Cold Water Rinsing

There are millions of people that practice all kinds of beauty folklore theories and fables that get passed down through generations. Some of them are common sense and some simply are not true.

Many people think that rinsing out conditioner or a hair treatment with cold water keeps the hair cuticle closed resulting in shiny hair. However, a cold-water rinse does not contribute to the closing of the hair cuticle. Controlling the correct pH balance by using a low pH level product will seal the hair cuticles leaving the hair shiny and silky. The pH level is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity in the hair that ranges from being either acidic (0-6.9) or alkaline (7.1-14). PH level is used as a scale to match our environment to our body and is essential when treating all hair conditions including frizzy hair. The pH balance of curly hair is the key to controlling unruly, frizzy dry hair. Healthy curly hair should have a pH balance of 4.5 – 5.5 making it slightly acidic. Therefore, the perfect hair conditioner should have a low pH level between 3.5 and 5 to restore the hair’s ideal balance resulting in healthy shiny curly hair.

The skin, which has blood vessels running throughout, is vulnerable to temperature change. Therefore, cold water rinsing will definitely have an effect on the scalp, but never on curly hair. So go ahead, turn up the temperature and enjoy your showers!

The Three Stages of Curly Hair Wet Styling

You can learn to control all different curl types through wet styling. Using Curl Keeper™ along with our latest styling techniques, you can achieve total frizz-free curl control that will withstand any climate and will give you "Curl Freedom".  Styling curly hair happens in several different stages. Before styling, the effort is all in the preparation which is the first stage. How you apply and use the correct products will give you the perfect foundation to start with. The secret of styling curly hair will depend on the quality of the curly hair products used and the proper instruction.

The second stage is styling the hair and beginning the drying process. During the drying process curls will shrink and you will lose length and volume. As the hair starts to dry the volume starts to expand. Always allow hair to dry on its own with as little movement as possible. If you are in a hurry you may use a diffuser to speed up drying time, but still allow your curls to surface dry before doing so. Once the hair is dry, stage three begins and allows you to create the final look by playing with your curls, giving you fullness. The more you play with your curly hair the bigger the hair will expand. Remember, big hair does not mean frizzy hair.

Quick and Easy Holiday Curly Hair Tips

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and sometimes, the most stressful!

December is filled with holiday celebrations that keep many of us on the go as we try to spend time with family and friends near and far. There’s food to prepare, gifts to purchase and give, religious ceremonies to attend and parties to enjoy.

In the midst of it all, we still want our curly hair to look its best. Here are a few tips to ensure that your hair stays healthy and happy during the holiday season, some of which can also double as gift-generating ideas for those special curlies in your life.

Check the weather forecast before going over the river and through the woods.

If you’re traveling to see family in an area with different weather patterns than what you experience at home, make sure you have the right curly hair products to help tackle those temperatures. What you use to protect your hair on a windy Toronto or Chicago winter morning might be too heavy if you’re spending Christmas at Grandma’s place in sunny Florida. Water conditions in different areas could also wreak havoc on your hair. Pack accordingly for such ventures away from home and don’t be afraid to use more or less of your favorite product depending on location.

Remember those styling tools:

Don’t you hate it when you realize you forgot to pack your wide-toothed comb in your travel bag, dooming you to a few days of inadequate attempts at finger combing conditioner through your tresses? Having an extra comb or another styling tool of choice to put in an overnight bag could be the difference between dazzling holiday tresses or a hair catastrophe. If you’re looking for a stocking stuffer for a curly hair friend (or trying to give others ideas for your own stocking), ask for styling tools.

Read the rest of the Holiday Tips and Stocking Stuffer ideas from our curly hair writer Shannon Shelton.

FYI : Shi-Naturals Black Friday Sale!!!

Shi-Naturals Black Friday Sale 

Starts: 10/23 through 10/25

Use promo code "SPECIAL" at checkout

click on the word Special to visit site

Winter Hat Hazards

The most frustrating thing that curly heads experience during the winter is that once you put on a toque or hat you end up with a style disaster on your hands. Wearing anything on top of your curly hair will flatten your curls and cause more frizz and flyaways. Unfortunately traditional styling products are not effective for fixing broken curly hairstyles. The most important thing to know is what techniques to use to restyle and bring curls back to life.

