids) (no surfactants)
•DevaCurl Low-Poo (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo
•Kiehl’s Castille
•Little Shop of Beauty Aloe Hair and Body Wash
•MOP C-System Clean
•MOP C-System Hydrating
•Phyto Phytojoba Gentle Regulating Milk Shampoo - Dry Hair Formula
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Mint Treatment
•Avalon Organics Chamomile Citrus Highlighting
•Avalon Organics Awapuhi Mango Moisturizing
•Avalon Organics Aloe Vera Jojoba Fragrance Free
•Avalon Organics Lemon Clarifying (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Ylang Ylang Glistening (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Peppermint Revitalizing (arginine--amino acid)
•Avalon Organics Tea Tree Scalp Treatment (arginine--amino acid)
•Alba Botanica Volumizing
•Alba Botanica Replenishing
•Alba Botanica Balancing
•(Burt’s Bees) Doctor Burt's Herbal Treatment Shampoo with Cedar Leaf & Juniper Oil
•California Baby
•Kiss My Face Aromatherapeutic
•Kiss My Face SaHaira (wheat amino acids)
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free Shampoo
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Drugstore:
•ISOPLUS Conditioning
Back to Top
II. Conditioners:
Curlmart:
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hair & Scalp Pomade
•Arbre de Vie Shea Hot Oil Treatment
•Blended Beauty All Natural Scalp and Hair Oil
•Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioning Treatment
•Blended Beauty Kick for Curls Aloe Juice Spritz
•Blended Beauty Straightening Glaze Conditioning Setting Spritz
•Curl Junkie Give 'em The Slip! Instant Conditioner (one water-soluble silicone)
•Curl Junkie Healthy Condition Daily Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner
•Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner (all) (one water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions SLIP Detangler (silk amino acids)
•Jessicurl (any)
•Oyin Honey-Hemp
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Auntie Rhubarb Moisture Bomb 2 in 1 Leave In
•Aveda Elixir Leave-on Conditioner (wheat amino acids)
•Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Conditioner
•Bumble and Bumble Leave In Conditioner
•Kiehl's Leave-In
•MOP c-system moisture complex
•MOP Lemongrass Conditioner for fine hair (wheat germ? don't know if this is a protein or not)
•MOP Burdock Nourishing Rinse (wheat germ?)
•MOP Mixed Greens
•Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Smells So Sweet Mango & Papaya (Sandra will make it without Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein upon request)
•Tigi Bed Head Moisture Maniac (silk amino acids)
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
◦Generic Value Products Paul Mitchell The Detangler (2 water-soluble silicones)
◦Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Leave In
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
•Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
•Aubrey Organics White Camellia
•Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta (amino acids)
•Burt's Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet
•Magick Botanicals Oil Free / Fragrance Free
•Trader Joe’s Refresh
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•Aussie Real Volume for fine hair (old formula only; new formulation has 'cones)
•Garnier Fructis Fortifying (Fine Hair Formula)
•Suave Naturals Waterfall Mist
•Suave Naturals Lavender
•Suave Naturals Ocean Breeze
•Suave Naturals Mango Peach
•Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple
•Suave Naturals Fresh Mountain Strawberry
•Suave Naturals Aloe
•Suave Vanilla Floral Cond.(silk protein, but very low on ingreds list)
•White Rain Extra Body
•White Rain Lavender Vanilla
•White Rain Energizing Citrus
•White Rain Tropical Coconut
•White Rain Ocean Mist
•White Rain Apple Blossom
•VO5 Sun Kissed Raspberry
•VO5 Tangerine Tickle
•VO5 Tea Therapy Nourishing
Back to Top
III. Styling Products:
CurlMart:
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Honey
•Akiva Naturals Healthy Hair Jam
•Blended Beauty Curly Frizz Pudding
•Circle of Friends Einar's Arctic Freeze Hyper Hold Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Erik's Shaping Hair Gel (one water-soluble silicone)
•Circle of Friends Luc's Lemon Lime Shine Hair Slicker
•Circle of Friends Valerie's Vanilla Freeze Hair Spray (one water-soluble silicone, hydrolyzed silk)
•Curl Junkie Curl Fuel Curl Enhancing Spray
•Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Hair Oil (all)
•Curl Junkie Guava Curl Crème (silk amino acids)
•Curl Junkie Pomade (all)
•Curls Pure Essentials Moisturizer (silk amino acids)
•Curly Hair Solutions Curlkeeper
•Curly Hair Solutions Gel
•The Jane Carter Solution condition and sculpt
•Greenridge Herbals Jojoba Shea Hair Butter
•Hamadi Shea Pomade
•Jessicurl (any)
•Long Lovely Locks (any)
•Mop Top Anti-Frizz Gel (silk amino acids)
•Mop Top Pomade
•Oyin Greg Juice
•Oyin Shine and Define Styling Serum
•Qhemet Biologics Honeybush Hair Tea
•Qhemet Biologics Herbal Henna Botanical Softening Oil
•Qhemet Biologics Olive & Honey Hydrating Balm
•Qhemet Biologics Karite Nut Curl Milk
•Qhemet Biologics Amla/Olive Heavy Cream
•Qhemet Biologics Olive Cream Conditioning Instant Detangler
•Shea Terra Organics Certified Organic Shea Butter
•Tai Texture Lavender Mist
•Tai Texture Whip Creme
•The Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Cream
Back to Top
Salon/Internet:
•Aveda Brilliant Humectant Pomade
•Biolage Gelee (old formula)
•Biosilk Rock Hard Gelee (hydrolized silk
•Boots Essentials Curl Creme (pink version)
•Boots Botanic Frizz Free Curl Cream (white, UK Formula)
•Fresh Sugar Shea Butter
•Jack Black Body-Building Hair Gel
•Kinky Curly Curling Custard
•Little Shop of Beauty cocktail hair & body mist
•Miss Jessie's Curly Meringue
•MyHoneyChild (any, except perhaps the type 4, type 3/4, and type 4/3 hair cremes, which contain soy butter)
•Oyin Whipped Pudding
•Tigi Control Freak Serum (2 water-soluble silicones)
•Wella Liquid Hair Brilliant Spray Gel Volume & Texture (Strong Hold)
•Wella Liquid Hair Power Shift Shaping Gel (Strong)
•Wella Liquid Hair Kryptonite Acrylic Gel (Ultra Hold)
•Wella Bonk Raw Hair Jam Strong Hold Gel
•Wella Liquid Hair Crystal Styler Styling Gel (Extra Strong)
•Wella Bonk Crystal Dynamite Iridescent Shine Gel
•Wella Bonk Mega Spiker Extreme Hold Styler
Back to Top
Sally's Beauty Supply:
•Aura Radiant Humectant Pomade
•Aura Hypoallergenic Gel
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Shine-A-Loc
•Jamaican Mango & Lime Cactus Oil
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Care Professional Firm Hold Styling Gel w/ Aloe Vera
•Volumax Styling Gel
Health Food Store/Trader Joe's:
◦Aubrey Organics Pure Aloe Vera Gel
◦Aubrey Organics Mandarin Magic Ginkgo Leaf & Ginseng Root Hair Moisturizing Jelly
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel
◦Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly
Back to Top
Drugstore:
•African Pride Brain Sheen Spray Extra Shine (1 water-soluble silicone, silk amino acids)
•Aussie Tizz No Frizz
•Aussie Dual Personality Water + Gel
•Cococare Cocoa Butter Stick
•Dax Relax Shine & Hold Gel
•Dax Relax Texturizing Foaming Mousse
•Dove Defined Texture Molding Cream (silk amino acids)
•Dove Gel, Define & Shine Control
•Dove Gel, Shape & Life Volumizing
•F/X Curl Booster Fixative Gel
•F/X Curls Up Curl-Reviving Mousse (spray/pump bottle)
•F/X Root Lifter Volume Booster (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Ginseng Miracle Wonder 8 Oil
•Got2Be Defiant Define + Shine Pomade
•Got2B Spiked Up Gel
•Head Wear Strung Out Styling Goo
•Head Wear Thickening Gel
•Head Wear Pliable Putty
•Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Spray Gel
•Herbal Essences Set Me Up Gel
•Herbal Essences Texturizing Pomade (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (1 water-soluble silicone)
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress
•Hollywood Beauty Olive Oil
•ISOPLUS Wrap Lotion
•John Frieda Frizz-Ease Relax Moisture Remedy Rehydrating Balm (discontinued?)
