Going Through the Changes

Change is one of those words that can go from a meaning to a story, to a topic, then to a song. There are so many adages about change. For example, "Change is the only constant," or "To improve is to change; to perfect is to change often." So as you can see, change is on our minds. 

Change is the norm that humans have to come accept in the many facets of life. And while many fight change, most conclude that change truly is the inevitable and ultimately, they surrender. Except when it comes to hair!

The opportunity to create varying looks on women through hair coloring, hair straightening, hair cutting, hair styling, hair braiding and adding artificial hair to embellish hair is an awesome gift and opportunity. Transforming and enhancing the image of a person does so much to the spirit of the person who is fortunate enough to take on the artistic task. However, when hair starts to change, our canvas or person does not quite share our sentiment. Artistic expression is quickly turned into, "What did you to my hair?"

Hair like art needs to be manipulated in many ways to create something. The challenge to designing hair when it thins or balds is everything interesting with an additional twist to the challenge. The twist to the challenge is creating something that was full and is now thin or gone.

Admittingly, there is nothing so challenging about styling and designing thinning or balding hair that a qualified licensed hair stylist cannot do. However, the mind of the customer whose hair is thinning or balding is another story. 

Thinning and balding hair begins to inform it's recipient of its parting of the ways from the scalp long before the recipient realizes or admits their hair is thinning or balding. To begin with, thinning or balding is a must for just about every human who lives past one breath. Why? Because change will come. 

Change for hair comes in the form of what is called a "life cycle." Each strand of hair has a life cycle. The life cycle of the hair begins below the surface of the scalp in a bulb called a papilla. If you have ever plucked a hair or eyebrow, the bulb is that tiny white ball attached to the strand of hair.  Within that tiny bulb is where the hair receives its nourishment from the arteries in your body that feeds every single strand of hair on your entire body. 

Each strand of hair on the scalp lives approximately 7 years. The life cycle has three stages. The first stage is the anagen. It is during this first stage that hair grows all day every day. By the end of the month, the average head of hair will have grown about 1/4th of an inch. This growth process happens for about 7 years. The next stage is the catagen phase. This phase is where each strand of hair rest for about one month. It is not growing. The last stage is the telogen phase. During this last phase, it takes about two weeks for the hair to release itself from the follicle. Afterward, a new hair grows in it starts its own cycle. Please keep in mind that all the strands of hair are not synchronized. Therefore, you will not see all of your hair fibers coming out and growing back in at the same time. The misnomer that hair has stopped growing simply is not true. The exception is for those who have disorder where the hair will not grow.

When we notice fibers of hair sticking up after our hair is styled, that reflects the varying stages of growth each strand is in. We can determine how old a strand of hair by measuring its length and dividing into those 1/4 growth increments. 

What happens every seven years as each strand of hair grows, come out and a new hair grows in; is the new hair typically grows in thinner. Some people are genetically assigned to bald. If balding is in your genes, then it is inevitable that at some point complete hair loss in a certain area will happen. Balding can be in men and women. 

While thinning and balding for some is the inevitable, one does not want to speed things up. Infrequent shampooing, using heavy creams, lotions, butters, salves and petroleum products can clog follicles. Clogged follicles prevent hair from growing in properly and thinning is the result. If balding is in the gene, using heavy products will speed up the balding process as well. 

Understand the scalp is a microbial habitat. This means the scalp cleanses itself by producing a fungus of sorts that needs to be washed away in an organized fashion depending on how one's body produces the fungus. Most people need to clean their scalps at least every 2-7 days. Anything beyond those seven days may exacerbate unwanted thinning and balding. 

Change, will come to all who have hair. While the fountain of youth offers no such liquid that will yield longer stronger hair as we age; using other liquids such as shampoo, conditioner, technique, and tools will yield magnificent anti-aging results. 

There is a upside and a downside to thinning hair. Balding hair is not something most people look forward to. The predictability of how and when one will thin or go bald has yet to be etched in stone for the masses. But, what is etched in stone is how to slow down the thinning or balding process. For example, keep your scalp clean. Yeast and hair care products can clog the follicle. A dirty scalp is the most common way to speed up the thinning and balding process. Do not use aggressive styling techniques. Loosen up those tight head wraps and caps as to no impede the vital blood flow that nourishes hair. And do not use harsh and heavy products. They will surely dry out scalp and hair, thus resulting in faster thinning and balding. 

Lastly, the upcoming Spring Equinox is upon us on Monday, March 20th. Remember the moon influences blood flow and hormonal activity. Blood flow and hormonal activity are directly responsible for the health of the hair and hair growth. Take advantage of the most powerful equinox. It will to not only balance your life and set the tone for your new year, it will also do the same for your hair. 

Change is inevitable. Yet there are things in nature that compliment the ebb and flow of change. Versus combating change, embrace the potential for goodness in your health and life. Going through the changes is just that. Something you will go through. You will come out on top. If you pay attention and not fight change, you and hair will embrace the process and blossom into what will be, will be.

The Best Way to Healthy Hair

Healthy hair!

I love my job. It is one that I describe as up front and personal with humans and their whimsical journey through life. So what makes me use a word like "whimsical?" It's the funny naive things that customers say and do as it relates to hair care and hair styling that makes it so whimsical!

For example, I find it funny that many customers really think they have bad hair or no hair. I also find it funny how they will spend more money for products when they already have a supply underneath their bathroom sinks! Lastly, I find it even more funny, when they say they can not do their own hair; when most have never even tried or have been taught. This is where I am at my best!

I love showing people how hair care and hair styling does not have to be costly, intimidating or time consuming. To make hair care easy to digest, I will define hair care as "the act of making time to care for hair via cleansing, stimulating, nourishing and styling." Many people thinks hair care means to either tie it down, pull it into a ponytail, comb it back smooth or simply wash-n-wear and let it go. For the most part, that is the just of it for the sake of time and skill. However, as it relates to the "healthy" part of hair; well there is more. 

More? That is correct, but not a whole lot more. The operative word in this blog is "healthy." To make hair care healthy hair, you have "to do" the act. The acts of getting healthy hair is to actually clean it by way of using the correct shampoo for your hair texture (wavy, kinky, curly, straight and Afro) and type (fine, medium or coarse). Next, you have to use the balls of your fingers with some good old fashioned elbow grease to stimulate your scalp by way of massaging it as you shampoo or massage it. You can also provide stimulation by combing, brushing your hair. Yes, you add certain essential oils to promote blood flow. Blood flow is responsible for nourishing your hair to make it healthy. The last part of healthy hair is creating a style that flows with your image and one that will not promote breakage.  Whew, that wasn't so bad!

Amka, Latin for friend is excellent for all hair types and
is outstanding for color treated hair! 

Keep in mind; styling tools, hair care supplies and hair stylists makes hair look and feel healthy. But the true health of the hair starts with you do the act of caring for it from the inside out as you simultaneously do your part at home to protect your hair care investment.

Rid yourself of those misconceptions in hair care that you either have to pay someone or buy expensive stuff. That is an option for the masses.  For those, like me, who deliberately looks for practical solutions in a busy world; get involved in your hair care and hair styling at home. Wait a while before you re-book another salon appointment, shop online or go into the supply store buying everything hair you see. Please spend some time with your hair. Just as your mechanic gives you tips to extend the life of your car and the doctor gives you tips to maintain your health; your hair stylist can show you few hair care do's and don'ts to preserve and improve the health of your hair. 

In my professional opinion on the best way to healthy hair, is to look in the mirror because the best way to healthy hair is you!

Get involved!