Hair FAQ's

So I sit here, contemplating a blog topic. My husband has given me grief that I only have two posts. I have promised him that I would present him with one today. So here goes...

I shall discuss some frequently asked questions or need-to-know information from a professional hairstylist. That is one thing about me, I will tell you the truth (whether you like it or not). So listen up, because this is important!

1) Professional Products make a world of difference. This is coming from someone who used anything from Wal-mart, Target, Kroger, etc. that was on sale. I never paid more than $3 for shampoo or conditioner. But if money is what you are concerned about, think about this: How many bottles of the cheap stuff are you buying a month? Probably at least two, right? If you shampoo once, do you feel like your hair is clean or do you have to shampoo a second time? Well, you could buy professional shampoo that could last longer (because it is more concentrated/you won't have to shampoo twice), a small bottle costs you between $8-$15 and could last you as long as two months. So are you really getting a better deal with the cheap stuff? I think not. Not to mention, the chemicals involved. I have heard studies were done on one brand of cheap shampoo that is COMMONLY used. The pH and some ingredients were the same as Mop and Glow. It makes sense. When you use it at first, your hair is really shiny, but after a while it becomes dull. That is not your hair getting "use" to the shampoo. It is because the product contains wax. It is like waxing your floor daily. Not good. If you switch to professional products you will see small white flakes when your hair is wet, almost the same appearance as dandruff. It is the wax buildup leaving your hair. I challenge you to try it if you are a non believer.

2) Do not buy professional products if not sold by a professional! I know you see some of the Top Professional brands for sale at the grocery and drug stores. These products are NOT guaranteed by their manufacturer if sold outside of a salon. These items are being sold on the grey market. They could be expired or tampered with. It is called Diversion. You can research it. And furthermore, many companies have printed it on their labels. It is upsetting to the companies because if customers use these products and they have negative effects, it looks bad for the company, when in reality they had nothing to do with the effectiveness of the product. It's sad really. And it make my job much harder. I'm trying to make suggestions and help customers but if they had a bad experience with a product that has been tampered with, they aren't going to trust my recommendation. So, you have been warned.

3) You should be getting your haircut every 4- 8 weeks. Sometimes sooner, but rarely longer than 8 weeks. I know a lot of you are rolling your eyes. This is serious and I'm guilty of not following through with this either. When you use heat (curling iron, blow dryer, flat iron, hot rollers, etc.), chemicals (perms, colors, relaxers, etc.), or you pull your hair up when it's wet you are putting stress on your hair. During the summer, the sun and chlorine can cause damage as well. The more distressed your hair becomes the ends become fragile and split. You know the pesky ends that resemble snake tongues! If they are not trimmed, they start to split further up the hair shaft. As they continue upwards they will, at some point break. This is what causes those frizzy/fuzzy hairs that stand straight out from your head. They are not "baby" hairs. Only babies have baby hair. (However if you have had hair loss due to medication, hormone changes [i.e. having a baby], or other causes, when your hair grows in it will appear as "baby" hair.) PRIME EXAMPLE: I had a woman once with shoulder length hair who had not had a haircut in 10 years. She didn't understand why her hair had not grown if it had not been cut and why it was thicker at the root then at the ends. I explained that without trimming the split ends, it had broken. The full healthy hairs were at the root and these fine wispy ends were what remained of the breakage. I know not everyone is going to follow this rule. That is why I don't fight it. Some people cannot afford the maintenance that I am suggesting but I know that I am more likely to provide discounts and even throw in free services to people whom I know are doing what they can to keep their hair healthy because in the end they are more like to be happy with what I do if it is done on healthy hair. The receptionist at my salon will happily pre-book your next appointment as far ahead as needed. She will even call you the day before to remind you! Such a luxury!! Also....Let me throw in there that when I say you need a "cut" every 4-8 weeks, that could be a trim. I do what I call a "dusting" on the ends sometimes. That means taking as little as possible off to ensure the length is still there but the ends are taken care of. Just make sure your stylist knows that you are only looking to clean it up so you don't leave with a whole new style.

Ok...I think I've rambled enough for today. Please feel free to comment or ask further questions to be answered in the next segment. After reading all of this, my husband might think twice before asking me to update my blog. :) I hope you all have a great day. On to the next.........