Is Your Hair Shedding?

Has your hair been shedding more than usual for the past few weeks? There could be a few reasons it’s happening, but here’s one to consider: it’s winter. Here are some things winter brings around that might be contributing to the extra shedding:

•      Dry, indoor heat. While it keeps us comfortable when it’s cold, it also tends to sap moisture from our bodies, including our hair. 
•   Lack of moisture/using the wrong products. Colder temps and indoor heat usually require that we ramp up the moisture in our skin and hair.  Intense Hydrating treatment, anyone?
• Friction from hats, scarves and/or coat collars. These are common causes of extra shedding in the winter.
•   Lack of supplemental vitamins. Our hair needs extra TLC when the temperature drops.

So how do we fix it? #FIXITJESUS

Well, the good thing is that although you may need Jesus, you don’t have to wait for Him to help you with your hair. Here are some tips you can use right away:

• Get a good hairdressing crème and use as needed (according to your hair texture).
• Find better options when it comes to hats or wear something under it, like a silk scarf. Try silky scarves around your coat collars, too.
•  Start taking biotin and/or silica to assist with your hair growth goals. And take a look at your hair regimen. It may not be the right one for your hair or texture.

I’m sure this will help someone.  Feel free to comment or come in for a consultation.

Go to www.instylhaircare.com to schedule one today.

Get Excited! Get a Trim.

The T word.  The word that most of my clients hate to hear!  First the client sees that the hair is growing and admiring the new length.  Then here I come saying “ You’ve got ends”…yep, the dreaded side eye from the client.  I continue to say, “This means you need a TRIM”.  The client vehemently denies that she does.   Sigh, here we go again.

A trim should be a word that brings music to your ears.  It’s the maintenance of your hair.  If you have taken good care of your hair, there’s no need to fear.  Someone who has taken great care of their hair can skip a trim or two because they have laid off the heat, didn’t harass their hair and stressed it out with tight ponytails or had their kitchetician (the stylist who’s never been to hair school who know nothing of Haircare but can style and curl some hair) friend style them on a bad financial day.  I have a hand full of clients that I say, “ No trim needed.”  They are not fazed because they hear it quite often.  Their hair grows and we do quite a few haircuts and looks on them.

Let me give you signs that you are in need of a trim, despite your denial.

·      When you curl your hair, are the curls complying?  Are you getting fishhooks, meaning your curls are flipping up when you really mean for them to stay down? 

·      Is your hair tangled at the end when you comb it during the conditioner phase of your shampoo session?

·      Your hair is not quite looking fresh or you don’t recognize your haircut anymore?  Your hair has no shape, whatsoever?

When your hair is left untrimmed.  The split ends keep creeping up and if left alone…you will soon need a haircut.  You can always, go to a hairstylist that is scared to cut your hair and leave you with see through ends and pose as if you have length.  What you don’t know is that women and stylist can spot that a mile away.  Your hair is blowing in the wind not because it’s healthy but because it has no choice but to blow.  There are wispy and have no foundation.  Your hair is not going to bounce nor will it behave.  No amount of weave or ultra moisturizing conditioner can save you.  It can hide it as well as temporarily mend but it will always be there and continuously split until taken care of.

Aren’t you tired of hiding or molding your hair to emulate a cut that you have always wanted?  Free yourself from all the headaches, products and gels to mold your look and get a real one.  Get a cut and/or trim your hair so that you don’t have to walk around frustrated or with a hat!  Everyone has the potential for healthy hair…give your hair a chance and embrace the T word.  Say it with me, “ Trims are essential for healthy hair.”  See?  Your still alive:)

Assistant Manual: Tip 2

Be honest about the skills that you can bring to the table or if you have any to bring in at all.  The stylist will expect you to help out in the area mentioned that you are skilled in.

When you oversell yourself and you can't come through on what you sold the stylist.  It doesn't turn out to be a great experience because the stylist is disappointed and you, the assistant, will feel as if you can't catch a break.  But why should you when you lied?

Be upfront about what it is that you can do and no one gets hurt.  In the meantime, brush up on the areas where you are lacking.  Your career will go as far as you want it depending on the work that you put in.

Tip of the day: Product for Your Hair Type

Use the appropriate oil/elixirs according to hair type.  Too much gunk due to too much product will leave the hair limp and without body.  It will also attract more dirt.

Tip of the day: Stop Heat Abuse

Over use of the flat iron especially when hair is full of product is like singeing the hair with heat.  You will notice right after you touch up with the flat iron that there are strands just coming out or popping off.  In addition, you are giving yourself instant split ends which will keep you from retaining length.

Tip of the day: Moisture

Beware of sitting under air conditioning vents, they can dry out your hair.  Stay moisturized (relative to your hair texture).

Tip of the day: Fragile edges

If your edges are fragile and your getting your hair relaxed, have your stylist apply the relaxer to the edges last or have them texturized. Be sure to inform your stylist about your fragile edges, as well.