Keeping Healthy Hair

            Did you know that a large percentage of people have no idea how to take care of their hair? Don’t feel bad if you are one of them. I’m not judging you, I promise, this is a safe place.

Johnny Keane Cosmetic Therapist and loves making healthy hair

That’s why I got into the industry. I entered knowing nothing about hair and I wanted to help others who are as clueless as I was. It’s not as hard as you think it is. First, I will begin with shampooing and conditioning. Then, I will discuss the proper hair treatments and best styling leave-ins and I’ll throw in some helpful tips here and there that are great to know. Whether you have time or not, they will help.

            Let’s begin with shampoo! Picking the right one can be hard but you have to figure out what your problem is or what you want your hair to do. If you want volume in your hair obviously you would pick a volumizing shampoo. Looking for a product that has pine oil as an ingredient or menthol will give you a cooling feeling but it will also make your hair stand on end, which is excellent for that big hair height you’re looking for. For hair that needs moisture, find a shampoo that is hydrating or one that says moisture in the name. The key ingredient can be any type of oils (nut oils are especially hydrating) or aloe and vitamin E. For breakage, look for things that will strengthen the hair that have proteins such as keratin (which is a key protein that is in our hair) or amino acids. Even fish oil is great for moisture and re-growth.  These products can be heavy, so be sure to ask your stylist about them.

            Of course with color treated hair you need a hair cleanser that is designed specifically for that. The great craze now is “sulfate free” shampoo. There is actual validity in this because sodium sulfate is a detergent that opens the hair up and gets it clean. However, if you open the hair up too much you can pull out the color. Some product lines found that if they used a sulfate that had a lower PH (Potential Hydrogen, I’ll get to that later) it would clean the hair while not lifting the color out. This will make a shampoo that is better for colored hair and hair types all across the board because it’s not as harsh.  It does

Close up image of a hair shaft showing scales

not strip the hair of important things it needs. The proper way to cleanse the hair and scalp is to massage or scrub with the pads of your fingers and detangle the rest of the hair working the product through to the ends. If your hair does not feel clean, you can always do another shampoo.

            I cannot express the importance of a good conditioner. Shampoo raises the PH of the hair which rises up the horny scales that are on our hair strands. So, if they are not properly closed it will lead to breakage, frizz, and bad hair. Conditioner has a low PH and helps close the hair shaft while giving it what it needs

 

                Here is a trick a ton of people have no idea even makes a difference. When you are towel drying, take the towel and pat your hair dry. Don’t go crazy with the towel because the terry cloth in the towel can actually rip the cuticle of the hair strand and make frizz and breakage. Something so simple can do so much damage but now that you have that little tidbit of information, you don’t have to worry about it anymore!

If it’s not broken don’t fix it. If you find something that works for you don’t abandon it because it isn’t a professional product or it’s not something someone else is doing.