•La Bella Icy Cool Styling Gel
•La Bella Styling Gel Super Hold 9 (keratin amino acids)
•La Bella Super Spikes Styling Gel
•L'oreal Out of Bed Instant Texture (cream gel) (1 water-soluble silicone)
•L'oreal Studio Line Anti-Frizz Gel (1 water-soluble silicone) (discontinued)
•L'oreal Studio Line Texture Grab Gel
•Luster's Pink Short Looks Gel
•Luster's S-Curl Texturizer Stylin' Gel
•Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel
•Salon Selectives Control Substance Molding Putty
•Soft Sheen Gold Care Free Curl Hair & Scalp Spray for Dry Curls & Body Waves (wheat amino acids)
•Suave Anti-Frizz Smoothing Gel with Aloe - Extra Hold
•Suave Firm Control Gel
•Woltra Cocoa Butter Stick
•White Rain Classics Styling Gel
Back to Top
Design by Andreas Viklund.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Zinc For Acne
Here is the research finding of 7 years on the zinc and acne connection. Can the zinc acne treatment really give the results you want? Find out here.
It has been reported that zinc has the ability to reduce the symptoms of acne. The zinc mineral has some properties which seem to be extremely useful in acne treatments. However this is not the universal view as there are many who believe that this is not the case. They do not believe that there is any connection between zinc and acne.
However, recent research data do not seem to agree with this point of view. This research points to the fact that zinc has the ability to fight bacteria much like an antibiotic (such as tetracycline), and it can also strengthen the immune system. But the best news is, zinc does not have any of the negative effects of antibiotics.
So there are clearly 2 schools of thoughts on the zinc acne connection. I have tried to find out which group is correct and to do this, I have experimented, researched and gone through trial and errors for 7 long years. And the good news is, today I know the truth about the zinc acne connection.
The report you find here is the culmination of my years of work. Here I have discussed what zinc is, the connection between the two, why and how the zinc acne treatment can really work, and how you should be using zinc so that you can get the most effective results? So is the zinc acne treatment the final answer for someone who is suffering from acne – I will discuss the answer to this question also here.
Some facts on zinc for acne
Zinc is present in a whole lot of things. This essential trace mineral can be found in insulin and in the tissues. You will also find zinc in egg yolks, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, soybeans, legumes, whole grains, fish, soy lecithin and in the herbs such as eyebright, milk thistle, chamomile, dandelion, cayenne, mullein, burdock root, alfalfa and nettle.
There are many ways zinc can help us stay healthy. Here are some of them – providing the enzymes that help in digestion and the energy to keep the body going, strengthening the natural immunity, helping prevent blindness, regulating levels of vitamin E in the blood, supporting more than 300 enzymatic reactions, in fighting bacteria, it speeds up the process of healing, helps the body absorb Vitamin A and B, and zinc is also important for growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen.
Yes, the advantages of zinc are many, but how is it related to acne? Can it benefit those people suffering from acne, and if yes, how?
What is the connection between acne and zinc?
Zinc can regulate the production of oil by the glands which go up when there is a hormonal imbalance – this is one major reason of acne, the other being the build up of toxic materials in the body. This is done when the right quantity, quality and ratio of essential fatty acids is taken. When you are able to regulate the hormone levels, the symptoms of acne are controlled.
The other useful properties that aid the zinc acne treatment include its ability to make the body absorb vitamin A, in the promotion of wound healing, the fighting of bacteria and also in strengthening the immune system. Are anti oxidant properties are particularly worth a mention here. All these useful properties can aid a person fight the secondary causes of acne and help in the prevention and reduction of the acne growths.
When it comes to the best results, it’s the ability of the zinc to regulate the levels of the hormones – the results are so good here because this is a major cause of acne. But do remember to take zinc of the right quality and combination with essential fatty acids, and when the zinc is better absorbed by the body, the results are that much better. Add some vital nutrients to it, and the combination of the zinc and the nutrients will give you great results in balancing the hormones.
But the zinc’s impact may be lost if you are taking it in some conditions and also with a few food items, supplements and chemical substances. So this needs to be remembered and these items avoided to achieve the results you want.
Now let us take a look at all the inhibiting factors that can make the zinc ineffective.
Factors that make the zinc acne treatment less effective
Some food items, conditions and supplements can interfere with the treatment and bring down its effectiveness. This happens because they do not let the body absorb the zinc correctly and hence, the zinc acne treatment cannot deliver the results that ought to.
Among the inhibitors, Phytic acid deserves a special mention because it has been seen to reduce the absorption of zinc by about 15%. You will come across Phytic acid in the whole grains and thus, to make the zinc more effective, it is best to reduce the intake of grains to just about 1 to 2 servings daily. Limiting grains makes sense also because they can lead to the formation of acid and mucus within the body. And having restricted its intake, you will see that the effectiveness of the zinc acne treatment will improve quite a bit.
One more thing that makes the zinc less effective is soy protein. Soy can bind to minerals and lessen the absorption of zinc and so its consumption also needs to be restricted.
Minerals like copper and inorganic iron are also bad news because they also end up interfering with zinc for acne bio-availability. However this solution can be easily solved by limiting copper to just 2-3 mg a day and by not taking inorganic iron supplements. The only exception is when you have copper toxicity.
Too much of sweating from physical labor is also another inhibiting factor as this enhances the need of the body to have more zinc. Thus, for best acne zinc treatment results, you need to take more zinc, particularly if you are exercising rigorously.
