| Revised Date: 5/01/07 - Original Publication Date: April 2007 |
Thermal Reconditioning?
Question
Dear Karen,
I have a friend that I work with who had really curly hair like
mine and she recently had it straightened. She said that she
had the Yuko Thermal Reconditioning treatment and that she loves
the results. Her hair certainly looks wonderful and is
straight. At any rate, I went to the same salon she went to and
the Yuko consultant told me that I was not a good candidate for
thermal reconditioning. She said that my hair was damaged
from lots of chemicals and that she didn't want to risk applying
the treatment. I asked her to recommend someone who would
and she said that for my own good I should just work on getting my
hair healthy and wait before I attempt this type of treatment.I
am upset. Yes, it is true that I have colored and
highlighted my hair for years and have also relaxed it at home but
I am not sure if she is giving me the run around? She
suggested that I try a temporary straightening product with a blow
dryer for special events but that when possible I should let my
hair air dry. When I do that it is so curly and I hate it.
Do you think this stylist had a secret agenda or just didn't
like me? Do you think there is some other reason she won't
straighten my hair for me? I am confused and frustrated.
Thanks for any advice you might have.
Gessica
Answer
Dear Gessica,
It is absolutely correct that Thermal Reconditioning (TR)
products that are currently available as treatments by salons are
known to be potentially damaging to some types of hair and not
work as successfully on other types. It is also true that
not all types of hair respond equally well to the TR
treatments. Hair that is not damaged but is excessively
curly may not be as good a candidate for TR as hair that is only
moderately curly or wavy.
Since the purpose any given TR treatment is to break the
molecular bonds that form your natural curls and reform them to be
straight, the process definitely has the potential to cause harsh
side effects when it is applied to hair that is already damaged
from excessive coloring, highlighting or other chemical
processes.
Many stylists that specialize in the TR treatments, regardless
whether it is Yuko or some other manufacturer, will strongly
advise against TR treatments to hair that they believe will not
handle the results. This is actually a good thing. A
stylist that advises you not to have any type of treatment because
it may harm your hair is actually putting your needs and the needs
of your strands above their ability to make money.
If your hair is seriously damaged from over processing you do
have the option to use temporary straighteners for special hair
events to get a straight look with the help of a blow dryer and a
round brush. There are many products available on the market
that will help you get temporary straight strands.
If you are serious about having Thermal Reconditioning
performed on your hair, go back and pay the first stylist for a
consultation. Ask the stylist for suggestions on how you
might get your hair into TR worthy shape. Discuss other
options that you might hair from temporary straighteners to spot
relaxing. Take your time, do your research and think things
through. After all, you have to carry your hair around with
you wherever you go.
Best wishes,
Karen
June 5, 2000
How To Shampoo & Condition Hair?
Question
Dear Karen,
I have several questions about the proper way to shampoo
and condition hair.
Is it best to shampoo in the shower or is it better to
shampoo in a bathtub or sink?
Also, can you please walk me through the steps of how to
shampoo and how to use a rinse-out conditioner?
Thanks,
Becca
Answer
Dear Becca,
Whenever possible it is best to shampoo hair in the shower
rather than the bathtub. Especially if the hair is washed
during or after the same time as a bath is given. This is
because bath water accumulates dirt and scum which you may not
wish to transfer soap scum from your bath water to your hair.
Listed below are some general steps for washing and
conditioning your hair. Keep in mind that what works for
one may not work for another. Please also remember that
some experts recommend not using full strength shampoo products
and several hair washing methods have evolved over the years
including:
1. Washing with diluted shampoo and water.
2. Washing hair only with water
3. Washing hair with only conditioner
4. Washing hair with diluted conditioner and water.
Remember...its not necessarily the products you usee but how
you use them.
Shampooing & Rinse Out
Conditioning Techniques
1. Start
any hair washing session by first making sure all tangles are
complete removed from your hair before
you wet it. When water hits hair that has pre-existing tangles
the water will lock in the tangles which can make them difficult
if impossible to remove. Use a "hair friendly" boar
bristle brush to carefully remove all tangles and knots.
Start at the bottom of the ends and work your way up
towards the roots.
2.
Make sure to get your hair completely wet
before applying any type of products.
Most hair care experts recommend lukewarm water.
Avoid hot or cold water (until the final rinse) since hot can
damage strands and cold can close the cuticles.
Note:
When possible strive to keep your hair as straight as possible
as you wash and condition it. When hair is kept straight
it prevents unnecessary tangling.
3. Apply shampoo
to the palms of your hands and apply water to make a suds.
Remember that less is more. Most people apply way too much
shampoo product which may cause problems in the long term.
4. Drizzle the new suds over the top
of your wet hair roots and pat gently into your scalp. Let
the suds gently cascade down the rest of your strands towards
the ends. Avoid roughing up your cuticles.
Note:
Never ever apply shampoo directly to the roots or the
hair. It should always be at least poured into the hands
and applied and preferably mixed first with water.
5. Use
the pads (not the nails) of your fingertips to massage your
scalp. Again, less is more. Don't over massage or
rub vigorously.
Note: Except in rare cases
(very oily hair, hair that has been soiled with mud or other
toxic debris) only one application of shampoo is necessary.
Yes I know, in most beauty schools that insist upon two
applications but trust me, as a hair consumer you don't want to
apply more than one dose of shampoo.
6. Rinse completely. Take your
time making sure to rinse and repeat until you are sure that all
shampoo has been removed. Keep in mind that any shampoo residue
left on the cuticles will result in dull and flat looking
tresses. Keep the lukewarm water running from your scalp
down to your ends. Use your fingertips to help the rinse
cycle.
7. Once the shampoo has been
completely removed, use your fingertips to remove any excess
water by gently patting and squeezing.
8. Once all excess water has been
removed (this is important since you may not want to dilute your
rinse-out conditioner) apply the rinse-out conditioner of your
choice from the top of your earlobes down to the roots.
Avoid glopping conditioner onto your roots.
Focus the conditioning treatment on the
most damaged or dry parts of your hair.
9.
Get out your "hair friendly" snag free wide
tooth comb.
Start at the ends
of the hair, not at the root area and work your way up the hair
shaft. This method helps remove any knots and tangles quickly.
10. Leave the
conditioner on for at least 5 minutes. Longer is OK.
In fact, you can leave rinse-out conditioner on your wet hair
for several minutes.
11. When you are ready
to remove the rinse-out conditioner, make sure to rinse well.
For the very last rinse or so, consider turning the water
setting to cool. This helps to close the cuticle.
Note: Not all
hair experts agree with this theory but it works for the
majority of people.
12. Towel blot - do
not rub - your hair to remove excess moisture.
13. Apply leave-in
conditioner and/or styling products.
14. Blow dry or
air-dry hair.
Viola. You
should have soft and shiny hair that is well-conditioned.
Best wishes,
Karen
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