Faith Amour Hair Care

While some seasons feature runway models proudly sporting a frizzy do, many women prefer the smoother look of sleeker hair styles. Whether you have curly hair, straight hair, or wear your curly hair straight, taming out-of-control frizz can be a hassle.

For frizzy hair control, try these hair care beauty tips to help maintain a healthy and smooth hair style with an easy, inexpensive, and more natural approach to hair repair that is fit for all hair types. You might be surprised to know that the best treatment for frizzy hair is often the cheapest and most natural hair care treatment.

What Causes Frizzy Hair?
In order to stop frizzy hair, you must first identify the cause of frizz. Factors that contribute to frizzy dry hair can include:

too much blow drying
mousse products
chemical damage due to bleaching, coloring, and perming
chlorine damage
humidity
taking certain medication

In addition, your natural hair type can contribute to frizz. If you have naturally curly or coarse hair, you are more likely to have frizzy or dry hair.

Frizz Control For Curly Hair
Naturally curly hair tends to be frizzy, but there are some natural ways to keep frizz at bay. Try using a pomade product after washing your hair. Dilute some pomade with a bit of water before applying it lightly through hair. Be sure to avoid applying to the scalp as this can create a greasy look. Pomades tend to have a lighter hold while containing oils, which are a great way to maintain bouncy curls while taming frizzy hair.

Avoid shampooing every day, as this can leave hair dry. Try washing your hair twice or three times a week instead. You may also want to leave some conditioner in the hair instead of fully rinsing it out for added moisture.

Chemical Damage Hair Repair
Perming, bleaching, and color treating can all cause chemical damage and dry hair. The best solution for chemically damaged hair is a deep conditioner that is not oil-based. Use conditioner treatments conservatively, since chemically damaged hair requires a gradual treatment. Products such as pomades and hair gels may also be used.

Straight Hair Styling Tips
Using a hot curling iron or a straightening iron can actually smooth out coarse, dry, and frizzy hair. If you like to wear your curly hair straight, a good way to stop frizzy hair is to blow dry methodically in a downward motion, using a big round brush. Avoid running a blow dryer up and down along your hair since this can cause hair cuticles to split, which can cause frizz.

If you have straight hair and live in a warm climate, you may want to consider rinsing hair with the coldest water that you can comfortably use after washing with a shampoo and conditioner. This will lock in cuticles and smooth out hair that can be split and look frizzy in humid environments.

Frizzy Hair Tips For All Hair Styles
Some natural home remedies can provide the best hair treatment for frizz for all hair types. To balance pH levels that can cause frizzy hair, try rinsing with an equal mixture of apple vinegar and water after conditioning hair. This will smooth out hair cuticles. Be sure to keep eyes tightly shut if using this method, as vinegar will sting. Shea butter can also smooth out hair while preventing a greasy look.

Avoid using a hair brush if you have frizz-prone hair. Try using a hair pick and finger combing when hair is dry instead. Avoid rubbing wet hair with a towel. Instead, try letting wet hair set in a towel for ten minutes after a shower. Air-drying hair whenever possible, instead of using a blow dryer that can cause dry hair, will also help.

You may want to try adding a dime-sized amount of natural vegetable glycerin to water and applying the solution to wet hair after a shower. This can also be mixed into a gel or mousse product that you regularly use.

Lastly, avoid products such as shampoos and conditioners that contain drying ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and alcohol. Remember, that some of the best remedies for frizzy hair can also be the cheapest. Try different shampoos and conditioners to see which one can provide you with the best hair treatment for frizz

Maintaining Curly Hair

Maintaining luscious curls is not an easy task. Varying climates, temperatures, activities, stress levels, etc. can all affect the appearance of your hair. Let’s face it…curly hair is temperamental. Over conditioning and product build up can weigh down the hair, rendering it lifeless. What’s the key? A regular hair care regime (including diet, exercise, and vitamins), proper upkeep, and the right products.

Nothing is more unattractive then sparse, stringy ends…especially on curly heads. Regular trims should be a part of your hair care regime. Curly hair should be trimmed at least every 3 months. Don’t just trust anyone with your gorgeous locks. Ensure that your stylist is familiar with styling and cutting curly hair.

Heat things up a bit! Give yourself a hot oil treatment once a month…especially during the cold weather. Harsh temperatures contribute to dry, brittle hair. Counter it with a little heat. The heat opens up the inner cortex and penetrates the hair shaft. The conditioning oil strengthens the hair shaft and lubricates dry, itchy scalps. When you rinse out the oil, the shaft closes and locks in moisture. A must for curly hair!