Follow these rules and you are sure to make your zinc acne treatment a grand success:
1. Essential fatty acids, coconut oil and cod liver oil are the 3 nutrients that need to be taken with the zinc to have a control over the balance of the hormones. Get supplements that have these nutrients because the food that you eat may not have them always.
2. Avoid a few zinc inhibitors such as too much of copper and inorganic iron. Remember, your zinc will not be properly absorbed by the body when you are not following this. Also, when you are in the habit of exercising, you need to have more zinc.
3. Limit the level of zinc to 100 mg because too much of it may lead to toxicity. Foods are the best source for getting zinc.
4. The soil from which your food arrived contained zinc (since it is a mineral) and this is one reason why you have it in the food. So when the soil itself is poor, how can the food be good? If the vegetable has been organically grown then this problem can be overcome.
5. Supplementation often becomes a necessity because in many cases the food that you eat cannot supply all the zinc for acne treatment that you need. Of the 2 types of zinc supplements, Zinc Monomethionine (Opti-Zinc) is the better option because it can be better absorbed by the body and it is also more effective in the removal of the acne. Zinc gluconate is not as effective and so it is best avoided.
6. Kinesiology (muscle testing) and blood testing is required to check whether you have copper toxicity or not because it can stop the absorption of zinc. Caucasian people with copper toxicity will have brown nipples.
Finally, the permanent cure with the zinc acne treatment – how to make this a reality
However you need to know that the zinc by itself is not enough to cure acne. This is because acne is caused by quite a few primary and secondary causes and zinc deficiency is not one of them.
But the symptoms of acne can be vastly reduced and the hormonal imbalance rectified with your zinc acne treatment if you are taking zinc of the right quality, quantity, nutrients and are not letting the zinc inhibitors cause too much damage.
The best acne cure that gives you permanent result is the holistic remedy. Holistic cures take care of all the root causes of acne (both primary and secondary) such as the accumulation of toxins in the body and the hormonal imbalance effectively and permanently. So for best results, always go for a combination of the zinc acne treatment and the holistic approach.
Mike Walden is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More - Open The Door To an Acne Free Life". Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
For further information visit: Zinc Acne Treatment.
By Mike Walden
It has been reported that zinc has the ability to reduce the symptoms of acne. The zinc mineral has some properties which seem to be extremely useful in acne treatments. However this is not the universal view as there are many who believe that this is not the case. They do not believe that there is any connection between zinc and acne.
However, recent research data do not seem to agree with this point of view. This research points to the fact that zinc has the ability to fight bacteria much like an antibiotic (such as tetracycline), and it can also strengthen the immune system. But the best news is, zinc does not have any of the negative effects of antibiotics.
So there are clearly 2 schools of thoughts on the zinc acne connection. I have tried to find out which group is correct and to do this, I have experimented, researched and gone through trial and errors for 7 long years. And the good news is, today I know the truth about the zinc acne connection.
The report you find here is the culmination of my years of work. Here I have discussed what zinc is, the connection between the two, why and how the zinc acne treatment can really work, and how you should be using zinc so that you can get the most effective results? So is the zinc acne treatment the final answer for someone who is suffering from acne – I will discuss the answer to this question also here.
Some facts on zinc for acne
Zinc is present in a whole lot of things. This essential trace mineral can be found in insulin and in the tissues. You will also find zinc in egg yolks, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, soybeans, legumes, whole grains, fish, soy lecithin and in the herbs such as eyebright, milk thistle, chamomile, dandelion, cayenne, mullein, burdock root, alfalfa and nettle.
There are many ways zinc can help us stay healthy. Here are some of them – providing the enzymes that help in digestion and the energy to keep the body going, strengthening the natural immunity, helping prevent blindness, regulating levels of vitamin E in the blood, supporting more than 300 enzymatic reactions, in fighting bacteria, it speeds up the process of healing, helps the body absorb Vitamin A and B, and zinc is also important for growth hormone, testosterone, and estrogen.
Yes, the advantages of zinc are many, but how is it related to acne? Can it benefit those people suffering from acne, and if yes, how?
What is the connection between acne and zinc?
Zinc can regulate the production of oil by the glands which go up when there is a hormonal imbalance – this is one major reason of acne, the other being the build up of toxic materials in the body. This is done when the right quantity, quality and ratio of essential fatty acids is taken. When you are able to regulate the hormone levels, the symptoms of acne are controlled.
The other useful properties that aid the zinc acne treatment include its ability to make the body absorb vitamin A, in the promotion of wound healing, the fighting of bacteria and also in strengthening the immune system. Are anti oxidant properties are particularly worth a mention here. All these useful properties can aid a person fight the secondary causes of acne and help in the prevention and reduction of the acne growths.
When it comes to the best results, it’s the ability of the zinc to regulate the levels of the hormones – the results are so good here because this is a major cause of acne. But do remember to take zinc of the right quality and combination with essential fatty acids, and when the zinc is better absorbed by the body, the results are that much better. Add some vital nutrients to it, and the combination of the zinc and the nutrients will give you great results in balancing the hormones.
But the zinc’s impact may be lost if you are taking it in some conditions and also with a few food items, supplements and chemical substances. So this needs to be remembered and these items avoided to achieve the results you want.
Now let us take a look at all the inhibiting factors that can make the zinc ineffective.
Factors that make the zinc acne treatment less effective
Some food items, conditions and supplements can interfere with the treatment and bring down its effectiveness. This happens because they do not let the body absorb the zinc correctly and hence, the zinc acne treatment cannot deliver the results that ought to.
Among the inhibitors, Phytic acid deserves a special mention because it has been seen to reduce the absorption of zinc by about 15%. You will come across Phytic acid in the whole grains and thus, to make the zinc more effective, it is best to reduce the intake of grains to just about 1 to 2 servings daily. Limiting grains makes sense also because they can lead to the formation of acid and mucus within the body. And having restricted its intake, you will see that the effectiveness of the zinc acne treatment will improve quite a bit.
One more thing that makes the zinc less effective is soy protein. Soy can bind to minerals and lessen the absorption of zinc and so its consumption also needs to be restricted.
Minerals like copper and inorganic iron are also bad news because they also end up interfering with zinc for acne bio-availability. However this solution can be easily solved by limiting copper to just 2-3 mg a day and by not taking inorganic iron supplements. The only exception is when you have copper toxicity.
Too much of sweating from physical labor is also another inhibiting factor as this enhances the need of the body to have more zinc. Thus, for best acne zinc treatment results, you need to take more zinc, particularly if you are exercising rigorously.
Follow these rules and you are sure to make your zinc acne treatment a grand success:
1. Essential fatty acids, coconut oil and cod liver oil are the 3 nutrients that need to be taken with the zinc to have a control over the balance of the hormones. Get supplements that have these nutrients because the food that you eat may not have them always.
