faq
Hair conditioner is a preventative measure to help avoid dryness, split ends, limpness, and static in hair. Most conditioning products contain three critical elements: a surfactant, a cationic conditioning element, and a moisturizing agent.
The surfactant ensures that the oil—and water-based solutions in the conditioner emulsify properly, achieving the right balance for texture and moisturization. The cationic conditioner resists static electricity while providing moisturizing and softening benefits. Olive oil or a plant-based extract, often used as the main moisturizing agent, helps maintain bright and healthy hair.
Oil is typically secreted from the scalp, but other areas of the body can also release this fluid, especially in humid temperatures or after vigorous activity. Some individuals naturally produce more oil than others. During the summer months, hot weather accelerates the release of oil from the sebaceous glands directly onto the scalp.
Modern hair styling appliances, such as high-heat blow dryers and flat irons, can damage the keratin protein in hair. This damage leaves hair strands porous and brittle, making them prone to breakage.
Chemical treatments, including dyes, perm solutions, and straightening chemicals, alter the structure of hair from round to flat. This change prevents the hair cortex from absorbing essential nutrients, resulting in dry hair that is susceptible to splitting, breaking, and fracturing.
Chemical processes or styling tools do not solely cause split ends. They can also result from poor nutrition, sun exposure, long-term smoking, and even lack of sleep.
Most people lose between 50 to 150 hairs each day. Hair loss tends to increase during the fall and winter months compared to warmer times of the year.
The 5-hair pull test is a straightforward method to gauge the health of your hair. By pulling a small section of your hair, you can observe if you’re losing 5-10 strands. This test is a useful tool to keep you informed about your hair health and potential issues that may need attention.
When colouring and straightening hair, a general rule is that lighter desired hair colours are more susceptible to damage from colour processes and styling tools.
Colouring Asian hair, which contains a significant amount of melanin, is a complex process. This is especially true when aiming for shades of gold, gray, and linen. Achieving a proper color transformation requires the removal of the natural pigment (melanin) from the hair to allow the dye to adhere effectively and produce the desired color effect. This complexity underscores the need for professional help in such cases.
The process of removing natural pigment involves using an oxidant to open the hair follicle. While the oxidant is a crucial component of the dye, it is also extremely harmful to keratin. This can result in hair that becomes brittle, prone to split ends, and frequent breakage. Understanding this can make you more cautious about the products you use and their potential impact on your hair.
Keratin is the main component of each hair strand and plays a vital role in determining the shape of the hair by altering the structure of the hair’s protein chain. Generally, the more hair is subjected to straightening processes or curling irons, the more its structure is damaged, leading to nutrient loss and more significant overall damage.
In summary, heat styling and chemical processes can damage hair. However, professional hairstyling services emphasize conditioning treatments to reduce these adverse effects significantly.
Many people prefer to wash their hair daily to maintain a fresh and clean appearance. However, daily washing can damage the hair, increase odour retention, and stimulate excess sebum production.
In the summer months, daily hair washing is generally acceptable. In colder weather, washing your hair every one to two days is recommended. During winter, it is best to wash your hair even less frequently, with every two to three days being ideal.
Choosing the right shampoo depends on your scalp and hair type. Understanding the specific function of the product you are considering is essential to ensure it meets your needs. Most people require a shampoo that is gentle on both hair and skin, leaving the hair clean without any residue. Additional features, such as colour enhancers and moisturizers, can also be essential considerations.