Give your hair a break! Refresh your dry, unmanageable curls with a touch of essential oils. Avocado, jojoba, coconut, and olive oil are great moisturizers. Shampoo and condition hair. Apply oil of your choice. Gently comb oils through hair. Fine hair – use less oil, to your liking. Medium/coarse hair – use more oil, to your liking. Wear hair in protective style (e.g. bun) for 24 hours. You will find that your curls are soft, revived, and more manageable your next shampoo!

Caution: Avoid products that contain mineral and/or petrolatum oil as an ingredient. Do not use products with these ingredients for your hair or scalp. Both of these synthetic oils coat and suffocate the hair shaft blocking moisture out. Further, they clog pores in your scalp and can retard hair growth. Read your labels. Remember, the ingredients are listed in order of volume.

Good nutrition and proper hydration is the key to healthy natural hair care in the cold winter months. Hair, just like skin, dries out due to the lack of water.

Freezing cold temperatures, excessive winds and snow all wreak havoc on hair. Seasons change and so does the moisture levels in the air which in turn affect hair. Central heating can also adversely affect hair in the winter months. Winterizing hair is important in maintaining that healthy glow.

Hair Nutrition
Nutrition is important to the skin, nails and hair in any climate, but especially in the cold winter months. Essential fatty acids, as found in cold-water fish, extra virgin olive oil, flax oil or supplements such as primrose or borage oils, provide natural “waterproofing”. If essential fatty acid (EFA) levels are low, hair gets dry. A key indicator that this is happening to the hair is inspecting the skin. If the appearance of “alligator shins” can be seen on the skin then there is an EFA deficiency in the body. Therefore, hair breakage will increase as well as frizzy hair. At this point the damage is done.

Hair contains protein. A diet that’s low in protein can cause thinning and an unhealthy look. Lecithin and soy are proven to be essential for healthy hair.

Adding Moisture
Hair vitamins may sound silly, but they work much better in restoring hair moisture than the usual store bought products that contain chemicals.

Moisture can be added by using a simple product – olive oil. Once or twice a week warm up some olive oil and massage it into the hair. Let it sit on the hair for no more than five minutes then wash hair as usual.

Natural Conditioners
Jojoba Oil

20 ml rose floral water

10ml jojoba

10 drops vitamin E oil

Gently warm rose water and add in jojoba oil. Add the vitamin E and mix well. Wet hair with warm water. Massage conditioner onto hair and scalp. Leave on for several minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water then shampoo as usual.

Clover Honey Conditioner

Wet hair with warm water, then massage half a cup of pure clover honey into hair. Work it through to the ends. Cover your hair with a plastic bathing cap or towel. Leave the conditioner on for at least 20 minutes then shampoo as usual.

Olive Oil and Safflower Oil

Use olive oil as a natural anti-frizz hair product. Mix 50ml of light olive oil with 30-40 drops of a scented oil of your choice. Mix well before each use. Take a small amount and spread throughout the ends of hair.

Safflower oil will create shine and moisten the hair. A few drops in your hand, rub the oil around and apply onto hair.

Winter Hair Tips
Dry hair thoroughly (preferably air drying, not blow drying) before going outdoors. Wet hair in cold temperatures turns into frozen hair. Frozen hair will lead to breakage.
Cover damp hair if being exposed to the elements. Most styling products contain water and they will freeze once outside.
Shampoo less if there is excessive hair breakage. A good indicator of excessive hair breakage is to look in the drain. It’s common for hair to break off more due to the dry winter months. Maintain natural oils by washing less. Washing only once or twice a week is recommended in maintaining natural oils on the scalp and in the hair.
Wear a hat. Hats protect the hair and they can be fashionable.
Regular oil treatments, preferably natural oil treatments are effective in helping to re-hydrate hair from heating systems and wintery conditions.
Additional Healthy Hair Tips
cut back or quit smoking
reduce caffeine and carbonated drinks as they weaken hair growth
avoid use of hot water, hot blow dryers and other hot hair care tools
have a weekly scalp massage to stimulate follicles
trim hair regularly
A healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and regular moisurizing helps in keeping hair healthy in the winter and throughout the year.

Read more at Suite101: Maintaining Hair Health in Winter: Dry Hair into Beautiful Hair the Natural Way

FOUND ON WWW.HAIRFINDER.COM
No matter how much time and money is spent on perfecting hair’s health with products, hair health begins from the inside to the outside. Hair is part of the integumentary system, which is a bodily system, such as the nerves system. The integumentary system contains the following: hair, skin, and nails. The three parts of the body are related, but hair is different in the way that it grows from the inside to the outside of the head. People use a lot of different products to get a desired hair effect-healthy hair. However, people forget that healthy hair is a nice thing to have and it comes with taking care of your body with nutrients.