For fine hair it is all about rebuilding or tweaking your hairstyle starting at the root area. Curly heads know that the more movement created will result in more volume. Tweek™ is specifically developed to rebuild broken hairstyles for these situations.  Flip your hair over to reach the scalp and using Tweek™ slowly start to create movement in the root area. Once you have dealt with the roots, work Tweek™ into the hair by adding a bit more of Tweek™ through to the ends with your hands to create a fuller look. Thick curly hair usually does not require extra volume therefore, the focus is on smoothing the outer layer by controlling the flyaways. Squeeze a generous amount of Tweek™ through to the ends of the hair, let go and allow it to settle on its own.

Hat Tip: Curly heads have a tendency to stretch their curls out when pulling their hair back. This weakens the curls, especially around the face area. Make sure your hair is completely dry before putting pulling your hair back or putting on a hat. Even though it feels dry the tiny bit of hair moisture will still make the indentation more prominent. Wait a few hours to allow your curls to fully dry before putting on a hat.

Winterize Your Curls with the Power of Silk

Curly heads know that the combination of living in a cold climate and indoor heating starts to affect their curls. Every woman wants luxurious hair, and with curly hair changing dramatically in different climates makes it important to know how to manage your curls in all weather conditions.  In the cold winter months it is common for curly hair to become more dry and brittle making it challenging to maintain bouncy, healthy curls when all the moisture is being absorbed by central heating. 

Improve the way your curls react to the cold winter you must create a balance of moisture to keep the bounce and volume in your hair. Curly Hair Solutions™ has a series of unique silk-based products formulated to bring highly effective control to restore moisture, combat frizz and nourish the hair from the inside out. The size of the protein molecule determines how effectively it will protect and repair damage to the hair shaft. The quality of the protein, therefore, determines how much moisture each protein molecule can retain and repair. The protein used in all CHS products is essential for moisture because the protein molecule is extremely small, allowing for deeper penetration into the hair shaft. Curly Hair SolutionsН line of silk hair products includes, Silk Shampoo, Conditioner, Silk Leave-In Conditioner and Pure Silk Protein. Each of these products will help to maintain the perfect moisture level needed for your curls in the approaching dry winter months.

The Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hair Styles for Fall/Winter – Angelic

This week’s curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the last and most popular Angelic look. Make a bold statement about your softer side with a style reminiscent of innocence, freshness and purity. Think of soft winds blowing through luscious long curls, weightless and moving freely in the fresh air.

Here’s how to create the angelic look at home:

1. Begin with gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper™ and the Skip Curl technique.

2. Dry hair using a hairdryer and diffuser. Separate hair into thick sections to create ringlets and achieve the maximum effect. 
3. Shake head often to soften the hair and loosen the curls.  
4. If desired, pin small sections of hair back from face using hair clips.

Now you have all the tips and steps needed to achieve the desired look for all occasions including weekend/playful, cultural, corporate professional, messy/sexy and angelic.

The Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hair Styles for Fall/Winter – Elegant

This week's curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the Elegant look. Create a seamless transition of graceful style from your toes all the way to your head with much defined curls. Tonight's the night to take your curls into a look designed with timeless, elegant sensuality in mind. 

Here's how to create the elegant look at home:

1. Being with the gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper™ and the Skip Curl Technique.

2. Start at the top of the hair crown and working downwards, slowly pin up one curl at a time.

3. Use a bobby pin in the middle of the curl so it is loose going up and the ends hang down.

4. Continue pinning up a few or many curls as suits your style. Use hairspray to keep the style and curls in place.

Check in next week to see our last and final hairstyle of the Fall/Winter Hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hair Styles for Fall/Winter – Cultural

This week’s curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the Cultural look. Different cultural backgrounds add a unique aspect to your hair colour and texture. Don’t shy away from your own natural beauty; instead, find ways to enhance the unique elements and make it an individualistic part of your identity.

Here’s how to create the cultural look at home:

 

1. Begin with gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper™ and the Skip Curl technique.

2. While hair is still damp, twist or braid the front section (from bangs to crown) towards the back of the head.  Make sure to keep it tight and neat.  Secure with either a hair band or clips.
3. Scrunch the remaining free hair to create lots of curls on the sides and back of head.

4. Create volume with the hair by playing with the curls to loosen the strands and curl definition.

Check in next week to see the sixth curly hairstyle of the Fall/Winter Hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hairstyles for Fall/Winter – Messy/Sexy

This week’s curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the Messy/Sexy look. Grab your girlfriends and head to the coolest club everyone’s been talking about. Tonight’s the night to create a lasting impression on the dance floor, and a style full of messy-sexy curls will set the right mood. Let your curls hang loose around your face and shoulders while still creating bounce and volume and think flirty, fun and feminine.

