Hormones – This is a culprit that many postpartum and menopausal/post-menopausal women have and don’t even realize. Hormones play a key part in optimum body function including digestion, appearance, and emotions. When all else usually fails many women discover that it was their own hormone levels that were off balance and not their shampoos! See our Hormones & Medications section for more information.
Dry, Damaged Hair: The Worst of Both Worlds
Many times those of us with dry hair, further damage by continually doing the above. Continuing to expose your hair to high heat, the elements, improper pH levels, and chemicals is going to ruin any chance of repairing. Which may very well require that you cut off the damaged areas and, well, start over. Some of you may only need a balance of protein and moisture. Which I know none of us to want to do. Here are some tips for dealing with damaged hair:
Try the above tips for dry hair to determine if only needing moisture is your problem. If not, read on …
Try strengtheners and reconstruct which contain protein. Too much protein can cause brittle hair, too little protein with an abundance of moisture will cause stretching, clay-like hair when wet.
Color-Treated Hair: Painting By Numbers
Many women eventually will color their hair at one point. While coloring isn’t as damaging as lightning, using harsh chemicals on the hair repeatedly will damage your hair. There are natural hues, pigments, dyes, bleaches, and more. Since each problem is unique and requires its own treatment, it is best to seek the help of a stylist. If it is a color mishap, unfortunately, color-correcting stylists can be extremely expensive but worth it if you are beyond home help.
Bleached-out hair usually requires moisture and protein. See the other sections on this page if you are suffering from dry, brittle, or stretchy hair. Color can also add weight and depth to porous, bleached-out hair, so you may want to consider darkening your hair if it has been lightened many times.
Also try a Cellophane, with or without color washes. These are sort of like sealing silicone over your hair shaft to seal in color, help with dry hair, and give it shine. My favorite is Colourshine by Cellophane (Sebastian) in Clear. I use it once a month and it is glorious. If you want a quick and easy daily treatment use Enjoy Shine & Smooth Shine Serum.
Frizzy Hair: When Your Hair Is On The Fritz
Humidity, chemical damage, and genetics can all cause or be the source of frizzy hair. You can either deal with it at the source of the damage is your problem or blow out your hair with a paddle brush and blow-dryer. Alternately, you may use a flattening iron although this in itself can damage the hair. There are also pomades such as Frizz-Ease and TIGI Girl Toyz which are comparable but at far different prices. The only difference seems to be the scent, the amount, and the bottle design. Biosilk Silk Therapy is also a very good product to combat frizz.
Oily Hair: Too Much Of A Good Thing
Are you over-washing your hair? Are you taking hormone supplements or birth control? Are you naturally oily and have always been so? Try washing your scalp with a mild shampoo when you need it and see if that cuts the sebum production. Unfortunately, you may be stuck with washing your hair often, just be sure you’re not stripping your hair shaft or causing your scalp to produce more oil by using a harsh shampoo.
If your lower hair shaft (the mid and lower lengths) are being affected negatively by the constant washing but your scalp is still over-producing sebum, be sure just to wash the scalp and let the suds wash down the length of the hair, rinse right after you wash the scalp. When applying conditioner, only apply from ears down. This cuts the weight down on the shaft and can be helpful for oily scalps.
Fine, Thin Hair: Fragile But Versatile
Thin hair structure can usually be straightened and curled and made into an abundance of hairstyles with a curling iron or blow-dryer. Unfortunately, fine hair gets tangled and damaged easier than thicker shafted hair types. So, without an abundance of hair, it is difficult to wear certain styles. It is easier and more difficult to control and manage at the same time. It generally holds curls better than thicker hair, however, it can also spring up when straight when it is humid. The grass is always greener. Ideally, I wish I just had more of my fine hair. I love what it can do but I hate the fact I have very little of it.
