January 1999
Revised 5/01/07
January 12, 1999
Hair And
Bach Flower Essences?
Question
Dear Karen
At your suggestion I have been experimenting with different
flower essence recipes for my scalp massages. What I currently do is
apply a few drops of the Bach Flower Remedies to some light sesame
oil and then I massage my scalp.
I am keeping a journal of the
results. I am really enjoying this process and find the results to
be fascinating.
Can you please tell me if you have done this and what flower
essences you tried? Is sesame oil the best oil to use?
Also, how and where do you store your flower essences?
Thanks
Genny
Answer
Dear Genny,
What a great idea to keep a journal of the results of your
experiments. I would love to hear your findings as you move
forward.
Yes, I have tried the Bach Flower Essences in my head massage
recipes. I have also used the Flower Essence Society (FES)
remedies and Gem Elixir Essences. In fact, at one point I even
experimented with making some of my own Texas grown flower essences
which proved to be a fascinating experiment.
I have to say that I had the very best luck with the Bach Flower
Rescue Remedy for my scalp massage experiments. It seemed to
make an immediate difference on my scalp and hair.
The Bach Flower Rescue Remedy formula is a combination of several
of the Bach Flowers designed to provide healing so I am assuming
that is why it worked so well on my scalp. I also personally
like the FES Sticky Monkey Flower for relieving stress and fearful
situations that might cause my hair and scalp to tighten
up.
I like to use the lightest oils possible when I am experimenting
with the various flower essences. I don't want the oils to be
too strong where they might block the effect of the delicate flower
essences. I personally love almond oil although sesame is a
close second. I have also used Vitamin E oil.
Storing my flower essences was becoming a major problem.
Not only did I have the complete Bach collection, I also had a large
number of the FES and Gem Elixir bottles. It became difficult
to manage the different essences.
I bought several large lazy Susan type of spice organizers.
I store the original essences in the box from the manufacturer which
allows me to keep them organized alphabetically. After I
dilute the actual flower essence into a preservative like brandy
(although you can also use an alternative formula that does not
involve alcohol) I store the dilution in a dark brown glass stopper
bottle. I apply a label and store the essences according to
type (Bach, FES, Gem) and alphabetically. This helps me find
the essences quickly.
I also have a similar system that I use for storing my essential
oils. At one point my office table had about 100 different
bottles lined up. Now they are all neatly labeled and stored
in the various lazy Susan herb organizers. I actually got the
idea from a herb shop that stocks hundreds of different herbs.
They have complete walls full of spice type of racks and rotating
lazy Susan organizers that are all carefully labeled.
An aromatherapist I know had a carpenter make her a series of
several wall-to-ceiling miniature cabinets that hold hundreds of
amber or dark blue bottles behind tinted glass doors to protect from
heat or sunlight. You can also buy a multi-compartmentalized
toolbox or the free standing racks with little drawers that are used
for storing hinges and screws. You can get huge racks from
Home Depot or a similar store. It is usually best to buy
something that closes the oils and essences away from direct light.
It is very important to remember that most authentic essential
oils are light sensitive, as well as heat sensitive, So be
sure to always store both your flower essences and essential
oils out of direct sunlight in the proper room temperature. It
is also important to store both the flower essences and the oils in
amber or other appropriate bottles that further protect these
delicate substances from light or other forces.
I have cleared out a walk-in temperature controlled closet in my
study where I store the various rotating organizers. I also
will store some of my formulas in a small portable refrigerator that
I bought for the purpose. Heaven help me, I am the world's
largest pack rat. Someday I may need a house just to store all
my oils and essences, herbs, vitamins, etc.,
Please keep me posted on your progress with the flower essences.
Best wishes,
Karen
January 11, 1999
Questions On Hair Care For Swimmers
Swimming is a very popular way to exercise. Consequently hair care questions for
swimmers seems to pop up in my AskKaren mail box on a regular basis. I have included
several letters that reflect the majority of the questions that I receive. The good
news is that with special care.....regular swimming does not have to damage your hair.
Question - Swimming Cap That Fits?
Dear Karen
I have recently started to work out and my work out consists of a lot of swimming.
I can not find a swimming cap that fits right. It usually pulls my hair.
One result of lots of swimming is that it has left my hair dried out and in knots.
It seems to knot just by the hairs touching one another.
I have tried every product I can find at the drug stores in my area. I have
especially tried the swimmer's hair care product that strips chlorine. Can you
please recommend a product that can help me in this area? Any suggestions would
help. Thanks so much.
Mistral
Answer
Dear Mistral,
The first thing that I recommend you do is deal with your current tangles and knots.
The best action for you to take is to do an immediate deep conditioning treatment
of your hair. There are several different types of conditioning treatments you can
try. If you want to try a commercial product I strongly recommend ARTec's Moisture
Pac or Aveda's Curessence conditioner. Many of the salon product lines (Matrix,
Redken etc) also have excellent deep conditioners.
