Video: Warning High Heat!

Warning: High Heat!

How do you protect your hair from heat damage?? Do you have any horror stories? I know I do!! One of the worst things that I've don't to my hair was trying to hot comb it. The comb was way too hot and burned right through my hair. The section was on the crown of my head. so there was no hiding it. About two inches of hair was left. Terrible!! Learned my lesson with that! You can learn more about heat damage H E R E!!

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Dandruff vs. Dry Scalp

Did you know that there's a difference between having a dry scalp and having dandruff? There is, and other scalp conditions are often mistaken for having dandruff.

Since skin cells are so small, most of the time your skin cells are replaced, or flake off without you noticing. There are a number of things that can cause skin cells to shed more often in large oily patches. These patches are what make a difference between dandruff and dry scalp.

Some Causes of Dandruff:

• Allergies to hair products, or their ingredients
• Some medications can have a side effect of dandruff
• Eczema, psoriasis, and other dermatitis can cause a form of dandruff
• A fungus called Malassezia
• Certain illnesses such as Parkinson's disease
• Having a compromised immune system

Some Causes of Dry Scalp:

• Washing your hair with hard water can remove needed oils and moisture
• Being dehydrated or not eating right can effect your oil glands in your scalp
• Over blow drying, using curling irons, flat irons, and other heated hair tools
• Over using shampoos, or using ones that contain sulfates (read the ingredients)
• Over using hair products that have harsh chemicals such as a high alcohol content
• Simply dry weather

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Dry Scalp




VS.



Dandruff



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What is dandruff??

Dandruff is a mixture of dead skin cells, and sebum (oil) clumped together. It usually has a yellow tint to it and can be flaky. In severe cases there's actual scalp tissue, bacteria, and/or fungus in the mix too.

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What is dry scalp??

Dry scalp is dehydrated and/or shedding dead skin cells. It usually is white in color and flaky.

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Need Help with Dry Scalp?

• Drink plenty of water. It'll help keep your skin (scalp) hydrated.
• Don't wash your hair daily
• Minimize the use of heated hair tools, or use cool air to if you must blow dry
• Use a shampoo that's specialized for dry scalp
• Try a hot oil treatment of coconut, olive, or caster oil!!!
• Use essential oils such as: tea tree, rosemary, or peppermint, which all help dry scalp

Need Help with Dandruff?

• Try a specialized shampoo that's sulfur, tar, or zinc based
• In extreme cases prescription steroid creams are helpful
• Use lukewarm water to wash hair so no further damage is done to the scalp
• Identify allergens and irritants of your skin, then avoid them if possible
• If all else fails, it may be time to visit a dermatologist
• Stressed? Try to relax. Stress can cause oil glands to go out of whack. Either producing too much oil (causing pimples) or not producing enough (irritating current conditions)

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I've never had to personally deal with dandruff. Knock on wood that I won't have to. Dry scalp is a different story! My favorite way to deal with dry scalp is to use hot oil treatments!! I have a few concoctions that I pull out, so be on the watch for that!!

Also don't forget to subscribe and/or follow me   ^_~"   You can now subscribe by simply typing your email into the box at the top and hitting submit!!!

Warning: High Heat

Did you know.... that using a heated hair tool that's too hot can permanently damage your hair after just one use?? Yep, it's true! This damage causes the cuticle to stay straight and not return to its curly state even after many washes.

Did you know.... that your hair can literally boil from heated hair tools if they're not properly used? When this happens the keratin softens and can explode.


Magnified you can see the heat damage--bubbles were caused
Image from: pgbeautygroomingscience.com



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The 1st piece of hair gets the tool when it's at its hottest and in its most damaging state!!
Example of heat damage from a styling tool--courtesy of my cousin

 Did you know.... that different hair types (straight, curly, wavy, and thin, etc.) have temperature limits when it comes to heat?


Do you use the suggested amount of heat? Too much, too little?
Image from: Folica.com


Did you know.... that the smoke you see while blow drying is actually moisture evaporating from your hair! This can cause serious damage that can't be repaired.


Image from: wikipedia.com



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Photos of Heat Damage:



Magnified Split Ends
How to fix--cut them off! If you ignore
them, they can travel up the hair shaft.



THIS is what my patch of hair looked like when I tried to hot comb it!!!
The only difference was that the damaged remains were in the crown of my head. There was NO hiding them!



Healthy hair over length! If you focus on the over all
health; the length will come.



Over processing your hair with chemicals can result in the same damage as putting too much heat on it!

****TIPS****

~~Always flat iron clean and conditioned hair! This can help minimize possible damage.

~~It's best to towel dry your hair as much as possible before blow drying. Blow dry on medium-low heat.

~~Invest in a good flat iron. The money spent is well worth the protection and outcome of your hair!!

~~Always use heating tools that YOU can control the temperature of! Off-On buttons aren't going to cut it.

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Ways to Protect Your Hair:

• Check to see if the flat iron you bought also has heat protecting products
• Use the lowest recommended setting to begin
• Recognize different textures (if any) in your hair. Different sections may need different amounts of heat
• Never style wet hair!! Make sure your hair is 100% dry
• Use shampoos/conditioners that assist in straight styles. That way you won't have to apply heat daily
• Blow dry/flat iron in sections. Smaller sections will need less time under heat vs. a thick section
• If heat's a must--deep condition weekly to prevent damage
• When possible--air dry your hair
• Try heat activated products
• Follow the directions that actually come with your styling tools

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You shouldn't be afraid of heat, or avoid it completely. With all things, moderation, information, and protection are the key!! At least in theory right ^_^  Me personally, I use a flat iron, and blow drier, but on rare occasions. It only takes one time for damage to be done though! There are ways to help protect your hair against the heat of styling tools.

