Shampoos that are sulfate free really better for your hair?
If you’re like everyone else, I want to wash your hair at least every two days and not every day. As foam you can help, but love the feeling of all these bubbles, but did you know that the ingredients that are very surprising that the foam may also be more damaging to the hair?
Most shampoos contain sulfates in course that is great for making a lot of foam, but not so great for health, hair health and environments of health itself. So why do companies continue to use consumer brands sulfates in the shampoo? For the most part, because sulfates are cheap to make and create a lot of foam. Since we’ve all become accustomed to the idea that a lot of bubbles, both really clean hair to continue to make inexpensive shampoo.
Just what are sulfates and why are they a problem? You will find the ingredients in the shampoo is listed as sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) which are in fact really a hard surface chemical found in many other products, including toothpaste. They are known to cause irritation to eyes and skin, especially when you use a shampoo that contains these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin.
Did you know that sulfates are really far from being delicate and could cause damage to the very thing that tries to spoil? If your hair! Sulfates are very drying and can damage hair follicles that could lead to hair loss. All this because we love our incredible foam when washing our hair. You can also remove the hair and scalp with essential oils that cause drying effect. Worse, if they spend lots of money to the color of your hair, makes the color fade faster if you get your hair color more often.
If you want to change the brand of shampoo and begin to look more natural shampoos and / or organic, but do not know what to look for?
Here are some tips on what to look for when reading the label on the bottle of shampoo. Look for ingredients such as gylcerine and part glycosides from corn and sugar. Usually found on the label as decyl glucoside and coco glucodisde. These ingredients will give you a lot of foam you get used to the best, but try it for a few weeks and your hair healthier, shinier, smoother and softer. Not that he was a great trade?
One last thought, sulfate-free shampoos cost a little more of your current shampoo do because of its ingredients. So do not be surprised, but I miss that you use to clean your hair and your hair will be better over all. Is not it worth a few dollars more on the counter? Your hair will thank you!
The information contained in this section shall be used for information purposes. The information contained in this document is not intended to be used in place of or in conjunction with advice stylist.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Product Build Up
Most people have heard the old wives tale "that you should change your shampoo from time to time as it "builds up". This is not entirely untrue as some products (those with cheaper ingredients) do often leave a film on the surface of the hair and scalp that can build up over time. Then there is also the obvious over use of styling products!
The first signs of product build up are your hair looking or feeling lifeless, or when you comb or brush it you get a flaky powder along the hair shaft, this is not dandruff, its more likely to be a buildup problem.
Buildup occurs when:
Certain products like non-water soluble waxes are used to style the hair.
2 in 1 shampoos are used continuously.
Certain shampoos cause buildup due to the type of cheaper ingredients they use to give instant combability. These can form a film on the hair or you may have to use a large amount to make your hair feel clean also resulting in buildup.
Hair sprays applied too close and in too strong a concentration to one area e.g. the fringe, leave a flaking powder on the hair after brushing.
If gel is applied in a blob it cannot spread through the rest of the hair causing build-up on that spot. We sometimes find that wetting your hands before getting the gel out of the pot and mixing it can solve this problem.
To cure a build-up problem:
Use a special purifying shampoo to remove previous products.
Change your habits; apply spray further away from the hair approx. 15cm or 6", work gel around your wet hands before putting it through your hair.
Try a water-soluble wax.
Separate your 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner by getting a good old fashioned 2-step process.
Use professional products, as the ingredient quality is where the money is spent not on expensive TV ad campaigns.
As a general rule, use less than you think, resulting only in a shape that won't last as long. Too much will leave the hair sticky or heavy and hard to work with.
When applying any product to hair always pop it onto your hands first then work it around them. This will spread the product so that as you put it into the hair you won't get patches of too much.
A good tip from a hairdressing friend, is to use a dilution of bicarbonate of soda to rinse your hair and remove hair spray build up.
© VirtualHairCare
The first signs of product build up are your hair looking or feeling lifeless, or when you comb or brush it you get a flaky powder along the hair shaft, this is not dandruff, its more likely to be a buildup problem.
Buildup occurs when:
Certain products like non-water soluble waxes are used to style the hair.
2 in 1 shampoos are used continuously.
Certain shampoos cause buildup due to the type of cheaper ingredients they use to give instant combability. These can form a film on the hair or you may have to use a large amount to make your hair feel clean also resulting in buildup.
