Health and Hair

Wellness is here to stay.

“Let’s get physical, physical; I wanna get physical!” Ahhh, the Olivia Newton-John 1980’s hit that contributed to the Jazzercise craze that swept the nation. Back in those days Jazzercise was the thing to do. You put your tights on, followed by your favorite colored leotard and your Jazzercise look was complete with a pair of wool leggings. If you really wanted to get physical, you’d put on one of those bulky twisted head bands and strutted your way to a new figure.

My how things have changed. Today health is not all about looking cute and strutting. Looking has evolved into wellness. Somewhere in between one can choose from low impact, to Zumba, to T-25, to Billie Blanks to a boot camp. No matter how you kick it or what you call it; health and beauty is no longer focused on the external but the internal.

As a licensed professional who specializes in hair care, I can not find enough hands to high five for what I sincerely believe is a mainstay in helping people achieve health and beauty. Long hair, short hair, color treated hair, natural and so on are what many women and men’s desire. Regardless the length, texture or color; they all want it healthy. And many believe that healthy hair is all about hair care products and styling tools.

That, my dear, is the furthest thing from the truth. Healthy hair begins with nutrition that is complimented by genetics and topped off with all the hair oils, hair color, hair perms, flat irons, spray, weave and everything else you can imagine or want to spend your money on. When my customers come in and they are in search of healthy hair. I always consult with them on the following before I even physically touch their hair.

I begin by informing them of what I call “The Super Six.”  “The Super Six” are imperative to healthy hair and they are: water, sound diet, bowel movements, exercise, positive thinking and sleep.

Why? Well, to make a long blog short, water is imperative because not only does water immediately hydrate the body and the hair; it improves nutrition on a cellular level; thus making what you eat get to the vital organs and nourish them properly. A sound diet is truly imperative because you are what you eat. Food is not only about tasting good and satisfying our hunger; food is nourishment to our organs and especially hair. So if you eat a lot of junky food, you will have junky hair and vice versa. Bowel movements are so super duper imperative I could write another blog on this topic. As a matter of fact I will. Now where was I? Oh yeah, ye’ old BM. Bowel movements are imperative because that is one of the main ways the body eliminates waste and toxins. When bowel movements are irregular, hard, too runny, in pellets accompanied by an extremely putrid odor; something has to change. Make it a point to eat foods that are high in fiber and promotes good flora. Bowel movements should occur after every meal. Exercise is uberly imperative for those who desire to have fuller healthier hair due to the increased blood flow. Remember what you eat (good or bad) goes directly into your blood that nourishes your other organs and your hair! So do your Jazzercise, T-25 or Boot camp and eat your beets! Positive thinking is a must. A man thinketh; so is he. If you think positive; then positive you will be. Enough said. Lastly, Sleep. Sleep is imperative (and my favorite may I add) because when you are sleeping, the body repairs itself. One would truly be amazed by all the wonderment in repairing, rejuvenation and healing that takes place when the body is at a true sound rest.

While all of this is a bit much to digest. I encourage you to re-read the simplicity of what I call “The Super Six” and begin to make a commitment to wellness which not only results in a strong body and sound mind. “The Super Six” also results in healthy hair.

“Now let me hear your body talk, your body talk!”

Co-Wash or Hog Wash

As a some time follower of trends and fads; I have had my share of things I wanted to try. Remember shoulder pads? I would go to the Limited clothing store to buy them by the dozens. I wore the earring with the key on it. Today my lil earlobes are paying a price for them. I also wore Swatch watches. I will admit, there was a time when I wore 3 of them complete with the overall strap hanging off my shoulder. Of the all the fads and trends I tried, Co-Washing is one I have not and will not.

Would you wash up with lotion?

According to Carly Cardellino, a Blogger for Cosmopolitan Magazine, Co-Washing simply means cleansing your hair with your favorite conditioner versus your shampoo. She also reports that this “gentler way” of cleansing makes hair softer, reduces drying and protects hair color from fading.

I say, “Hog wash with a capital H!” I first heard of this phenomena a few years ago in the salon. I did not think much of it. Why? Well, I am no scientist, chemist or dermatologist; but the first question that came to mind is, “Would you wash up with lotion?” As a licensed professional who shampoos hair for a living, I can not reiterate the importance and relevance of proper scalp cleansing. I can also assure you that no maker of any conditioner would promote or advise any of their valued loyal customers to shampoo hair with one of their conditioners. Never.

It is true that sulfates have been the main source of removing dirt and debris from the hair and scalp for years. Sulfates are surfactants that attract dirt, oil and they are also what makes soaps suds thus resulting in squeaky clean hair. There are many experts who report that sulfates causes cancer. The verdict is still out on that one. However, sulfates can cause allergic reactions such as dry skin, itchy skin, skin rashes and the likes. Understand that allergic reactions to many things are not uncommon. Every hair care product instructs users to discontinue use when any form of skin allergy or eye contact with their product is the result; sulfates or not.

The scalp is a part of your skin. Skin is the largest organ of the body, contrary to popular belief. Skin is also part of the excretory system which means; it excretes waste from the body via skin. Many think of sweat as the only way. Well, the scalp release yeast, fibrin, medicines, drugs, alcohol and sweat. For some; pimples (which can be scratched) can also show up on the scalp. Keep in mind the hair and scalp typically has dirt and debris from the environment, micro organisms as well as hair care products. Also, I must add there is another element of debris on the hair and scalp if you smoke or live with someone who smokes. Keep all these contributing factors in mind; now ask yourself, “Is this conditioner really removing all this off my hair and scalp?” Of course not.

If you desire to have softer and manageable hair that will also protect your chemically treated (hair color and relaxed) hair, there are 3 great options to achieving this. The first option is to use a sulfate-free shampoo (some lather and some do not). The second option is to invest in a better quality shampoo. The third and final option is to use a detangling conditioner after you shampoo, detangle your hair and follow up with your favorite conditioner.

In my professional opinion Co-Washing is very dangerous to the scalp and skin. When the scalp and hair is not cleansed properly with the right products; the immediate effects are tender sore scalps, very scaly scalps, excessive shedding, dull hair, limp hair, acne around hairline, acne on the back and acne wherever the hair touches and over processed heavily coated hair.

Conditioners are typically made of synthetic or organic softeners. The pH on many are low enough to make the hair soft. When conditioners are mis-used as they are in the case of Co-Washing, over a period of time, hair becomes overprocessed. Many conditioners do not contain the proper proteins to re-fortify, strengthen and rejuvenate hair til the next wash. Instead, they coat, seal the cuticle, increase shine, soften and make hair more manageable. Though many conditioners contain sulfates, there are not enough in them to effectively clean hair and scalp. 

So, when someone asks you about Co-Washing simply ask, “Would you wash up with lotion?”