Heat can also be a positive thing for you hair. When conditioning, the reason it's advised to rinse with lukewarm water, or to wear a warm towel/shower cap, is because of the heat. Heat "opens up" your hair allowing for the conditioner to be absorbed. If the heat source is too hot, yes damage may be done.

Are there any products that you use to help prevent heat damage?

Have you had to deal with damage done by you, or a stylist??

Is there a brand of styling tools you'd recommend???

Comment below!!!

Dry Conditions

After my last posting I was asked about hair remaining super dry no matter what's tried. I knew exactly what they were talking about. There were times, especially when I was transitioning, that no matter if I dunked my head in water it would be dry! This was very discouraging and frustrating for me. If you have a good stylist who knows about textured hair they can be a great resource to managing your hair.

Weekly visits to the salon can become very costly and time consuming. So, through trial and error I've come up with my own solutions to this problem. Eating right, drinking plenty of water, covering your hair at night, not spending too much time in direct sun, avoiding products with a high alcohol content, using high heat as least as possible--these are a few ways to gain a healthy scalp and head of hair.

Deep conditioning packs!! About $2 each!

Olive oil and argan oil have been to my rescue many a time! I'm not sure if they're hidden secrets or what, but I don't really hear much about either product in general. When I hear oil and hair they don't seem to go together. Greasy hair is the last thing you want if you're goal is to maintain healthy hair. Trying random products out and doing a little research I've learned a thing or two. If you're like I was here's a little info on both:

Argan Oil

• Comes from the seed of an endangered fruiting tree found in northern Africa that's high in vitamin E and essential fatty acids
• Can be used in foods, for dry and dull hair, brittle nails, skin problems such as wrinkles, stretch marks, acne and eczema
• Natural antioxidant, so it helps lock in moisture, repair damaged hair, maintain healthier roots and scalp

Olive Oil

• Originally from Asia, pitted olives are pressed to retrieve the oil
• Contains both vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which are vital to healthy skin and hair
• Can be used in food, treating ear aches, digestion issues (such as constipation and indigestion) and to combat dry skin and hair

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As always, I started the process with freshly washed hair and a clean scalp. Since I was planning on straightening my hair I didn't want to add more stress to it than necessary. I used a detangling shampoo with tingling peppermint oil. Smells SO good and your hair/scalp feels really nice after wards!

Next, I used the Olive Oil Replenishing Pak that's in the first picture. After gently towel drying my hair I SOAKED it in this conditioner. There's a lot of product in that little pack, but I used it all. 

 

To make sure the product was distributed evenly I used my shower comb to detangle my hair. With the olive oil conditioner in still, I parted my hair into four braided sections so it would be easier to rinse and keep untangled.

Nothing fancy, just 4 sections

Side note:

In theory, knowing your hair type could help you in knowing how to work with your hair. I honestly have no clue what my hair type it besides a "do what it wants to do" type. 4B, Type 3..sounds like a game of bingo. Might just add this to my research list and get back to ya on it!

If you know hair types maybe you can help me out?

 

After I got done with sectioning my hair I put a shower cap on. The longer you keep it on the better, but I had some things to do so I kept it on for about 20 mins before rinsing. 

 

Tip: If you do a conditioning pack in the evening, and will be in for the night, you can try this. Wash your hair and condition as explained here, but instead of rinsing, keep the shower cap on. Add a bonnet or scarf on top of the shower cap to keep it in place. You can continue with your normal activities; including sleep. Keep the scarf and cap on while you sleep. The shower cap will keep the moisture trapped, so your hair doesn't dry out during the night. The scarf/bonnet will keep the cap from coming off while you sleep. In the morning rinse and continue the steps like usual. This deep conditioning method is great for wash and goes too!

 

Whenever I rinse my hair I use low pressure and lukewarm water. Hot water can strip your hair of its needed oils, and cold..well I just don't like being cold but it helps seal your hairs cuticle. 

 

The braids were left in while rinsing the conditioner out. I squeezed the sections to make sure all of the product was out--rinsed for about 3 minutes. 

Working one section at a time I blow dried my hair, pinned it out the way and moved onto the next. Since the hair was detangled when the conditioner was applied it doesn't need it again. This is a plus to rinsing with the sections in tact. After my whole head's dried I took small sections out of a pony tail to begin flat ironing.

Helps split ends and breakage that can occur from styling

A little Healing Serum was applied to the sections before flat ironing, focusing on the ends. The ends of hair tend to be the driest, most vulnerable to heat, everyday wear and prone to breakage. This product adds shine, and a protective layer to seal your hair and keep it from breaking. It also smells good! One tip with this product is a little goes a long way, don't over do it! It's always easier to add more than to take away when it comes to hair products.

Tip: When it comes to flat ironing hair smaller is better. Most people want to get it over asap and work in chunky sections to achieve this. I don't want to be doing touch ups often, or having wavy roots after all of this. Taking small, thin sections to iron out, may take more time, but the end result looks better and lasts longer.

Hair after flat ironing! It's grown since getting it cut a couple months ago!!

Before I decided I was going to straighten my hair I checked the weather. If it's raining, going to rain, be foggy, a chance of rain, humid--in other words any type of moisture in the air--I'm not straightening my hair. Right after spending all this time on my hair I walk my dog, Scrappy, and of course I get hit with some sprinkles. Funny how that happens o___O

 

As I mentioned before, I had some business to take care of  ^_^'  Dealing with the weather wasn't going to be one of them. I wrapped my hair and put a scarf on. Nice and simple. Chunky earrings, and a tie on the side to dress it up a little and I'm out the door!

 

-_________-        It didn't end up raining after all, but I still looked cute!

This is one of a few ways I've found to keep my hair from being overly dry. 

 

Know of other ways to keep your hair moisturized, conditioned, and/or healthy? Let me know!!