Ask Karen - December 2000

December 12, 2000
Pregnancy & Dandruff Remedies?

Question

Dear Karen,

I have terrible dandruff and have been successfully using Nizoral A-D Shampoo for about 6 months. I recently discovered happily that I am pregnant. However, my sister-in-law who is a nurse told me that she had heard that the Nizoral A-D Shampoo can cause birth defects and that I should stop taking it. She also said that there are some cases of problems with nursing mothers who use the products. What have you heard about this and what advice do you have for me?

Thanks for all your help and for this great site.

Sheryl Anne

Answer

Dear Tina,

Congratulations on your great news about your pregnancy.

I consulted a local Dallas dermatologist and asked him your question. He told me that Nizoral A-D Shampoo usually contains ketoconazole which is available without a doctor's prescription when the shampoo contains 1% solution. He said that the ketoconazole in Nizoral A-D Shampoo is a very good formula for treating mild to intense cases of dandruff.

I was told that ketoconazole has not been specifically evaluated in pregnant women although studies have been done in animals. The animal ketoconazole studies have shown the potential for a myriad of problems including birth defects. Our consulting dermatologist advised that you stop using the Nizoral until after you have a chance to discuss this question with your doctor. Your doctor can guide you to the proper action you should take regarding the Nizoral shampoo. Although some doctors may not find that it is a danger, others may be more cautious. Bottom line, seek the immediate advice of your doctor and follow their suggestions for use while you are pregnant.

There is no conclusive evidence that the Nizoral shampoo or other ketoconazole products would be passed on through nursing. Again, whether you resume use of the Nizoral while nursing is a question for your doctor.

It is wise that you are asking these questions now since it is always good to get solid medical advice for any questionable products during your pregnancy.

Best wishes,

Karen

December 11, 2000
Help For Super Thick Wavy Hair?

Question

Dear Karen,

I have a daughter that has very thick, and I mean very thick hair, that is naturally wavy. Joanna blow dries her hair every day but now she is being told by her stylist to stop using the blow dryer and try to let her hair air dry. When she does that her hair gets huge and very frizzy. She has pretty waves when they are carefully controlled but if she lets her hair air dry it turns to giant frizz. Do you have any suggestions of what can help with her hair?

Thanks so much,

Tina

Answer

Dear Tina,

Your timing is great. I had a long conversation today with Elizabeth at the Edwin Paul Salon. As you probably know, HairBoutique.com sells the Edwin Paul (EP) line of hair care. Both my partner Jeff Hines and I have had great luck with different EP products. Jeff swears by a daily dose of the Classic Shampoo for his naturally oily and wavy hair. He follows every Classic Shampoo with the EP deep conditioner and then picks his hair out. He lets his thick wavy hair "air dry" into great shiny waves down to his waist. Absolutely no frizz. Jeff doesn't even own a blow dryer.

I, on the other hand, have naturally dry and coarse waves and I can't use the Classic. It is too drying. I use the Luxury Shampoo and the Deep Conditioner every other shampoo. I use the lighter conditioners in between. When I want my hair to be stick straight I use Luxury Shampoo, Deep Conditioner and then Smoothing Lotion. The results are great. However, in the past when I air dried my hair I didn't use the Smoothing Lotion.

I was discussing all of this info with Elizabeth at Edwin Paul Salon and she told me the most amazing thing. She reported that her 11 year old daughter has super thick, super wavy hair that used to frizz terribly unless it was first dried with a blow dryer. Because her daughter has hair that is 2 inches below her shoulders and all one length, it would take forever to blow dry straight. Also, the potential damage from the blow dryer was a concern.

After a lot of experimenting, Elizabeth discovered that if she towel blots her daughter's hair, picks it all out and then applies Smoothing Lotion to the length with extra thick Smoothing Lotion at the roots where the hair "bends" the hair "air dries" with beautiful frizz free waves. Elizabeth instructed me in the technique and told me that the final step is the application of the Edwin Paul Gel Mousse.

I decided to immediately try the trick to see what happened. WOW. Amazing results. I washed my hair with the Luxury Shampoo, just like Elizabeth's 11 year old daughter. I used a little of the Deep Conditioner and rinsed it out. After carefully towel blotting my hair I picked it carefully out. Then I applied a little of the Smoothing lotion starting about 2 inches from my roots and smoothed it down the length of my hair. Then I applied a thick amount all around the part and the crown, as Elizabeth described. I patted it carefully down. It was definitely thick around the top of my head near the roots but not through the length. I then applied a "sealing" amount of the gel mousse from the roots to the end. Not a lot, but enough to cover all the hair.

I then wrapped my hair into a loose bun, pinned it and went to work. Just four hours later I had the most beautiful frizz free waves I have had in ages. I let my hair completely air dry and it dried into great shiny waves with absolutely no frizz.

Will this work for your daughter? I can't promise that it will but I can tell you that it works for Elizabeth's 11 year old daughter with super thick, super wavy hair. It also worked for me. I have naturally wavy hair that is below my waist.

Elizabeth told me that her daughter's hair is so thick that she can't even wear it behind her ears. However, the combination of the EP smoothing gel and the gel/mousse keep the hair from frizzing or getting super big. The waves form nicely and there is no danger of damage from repeated blow drying.

Elizabeth explained that they have tried to "thin" out her daughter's hair but that because the waves start right at the root, thinning doesn't really help. What does help is for her daughter to wear her hair all one length and below her shoulders to give the hair more weight. Also, the combination of the EP products to smooth and control the waves.

You might try experimenting with your favorite smoothing gel and mousse to see if you can achieve the same results for your daughter.

I hope this information offers you some options that help you deal with your daughter's hair. If you have any additional questions please email again.

Best wishes,

Karen

December 10, 2000
Dull & Dry Hair After Straighening?

Question

Dear Karen,

I recently had my hair relaxed. I asked my stylist to also add color because I wanted to cover some gray. My stylist, who I love, refused to do more than one process on my hair. So she did the straightener and advised me to wait at least a week and maybe longer to have color added. I decided to go ahead and color my hair and home and used Miss Clairol. Although I am happy with the color and the texture my hair is so incredibly dry and it lacks all shine. It looks limp and dull. Quite frankly I am afraid to go back to my stylist because she warned me not to color for a certain amount of time. I did it anyway and now my hair is acting up.

What would you recommend I do?

Help please.

Joan S.

Answer

Dear Joan,

I hate to tell you this but your stylist was very wise to advise you to wait between the straightening and the color. However you have already done what seemed best to you at the time. Instead of avoiding your stylist, call her at once and confess your hair sins. A good stylist will not yell at you but will help you recover your hair. It is a known fact that double chemical processing will cause hair to require extra special moisturizing. Besides a really good moisturizing shampoo to help restore your hair's moisture, you may need a product that improves your hair's elasticity as well. If you are able to add back necessary moisture and elasticity then it is probable that your hair will recover some of its natural shine.

Your stylist sounds like a very knowledgeable person. I would call her and confess your hair color sins and ask for help. Most stylists will want to help you recover your hair even if you went against their advice. After all, it is your hair to do what you want with it.

I suspect your stylist might suggest a moisture replenishment treatment program for your hair. That might include some salon deep conditioning treatments and/or some at home treatments including some moisturizing shampoos, conditioners and deep treatments.

Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. Learn from the experience and recognize that in some cases it is best to listen to the advice of a knowledgeable hair care professional.

Best wishes,

Karen

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