Unhealthy hair is not attractive. It is dull, dry, and may have a lot of split ends. It may appear to be frizzy. Poor nutrition is the most common reason for unhealthy looking hair. It is a diet that is poor, which is high in sugar, salt, and animal fat that is only bad and not good for your hair. Those types of diets create added stress on the body. The body then needs more nutrients. Vitamin B gets depleted without eating right. The B- vitamins have a lot of different functions for humans. The functions of B-vitamins ranges from biotin preventing hair loss to biotin helping fingernails get and remain healthy. It is not hard to eat a food that contains vitamins B and C, such as bread or eggs. I like to eat the latter sometimes. It is not hard to incorporate these vitamin-enriched foods into your diet, because they are relatively inexpensive to buy. Vitamin B and C are necessary for hair growth, hair color, and good circulation. Enough of vitamin B and C in your diet will keep individual strands of tresses from breaking.

A multivitamin is good for your hair, but it is neccessary to get the right nutrients from the foods that we eat. If you are like everyone else, you probably do take multivitamins. Vitamin A should be a part of your mulitvitamin, which will give you a healthy scalp, because it works wonders for skin. Vitamin A is found in apricots. I enjoy the latter. You should try not eating junk foods or consuming unhealthy drinks that will make the body’s nutrients more depleted. I avoid a lot of chocolate, which is a popular junk food. Some drinks, such as coffee contain a lot of caffeine. I do not drink coffee at all.

Eight glasses of water per day is absolutely needed for healthy hair. You should drink water to clean out your system. This way, your body will be hydrated and your hair will also get more moisture. I drink water everyday, because I like it. It is always there at my convenience and cheap. There are many benefits to drinking water. Water also quenches your thirst and aids in food digestion so that your body will not get so stressed out and will not need to work harder to digest foods as it does without water.

The hair is ninety-eight percent proteins. Locks are dead protein. As soon as hair grows out of the head, it is dead. Hair needs protein to get healthy. There are so many protein rich foods. Some protein rich foods are the following: meats, seeds, and nuts. The availability of these foods makes it easy to get them. There are always basic foods, such as these that are found at the local grocery store. As a partial vegetarian, tuna is an option that I usually eat. I do not eat any kind of meat, except for fish. Fish is a good source of protein. Tuna is also a good source of essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are found a lot in cold-water fish. Essential fatty acids or EFAs should be added to the diet to get omega-3 fats and omega-6 fats. These EFAs need to come from an outside source, because the body does not produce them. Omega-6 fats are found in< corn and some other foods.

THESE ARE SOME STYLING PRODUCTS I HAVE FOUND FOR CHEAP ON EASYCURLS.COM. THESE ARE NOT ALL AND I WILL HAVE A POST ABOUT THE ONES I HAVE TIRED

Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Curl Definition Cream
Kerastase Oleo-Curl Definition Cream gives definition to thick, coarse, curly hair and protects from humidity and thermal damage.
List Price: $34.00

Artec Textureline Hotstyle Curling Iron Fix
Artec for L’oreal Professionnel are products that provide solutions to every haircare and styling need.
List Price: $10.99

Kenra Curl Defining Creme
Kenra’s Curl Defining Creme refines and separates curls and waves while taming frizz and flyaways. This humidity resistant formula adds a control and shine with a soft touchable finish.
List Price: $15.00

KMS California Curlup Curling Balm
KMS Curlup curling balm increases curls and waves instantly!
List Price: $18.99

Curly Sexy Hair Curling Creme
From Sexy Hair comes Curly Sexy Hair Curling Creme for medium to thick hair to help control frizz.
List Price: $16.99

Sexy Hair Curly Sexy Hair 24/7 Curl Spray
Sexy Hair 24/7 Curling Spray is activated by heat to offer 24 hours of super soft curls with a healthy sheen.
List Price: $21.00

Oscar Blandi Proteine Di Jasmine Protein Mist
Oscar Blandi Proteine Di Jasmine detangles, fortifies, protects and restyles hair.
List Price: $18.00

Ken Paves Healthy Hair Strong Hold Shaping Hair Spray
Ken Paves Healthy Hair Strong Hold Shaping Hair Spray with strong hold that doesn’t collapse under pressure.
List Price: $23.95

Maxius Maxi Waxi Pomade
Product Benefits:
List Price: $16.95

Citre Shine Curl Crunch Curling Creme
It’s crunch time! Scrunch, shape and define. Add texture, curl definition and a burst of shine with this feather light curl enhancing creme.
List Price: $4.50

Lustrasilk Right On Curl Activator Moisturizer
Revitalizes curls and waves. Quick penetrating. Not greasy or sticky.
List Price: $11.95

got2b Curled-Up Curling Spray
Heat-activated formula powers up heat styling for sleek and smooth waves, curls and ringlets that rock!
List Price: $5.95

Citre Shine Making Waves Curl Booster
Specially formulated curl booster will shape and define your curls while adding body and bounce. Kick up your curls! Shine enhancing citrus extracts add vibrancy and reform your dead beat hair.