2. Avoid a few zinc inhibitors such as too much of copper and inorganic iron. Remember, your zinc will not be properly absorbed by the body when you are not following this. Also, when you are in the habit of exercising, you need to have more zinc.
3. Limit the level of zinc to 100 mg because too much of it may lead to toxicity. Foods are the best source for getting zinc.
4. The soil from which your food arrived contained zinc (since it is a mineral) and this is one reason why you have it in the food. So when the soil itself is poor, how can the food be good? If the vegetable has been organically grown then this problem can be overcome.
5. Supplementation often becomes a necessity because in many cases the food that you eat cannot supply all the zinc for acne treatment that you need. Of the 2 types of zinc supplements, Zinc Monomethionine (Opti-Zinc) is the better option because it can be better absorbed by the body and it is also more effective in the removal of the acne. Zinc gluconate is not as effective and so it is best avoided.
6. Kinesiology (muscle testing) and blood testing is required to check whether you have copper toxicity or not because it can stop the absorption of zinc. Caucasian people with copper toxicity will have brown nipples.
Finally, the permanent cure with the zinc acne treatment – how to make this a reality
However you need to know that the zinc by itself is not enough to cure acne. This is because acne is caused by quite a few primary and secondary causes and zinc deficiency is not one of them.
But the symptoms of acne can be vastly reduced and the hormonal imbalance rectified with your zinc acne treatment if you are taking zinc of the right quality, quantity, nutrients and are not letting the zinc inhibitors cause too much damage.
The best acne cure that gives you permanent result is the holistic remedy. Holistic cures take care of all the root causes of acne (both primary and secondary) such as the accumulation of toxins in the body and the hormonal imbalance effectively and permanently. So for best results, always go for a combination of the zinc acne treatment and the holistic approach.
Mike Walden is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Acne No More - Open The Door To an Acne Free Life". Mike has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.
For further information visit: Zinc Acne Treatment.
By Mike Walden
Hair Products in your Kitchen
Right now, you may be limiting yourself to shampoo and conditioner, or maybe the occasional hot oil treatment, but there are actually several kitchen products that you can use to get beautiful, lustrous hair. If you have a daughter who likes slumber parties, kitchen hair product parties are a lot of fun and all of the little ladies will leave with a lifelong knowledge about creative hair products. It is also fun to relax on a Saturday with several hair beauty treatments that you can whip up right at home. Actually, there are a few kitchen hair supplies that work even better than some store-bought treatments. These ideas are not old wives’ tales; they really work and they are definitely worth trying out.
The number one visual sign of healthy hair is shine. Everyone wants their hair to glisten in the sunlight just like those gorgeous shampoo models on television. You go out and buy the shampoo, but for some reason your hair isn’t even close to being as shiny as the cover girls. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to your dull ‘do – and it’s right in your kitchen! Beer, mayonnaise, and lemon juice are all great shine-producing products. To use beer in your hair, pour two bottles or cans of beer (any brand will do) into a bowl that is wide enough to fit your head into. In the shower or over a sink (this can get messy, and you don’t want your home to smell like a fraternity house on a Sunday morning), soak you hair in the beer for about five minutes. Rinse your hair, and then shampoo, condition, and style as usual. The result should be smooth and shiny hair.
To use mayonnaise and lemon juice, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Wet your hair slightly with a spray bottle, and then apply the mayo mixture to your hair, massaging it in as you would with shampoo. The smell leaves something to be desired, but that’s just the price of beauty. Leave the mixture on your hair for fifteen minutes and then rinse, shampoo, condition, and style hair as usual. This will be the most effective deep-conditioning, shine-boosting treatment you have ever had.
If your hair problem is that you either have dandruff or lots of residue from excessive styling product usage, you don’t need to look any further than your kitchen cabinets. Baking soda and oatmeal work very well at getting flakes and debris out of your hair and off of your scalp. If you have severe dandruff, you should use an anti-dandruff shampoo with Pyrithione Zinc on a daily basis. These treatments can be used in conjunction with your anti-dandruff shampoo to accelerate your results. To make your baking soda or oatmeal hair treatment, simply combine ¼ cup of baking soda or 1/3 cup dry oatmeal (one or the other, not both) with water until the mixture is of a pasty consistency. Coat your hair and scalp with the mixture. Next, use a fine-toothed comb to slowly comb through your hair, from root to tip. Leave the mixture on for about ten minutes, then rinse, shampoo, condition, and style as usual.
Colored hair is all the rage, whether it’s subtle highlights or bright blue streaks. Save yourself some cash; color-treat your hair with kitchen products. Black tea and dark coffees can deepen your hair color. Simply make three cups of hot tea, using about ten tea bags, or make a pot of coffee, using very finely ground espresso beans. Let the tea or coffee cool down before you use it on your hair. Pour it in a bowl that is wide enough to stick your head in. Soak your hair in the tea or coffee for forty minutes, then rinse. Do not shampoo for a full twenty-four hours (so make this a project for a dull weekend). Red wine can be used in the same way, and it will give your hair a red highlighted effect. Obviously, the lighter your hair color, the more dramatic the results of coloring will be. If you want to give yourself some temporary bright streaks, you can use cool-aid or any brightly-colored fruit drink. Use a sponge to apply the color in streaks. If you have a hair-coloring mistake, and you feel that your color has come out too dark, you can soften the intensity by washing your hair with dish soap, letting it sit on your hair for about twenty minutes before rinsing.
The number one visual sign of healthy hair is shine. Everyone wants their hair to glisten in the sunlight just like those gorgeous shampoo models on television. You go out and buy the shampoo, but for some reason your hair isn’t even close to being as shiny as the cover girls. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to your dull ‘do – and it’s right in your kitchen! Beer, mayonnaise, and lemon juice are all great shine-producing products. To use beer in your hair, pour two bottles or cans of beer (any brand will do) into a bowl that is wide enough to fit your head into. In the shower or over a sink (this can get messy, and you don’t want your home to smell like a fraternity house on a Sunday morning), soak you hair in the beer for about five minutes. Rinse your hair, and then shampoo, condition, and style as usual. The result should be smooth and shiny hair.
To use mayonnaise and lemon juice, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Wet your hair slightly with a spray bottle, and then apply the mayo mixture to your hair, massaging it in as you would with shampoo. The smell leaves something to be desired, but that’s just the price of beauty. Leave the mixture on your hair for fifteen minutes and then rinse, shampoo, condition, and style hair as usual. This will be the most effective deep-conditioning, shine-boosting treatment you have ever had.
If your hair problem is that you either have dandruff or lots of residue from excessive styling product usage, you don’t need to look any further than your kitchen cabinets. Baking soda and oatmeal work very well at getting flakes and debris out of your hair and off of your scalp. If you have severe dandruff, you should use an anti-dandruff shampoo with Pyrithione Zinc on a daily basis. These treatments can be used in conjunction with your anti-dandruff shampoo to accelerate your results. To make your baking soda or oatmeal hair treatment, simply combine ¼ cup of baking soda or 1/3 cup dry oatmeal (one or the other, not both) with water until the mixture is of a pasty consistency. Coat your hair and scalp with the mixture. Next, use a fine-toothed comb to slowly comb through your hair, from root to tip. Leave the mixture on for about ten minutes, then rinse, shampoo, condition, and style as usual.
