Monday, January 23, 2017

Hats Off

The cold weather is actually good for mother earth for many reasons that I am not qualified to explain, but according to weather experts, environmentalists and nature experts; cold weather is essential. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Try telling that to our hair, right?

For just as many people who love cold weather, there are equally as many who do not like it. Particularly, those with hair and skin issues. While cold weather has its many benefits, many people don't like it. Some outright hate it. They blame it on all kinds of things. The most popular thing cold weather gets blamed for is causing the flu. The second most popular thing cold weather gets blamed for is damaging hair. 

My job as a hairstylist is not limited to styling hair. My primary job as a hairstylist is to be an educator. I'm more in the mode of giving correct, up to date information and training people how to do their hair themselves than standing behind the chair and styling it. Women are no longer wanting to look good in the mirror at the salon. They want to look good hours and days later; long after they have left the salon. The best way to assure all of my customers results beyond the chair is to give them accurate information with hands-on training to do their hair themselves. 

So this ndogo blog aims to debunk the myth that cold weather damages hair. A few weeks ago, I was working in the salon. As I walked through greeting everyone hello, a customer asked, "Did you guys switch shampoos? Did the company change the formula of the shampoo? Or perhaps you guys did something different this time compared to the last time?" I responded, "No." 

As a licensed professional, I firmly stand behind the brands of products and the techniques we use to care for scalp and hair because I research these things extensively. I am in a constant state of learning, getting feedback and analyzing. To date, they have been proven and effective. I am serious about the things I choose to use and do to scalp and hair to increase the likelihood of happy satisfied customers. That has been the foundation of my service from day one. To be exact, that is why the name of the salon I work at was named, "Reverence."

Her next response was, "Maybe it's the cold weather? I heard that when the weather changes, so does our hair. Doesn't the cold weather cause our hair to shed? " Again I responded,  "No." The look on her face was pricelessly inquiring!

The truth is, cold weather does not make hair fall out or shed. I know. I know what you're thinking. The cold weather is drying. The cold weather is blowing. The cold weather is blistering. Yes, all of that is true about cold weather from an external and superficial point of view. But let's break things down physically.

According to an extensive study conducted at Oxford University in the UK, cold weather could not possibly cause hair to shed, break and fall out. In fact, their research reflects the opposite. Their research reports, "during the winter months, our body naturally produces more melatonin to help regulate the hair growth cycle and this should, in theory, mean you shed less hair."  I shared my findings with the salon customer. As she set under the dryer with her intense moisturizing scalp and hair treatment, she replied, "Oh my! I see. I've been taking melatonin to help me sleep." I winked my eye and replied, "See you are throwing off the natural growth cycle of your hair by taking extra melatonin. That is causing the excessive hair shedding you don't like. And pulling that wool hat on and off. It's making your hair and scalp do things you can't stand!" She smiled in amazement. 

Those of us who live in colder climates actually need more hair to serve as an insulator of the cold, so our body naturally works in harmony with mother nature to ensure that we can make it through the colder season and the opposite for those who live in hotter climates. While the blistering drying cold air makes us fussy and agitated; it is not solely responsible for hair damage.  So what is?

Turning up the heat in our homes, wearing drying wool hats and not replenishing oil on the hair and scalp are the other culprits to dry and damaged hair during the cold wintry season. The moment the weather turns cold, we turn up the heat on our thermostats. Oxford University reports, "The fluctuating temperatures inside the home affects scalp and hair. Turning up the heat inside your home, then going outside in the cold air is one of the culprits to dry scalps that cause hair to shed excessively.  Skin climatizes. In other words, skin actually adjusts to the varying temperatures that we are in and out of throughout the cold seasons. Women going through night sweats or hot flashes also experience this phenomenon caused by the skin responding to the fluctuating temperatures from the body of going from wet to dry. When you sweat, your scalp becomes moist. When your skin and scalp stops perspiring, dry, scaly scalp can often time happen. 

The report also reflects that, "the environmental changes and not treating your hair and scalp appropriately to counteract the dryness lead to damaged hair. Understand, the scalp is more prone to dehydration with the cold weather and intense indoor heat, which can result in dry scalp and brittle hair. These changes in temperature can really damage your hair and scalp; team them with wearing hats that can cause stress and friction on hair strands and you could be pulling out clumps of hair every time you take your hat on and off"

Wool caps, wool hats, cotton caps are super absorbent and are awesome at keeping the head warm, but notorious for wreaking havoc on our hair and scalp every time we put one on and take it off throughout the day. Fabrics like wool and cotton can be heavy and super absorbent, They pull vital oils away from the hair and scalp. 