Hair sprays applied too close and in too strong a concentration to one area e.g. the fringe, leave a flaking powder on the hair after brushing.
If gel is applied in a blob it cannot spread through the rest of the hair causing build-up on that spot. We sometimes find that wetting your hands before getting the gel out of the pot and mixing it can solve this problem.
To cure a build-up problem:
Use a special purifying shampoo to remove previous products.
Change your habits; apply spray further away from the hair approx. 15cm or 6", work gel around your wet hands before putting it through your hair.
Try a water-soluble wax.
Separate your 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner by getting a good old fashioned 2-step process.
Use professional products, as the ingredient quality is where the money is spent not on expensive TV ad campaigns.
As a general rule, use less than you think, resulting only in a shape that won't last as long. Too much will leave the hair sticky or heavy and hard to work with.
When applying any product to hair always pop it onto your hands first then work it around them. This will spread the product so that as you put it into the hair you won't get patches of too much.
A good tip from a hairdressing friend, is to use a dilution of bicarbonate of soda to rinse your hair and remove hair spray build up.
© VirtualHairCare
Tips To Avoid Product Build Up
One of the primary causes of hair product build-up is hair which has not been adequately rinsed during the shampoo and conditioning rinse-out cycles. Washing hair in the shower will help prevent build-up versus washing hair in a sink or tub where sections of the hair may accidentally retain product.
1. Before purchasing products have a clear understanding of your hair type, texture, condition and historical styling needs.
2. Utilize only basic styling product necessities to create the desired hairdo.
3. Look for products which perform double duty in one formula.
4. Read labels very carefully. What you don’t know may hurt your tresses.
5. Avoid products with ingredients known to weigh hair down or cause clogging and blockage.
6. Pay close attention to your hair to check for any dehydration, scalp flaking, itching or related build-up issues.
7. Be careful to apply products in such a manner that scalp does not become coated.
8. Use the lightest product possible to create the best style. If your hair requires hold, try mousse before gels and creams.
9. Use wax or paste sparingly, especially on hair prone to build-up issues.
10. Spray products from the proper distances. Avoid using cheap products known to overcoat strands.
11. Follow a less is more principle.
12. Distribute products appropriately. Always mix well in palms of hands before applying and utilize picks or combs to distribute well.
13. Search for hair styling products which offer both conditioning and hold. Many are compressed to offer a combo of benefits. This saves you from using more products than necessary and is also economical.
14. Consider using products which control or block humidity. This will help you resist the temptation to reapply hairspray throughout the day to “fix” your hair.
1. Before purchasing products have a clear understanding of your hair type, texture, condition and historical styling needs.
2. Utilize only basic styling product necessities to create the desired hairdo.
3. Look for products which perform double duty in one formula.
4. Read labels very carefully. What you don’t know may hurt your tresses.
5. Avoid products with ingredients known to weigh hair down or cause clogging and blockage.
6. Pay close attention to your hair to check for any dehydration, scalp flaking, itching or related build-up issues.
7. Be careful to apply products in such a manner that scalp does not become coated.
8. Use the lightest product possible to create the best style. If your hair requires hold, try mousse before gels and creams.
9. Use wax or paste sparingly, especially on hair prone to build-up issues.
10. Spray products from the proper distances. Avoid using cheap products known to overcoat strands.
11. Follow a less is more principle.
12. Distribute products appropriately. Always mix well in palms of hands before applying and utilize picks or combs to distribute well.
13. Search for hair styling products which offer both conditioning and hold. Many are compressed to offer a combo of benefits. This saves you from using more products than necessary and is also economical.
14. Consider using products which control or block humidity. This will help you resist the temptation to reapply hairspray throughout the day to “fix” your hair.
Protein Over Load!!
Moisturizers keep the hair from becoming too dry and breaking. Protein keeps the hair strong and regular use of certain proteins can actually thicken the hair. There are many different types of proteins. Some are extremely potent and should be used sparingly and cautiously. These are the ones for extremely damaged and dry hair; hair that has been chemically processed, double processed or that is experiencing excessive breakage and shedding.
These proteins are so strong that they stop the shedding immediately and results are typically noticed after the first use. Generally these kinds of protein treatments are so strong; they should only be used every 6-8 weeks or less. There are also proteins that aid in thickening and strengthening the hair, but can be applied more often because they are not as strong; these are the proteins known as reconstructors. These proteins do not have a dramatic immediate effect, but overall hair improvement will gradually be noticed with regular use. These can be applied more often; every 4-6 weeks.
