Shiny Shiny Hair Care

Your hair

No, this is not a river bed, nor is it a piece of stone; this is what a healthy hair strand looks like under an electron microscope. 

As hair grows it does so by laying scales of keratin or protein in layers stacked upon each other rather much like feathers on a wing. The outer layer of this scaly structure of the hair shaft is called the cuticle. (q-tic kel) When your hair is healthy,  these scales tend to lay flat and create a smooth and shiny look as the moisture or water inside the hair shaft does not escape readily.

When the hair becomes damaged these scales tend to rise up and break off creating vents for loss of moisture and and allowing further damage through dryness to extend into the inner core of the hair shaft. This is known as cuticle damage.  

 Well known sources of damage are:

• over  heating  from styling appliances such as hair dryers, and flattening or curling irons, 
• over exposure to sun,
•  chemicals such as chlorine combined with sun, 
• brushing the hair when wet,

Once the hair has been damaged by the cuticle cover becoming rough and the scales raising up then that hair strand is much more vulnerable or weak and likely to get damaged more easily. This can lead to breakage and extreme damage from which there is no return. At this point all one can do is to cut off the damaged parts  and wait for the hair to regrow from the root. 

Are You "Cutically" Challenged?

Here are a few ways to avoid damage to the hair strands and keep the cuticle closed as much as possible:

• do not brush wet hair- use a wide tooth comb on damp hair and gently comb from the tips to de-tangle first and then work up to the root area (have patience!)
• after swimming wash your hair with shampoo (mild is preferred) to remove the extra chlorine (if in a pool) or any chemical residues hidden in the water you swam in. (salt in the ocean, other pollutants in fresh water lakes and rivers). 
• use a conditioner after washing your hair and to help de-tangle (there are many varieties out there suitable for all different types of hair) 
• use cool to cold water to rinse the hair- this helps the scales to lay flat as heat makes them rise up and even a harsh shampoo can cause the scales to become frayed and raised
• a hot oil treatment or deep conditioning treatment once per week or every two weeks will certainly help
• wear a hat or head cover in full sun, if you know you'll be in it for longer than one hour
• use 1 cup of vinegar mixed with 1 cup of water to rinse hair after shampooing as this helps replenish the acid mantle (ph balance) of the hair lowers the scales, sealing the strand and keeping moisture in
• avoid doing too many chemical procedures at once  if you have to do a chemical procedure to your hair such as colour or straightening or perming the hair then give your hair a deep conditioning treatment more often to restore its cuticle health and give your hair a break between procedures so it can bounce back to health
• don't  use flattening or curling irons regularly -know that these implements will damage your hair so use a deep oil or conditioning treatment on a regular basis and give your hair a few days to recuperate its moisture level
• moderate using hair ties and elastics to keep hair back often can damage the hair at that point where it is tied especially if the hair is already damaged and weak
• remember moderation is the key to avoid extreme damage

Happy hair care!

 Let me know if you have questions or comments below.

Next time:  Tips to deep conditioning treatments

I begin this blog at the insistence of those who know little or nothing of these minor tidbits of information on our body, maintaining it and keeping it in its prime condition no matter what age you are. (You know who you are) 

My intention is to post these from day to day to help you check in and learn something new or not so new about your physical form and its attributes. I don't present myself as an expert merely a collector of information.