Here’s how to create the messy/sexy look at home:

1. Begin with gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper™ and the Skip Curl technique.

2. Bend over from the waist and flip your head over to let hair hang downwards. Begin drying the hair using a hairdryer and diffuser.

3. Diffuse hair in an upward motion towards the hair roots to create bounce and volume control frizz.

4. Run fingers through hair to play with the curls to create a look that is loose and uncontrolled.

Check in next week to see the fourth Fall/Winter Hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Curly Hair Solutions™ is Wearing Pink In Support of Chemo Curls

This October we are wearing pink in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and those affected by cancer. Unknown to most post chemotherapy and cancer survivors, patients find their straight hair grows back curly after chemotherapy treatments. 

Curly Hair Solutions™ has been consulting with numerous cancer survivors for over 20 years on how to manage their newly grown chemo curls with our non-silicone, natural hair products line that rinses out clean and is gentle enough for post-chemotherapy patients. 

We are pleased to announce that each dollar sold from the online sales of Curl Keeper™ 3.38 oz/100ml, 8oz/240ml and 33.8oz/1000ml for the month of October, will be donated to the Breast Restoration Awareness Fund (BRA) at the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation (PMHF).   

Curly Hair Solutions™ selected the Breast Restoration Awareness Fund because of its’ focus on helping women who have had mastectomies regain the sense of a healthy body.  Many women who have had mastectomies (over 6,000 in Canada alone last year) feel insecure about their bodies and uncertain of their femininity.  The BRA fund at PMHF raises awareness of the options available for breast restoration, and provides education for these women to help improve their quality of life.

Curly Hair Solutions™ and owner Jonathan Torch helps women dealing with chemo curls and educates them on how to care and love their new found curly hair. Both the Breast Restoration Awareness Fund and Curly Hair Solutions™ focus on the aesthetic transformation that is an intrinsic part of the recovery for women who have had mastectomies, and/or chemotherapy.

“It’s very disheartening to see both men and women struggling with cancer and knowing that many of them will suffer from hair loss during their chemotherapy treatments. At the Curly Hair Institute I teach my stylists to be sensitive to the needs of post-chemotherapy patients while educating them on how to teach clients with chemo curls to manage and love their newly formed curls.” says Jonathan Torch.

Caring For Chemo Curls At Home:

-Both Treatment Shampoo and Silk Shampoo are perfectly pH balanced and gentle enough for everyday use. Both will cleanse the hair and never strip away any essential oils or cause product build up.

 -Slip™ Detangler is a light, leave-in spray that softens hair and adds moisture without adding any weight and will make detangling your hair easier than ever.  

-Use Curl Keeper™, our water-based and chemical free signature styling product to eliminate frizz and define ringlets for all curl types. Distribute Curl Keeper™ on wet hair from roots to ends, allowing the water to distribute Curl Keeper™ evenly. It will not have the look or feel of product in your hair, once it has totally dried, so have the confidence to use generous amounts to get frizz control.

-Learning to control and style your curly hair takes patience and practice. There are several styling videos, on our website, that provide you tips and techniques on how to manage your curly hair.

ES Cosmetics Keratin Hair Treatment - provides essential nutrients for chemically treated hair, enriched with essential vitamins to help prevent hair breakage.

• Enhances hair flexibility
• Repairs hair damaged by heat and styling tools
• Restores and detangles

How to Use:

After shampooing, apply a generous amount of Keratin Hair Treatmenton wet hair. Start at the roots and work to ends. Leave on for 5-6 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

 

Ingredients:

Purified water, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, (and) PEG-40, Hydrogenated castor oil (and) stearalkonium chloirde, mineral oil, cetearyl (and) cetearerth-20, dimethicone, fragrance, methylparaben, hydolyzed keratin, tocopheryl acetate, polyquaternium-6, lanolin, potassium sorbate, DMDM hydanoin, propylparaben, methylchloroisothiazolinine, methylisothiazolinone, disodium EDTA, caramel color. 

