|
Naturally Curly Hair...
Those
of you who have curly hair, have these
curls, because of a curvature of the
hair follicles. A normal hair follicle
under a microscope would be seen as
perfectly straight. However yours would
have a definite bend in it. This causes
the hair to curl. Where the hair curves
it compels the cuticle (the outer layer
of the hair) to lift.
Oil and Water...
90% of us suffer with dry brittle or
frizzy hair because our hair is
deficient of (moisture) WATER!
There is a certain preconceived notion
that has been passed on from generation
to generation. That is the idea that our
hair is dry, because we are lacking in
natural oils. We are told that if we
nurture our hair by brushing vigorously
100 times a day, or if we nurture our
hair with hot oil treatments and
cholesterols. If we do all of these
things, then we are sure to be blessed
with beautiful, shiny and healthy locks.
This might be the case, if you have
young virgin (hair that is not
chemically treated) hair. But this is
certainly not the case, once you have
impaled your tresses, with harsh
chemicals such as bleaches and alkaline
permanents. Or if you have naturally
curly hair,
What to do...
You need to give your hair lots of TLC,
with shampoos that are designed to
restore your hair's moisture level to
its optimum 8%. Along with intense
conditioners that will help to repair
damaged cuticles, improve porosity,
elasticity and general health and
appearance of your hair.
Avoid product build by using products
that contain natural ingredients. Also
avoid hot oil treatments, heavy
cholesterol type conditioners,
petroleum-based and silicone-based
products. Also hairsprays, mousses and
gels that have a high alcohol or butane
content.
Those of you with naturally curly, wavy
or frizzy hair, those of you who use hot
styling tools or who chemically treat
your hair, will need to give your hair
extra nurturing by supplying it with the
necessary nutrition and moisture that it
needs.
Sun worshippers need to make sure that
your hair care products have sunscreen
properties to protect your hair from the
damaging affects of the UV rays.
The cuticle...
Under
a microscope, A cuticle is similar in
appearance to shingles on a roof. When
the hair is in good condition, and is
straight and has good porosity the tiles
or cuticle layers are tight together and
in perfect in shape, giving the hair a
smooth appearance. This makes light
reflect off the hair enhancing shine!
When hair is in bad conditioner, is
curly or has poor porosity, the cuticle
layers are lifted and sometimes damaged
and broken. This makes the hair feel
coarse and brittle. It also causes the
hair to absorb light, giving the
appearance of dull lifeless hair. To sum
up this scenario. Because curly haired
cuticle layer is permanently lifted, it
feels, coarse, and brittle and has no
brilliance. Hence the dull, lifeless
look. It also means that our hair has
poor porosity.
Porosity...
Is
the ability for hair to be able to
absorb and retain moisture. The best way
for me to explain this is to would be
for you to imagine a sponge. First of
all imagine a brand new sponge. It will
have tiny holes in it, and when you
immerse it in water, it will soak up a
large quantity, and be able to hold that
liquid for a long period of time. This
is because it has good porosity. Now
imagine an old sponge. Its holes have
become damaged and distorted. It might
even be torn in some areas. When you
immerse this sponge in the same amount
of liquid, it will absorb far less and
will certainly not be able to retain the
moisture so readily.
It is the same with hair. Hair that has
poor porosity will not be able to absorb
or retain moisture as well as hair that
has good porosity. making hair
permanently dry.
|
Woman's
hair galleries
.gif){kind=small}