Baby, it's too cold outside to not wear a hat. That is true. The solution is to wear hats that have a satin or silk linings on the inside. Satin and silk are not super absorbent. Silk and satin-like fabrics do not create friction that dries hair and promotes shedding and breakage. You could also tie your hair down with a silk or satin scarf under your favorite wool hat.  

Another solution is to turn down the heat in your home and shower. Remember hot homes and hot shower feel great, but the moment you walk out that door; the hair and scalp, like skin, will respond to the climate. Using oils such as olive, grapeseed and sunflower seed oil on the scalp will help alleviate symptoms of dryness as a result of climate change and wearing wool and cotton hats. Taking oils internally help hair and skin equally as applying them. Flaxseed oil, cooking and eating with olive oil are great options to nourish and replenish hair and skin from living in temperature fluctuating environments are great options to offset the dry air. 


Lastly, be sure to use shampoos and conditioners that have moisture-binding agents in them. Be sure the pH levels are between 4.5 -7. Lower pH results in hair that is more supple, much easier to manage and less dryness of the scalp.  Purchase products that are formulated with oils that help protect hair, hair color and the scalp from the drying effects of living in climates that fluctuate as the result of leaving warm spaces and going out into the cold air. 

Paying attention to what you are doing or is not doing to your scalp and hair during the cold season is important. Doing so will help prevent or remedy the things we "believe" the cold weather is responsible for as it relates to our hair and skin....lol 

Put the right hat on. Baby, it's cold outside! 

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Happy New Hair

On January 1st, after the clock turned 12:00 am, I decided to surf social media for inspiration for my first blog of 2017. What was trending most was the amount of deaths in the entertainment industry of some of the industry's finest, The MMA fighter, Ronda Rousey's beat down from Amanda Nunes and what many were hashtagging as the #epicfall of the millennium; the one, the only, Mariah Carey's lackluster lip-synced live television performance. 

Because no one knows their last moment, death is imminent for us all. Yet, the shocking passing of the legends who have entertained, inspired and molded some of our fondest memories stunned many. However, most believe their legacies will live on through the undying support of fans who continue to watch or listen to their varying forms of entertainment. Needless to say, the buzz around the MMA fight and the Dick Clark's New Year's Eve televised historic ball drop was the jaw-dropping, gossip fueled, disappointing, shocking events that sent everyone to their phones, tablets, and computers to post what I would describe for, Ronda and Mariah, "stay ready and you ain't gotta get ready" moments.

This blog aims to help us set the new year off right. If you "wasn't ready" for the 2016 most shocking moments. Then this blog aims to get you ready for success in all the things your heart's desire. This blog is going to highlight the benefits of keeping both your heads and hair together. In order to do that, should "auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?" 

Yes. And, it's the good old, "out with the old. In with the new" attitude that is going to help us enter the new year with a mind and hair that will be clean in 2017. The many themes of letting go of old things, bad habits, weight gain, boring people, mischievous lovers and meaningless careers are amongst the top things most people want to ditch from the previous year. Now they want to bring in the new year with an amazing zest and zeal for life. 

Believe it or not, hair is on the resolution list of many people for the new year. As people strive to make themselves and their lives better in the new year, they want to do it all in good taste with a good image. What better way to modify things for the new year than to complement it with a beautiful head of hair? Rather, you are resolving to care for your hair or buy some new hair to wear; care is the operative for both options. 

If you are among the millions who resolve to have no #epicfailures in thoughts or hair care. Then read on as I write out 5 great ways to "care" by having both beautiful thoughts and great hair in 2017. In addition to reading what was trending on social media after the new year came in, I attended a spiritual celebration, The Feast of Sekhmet that honored the Kemetic (Egyptian) deity, Sekhmet whose who is a warrior and goddess that represents divine femininity. Sekhmet translates into power. 

Great thoughts and great hair begin with clean. At the Reverence Design Team Hair Salon located in Cleveland Heights where I work, our theme for 2017 is encouraging our customers to come clean. We want them to be clean in thought and use the word "clean" symbolically in other areas in their lives.

