Brushing, Styling and Washing
Get your hair conditioned
Using a conditioner regularly helps improve the moisture content of hair and
lock in that moisture so that it doesn't evaporate into the air. Conditioners
leave a film of fatty acids and silicone on the hair to smooth the cuticle
so that styling tools glide right through. As hair gets damaged, it soaks
up conditioners even more. Conditioners help reduce the friction and static
electricity caused by the interaction between hair strands. While most women
condition their hair every other day, some fall victim to over- or underconditioning.
Overconditioning can be caused by conditioning too "All conditioners leave
some amount of product on your hair says Cheri McMaster, a senior scientist
at Pantene, but a lightweisnt conditioner will leave and leave it looking
greasy." They are often available in liquid spray form, which can be directed
onto a specific area ofhair' such as the ends or a patch where you need additional
conditioner or shine. Leave-in conditioners are ideal for children who need
help detangling messy locks, protecting hair from the elements, and restyling
bedhead hair, which is popular among boys who don't want to take the time
to do their 'dos. Two-in-one shampoos and conditioners save space in your
bag when you travel and fit neatly into your locker at the gym, plus they
can cost less than buying shampoo and conditioner separately. But if you really
need a good conditioner, the two-in-one products probably won't do the trick.
That's because the shampoo component adds surfactants for cleaning; surfactants
increase the level of static electricity in hair, which defeats the purpose
of using a conditioner.
To condition correctly, suggests McMaster, experiment with different amounts
of product to find your own magical formula. A pea-size dose' applied to the
ends of fine, thin hair is appropriate. Thicker, coarser hair will eagerly
soak up a capful of conditioner. "Focus on the ends and work your way up from
tip to root," says McMaster. "For thick hair, work your hands right up to
the scalp. Try not to let the product drip on your skin or it may cause your
face to break out. Leave conditioner on your hair while you wash your body
or shave so that it has time to make your hair smooth and shiny. The longer
you leave conditioner on your hair, the better it works; five to ten minutes
is ideal. For more protection, rinse with cool water so that some of the conditioner
stays put even after you wash it."
To determine if your cuticle is damaged, shampoo and condition hair, then
comb it out. If the comb sticks toward the end, the cuticle is damaged and
you need a deep moisturizing conditioner. Some leave-in conditioners penetrate
the cortex and build hair from the inside out.
Other Pages
Washing, Brushing and Styling
Washing, Brushing and Styling 2
Washing, Brushing and Styling 3