Colored hair is all the rage, whether it’s subtle highlights or bright blue streaks. Save yourself some cash; color-treat your hair with kitchen products. Black tea and dark coffees can deepen your hair color. Simply make three cups of hot tea, using about ten tea bags, or make a pot of coffee, using very finely ground espresso beans. Let the tea or coffee cool down before you use it on your hair. Pour it in a bowl that is wide enough to stick your head in. Soak your hair in the tea or coffee for forty minutes, then rinse. Do not shampoo for a full twenty-four hours (so make this a project for a dull weekend). Red wine can be used in the same way, and it will give your hair a red highlighted effect. Obviously, the lighter your hair color, the more dramatic the results of coloring will be. If you want to give yourself some temporary bright streaks, you can use cool-aid or any brightly-colored fruit drink. Use a sponge to apply the color in streaks. If you have a hair-coloring mistake, and you feel that your color has come out too dark, you can soften the intensity by washing your hair with dish soap, letting it sit on your hair for about twenty minutes before rinsing.
Hot Oil Treatments
hot oil hair treatment, homemade or store-bought, can be an inexpensive luxury with a variety of benefits.
Hot oil treatments come in two varieties, oil that is heated in either the microwave or stovetop, or a package that is immersed in hot water. Either variety will grant the same end results – conditioned hair.
Everyday environmental issues, including temperature changes, pollution and humidity, as well as regular brushing, and the use of hair products such as curlers, steamers, straighteners and dryers, can result in damaged hair. Brittle or dry hair can result from environmental issues, over cleansing or product use; breakage or split ends can result from the use of hair products to achieve the desired style. No one is immune – dry or damaged hair simply is a part of life.
To temporarily repair the damage, a hot oil treatment can help. Most store bought varieties require heating, massaging the oil into the scalp and hair, followed by a gentle rinse. A complete shampoo or over-rinse will defeat the hot oil’s purpose. Be certain to follow the directions on the package to achieve the full benefit of a store-bought oil treatment.
Homemade oil treatments can be made with a mixture of common household oils, such as soybean oil or olive oil, and even the use of mayonnaise. Heat the mixture in the microwave or stovetop, apply and massage into hair and scalp, leave on for ten to fifteen minutes for full penetration and rinse.
All oil treatments need to be used with caution as any hot mixture can result in surface or first degree burns. It is always a good idea to test the temperature of the oil on the inside of your wrist before applying to your scalp. Too hot for your wrist? Let it cool.
Hot oil treatments can help with dry scalp conditions including dandruff. Since oil and moisturizers are the key ingredient, they can condition the scalp and skin in addition to the hair. However, hot oil treatments are a temporary fix and must be repeated during on a regular basis to maintain their effectiveness.
Anyone who has enjoyed a day at the spa or even just a few treatments, knows the benefits of such a luxury. A hot oil treatment, even in a home environment, can bring the same results. Take time out from a busy schedule, relax and enjoy the heat of hot oil, the time alone and the warmth. Steal a few moments to catch up on catalog shopping or progress another chapter into that favorite book while the hot oil penetrates hair and scalp. Your few moments alone without a care, will benefit your mental health and that can only rub off on those around you.
If serious damage or dryness has occurred to hair, an extensive hot oil therapy including micro-silicone conditioners may assist. These products contain a self-warming conditioner that is massaged into the hair and, with time and a heating cap (such as a shower cap), will be absorbed into the cortex or core of the hair. This method does require slightly more time and effort, as well as expense, but will last longer and result in a higher degree of repair.
So take a few moments and treat yourself, those around you and especially your locks, to a luxurious hot oil treatment.
Hot oil treatments come in two varieties, oil that is heated in either the microwave or stovetop, or a package that is immersed in hot water. Either variety will grant the same end results – conditioned hair.
Everyday environmental issues, including temperature changes, pollution and humidity, as well as regular brushing, and the use of hair products such as curlers, steamers, straighteners and dryers, can result in damaged hair. Brittle or dry hair can result from environmental issues, over cleansing or product use; breakage or split ends can result from the use of hair products to achieve the desired style. No one is immune – dry or damaged hair simply is a part of life.
To temporarily repair the damage, a hot oil treatment can help. Most store bought varieties require heating, massaging the oil into the scalp and hair, followed by a gentle rinse. A complete shampoo or over-rinse will defeat the hot oil’s purpose. Be certain to follow the directions on the package to achieve the full benefit of a store-bought oil treatment.
Homemade oil treatments can be made with a mixture of common household oils, such as soybean oil or olive oil, and even the use of mayonnaise. Heat the mixture in the microwave or stovetop, apply and massage into hair and scalp, leave on for ten to fifteen minutes for full penetration and rinse.
All oil treatments need to be used with caution as any hot mixture can result in surface or first degree burns. It is always a good idea to test the temperature of the oil on the inside of your wrist before applying to your scalp. Too hot for your wrist? Let it cool.
Hot oil treatments can help with dry scalp conditions including dandruff. Since oil and moisturizers are the key ingredient, they can condition the scalp and skin in addition to the hair. However, hot oil treatments are a temporary fix and must be repeated during on a regular basis to maintain their effectiveness.
Anyone who has enjoyed a day at the spa or even just a few treatments, knows the benefits of such a luxury. A hot oil treatment, even in a home environment, can bring the same results. Take time out from a busy schedule, relax and enjoy the heat of hot oil, the time alone and the warmth. Steal a few moments to catch up on catalog shopping or progress another chapter into that favorite book while the hot oil penetrates hair and scalp. Your few moments alone without a care, will benefit your mental health and that can only rub off on those around you.
If serious damage or dryness has occurred to hair, an extensive hot oil therapy including micro-silicone conditioners may assist. These products contain a self-warming conditioner that is massaged into the hair and, with time and a heating cap (such as a shower cap), will be absorbed into the cortex or core of the hair. This method does require slightly more time and effort, as well as expense, but will last longer and result in a higher degree of repair.
So take a few moments and treat yourself, those around you and especially your locks, to a luxurious hot oil treatment.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
How To Add Herbs To Y our Shampoo To Make Your hair Grow faster
By Carole Vansickle, eHow Contributor
Long hair like this has to be strong from root to tip.
