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Self> Frizzy Hair
Quench the Thrist
of Frizzy Hair
By Diana Dudas
Published August 2003
It seems like such an enigma.
Of the hundred or so emails I receive daily, the
same question pops up endlessly. "Why is
my hair so, frizzy and dry, coarse or brittle?"
I intend to try and solve this mystery. And my
first clue has to do with moisture deficiency!
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,
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.
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.
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.
Traditions have taught many
of us that lavishly applying oil to our hair will
give us the soft, shiny hair that we all desire.
However more often than not, the opposite takes
place. Most oils if they are not essential oils
do not have the ability to penetrate into the
hair shaft. Nor do heavy cholesterols. What they
will do, is to lay on top of the cuticle, and
coat the cuticle. This may give the hair some
Brilliance. However, it will also coat the hair.
And causes product build up.
Once the hair is coated,
your problems will commence. First of all, the
moisture that our hair so desperately needs will
not be able to permeate through the wall of product
build. The moisture is then not able to find it's
way underneath the cuticle layer. The hair cannot
then be conditioned. Also the oils will not diffuse,
but sit on top of the cuticle layer. If you use
any kind of hot styling tools such as blow dryers
or hot irons, what will happen to your hair, is
exactly what happens when you put an egg into
a hot pan. It will fry!
If you live in a sunny climate,
the oil will do the same thing. The sun will heat
the oil and fry your hair. You must have heard
the term, my hair feels fried.
For hair to be in tiptop
conditioner is has to have a moisture (water)
content of at least 8%, and the right balance
of protein and natural oil. Most of us produce
enough natural oil (sebum), to keep our hair healthy,
but lack the moisture. After having a chemical
service your moisture level will drop as low as
2%, causing, drying of the hair, followed by split
ends. The same will happen with constant use of
blow-dryers and hot styling tools, such as curling
or flat irons. If the moisture level is not restored
to it's optimum 8%; by the use of good moisturizing
products your hair will ultimately become brittle
and possibly break.
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,
and 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.
Our hair needs moisture,
moisture, and moisture! Who needs to add moisture
more than most? People with naturally curly hair,
chemically treated, hot styling tool users or
people who live in hot sunny and arid climates.
© 2002
Author Diana
Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H.
is an expert with more than 28 years experience
in the beauty industry. She has answered over
2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had
her work published in many well-respected beauty
magazines both online and off.
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