Progaine Volumizing Foam
Gives you the styling hold you desire. This airy foam creates volume and control without weighing hair down. Add staying power to your style!
List Price: $6.99

BioSilk Silk Pomade
Product Benefits:
List Price: $16.99

Nexxus Designing Texxtur 5.1 oz.
Product Benefits:
List Price: $17.99

Woody’s S.S.S (Shower, Shave, & Shine)
Includes the following products:
List Price: $37.95

got2b Magnetik Texturizing Pomade
Increase your player potential! Contains pheromones- a man’s secretedge to make the ladies take notice. The action is all yours- no stringsattached.
List Price: $9.99

TIGI Bed Head Maxxed-Out Massive Hold Hair Spray
Use Maxxed-Out non-aerosol hairspray with P.M.S complex (Pump. Massive. Style). This quick drying unisex formula guarantees massive hold and super shine.
List Price: $14.75

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Grooming Pomade
Tea Tree grooming products create fresh and modern styles while refreshing the senses. Enjoy head-turning style as well as great results.
List Price: $17.99

Dimensions Shape Pomade

List Price: $4.95

The best things about summer are the fun times – relaxing in the sun, swimming in the ocean or in a pool. This article examines hair care tips to prevent sun damage.

Hair, especially colored or chemically treated hair, needs a lot of protection to avoid looking limp, frizzy and lifeless.

Hair Care Tips for Summer
Sun, water and the ocean can cause a lot of damage, especially to dyed hair. Take a look at the following tips to look after hair.

Swimming in a chlorinated pool or the ocean: Chlorine is very harsh on hair and can make it look dull and frizzy. Sea salt has a similar effect and can make dyed hair even worse because dyes and colorants make hair more porous than natural hair. Make sure to use a protein rich conditioner or hair treatment and apply it before swimming. A treatment such as a hair mask will give more protection. Rinse hair immediately after swimming, as more damage can be caused the longer chlorine and sea salt are left in the hair.

Avoid blow drying: Allow hair to dry naturally, in the warm summer months at least. Blow drying can damage hair and make it brittle.

Hair styling: Use a wide toothed comb and don’t brush wet hair as it is more likely to break. Curling tongs and straightening irons can cause damage, so give hair a break every now and again – go natural! If this seems impossible, put hair in a bun or tie a headscarf around the head – even if its just around the house, hair will benefit from the break.

Fine hair that looks flat and limp: A volumizing shampoo and conditioner is a good solution. Diet affects hair, so in summer especially, be sure to eat plenty of raw, natural foods to give hair the boost it needs.
Split ends: Use a good quality serum or cream and have the hair trimmed regularly to avoid splitting and keep hair looking good.

Avoid tight ponytails: This causes tension on the hairline and pulling the hair in this way can cause hair to break, headaches and even hair loss. Tie hair in a looser ponytail and avoid rubber bands or poor quality pony tail bands.

Look for natural hair care products: Hair that is regularly washed and conditioned with shampoos and conditioners that contain harmful chemicals, such as SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) can become damaged over time and this can even cause hair loss. Be sure to choose organic, natural products and read labels carefully and get educated on what actually goes into regular shampoo.

Home made hair mask: Give hair the ultimate treatment at home – this can be very effective and non-expensive. Try an olive oil or coconut oil mask – simply rub oil into the hair and scalp, cover and allow to soak in for a few hours before washing off with a natural shampoo.

Green hair after swimming: Chlorine has this effect on blondes, usually after swimming a lot. Try a rich, natural, leave-in conditioner or treatment and/or visit a salon for a professional analysis.
Protection before going on vacation: Start the season with a visit to a stylist for a great cut and treatment to make sure hair is in good condition before going away. Ask the stylist for tips on maintenance to keep hair looking fabulous while away.

Preventing damage to the hair and caring for hair is not difficult. Thinking ahead is the key factor to good looking hair during the hot summer months.

Read more at Suite101: Ten Hair Care Tips for Summer: How to Prevent Damage to Hair from Sun and Swimming, Naturally

Spring brings with it an additional set of problems for any hair. Repair hair damage with proper hair care and conditioning.