Finally, there are the mild proteins that are found in the majority of all deep conditioner, slippage conditioners and some hair creams and oils. These proteins are safe enough for regular use, but may cause the hair to become dry and brittle with overuse; or protein overload. When using them, or any proteins, it is extremely important to follow up with a good moisturizing regimen. If your hair creams or lotions have protein in them, you may want to add some jojoba oil, olive oil, or coconut oil to them to increase moisture avoid potential over drying. If at all possible, stay away from hair creams that contain any kind of protein for this reason. Just remember, a good deep conditioner contains some sort of protein.
These proteins are so strong that they stop the shedding immediately and results are typically noticed after the first use. Generally these kinds of protein treatments are so strong; they should only be used every 6-8 weeks or less. There are also proteins that aid in thickening and strengthening the hair, but can be applied more often because they are not as strong; these are the proteins known as reconstructors. These proteins do not have a dramatic immediate effect, but overall hair improvement will gradually be noticed with regular use. These can be applied more often; every 4-6 weeks.
Finally, there are the mild proteins that are found in the majority of all deep conditioner, slippage conditioners and some hair creams and oils. These proteins are safe enough for regular use, but may cause the hair to become dry and brittle with overuse; or protein overload. When using them, or any proteins, it is extremely important to follow up with a good moisturizing regimen. If your hair creams or lotions have protein in them, you may want to add some jojoba oil, olive oil, or coconut oil to them to increase moisture avoid potential over drying. If at all possible, stay away from hair creams that contain any kind of protein for this reason. Just remember, a good deep conditioner contains some sort of protein.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Transitioning Without The Big Chop
Is it possible to transitions one’s hair from a relaxed state to natural without doing the big chop?
What's Your Hair Type?
Type 1
Type 1 is straight hair.
Type 2
A relatively unusual type, wavy hair tends to be coarse, with a definite S pattern to it. There are three Type 2 subtypes: A- Fine /thin, B -medium-textured, and C – thick and coarse. Type 2A is very easy to handle, blowing out into a straighter style or taking on curlier looks with relative ease. Types 2B and 2C are a little more resistant to styling and have a tendency to frizz
Type 3
When this type of hair is wet, it appears to be pretty straight. As it dries, the hair goes back to its curly state. When curly hair is wet it usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Humidity tends to make this type of curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier. Type 3 hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy.
Andre defines two subtypes of curly hair. First, there is type 3A hair which is very loosely curled and usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair is, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair is the more defined the curl. Then, there is type 3B hair which has a medium amount of curl to tight corkscrews. It’s not unusual to see a mixture of these types existing on the same head. Curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part. Lastly there is a type 3C, is hair type that is not in Andre Walker’s book, but many people suggest that it should be. This type of hair can be described as tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.
Type 4
According to Andre Walker, if your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very fragile. Similar to Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of these strands densely packed together. Type 4 hair that is healthy won’t shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel silkier than it will look shiny.
Type 4 hairs looks tough and durable, but looks can be deceiving. If you have Type 4 hair, you already know that it is the most fragile hair around. There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an S pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a Z pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter Z). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture
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Type 1 is straight hair.
Type 2
A relatively unusual type, wavy hair tends to be coarse, with a definite S pattern to it. There are three Type 2 subtypes: A- Fine /thin, B -medium-textured, and C – thick and coarse. Type 2A is very easy to handle, blowing out into a straighter style or taking on curlier looks with relative ease. Types 2B and 2C are a little more resistant to styling and have a tendency to frizz
Type 3
When this type of hair is wet, it appears to be pretty straight. As it dries, the hair goes back to its curly state. When curly hair is wet it usually straightens out. As it dries, it absorbs the water and contracts to its curliest state. Humidity tends to make this type of curly hair even curlier, or even frizzier. Type 3 hair has a lot of body and is easily styled in its natural state, or it can be easily straightened with a blow-dryer into a smoother style. Healthy Type 3 hair is shiny, with soft, smooth curls and strong elasticity. The curls are well-defined and springy.