 

My Results :   

My hair has a tendency to shed at this time of the year, and goes through a few changes along with the season. This time, i figured i would get a jump on the shedding with a garlic conditioner and a protein strengthening conditioner. Well, my Shi-Naturals Garlic Conditioner for Shedding really curbed my shedding a lot. Now for the protein conditioner. I wanted to try something different. Why? I don't know. The Shi-Naturals products work perfectly on my hair. But, being the product junkie that i am. I wanted to try something different. I saw the Every Strand Keratin Hair Treatment for Chemically Treated Hair conditioner. The price was right so why not give it a try. The conditioner is a thick formulation just the way i like my conditioners to be. It has a pleasant smell (i love a good smelling conditioner). So, i apply the conditioner in sections. Concentrating on the roots. I'm 13.5 weeks post with 2 inches of new growth (thanks Shi-Natural Grow Potion). I then put on my plastic cap, wrap a towel around my head. I let the conditioner sit for 1 hour without heat. I rinse. This is where the fun begins (*sarcastically*). As i'm rinsing, i can feel my hair clumping up. I keep rinsing, making sure all of this conditioner is out. I apply my leave in's, air dry about 80%. I was almost in tears!!! I could not get the comb thru my hair.It took me almost 4 hours to detangle, and i lost a lot of hair :o) This conditioner totally did not agree with my hair. How do i know it was this conditioner? Because it was the only thing i tried that was different. The moral of the story? If something works for you. Stick with it. I hope i've learned my lesson. Until i see something else, lol

 

Rating :

Sorry, but i gonna have to give this conditioner a big thumbs down. This is just my opinion :o)

The Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hair Styles for Fall/Winter – Corporate/Professional

This week’s curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the Corporate/Professional look. With the time constraints of getting ready in the morning, a weekday hairstyle should be styled close to the face with structured and natural movement using a quick and simple technique. Choose a style that makes you look and feel professional, confident and ready to impress everyone you encounter during the day.

Here’s how to create the corporate/professional look at home:

1. While hair is still damp, begin at the bangs and comb hair towards the back of the head.

 2. Begin with gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper and the Skip Curl technique.

 3. Begin drying the hair using a hairdryer and diffuser. Use a hair band to keep hair off the face while drying.

 4. Finish drying hair by flipping head over forward by bending from the waist to let hair hang downwards. Diffuse hair in an upward motion to create volume and speed up the drying process. 

Check in next week to see the third Fall/Winter Hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hairstyles for Fall/Winter – Weekend/Playful

No matter how busy your life gets, it is important to pay attention to your hair and the impression it makes about you. Regardless of the occasion, event or location you’re headed to, choose a hairstyle that you are comfortable with. Try changing up your look from time to time. Curly hair can be very versatile with the right products and the right techniques, which will not only keep your hair healthy and shiny but also give you the ability to create your desired styles.

Over the next six weeks we will be unveiling six new curly hairstyles from the Jonathan Torch Collection. We will provide hairstyles for each occasion, including weekend/playful, corporate professional, elegance, messy-sexy, cultural and angelic. The styles veer towards fluidity and take on a classic, timeless look while blending both modern and traditional techniques that emphasize luscious curls, texture and lots of movement. This week’s focus is the weekend/playful look.

Whether you are out shopping, getting your nails done or out for a meal, the weekend is all about relaxing after a long week and spending time on yourself. Your weekend hairstyle should be simple, easy and natural looking, with loose curls to match your relaxed state of mind. 

Here’s how to create the weekend/playful look at home:

 

1. Begin using Curl Keeper™ and follow the steps for the Skip Curl Technique.

2. Allow a small section of bangs to gently fall over the corner of your eye. Make sure the curls are loose so they don’t block your vision.

3.  Begin drying the hair using a hairdryer with a diffuser. While drying, use your hand to scrunch your curls upwards.

4. Create added volume by lightly placing a section of hair from the left side of the crown over to the right side and vice versa. 

Enjoy your relaxed look this weekend, and check back next week for another great curly hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Acne Miliaris Necrotica

Acne Necrotica Miliaris is a superficial, non-scarring inflammatory disorder of the hair follicles. It is one of two syndromes that falls under the broader clinical term Acne Miliaris Necrotica (AN), the other being the deeper, scarring Acne Necrotica Varioliformis. Since first being described in 1851, AN has proven to be a rare condition, prevalent among adult males, with chronic symptoms that wax and wane over time.

Both Acne Necrotica Miliaris and Acne Necrotica Varioliformis are characterized by pruritic follicular papule that are often triggered by stress.¹ Patients tend to be men aged 30 to 50, although the lesions have been reported in women and patients younger than 30 who have passed puberty.