Once winter is over, with proper hair treatment the hair follicles should start to become revitalized again. Many people, however, have not taken good care of their hair during the harsh winter months, so they tend to notice brittle and dry hair with split ends that now need to be taken care of.

Factors That Can Damage the Hair In Spring
Some of the main factors that contribute to damaged hair in spring, besides the obvious winter leftovers, are wind, humidity, moisture and even heat. The wind is in full force in many parts of the world during spring and this tends to create loads of split ends and the static hair look that everybody hates. This of course greatly contributes to damaged hair. If the hair happens to be naturally coarse, it will become even more so.

The humidity that comes after the dry winter does not help the hair one bit. It tends to leave the hair flat and boring. Particularly straight hair tends to suffer under the spring humid weather.

Spring is a season of rains, which means increased moisture. As it is constantly pointed out at various high quality hair salons and by hairdressers, high levels of moisture give the hair a very frizzy look. This is exactly the same results as some older types of hair dryers used to do.

Heat is another danger to the hair after the cold winter temperatures. While spring is not usually known for heavy bouts of heat, the air tends to be much hotter than the hair is used to from the previous months, and this will open the hair cuticles, contributing to split ends as well. The hair becomes duller and more brittle.

Proper Hair Care In Spring
If the hair has been neglected during winter, it can always be fixed in spring with a bit of care. Most probably by now the split ends are breaking havoc on many scalps and the best way to deal with that is simply have a hair cut in order to get those split ends off. The individual damages to the hair might warrant different lengths to be cut off. As a side note, it is said that short hair is in style again this spring.

After the heavy and harsh winter months each hair type needs a revitalizing deep moisturizing treatment that removes the winter dryness from it. The same applies to the skin as well. The skin looks dull after the cold months, but a fresh peeling mask will bring back the glow to every skin type.

Hair static can be countered with some leave-in detangler and conditioner. The detangler has the effect of protecting the hair and calming the static ions. The added conditioner will increase the level of moisture to the hair cuticles to freshen and revitalize the hair. At the same time it will bring back the hair shine that was lacking throughout winter.

After washing the hair it should be dried with good hair blow dryers. Avoiding the old traditional hair dryer models is a must. Mostly hair dryers with negative ions and with tourmaline added to them should be used. These have the effect of giving the hair that much needed shine, while making it more manageable at the same time. Sadly the traditional hair dryers tend to give positive ions which damage the hair as they open up the hair cuticles leaving the hair fizzy and fizzled.

Of course, the best tip on proper hair care in spring is to actually follow the winter hair treatment tips as these will ensure the hair will keep its shine and health all throughout the heavy, cold and dry temperatures.

Read more at Suite101: Proper Hair Care in Spring: Revitalize Hair After a Harsh Winter

10 chemicals to avoid

Most of the commercially available hair care products today use harmful, potentially carcinogenic ingredients. In the interest of good natural hair health, I listed below, what are in my opinion, the 10 worst commonly found product ingredients you can put on your hair (and body). Check the list of ingredients on your hair products. The more of a particular ingredient you have in a product, the closer it is to the top of the list of ingredients on the bottle:

1. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL: This is a solvent and denaturant (poisonous substance that changes another substances natural qualities). Isopropyl alcohol is found in hair color rinses, body rubs, hand lotions, after-shave lotions, fragrances and many other cosmetics. This petroleum-derived substance is also used in antifreeze and as a solvent in shellac. Napptural hair reacts very badly to isoalcohol and this ingredient should be avoided at ALL costs. It will dry your hair out and break it off. According to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients, inhalation or ingestion of the vapor may cause headaches, flushing, dizziness, mental depression, nausea, vomiting, narcosis and even coma in extreme cases.

2. MINERAL OIL & PETROLATUM: The best baby oil is made from almonds. But the oil which being sold as baby oil is 100% mineral oil. Mineral oil is a derivative of crude oil (petroleum) that is used industrially as a cutting fluid and lubricating oil. This commonly used petroleum ingredient coats the skin and hair just like plastic wrap. The skin’s natural barrier is disrupted as this plastic coating inhibits its ability to breathe and absorb the Natural Moisture Factor (moisture and nutrition). The skin’s ability to release toxins and wastes is impossible through this “plastic wrap,” which can promote acne and other disorders. It further hinders normal skin respiration/transpiration by keeping oxygen out. This process slows down skin function and normal cell development causing the skin to prematurely age. Holding in large a mounts of moisture in the skin can “flood” the biology and may result in immature, unhealthy, sensitive skin that dries out easily. Petrolatum – A petroleum-based grease that is used industrially as a grease component. Petrolatum exhibits many of the same potentially harmful properties as mineral oil.
Honestly, this stuff belongs in your engine, not on your hair. Regardless of “Well, my Grandma used vaseline on her hair and it grew “, the bottom line is this stuff is bad. It was bad for Grandma and it is bad for you. Period.