A deep conditioning treatment should not be confused with a "leave-in"
conditioner. A "leave-in" conditioner is used on a daily or regular basis
to protect hair against heat styling and environmental toxins. A deep conditioning
treatment is done to help reverse damage that is done to the hair.
Besides the immediate deep conditioning treatment I recommend that you do a regularly
scheduled series of deep treatments 2-3 times a week until your hair starts to show
noticeable improvement.
The best way to do a hot oil treatment is to apply the conditioner to your dry hair,
wrap it in a plastic shower cap, wrap a hot towel over the top of the shower cap and leave
it on your hair for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The hot towel adds
heat which heals the treatment soak deeper into your hair shaft.
While the directions on most conditioning treatments specify anywhere from just a few
minutes to several minutes I have personally found that the treatments often work better
if left on the hair as long as feasible.
After you rinse the oil out of your hair be sure to finish with a cool/cold water rinse
to seal the hair cuticle.
Deep Conditioning On A Budget
If you are on a budget and can handle the extra mess, you can also use extra virgin
olive or jojoba oil and concoct your own hot oil treatment. Measure out enough oil
to cover the damaged part of of your hair. Heat until warm...but not hot.
Apply to the damaged parts of your hair.
Daily Hair Care When Swimming
Every day that you know you are going swimming, wash your hair in
the morning with a moisturizing shampoo like ARTec's Smoothing or Aveda's Shampure and
then use a good leave-in conditioner on your hair.
The leave-in conditioner (like Aveda's Elixer) will add a level of
protection to your hair cuticle from the chlorine. If possible let your hair air
dry. Blow dryers and hot styling tools can add to existing damage.
When you get ready to go swimming, wet your hair first before you get
into the pool. It is preferable to use distilled or spring water to wet your
hair. Douse your hair with water so that it is harder for your hair to absorb the
chlorine and other chemicals. Wet hair does not absorb chemicals as easily as dry
hair does.
Immediately after your swim, first thing out of the pool, rinse your
hair again with more spring or distilled water. If you prefer, you can use tap
water. However, remember that tap water often contains a high level of its own
chemicals.
It is important to rinse your hair immediately after you leave the pool
to remove any chlorine or chemicals that may be clinging to your hair cuticle.
Proceed immediately to the showers and wash your hair with a good moisturizing shampoo
such as ARTec Smoothing or Aveda Shampure. Always use a good rinse out conditioner
like ARTec Smoothing conditioner or Aveda Cherry Almond Bark or Deep
Revitalizer.
Always do a final cool/cold water rinse to seal the hair.
Anti-Chlorine
Shampoos
The grocery store "anti-chlorine" shampoos have a tendency to totally
strip hair of all oils that are essential to keeping the knots our of your hair. If
you use an anti-chlorine shampoo, only use it, at the most, one time a week or so.
Swimming Cap
The best insurance for protecting your hair is to find a good cap that fits properly.
However, if you can't find one that works for you, try some of the above hair care
tips and work at undoing the damage that the pool chemicals will do. In some cases
long term exposure to chlorine can result in it eating away at the ends of the hair.
If you follow a plan to prevent chlorine from getting into your hair by applying
water right before and after you get into the pool, you have a fighting chance of
protecting your hair.
Best wishes,
Karen
January 2, 1999
Question - Blonde Hair Turning Green?
Dear Karen
I have brown hair that has blonde highlights added. I went swimming in a pool
without wetting my hair first and the blonde has turned green. I have tried several
things to get it out, but it won't completely come out. My daughter has naturally
blonde hair and her hair has turned green also. Can you think of something we could
use to get the green out?
Juanita
Answer
Hi,
Here is a home remedy that has worked for me in the past (I have
blonde hair).
Take some Heinz or high quality ketchup and apply it to the parts of
your hair that has the green in it. Carefully comb or brush it in to make sure that you
have gotten it all through. Then leave in for about 20 minutes and then shampoo with
a good quality shampoo OR if you can get some, Aveda's Detox shampoo will take the
green out.
For future reference, on days that you and your daughter will be going
swimming, use a good leave in conditioner during your shampoo process. Then right before
you get into the pool wet your hair with water. This will block a lot of the chemicals
from leaching into your hair.
What happens is that dry hair that becomes wet with pool water
containing chemicals is like a sponge that will suck up the chemicals. So getting into the
pool with a wet head will make it harder for the chemicals to migrate to your hair cortex.
Also a leave in conditioner will coat your hair cuticle providing a barrier level of
protection. If the ketchup does not work, email me again and I will send you
some "last ditch effort" ideas.
Also, make sure that you do a deep condition. If you hair is highlighted
and took on the green tint, that means that your cuticles may be rough or slightly
impacted by the chemicals and sun. So a good hot olive oil treatment would work. Or you
can do it in the shower. Aveda's Curressence is wonderful for hair impacted by
pool chemicals.
Please let me know everything turns out.
Best wishes,
Karen
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