Acne Necrotica Miliaris is characterized by minute, intensely itchy pustules on the scalp that may become sore and crusted due to constant scratching.² The lesions may concentrate around the frontal hairline (acne frontalis), but can appear anywhere on the scalp. They also vary in number from just a few to numerous pustules covering the scalp. Additional lesions may be found on the face, neck, chest, or back.³

Acne Necrotica Miliaris affects only the superficial portion of the hair follicle, allowing for hair regrowth following successful treatment, which can include oral antibiotics, topical corticosteroids, and oral isotretinoin, which has shown a rapid reduction of the pruritic lesions.⁴

Acne Necrotica Varioliformis is characterized by erythematous follicular papules that undergo necrosis (or cell death). These deeper lesions may progress to crusting, dry, dark scabs that leave smallpox-like scars (varioliformis) in their wake. Permanent hair loss may occur where the scalp has

been scarred (cicatricial alopecia).

Histological studies of an early lesion show lymphocytes (white blood cells) and plasma cells centered around a central hair follicle. The lymphocytes then fuse into the external root sheath. The keratinocytes within the external root sheath and surrounding epidermis show extensive cell necrosis.⁵

The true etiology, or cause, of AN is unknown, however, it has been postulated that the initial lesions are inflamed hair follicles with Propionibacterium acnes. (Propionibacterium acnes are slow growing anaerobic bacterium which are linked to the skin condition acne.⁶ They are gram positive, which means they stain dark blue or violet with gram staining. Gram positive bacteria generally have a single lipid bilayer called monoderms.)

The lesions may also be caused by an abnormal reaction to the Staphylococcal Aureus Bacteria and the Streptococcal Bacteria, which live on the skin at all times but can cause infection when they enter the body through a cut or other injury. Gram-negative bacteria, which usually originates in the nose following antibiotic treatment for acne, may also be to blame, as is Tinea Capitis (ringworm of the scalp), caused by a fungus that invades the hair shaft. In at least one case, use of the drug phenylbutazone was believed to have caused the syndrome.⁷ In still others, extreme mechanical manipulation of the scalp due to scratching or rubbing patches of underlying folliculitis may be to blame, as are the tiny parasitic mites, demodex folliculorum. However, the most common pathogens found in pustules remain Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes.⁸

Examining the scalp and forehead for past umbilicated scars with a “punched-out” appearance is helpful to the trichologist working toward a diagnosis of AN. In addition, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes should be determined in erupting pustules. In the case of Propionibacterium acnes, Isotretinoin should be tried, while in the case of Staphylococcus aureus, anti staph agents and oral tetracyclines may prove successful.⁹

Sources

Dawber, Rodney, Ed., Diseases of the Hair and Scalp, Third Edition, Blackwell Science, Malden, MA, 1997.

DermNetNZ.org

HairScientists.org

Olsen, Elisa A.,Ed., Disorders of Hair Growth, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2003.

Wikipedia.org

1 Dawber, Rodney, Diseases of the Hair and Scalp, p. 511.

2 DermnetNZ, Scalp Folliculitis, http://dermnetnz.org/acne/scalp-folliculitis.html

3 Olsen, Elisa A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 111.

4 Olsen, Elisa A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 383.

5 Olsen, Elise A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 112.

6 Wikipedia.org, Propionbacterium Acnes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propionibacterium_acnes

7 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

8 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

9 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

Treating Colored Curly Hair

With the change in season comes change in hair colors. We all know that the sun lightens your hair and darkens your skin. The color tones in your hair that have been damaged by the sun can be easily restored to healthy, deeper and enriched shades by using the right products. With all the wonderful bright reds, richer browns and golden blondes we see it creates a challenge to maintain the richness and shine over a period of time between color applications. Coloring curly hair can cause extreme damage if the color formula is too strong. We call this ‘color shock’. It is very important to add strength and moisture to color treated hair, since chemical treatments often leave hair feeling much more dry and brittle. Restoring shine and softness to your hair will require treating your hair with properly pH balanced shampoo and conditioners. 

Because curly hair is very porous, it is easy to deposit color pigments into the hair. It is sometimes harder to maintain rich color as the hair cuticles are naturally in an open position. As we always say “when your hair is wet it is shiny.” This is because open cuticles are filled with moisture reflecting light. Curly Hair Solutions™ products have a pH level designed to maintain the hair cuticle in a closed position without using silicones or oils. 

Pure Silk Protein with a pH balance of 3.5 -4 is the key to making the color come back to life. Use the Pure Silk Protein one day before your color application and add some directly to the color formula, either at home or in the salon. This will make your color last longer, have more shine and help your hair stay moisturized for longer. Get your hair prepared for your new hair color and be ready for the Fall season!

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Shi-Naturals Labor Day Sale is live.15% off all products today! Stock up on your favorites! http://bit.ly/lNqyMZ Enter promo code "LABORDAY"  

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