3. PEG: This is an abbreviation for polyethylene glycol that is used in making cleansers to dissolve oil and grease as well as thicken products. Because of their effectiveness, PEG’s are often used in caustic spray on oven cleaners and yet are found in many personal care products. PEG’s contribute to stripping the Natural Moisture Factor, leaving the immune system vulnerable. They are also potentially carcinogenic.

4. PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG): As a “surfactant” or wetting agent and solvent, this ingredient is actually the active component in antifreeze. There is no difference between the PG used in industry and the PG used in personal care products. It is used in industry to break down protein and cellular structure (what the skin is made of) yet is found in most forms of make-up, hair products, lotions, after-shave, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpaste. It is also used in food processing. Because of its ability to quickly penetrate the skin, the EPA requires workers to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles when working with this toxic substance. The Material Safety Data Sheets warn against skin contact, as PG has systemic consequences such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Consumers are not protected nor is there a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than that in most industrial applications.

5. SODIUM LAURYL SUFATE (SLS) & SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE (SLES): SLS is used in testing labs as the standard ingredient to irritate skin. Used as detergents and surfactants, these closely related compounds are found in car wash soaps, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. Yet both SLS and SLES are used more widely as one of the major ingredients in cosmetics, toothpaste, hair conditioner and about 90% of all shampoos and products that foam. They are used in personal-care products because they are cheap. A small amount generates a large amount of foam, and when salt is added it thicken to give the illusion of being thick and concentrated. (SOME OF THE NITROSATING AGENTS ARE: SLS, SLES, DEA, TEA, MEA). Shampooing the hair with a product contaminated with these substances can lead to its absorption into the body at levels much higher than eating nitrite-contaminated foods.
Mark Fearer in an article, Dangerous Beauty, says, “…in tests, animals that were exposed to SLS experienced eye damage, along with depression, labored breathing, diarrhea, severe skin irritation and corrosion and death.” According to the American College of Toxicology states both SLS and SLES can cause malformation in childrens eyes. Other research has indicated SLS may be damaging to the immune system, especially within the skin. Skin layers may separate and inflame due to its protein denaturing properties. It is possibly the most dangerous of ad ingredients in personal care products. Research has shown that SLS when combined with other chemicals can be transformed into nitrosamines, a potent class of carcinogens, which causes the body to absorb nitrates at higher levels than eating nitrate contaminated food.” According to the American College of Toxicity report, “SLS stays in the body for up to five days…” Other studies have indicated that SLS easily penetrates through the skin and enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, the liver, the lungs and the brain. This poses serious questions regarding its potential health threat through its use in shampoos, cleansers and toothpaste,”
Studies show its danger potential to be great when used in personal-care products. Toxicity – A serious problem with these chemicals is that they may be contaminated with NDELA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine), one of the nitrosamines and a potent carcinogen, according to a 1978 FDA report.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) – SLES is the alcohol form (ethoxylated) of SLS. It is slightly less irritating than SLS, but may be more drying. Both SLS and SLES can enter the blood stream. They may cause potentially carcinogenic formations of nitrates and dioxins to form in shampoos and cleansers by reacting with other product ingredients. Large amounts of nitrates may enter the blood system from just one shampooing. Contains ether.

6. CHLORINE: According to Doris J. Rapp, M.D., author of Is This your Child’s World? exposure to chlorine in tap water, Showers, pool, laundry products, cleaning agents, food processing, sewage systems and many others, can effect health by contributing to asthma, hay fever, anemia, bronchitis, circulatory collapse, confusion, delirium diabetes, dizziness, irritation of the eye, mouth, nose throat, lung, skin and stomach, heart disease, high blood pressure and nausea. It is also a possible cause of cancer. Even though you will not see Chlorine on personal care product labels, it is important for you to be aware of the need to protect your skin when bathing and washing your hair.

7. DEA (diethanolamine) MEA (momoethnanolamine) TEA (triethanolamine): DEA and MEA are usual listed on the ingredients label in conjunction with the compound being neutralized. Thus look for names like Cocamide DEA or MES, Lauramide DEA, etc. These are hormone disrupting chemicals and are known to form cancer causing nitrates and nitrosamines. . These are commonly found in most personal care products that foam, including bubble baths, body washes, shampoos, soaps and facial cleansers. On the show, CBS This Morning, Roberta Baskin revealed that a recent government report shows DEA and MEA are readily absorbed in the skin. Dr. Samuel Epstein, Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois said “repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of two cancers – liver and kidney cancers.” John Bailey, who oversees the cosmetic division for the FDA said the new study is especial important since “the risk equation changes significantly for children.”