Andre defines two subtypes of curly hair. First, there is type 3A hair which is very loosely curled and usually very shiny with big curls. The shorter the hair is, the straighter it gets. The longer the hair is the more defined the curl. Then, there is type 3B hair which has a medium amount of curl to tight corkscrews. It’s not unusual to see a mixture of these types existing on the same head. Curly hair usually consists of a combination of textures, with the crown being the curliest part. Lastly there is a type 3C, is hair type that is not in Andre Walker’s book, but many people suggest that it should be. This type of hair can be described as tight curls in corkscrews. The curls can be either kinky, or very tightly curled, with lots and lots of strands densely packed together.
Type 4
According to Andre Walker, if your hair falls into the Type 4 category, then it is kinky, or very tightly curled. Generally, Type 4 hair is very wiry, very tightly coiled and very fragile. Similar to Type 3 hair, Type 4 hair appears to be coarse, but it is actually quite fine, with lots and lots of these strands densely packed together. Type 4 hair that is healthy won’t shine, but it will have sheen. It will be soft to the touch and will pass the strand test with ease. It will feel silkier than it will look shiny.
Type 4 hairs looks tough and durable, but looks can be deceiving. If you have Type 4 hair, you already know that it is the most fragile hair around. There are two subtypes of Type 4 hair: Type 4A, tightly coiled hair that, when stretched, has an S pattern, much like curly hair; and Type 4B, which has a Z pattern, less of a defined curl pattern (instead of curling or coiling, the hair bends in sharp angles like the letter Z). Type 4A tends to have more moisture than Type 4B, which will have a wiry texture
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Hair Typing System L.O.I.S.
L - If the hair has all bends, right angles and folds with little to no curve then you are daughter L.
O – If the strand is rolled up into the shape of one or several zeros like a spiral, then you are daughter O.
I – If the hair lies mostly flat with no distinctive curve or bend you are daughter I.
S – If the strand looks like a wavy line with hills and valleys then you are daughter S
Strand Size:
One half of a piece of inexpensive sewing thread (such as the kind that is contained in those palm sized personal sewing kits) split in two is about the thickness of a medium strand size of human hair. If you hair is larger than this, then your strand size is thick. If you hair is smaller than the split thread, then your hair strand is thin, or fine.
If you want to compare your hair strand to a split piece of thread, it can be done by moving the thread back and forth between your thumb and forefinger holding the free end taunt.
Texture:
Thready texture of hair usually has a low sheen, with high shine if the hair is held taunt (as in a braid), with low frizz. Wets easily but water dries out quickly.
Wiry hair textures have sparkle sheen, with low shine and low frizz. Water beads up or bounces off the hair strands. Hair never seems to get fully wet.
Cottony hair texture will have a low sheen, a high shine if the hair is held taunt and has high frizz. Absorbs water quickly but does not get thoroughly wet very fast.
Spongy hair has a high sheen with low shine with a compacted looking frizz. Absorbs water before it gets thoroughly wet.
Silky hair has low sheen, a very high shine, with a lot or low frizz. Easily wets in water.
You may have a combination of the LOIS letters, possibly with one dominant. If you cannot see one letter over the others, then combine the letters. Example: LO or IL or OS
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O – If the strand is rolled up into the shape of one or several zeros like a spiral, then you are daughter O.
I – If the hair lies mostly flat with no distinctive curve or bend you are daughter I.
S – If the strand looks like a wavy line with hills and valleys then you are daughter S
Strand Size:
One half of a piece of inexpensive sewing thread (such as the kind that is contained in those palm sized personal sewing kits) split in two is about the thickness of a medium strand size of human hair. If you hair is larger than this, then your strand size is thick. If you hair is smaller than the split thread, then your hair strand is thin, or fine.
If you want to compare your hair strand to a split piece of thread, it can be done by moving the thread back and forth between your thumb and forefinger holding the free end taunt.
Texture:
Thready texture of hair usually has a low sheen, with high shine if the hair is held taunt (as in a braid), with low frizz. Wets easily but water dries out quickly.
Wiry hair textures have sparkle sheen, with low shine and low frizz. Water beads up or bounces off the hair strands. Hair never seems to get fully wet.
Cottony hair texture will have a low sheen, a high shine if the hair is held taunt and has high frizz. Absorbs water quickly but does not get thoroughly wet very fast.
Spongy hair has a high sheen with low shine with a compacted looking frizz. Absorbs water before it gets thoroughly wet.
Silky hair has low sheen, a very high shine, with a lot or low frizz. Easily wets in water.
You may have a combination of the LOIS letters, possibly with one dominant. If you cannot see one letter over the others, then combine the letters. Example: LO or IL or OS
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