It is not all in your head. If it seems like your hair takes forever to grow, you may be right! Even if your shampoo is good for moisturizing and adding volume, it may not be filling in the "cracks" in individual strands of hair. This can cause hair to break off at the ends, making it appear that your hair is not getting any longer. Fortunately, there are a number of herbs and other natural ingredients that you can add to your current shampoo to make your hair keep length and healthy ends. In this article, we will discuss how to add herbs to your shampoo to make your hair grow faster.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
1/4 teaspoon dried St. John's wort
1/4 teaspoon dried nettle
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon onion juice
Essential oils
Large mixing bowl
Electric mixer
Full bottle of your favorite shampoo
Large plastic shampoo bottle
Glass measuring cup
Strainer
How to Add Herbs to Your Shampoo to Make Your Hair Grow Faster
1
Boil 1/2 a cup of water in the glass measuring cup.The easiest way to do this is to microwave the water on high for two minutes. If it reaches a rolling boil before two minutes are up, stop the microwave and move on.
2
This is dried rosemary. You will be able to find most of the herbs needed to promote hair growth in your spice rack.
Steep the St. John's wort, nettle, sage, basil and rosemary for 20 minutes. This will create an infusion that you can mix into your shampoo.
3
Strain out the herbs. You can catch the "tea" in the large mixing bowl.
4
It is often easier to find onion juice in powdered form than it is to buy it as a liquid or juice the onion yourself.
Add the onion juice. This can make your shampoo a little smelly, so you may decide to leave this ingredient out.
5
Mix in the entire bottle of shampoo. The resulting mixture will be a little runnier than your original shampoo, but it should have a smooth and even color and consistency.
6
Add 5 drops of essential oils. This will help mask the onion smell.
7
Store your new, improved shampoo in a large plastic shampoo bottle. You can use your new shampoo every day just as you did before, and you should see results in about a month as your hair becomes more durable and begins to gain length.
Long hair like this has to be strong from root to tip.
It is not all in your head. If it seems like your hair takes forever to grow, you may be right! Even if your shampoo is good for moisturizing and adding volume, it may not be filling in the "cracks" in individual strands of hair. This can cause hair to break off at the ends, making it appear that your hair is not getting any longer. Fortunately, there are a number of herbs and other natural ingredients that you can add to your current shampoo to make your hair keep length and healthy ends. In this article, we will discuss how to add herbs to your shampoo to make your hair grow faster.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
1/4 teaspoon dried St. John's wort
1/4 teaspoon dried nettle
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon onion juice
Essential oils
Large mixing bowl
Electric mixer
Full bottle of your favorite shampoo
Large plastic shampoo bottle
Glass measuring cup
Strainer
How to Add Herbs to Your Shampoo to Make Your Hair Grow Faster
1
Boil 1/2 a cup of water in the glass measuring cup.The easiest way to do this is to microwave the water on high for two minutes. If it reaches a rolling boil before two minutes are up, stop the microwave and move on.
2
This is dried rosemary. You will be able to find most of the herbs needed to promote hair growth in your spice rack.
Steep the St. John's wort, nettle, sage, basil and rosemary for 20 minutes. This will create an infusion that you can mix into your shampoo.
3
Strain out the herbs. You can catch the "tea" in the large mixing bowl.
4
It is often easier to find onion juice in powdered form than it is to buy it as a liquid or juice the onion yourself.
Add the onion juice. This can make your shampoo a little smelly, so you may decide to leave this ingredient out.
5
Mix in the entire bottle of shampoo. The resulting mixture will be a little runnier than your original shampoo, but it should have a smooth and even color and consistency.
6
Add 5 drops of essential oils. This will help mask the onion smell.
7
Store your new, improved shampoo in a large plastic shampoo bottle. You can use your new shampoo every day just as you did before, and you should see results in about a month as your hair becomes more durable and begins to gain length.
Garlic & Onions for Hair Loss
Can you really make your hair grow back faster by using garlic and onions? You have to be kidding me is the thought that crossed my mind when I personally heard about these two foods and hair loss. They can smell really bad and actually end a conversation and a friendship due to their smells.
However rather than focusing on how these two foods smell, what they can do for your hair is nothing to be ashamed about. Garlic and onions are powerful hair growth stimulating foods because of the amount of sulphur that they contain.
There seems to be no better way to get your hair growing back than with minerals and sulphur is one you don't want to skip.
But just how do you use garlic and onions to fight hair loss? Natural remedies involving the two are the most common techniques that very few actually put to use. For instance you could cut a garlic into a few chopped pieces, add it to a cup of coconut milk, let sit and then massage this mixture into your scalp.
Just let that garlic sit for 45 minutes in the milk or else you're going to lose a lot of friends and may be the talk of your peers. Then there's the more practical way to use garlic and onions to increase hair growth. By rubbing the pulps of these into your scalp you are directly sending sulphur to your follicles.
Really the choice is yours about how you choose to use these to fight baldness. The important thing though is to actually take action and give them a try as well as discover tons of other natural ways to regrow hair.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Litmon
However rather than focusing on how these two foods smell, what they can do for your hair is nothing to be ashamed about. Garlic and onions are powerful hair growth stimulating foods because of the amount of sulphur that they contain.
There seems to be no better way to get your hair growing back than with minerals and sulphur is one you don't want to skip.
But just how do you use garlic and onions to fight hair loss? Natural remedies involving the two are the most common techniques that very few actually put to use. For instance you could cut a garlic into a few chopped pieces, add it to a cup of coconut milk, let sit and then massage this mixture into your scalp.
Just let that garlic sit for 45 minutes in the milk or else you're going to lose a lot of friends and may be the talk of your peers. Then there's the more practical way to use garlic and onions to increase hair growth. By rubbing the pulps of these into your scalp you are directly sending sulphur to your follicles.
Really the choice is yours about how you choose to use these to fight baldness. The important thing though is to actually take action and give them a try as well as discover tons of other natural ways to regrow hair.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Litmon
Sleep Apnea and Hair Loss
So What’s Apnea Got to Do With Hair Loss?
Besides the relentless pounding headaches, daytime fatigue and dry throat, my blood pressure began to soar. Not surprisingly the rate at which my hair was shedding mirrored this surge in blood pressure. Dement paints a more detailed picture:
The high blood pressure that damages blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, brain, and other organs can lead to a long, slow decline in their physical well-being … it is not difficult to imagine the damage to blood vessels that can build up under this hypertension pounding all night, every night, year after year.
Apnea batters blood capillaries that supply nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. If scalp capillaries become damaged, then so do you chances of healthy hair growth. If you are living with apnea then your scalp isn’t only suffering indirect oxygen starvation through damaged capillaries but also directly – apnea breathlessness can last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute, and remember this can happen hundreds of times through course of a nights sleep. The climb in blood pressure also has a knock on effect which can be equally as damaging to hair and health.
Besides the relentless pounding headaches, daytime fatigue and dry throat, my blood pressure began to soar. Not surprisingly the rate at which my hair was shedding mirrored this surge in blood pressure. Dement paints a more detailed picture:
The high blood pressure that damages blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, brain, and other organs can lead to a long, slow decline in their physical well-being … it is not difficult to imagine the damage to blood vessels that can build up under this hypertension pounding all night, every night, year after year.