8. FD & C Color PIGMENTS: Many color pigments cause skin sensitivity and irritation. Absorption of certain colors can cause depletion of oxygen in the body and even death according to A Consumer’s dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients. Debra Lynn Dadd says in Home Safe Home: “Colors that can be used in foods, drug, and cosmetics are made from coal tar. There is a great deal of controversy about their use, because animal studies have shown almost all of them to be carcinogenic.”

9. FRAGRANCE: Fragrance is present in most deodorants shampoos, sunscreens, skin care, body care and baby products. Many of the compounds in fragrance are carcinogenic or otherwise toxic. “Fragrance on a label can indicate the presence of up to 4,000 separate ingredients. Most or all of them are synthetic. Symptoms reported to the FDA have included headaches, dizziness, rashes, skin discoloration, violent coughing and vomiting, and allergic skin irritation. Clinical observation by medical doctors have shown that exposure to fragrances can affect the central nervous system, causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope, and other behavioral changes,” (Home Safe Home).
For better health try purchasing unscented products and for fragrance, adding a natural essential oil.

10. IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA and DMDM HYDANTOIN: These are just two of the many preservatives that release formaldehyde (formaldehyde-donors). According to the Mayo clinic, formaldehyde can irritate the respiratory system, cause skin reactions and trigger heart palpitations. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pains, ear infections, Chronic fatigue, dizziness and loss of sleep. It can also aggravate coughs and colds and trigger asthma. Serious side effects include weakening of the immune system and cancer. Nearly all brands of skin, body and hair care, antiperspirants and nail polish found in stores contain formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.

If the above information is not enough to make you read labels on things before using them on yourself of your babies, nothing will.

What is “shrinkage” ?
It’s the amount of coil your hair has which causes it to shrink up when it’s dry.

Is protein bad for kinky hair?
It can be. It all depends on the condition of your hair. Too much protein in your hair products can cause your hair to become brittle. I generally do not recommend the use of protein shampoos on naturally kinky hair.

Can I reverse my permanent relaxer and have natural hair?
No, you can’t. A chemical relaxer is a permanent process and you will have to cut the relaxed hair off. Don’t listen to any other opinions on this matter. There is no way to reverse a relaxer. And there will never be. Ever.

Will my hairline grow back?
It depends on the extent of the chemical damage. Sometimes it will and sometimes it won’t. Often it can take years. There are ways to encourage growth, or stop breakage in this delicate area such as jojoba oil massages and NOT using any heat.

If I have a texturizer, am I still natural?
No. A texturizer is a weak chemical relaxer.

Is there such thing as a natural permanent relaxer?
The very nature of a permanent hair relaxer is to change the chemical bonds in the hair to make it straight. Some parts of the chemicals they use in these “natural relaxers” contain things like “calcium” which is naturally occuring in nature. That’s why they call these things “natural”. In fact there is nothing natural about them. The word “natural” does not mean it is not just as dangerous to your hair and skin as is a traditional chemical relaxer.

Can split ends be repaired?
No. Hair that has split cannot fuse together again. Similar to a fingernail, if it splits, it cannot grow back together. Split ends must be cut off. Some shampoos claim to minimize the appearance of split ends, but I have yet to see this work.

I burned my hair when using a hot comb, now it won’t revert. What can I do?
It depends on how badly your hair is damaged. If the hot comb was too hot, your hair is permanently burned and will never regain its elasticity. Sometimes if the heat wasn’t too high, a few washes will bring back some elasticity, but your hair will probably still be prone to breakage. Try using an intensive hair repair treatment and do not use heat again.

To grease or not to grease?
NOT. Grease is a petroleum based product which may create the illusion of shiny hair but all it is doing is coating the hair and keeping moisture out. Many of the dandruff problems experienced can be attributed to the use of these products on the scalp, where it prevents the skin from breathing, leading to an over supply of sebum. Instead of grease, try some of the great natural products out there. Jojoba oil is a wonderful alternative, and it helps to balance the scalp. But use sparingly!

What does Apple Cider Vinegar do for the hair?
Used diluted as a final rinse. The outside of the hair (cuticle) is like the scales of a fish. This accounts for the rough feeling when you rub your fingers up a strand of hair, or “against the grain”. ACV acts on the cutilcle of the hair, closing it and making the hair smooth and imparting sheen. Cold water does the same thing, but to a lesser extent. ACV is also effective against the “itchies”.