So in the spirit of having healing and power over our lives, goals and destiny these 5 tips will surely aid you in your resolution to be clean and epic in thoughts and beauty in 2017:

  1. Start each morning with clean thoughts and a crystal clear vision of how you want to see your day come to full fruition in divine order. Meditate and speak your desires into existence. What better way to do this to cleanse your thoughts than to do so as you shampoo your hair? Rather, you are shampooing your hair at night or in the morning, clean thoughts and clean hair will get your day going. As you scrub away dirt, debris, and yeast from your scalp; scrub away negative thoughts and memories of what you don't want.  Speak or whisper your desires as you scrub. For a man thinketh, so is he. Choose only good thoughts and have crystal clear visions of the life you wish to have as you scrub your scalp and gently cleanse your hair.  If you are wearing artificial hair (sew-in, weave, or fusion), a dry shampoo method of using your favorite essential oil, Listerine, Seabreeze or Decca Plus' Scalp Therapy with a cotton ball is best. Simply apply the product of your choice to a cotton ball or a white face cloth and scrub the fibrin (flakes) away from the scalp. Remember, speak or whisper your desires into existence. This will cleanse the scalp, keep your hair smelling fresh and your thoughts clear. 
  2. After cleaning your thoughts, hair and speaking your crystal clear vision of your abundance and prosperous day into existence, CONDITION your mind and hair with the best. Rather, you are reading the bible, a book or listening to a CD; condition your mind throughout the day that all is well and that you are deserving. When it comes to conditioning your hair, always apply the conditioner to the ends of your hair first because they are the oldest and most fragile part of your hair. Afterward, apply the conditioner to rest of your hair. Be sure the pH is between a 4.5 and 5.5. A low pH conditioner can decrease tangles and the hair absorbs the good ingredients in the conditioner. If you are wearing artificial hair, I recommend the use a quality leave in conditioner such as Decca Plus' Satin Tame to help maintain the look and feel of your hair as well as extend the life of the hair you paid for.
  3. Now that you have conditioned your thoughts and hair, you can now prep yourself for the style. Style begins in the mind. Begin to prep your mind by sticking to the words you spoke. Live by your words. Don't just merely recite an affirmation, if you have no intention living and doing good by them. Your every action, your every movement must be intentional to reflect what you visioned and spoke. NO excuses. If you fall off your vision and word, correct yourself and get back on the good foot by doing and being who you say you are. You hold yourself accountable. The same actions are needed for a great hair style. Be sure you protect your hair (real or fake) with the right products and styling tools. The cost and the source will be up to you. Be true to your image or it will be fake to you. No amount of posting can offset an #epicfailure with your appearance if you do not prepare and invest the time and quality of products and styling tools that will yield the results that reflect who you say you are with style. 
  4. Ok, we have the thoughts, actions, and hairstyle in motion. We are doing and being true to our words. We are styling our hair. Now it's time to comb it out. The best way to become an #epicfailure in person and in style is to not wear it well. It is very unspiritual to have fear. A good dose of fear is ok especially if you see a car heading towards you, that alerts you to move. Other than that, no fear. Wear your clean thoughts and hair; conditioned mind and hair with style and confidence. Get rid of the fear. Do something throughout the day that is in alignment with your desires. Do something throughout the day to your hair and face. Not many people can pull beauty off for 8 or more hours without some form of touching it up! Do not care what others will think of you taking a moment to spruce your look. Remember, you are doing you. This is the, 2017 where you have decided to come clean. Clean in your thoughts, actions and hair!
  5. Now that you are wearing it well. You are living the reminder of your focus for the day
    toward the big picture of your life. You see yourself in the leading role. You are passionate about your actions. Now start all over and repeat. The same applies to your hair. You may not need to wet shampoo and condition your hair daily, but you do need to start the day off with re-styling your hair. It is imperative to remind yourself your intentions and spruce up our hair and makeup throughout the day. Hair can not be slept on with no re-grooming. Rather you are reproducing the same look, wearing it pulled back, picked out, brushed down or shining a bald head; it needs upkeep. No excuses for bad thoughts and actions. No, excuse for dirty bad hair or bald heads in 2017.
Be epic all the time. A fall from grace typically is a reflection of lack of preparation or bad thoughts. Create the time to honor and give thanks for the gift of being divine. Live, act, do and be accordingly. Do not post a pretty picture with ugly thoughts. Do not post an ugly picture with pretty thoughts. We are all divine. We are all in his likeness and image. 

So should, "auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?"


Of course not, Happy New Year!

#epicsuccess #becleanin2017