Apnea batters blood capillaries that supply nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. If scalp capillaries become damaged, then so do you chances of healthy hair growth. If you are living with apnea then your scalp isn’t only suffering indirect oxygen starvation through damaged capillaries but also directly – apnea breathlessness can last anywhere from a few seconds to over a minute, and remember this can happen hundreds of times through course of a nights sleep. The climb in blood pressure also has a knock on effect which can be equally as damaging to hair and health.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Split Ends And Breakage!!
The hair structure consists three layers – the medula, the innermost layer; the cortex, the center layer that determines the texture and color of the hair; and the cuticle, the thin and colorless outermost layer that protects the cortex. When the cuticles of the hair become damaged, the inner hair fibers are exposed to destructive elements that cause trichoptilosis or split ends. Split ends are longitudinal breakage and fraying of the inner hair fibers, giving the hair a feathered look. A split end can be between 0.79 to 1.18 inches (2 to 3 cm) in length and can be found at any part of the hair strand, particularly at the end. Difficult to treat and impossible to cure unless you trim off the split ends, the best way to avoid this problem is to take preventive haircare measures such as the follow.
1. Do not overdo hairstyling. A good start to prevent the formation of split ends is to minimize or eliminate the application of direct heat to the hair. Frequent hairstyling with blow dryers, hot curlers, hair straighteners, and curling irons depletes the hair of its natural oils, making it more susceptible to split ends. If you absolutely must blow dry your hair, use the lowest temperature possible and keep the blow dryer at least four inches (10.2 cm) away from your hair.
2. Cut down on chemicals. Avoid using too many chemical products, such as gel, mousse, and hair spray. Hairstyling with these products damages and weakens the hair, leading to split ends. Do not use any haircare products containing alcohol, including alcohol-based shampoos. Alcohol causes the hair to lose moisture and become brittle. Dry hair is susceptible to splitting.
3. Be gentle with your hair. Remember that wet hair is more vulnerable to damage, so do not brush your hair when it is wet. Avoid overbrushing, as brushing in itself causes stress to the hair, leading to split ends. When you do brush your hair, use a hairbrush with soft, even bristles or a wide-toothed comb. Avoid nylon bristles at all costs.
Do not comb through tangled hair. Doing so rips the hair strands roughly, destroying the cuticles and exposing the inner hair fibers to the danger of split ends. Instead, separate tangled hair into sections. Working on each section, slowly untangle your hair from end to root using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
4. Use the right accessories. When using hair accessories such as colorful hairpins and bands, make sure they are not too harsh for your hair. Use hairpins with smooth ends. Sharp hairpin ends can tear at the hair strands when you unpin them. Additionally, avoid using rubber bands to tie your hair. Instead, do up your ponytail with a soft scrunchie or other fabric elastic band.
5. Moisturize. Split ends are caused by a lack of moisture in the hair. Hence, it is important to keep hair moisturized through the use of hair conditioners after each shampoo. Use a deep conditioner once a week as an additional measure to prevent split ends. Furthermore, drink a lot of water to keep your body and hair constantly hydrated.
6. Schedule an appointment. Make an appointment with your trusted hairdresser every four to six weeks to trim off dry and brittle ends. Trimming your hair regularly can prevent the formation of split ends or get rid of those that are already there
1. Do not overdo hairstyling. A good start to prevent the formation of split ends is to minimize or eliminate the application of direct heat to the hair. Frequent hairstyling with blow dryers, hot curlers, hair straighteners, and curling irons depletes the hair of its natural oils, making it more susceptible to split ends. If you absolutely must blow dry your hair, use the lowest temperature possible and keep the blow dryer at least four inches (10.2 cm) away from your hair.
2. Cut down on chemicals. Avoid using too many chemical products, such as gel, mousse, and hair spray. Hairstyling with these products damages and weakens the hair, leading to split ends. Do not use any haircare products containing alcohol, including alcohol-based shampoos. Alcohol causes the hair to lose moisture and become brittle. Dry hair is susceptible to splitting.
3. Be gentle with your hair. Remember that wet hair is more vulnerable to damage, so do not brush your hair when it is wet. Avoid overbrushing, as brushing in itself causes stress to the hair, leading to split ends. When you do brush your hair, use a hairbrush with soft, even bristles or a wide-toothed comb. Avoid nylon bristles at all costs.
Do not comb through tangled hair. Doing so rips the hair strands roughly, destroying the cuticles and exposing the inner hair fibers to the danger of split ends. Instead, separate tangled hair into sections. Working on each section, slowly untangle your hair from end to root using your fingers or a wide-toothed comb.
4. Use the right accessories. When using hair accessories such as colorful hairpins and bands, make sure they are not too harsh for your hair. Use hairpins with smooth ends. Sharp hairpin ends can tear at the hair strands when you unpin them. Additionally, avoid using rubber bands to tie your hair. Instead, do up your ponytail with a soft scrunchie or other fabric elastic band.
5. Moisturize. Split ends are caused by a lack of moisture in the hair. Hence, it is important to keep hair moisturized through the use of hair conditioners after each shampoo. Use a deep conditioner once a week as an additional measure to prevent split ends. Furthermore, drink a lot of water to keep your body and hair constantly hydrated.
6. Schedule an appointment. Make an appointment with your trusted hairdresser every four to six weeks to trim off dry and brittle ends. Trimming your hair regularly can prevent the formation of split ends or get rid of those that are already there
Hair and Vitamins
By: Dr. George Obikoya
Healthy hair is not only a pleasure to behold, it is pleasing to the person that has it. A single follicle on the human scalp produces approximately .35 millimeters of hair shaft per day. The cycles of growth of each follicle consist of the building up and tearing down of the structure. After a period of rest the follicle is built anew from raw materials and each hair follicle goes through this identical processes as it grows longer and stronger. A high-quality liquid multivitamin supplies the body with the proper amino acids, vitamins and minerals that you may not be receiving in your diet to help create beautiful hair.
It is important to point out at this point that many of the metabolic requirements of the cells of the hair follicle must be met at this time or adequate and optimal hair growth will not occur. This means that certain vitamins and minerals must be present in adequate proportions or there will be faulty or nonexistent hair growth. Research has shown that in our hurry up world of fast food, and extreme work schedules we have developed extraordinarily poor eating habits. This extremely poor diet affecting our general health and energy levels and makes our fingernails weaker and our hair thinner and far less healthier.
Along with stress, toxins in the environment, exposure to the sun, cigarette smoke (actively or passively inhaled), excess alcohol consumption and lack of sleep sometimes makes our bodies work overtime to maintain a standard of marginal health - not optimal.
These factors may lead to a decline in our cosmetic appearance, including our hair, being compromised and weakened. Because we consider our hair to be expendable and not needed to maintain your health, at least our physical health, it tends to be the last part of us to receive attention.