What does “transition” mean?
Transition is the period of transition from the time you decide to stop relaxing your hair, to having 100% natural hair.

What is a TWA?
TWA stands for Teeny Weeny Afro and is the first stage after a big chop when you have less than 2 inches of hair after the Big Chop.

What is a Big Chop?
When you decide to cut your relaxed hair off and go natural not too long after your last relaxer.

What is a BAA?
BAA stands for Big Azz Afro

What is “natural”?
Natural means you have 100% unrelaxed or unstraightened hair and wear it out with pride and without extensions.

What does it mean to “stretch” the hair?
When you have wet hair and use a method such as wrapping to stretch the hair out so it dries with more length.

What is a “no poo” ?
It stands for the “no shampoo method” of haircare which means that when you wash your hair you don’t use shampoo to wash, but use conditioner instead- sometimes enriched with baking soda or lemon. This method is popular with natural hair, because traditional shampoos, especially those containing sulfates, will dry out afro-type hair badly.

What are the hair care basics?

You should picture your hair as a collection of fine fibers. You should treat it as gently as you would a fine washable silk blouse. The better you treat your hair, the easier it will be to grow and the better it will look. African hair will tend to be dryer and more prone to breakage because the structure makes it more difficult for the oils to work their way from the scalp to the ends of the hair. If you relax your hair, you’ve weakened the hair and reduced the ability for the scalp to naturally oil it. The points where the hair curls and twists are also points where the hair tends to break. The more of these points (as in African hair), the more the hair is prone to breakage. Also, because our hair is kinky, it tends to tangle more and pulling these tangles out can cause breakage.

• Either section the hair and plait it, tie it back or wrap it up using a scarf before going to bed, this will reduce the number of tangles you have to comb out the next morning, reducing the chances of breaking your hair.

• Sleep with a satin scarf or sleep cap on your head or with a satin pillow case. This helps avoid split ends caused by the rubbing of your hair against a “rough” cotton pillow case. It also avoids moisture being wicked out of your hair into your cotton pillow case.

• Wash your hair no more often than every week to week and a half. More than that can dry it out.

• Comb your hair out while you’re conditioning it to remove the tangles while it’s wet and relatively slick.

• Oil your scalp on a regular basis with a good natural oil like shea butter. A daily moisturizer is not a bad idea.

• Do a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment once a month.

• Massage your scalp on a regular basis to promote circulation and oil production.

• Avoid overuse of products with mineral oil or petroleum. They tend to block the pores and are not readily absorbed. If your mother used Vaseline® on your hair, stop.

• If you exercise and sweat, rinse the salt out of your hair even if you don’t wash it. Condition it afterwards with a daily leave-in conditioner.

• Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.

• Put as little heat as possible on your hair. Heat, especially combined with perms is very damaging to hair.

• Avoid alcohol based products unless you have a need for a water-free shampoo to cleanse your scalp (for example while you’re waiting for your locks to lock).

• Remember that water (moisture) is your friend and get plenty- inside and out. If you used to press your hair or blow it out and learned to fear water on your hair because it would draw up, you need to get over this. Spritzing a little water on your hair every day is a good idea. Get a spray bottle and just spray it just a little.

• Eat a proper diet. Vitamins and protein are essential for proper hair growth. We have nutritional supplements specifically designed for hair and skin health. Hair Growth Supplements

• Find a style that works with your natural hair type and growth pattern. The less you work against your hair, the less stressed it will be.

• Do not relax your hair until it is bone straight. This is just asking for trouble. Why relax your hair until it has absolutely no body or curl and then put heat on it to try to get that curl back?

Some tools you should have in your kit
• A good shampoo: They will be more expensive. But, they’ll use more gentle cleansers and be more concentrated. You may find they save you money in the long run. And, your hair will definitely show the difference. We offer several.

• A good acidifier (a conditioner with a low pH): Acidifying the hair adds shine and detangles.

• A good hot oil treatment or deep conditioner: It is an all natural based shea butter treatment. Apply the conditioner or hot oil treatment to the hair and scalp, cover with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can wrap your head in a towel. Then wash the hair thoroughly. This is very important for dry brittle hair.

• A good leave in conditioner or daily moisturizer: This is what you’ll put on your hair after you’ve thoroughly cleaned it to continue to provide oil and moisture.

• A comb for your hair type. Don’t try to drag one of those skinny toothed combs through your natural kinky or curly hair. You’ll just end up pulling it out and breaking it off.

• A good boar bristle brush (use sparingly though)

• A spray bottle to mist your hair

• A scarf, cap, or wrap to wear on your head at night- or a satin pillow case (well, two)