Get or Keep the Hair Texture You Love
So many of my clients come to me with questions about the texture of their hair.
For some, they were born with thick and curly hair when they’d love it to be stick straight ~ or vice versa. For others, lifestyle, hormones, age, environment, treatments, and other factors have caused changes in their hair texture over time that they would like to reverse or correct. So, what can you do to get and keep the hair texture you love?
We all are born with a specific texture which can range from thick, coarse, and curly to fine, wispy, straight, and soft, and everything in between. But aging and external factors can influence how robust your texture remains. Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research, department of dermatology at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital, cites genetics and aging, medical conditions, hormonal changes, stress, chemical damage, and heat, among others, as the chief reasons for changes in the look or feel of your hair over time.
So much of your surrounding circumstances can affect the texture of your hair.
Have you changed your diet? Are you experiencing hormonal changes that might benefit from hair-specific supplements like Nutrafol to add nutrients and strengthen hair follicles? Are you stressed or undergoing health issues and related therapies?
Some of the more serious medical root causes of change in texture should be addressed by your physician. For most routine reasons or if it’s just your choice of style, consult with your stylist at your salon to assess exactly what can be done to achieve your texture goals.
We are equipped with a sophisticated set of tools, techniques, treatments, and maintenance recommendations to produce a variety of amazing results.
- Tools ~ Specifically designed texture shears and razors are just some of the tools of our trade when it comes to texturizing hair. These instruments help us create a precise, accurate cut, eliminate bulk where we need to, and add texture in an edgier or softer way to achieve just the right amount of volume you desire.
- Techniques ~ Proper use of each of these tools and knowing how and where to cut along the hair shaft is practically an art form and requires extensive training and experience to get it right. We also look carefully at the “flats, rolls, and rounds” of the head structure to make selective choices on what areas need to be de-bulked or volumized. The natural growth direction of each section of hair also influences the build of the overall texture. These considerations, when coupled with the right tools and techniques, help us to create targeted fullness and movement or tame an unruly mass.
- Treatments ~ Hair color processes change the texture of hair. They thicken the finish of each strand and literally blow the cuticle open to add fullness and body every time. And you’ve no doubt heard of the array of relaxing treatments to achieve the right degree of smoothing or straightening of hair. The results of Brazilian blowouts and keratin treatments can last from 5 weeks to 6 months, depending on what you choose. “Hair Botox” formulas like L’Oreal Professional’s Fiberceutic Restorative Hair Sealing Treatment fill hair strands with flexible, soft fibers that create the appearance of fuller, smoother hair.
- Maintenance recommendations ~ Home care is crucial to preserve your desired texture. Your stylist can prescribe the right set of products carefully chosen to enhance your hair type and beauty goals. We recommend using a detangling product and a wide-toothed comb after shampoos to prevent breakage. And be sure to use a thermo-protectant product whenever using heat tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, or hot irons. Getting a cut at least every 6 weeks will also do wonders to maintain healthy, well-shaped hair, no matter what your style.
As always, your stylist is key to helping you to create and maximize the impact of the right hair care regimen for you.
Thank you, once again, for your interest in HairLine. Your ideas for future topics help to keep our content fresh and on point. Please keep your suggestions coming here. And feel free to share this blog with friends who may also be interested in becoming a part of our conversation.
Regards,
Kenny