The result of this is dull, lifeless hair, or even retarded (slowed) hair growth. What should enhance our best features has become a deterrent to our beauty as individuals and the way others possibly perceive our health and how attractive we appear to them. This does not have to be so. Remember, people subconsciously use triggers like how healthy your face or hair is to make a subconscious judgment about your overall health.
Taking proper, daily vitamins and minerals plays a huge role in keeping your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness. It is a well-known fact that an under-active thyroid can result in frizzy or brittle hair while an overactive thyroid turns hair greasy and limp. The goal is proper supplementation and proper nutritional balance.
In an older person the total number of the capillary loops (blood source) supplying the hair follicles is considerably diminished. This diminution (reduction) of blood supplied to the hair follicle would require either greater blood flow through these follicles or an increased amount of nutrients of various types such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids in order to supple the hair follicle with the same amount of these materials. Since the former is unlikely, as blood vessels are decreasing instead of increasing, it appears that the latter course, mainly supplying more nutrients, would be the most logical way to keep the hair follicle in its “younger” state.
Your hair ultimately reflects the overall condition of your body. If your body is healthy and well-nourished, your hair will be your shining glory. If you are having any health problems or suffering from any nutritional deficiencies, your hair may stop growing or show damage or become brittle. If your body is in good health, you can maximize your genetic growth cycle through taking the proper blend of amino acids and B-vitamins.
It is also important to include B-6, biotin, inositol and folic acid in the supplemental program. It has been found that certain minerals including magnesium, sulfur, silica and zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.
Beta-carotene is also important to hair growth. This is so because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it, helps maintain normal growth and bone development, protective sheathing around nerve fibers, as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails.
Besides making lifestyle changes, taking the following supplements every day is recommended to boost your hair growth:
Vitamin B-complex - 50 mg. of the major B-vitamins (including folate, biotin and inositol)
Vitamin B-6 - 50 mg. of vitamin B-6
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - one to two grams daily Vitamin E - 400 to 800 IU daily
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
One recommended daily dose of magnesium, sulfur, zinc
Flaxseed oil - one tbsp daily or one tablet
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
Certain vitamins, minerals and amino-acids are crucial to the metabolic pathways involved in keratin protein (hair) metabolism. Without the nutrients cited, it is well known that the hair growth process will slow or cease, leading to a potential loss of hair and substantial degradation of hair health. There is a rather adequate research basis to justify product effectiveness claims for a vitamin, mineral and amino-acid complex designed to supply the nutrients needed by healthy growing hair. Think about it. How many sick people do you know with a full head of healthy hair?
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement, quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at the Multivitamin Product Comparisons.
Healthy hair is not only a pleasure to behold, it is pleasing to the person that has it. A single follicle on the human scalp produces approximately .35 millimeters of hair shaft per day. The cycles of growth of each follicle consist of the building up and tearing down of the structure. After a period of rest the follicle is built anew from raw materials and each hair follicle goes through this identical processes as it grows longer and stronger. A high-quality liquid multivitamin supplies the body with the proper amino acids, vitamins and minerals that you may not be receiving in your diet to help create beautiful hair.
It is important to point out at this point that many of the metabolic requirements of the cells of the hair follicle must be met at this time or adequate and optimal hair growth will not occur. This means that certain vitamins and minerals must be present in adequate proportions or there will be faulty or nonexistent hair growth. Research has shown that in our hurry up world of fast food, and extreme work schedules we have developed extraordinarily poor eating habits. This extremely poor diet affecting our general health and energy levels and makes our fingernails weaker and our hair thinner and far less healthier.
Along with stress, toxins in the environment, exposure to the sun, cigarette smoke (actively or passively inhaled), excess alcohol consumption and lack of sleep sometimes makes our bodies work overtime to maintain a standard of marginal health - not optimal.
These factors may lead to a decline in our cosmetic appearance, including our hair, being compromised and weakened. Because we consider our hair to be expendable and not needed to maintain your health, at least our physical health, it tends to be the last part of us to receive attention.
The result of this is dull, lifeless hair, or even retarded (slowed) hair growth. What should enhance our best features has become a deterrent to our beauty as individuals and the way others possibly perceive our health and how attractive we appear to them. This does not have to be so. Remember, people subconsciously use triggers like how healthy your face or hair is to make a subconscious judgment about your overall health.
Taking proper, daily vitamins and minerals plays a huge role in keeping your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to thinning hair or even total baldness. It is a well-known fact that an under-active thyroid can result in frizzy or brittle hair while an overactive thyroid turns hair greasy and limp. The goal is proper supplementation and proper nutritional balance.
In an older person the total number of the capillary loops (blood source) supplying the hair follicles is considerably diminished. This diminution (reduction) of blood supplied to the hair follicle would require either greater blood flow through these follicles or an increased amount of nutrients of various types such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids in order to supple the hair follicle with the same amount of these materials. Since the former is unlikely, as blood vessels are decreasing instead of increasing, it appears that the latter course, mainly supplying more nutrients, would be the most logical way to keep the hair follicle in its “younger” state.
Your hair ultimately reflects the overall condition of your body. If your body is healthy and well-nourished, your hair will be your shining glory. If you are having any health problems or suffering from any nutritional deficiencies, your hair may stop growing or show damage or become brittle. If your body is in good health, you can maximize your genetic growth cycle through taking the proper blend of amino acids and B-vitamins.
It is also important to include B-6, biotin, inositol and folic acid in the supplemental program. It has been found that certain minerals including magnesium, sulfur, silica and zinc are also very important toward maintaining healthy hair.
Beta-carotene is also important to hair growth. This is so because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A as the body needs it, helps maintain normal growth and bone development, protective sheathing around nerve fibers, as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails.
Besides making lifestyle changes, taking the following supplements every day is recommended to boost your hair growth:
Vitamin B-complex - 50 mg. of the major B-vitamins (including folate, biotin and inositol)
Vitamin B-6 - 50 mg. of vitamin B-6
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - one to two grams daily Vitamin E - 400 to 800 IU daily
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
One recommended daily dose of magnesium, sulfur, zinc
Flaxseed oil - one tbsp daily or one tablet
Beta-Carotene - 10,000 to 15,000 IU of beta-carotene daily
Certain vitamins, minerals and amino-acids are crucial to the metabolic pathways involved in keratin protein (hair) metabolism. Without the nutrients cited, it is well known that the hair growth process will slow or cease, leading to a potential loss of hair and substantial degradation of hair health. There is a rather adequate research basis to justify product effectiveness claims for a vitamin, mineral and amino-acid complex designed to supply the nutrients needed by healthy growing hair. Think about it. How many sick people do you know with a full head of healthy hair?
A good multivitamin is the foundation of health and nutrition. Take a look at our scientific reviews of many of the popular brands for factors such as ingredients, areas of improvement, quality level, and overall value. If you are looking for a high quality liquid multivitamin, we suggest that you take a look at the Multivitamin Product Comparisons.
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