Hair Care System: Hair Growth, Manage Long Hair, Color Hair, Perm Hair, and Unwanted Hair

We will know about the basic hair care system but first, we need to know some very basic things about hair.

The hair on your head is remarkable stuff: it is the least destructible part of your body; it is so plastic that it can stretch to one-fifth longer than its natural length, and each hair can bear a weight of around 7 ounces (200 grams).

Despite this, the hair is very quick to show even the slightest neglect.

All the hair on your scalp (there are about 120,000 hairs on average) is dead tissue, so it is wrong to talk in terms of it being ‘healthy’.

However, the new hair, growing from a follicle just under the surface of the scalp, is made of living cells, so a ‘healthy’ head of hair stems from a healthy scalp. And this is where hair care begins.

There are several types of hair-fine, coarse, greasy, and dry and though you cannot change your hair type, there is much you can do to get the best out of it by keeping the scalp, and the hair itself, in the best possible condition.

Natural and healthy basic hair care system

By looking at the way hair grows from follicles in the scalp, we can see that the most important factor in keeping your hair in peak condition is your overall general health, since the condition of the live hair inside the scalp, before it emerges from the skin, radically affects the appearance of the dead hair.

It thus acts as a kind of ‘health barometer’, and stress, ill-health, a poor diet, and bad circulation are all reflected in the hair’s appearance.

We subject our hair to all kinds of punishment, extremes of temperatures, chemical coloring or perming, harsh shampoos, and brutal brushing. It’s worth remembering that hair cannot be repaired once damaged, so whatever your hair type, be gentle with it.

Learn to live with and handle your particular hair type. If it is naturally curly, have it cut so the curl becomes part of the style, and don’t torture it into shapes it will not naturally follow the same goes for straight hair.

Perms and chemical colorants, such as bleaches, can harm the hair, so use them with care, or as infrequently as possible.

How to shampoo your hair

Wash hair as often as it needs it. In the case of greasy hair, this may be every day, or every other day, since greasy hair picks up dirt a lot faster than dry hair regularly either leaving it for more than a week between washes can make the condition worse because the scalp becomes clogged with dead skin cells that prevent sebum reaching the hair at all.

Choose a good shampoo-one that cleans hair but will not strip it of essential oils.

Most shampoos are better diluted, but be careful of the ones formulated for greasy hair as they are often over-harsh.

Massage the scalp gently, and rinse thoroughly with a shampoo spray the water should be warm but not hot.

A conditioning rinse used after a shampoo neutralizes the slightly alkaline state the hair has been left in after cleansing, makes it easier to comb, and helps to criminate the common problem of ‘flyaway’ hair.

There are conditioners to suit all types of hair from oil-free for greasy hair, to extra duty oils and waxes for very dry hair.

Handle with care

Hair is at its most fragile when it is wet, so take care to comb wet hair gently, starting at the tips and working back to the roots.

Remember to use a wide-toothed comb or brush with rounded plastic bristles. Always blot wet hairs with a towel don’t rub or pull it. If you can, allow hair to dry naturally, without using a dryer.

If you do use a hairdryer, choose one with two heat settings and dry as much a of the hair as possible using the lowest setting, leaving it very slightly damp when you damage if used incorrectly don’t direct the heat nearer than six inches from the hair, and keep the stream of air moving constantly.

Coping with hair problems

Very greasy hair is basically due to a hormonal problem that causes the sebaceous glands to become overactive and produce too much sebum.

There is no scientific evidence that anything applied externally, for instance, lotions or shampoos, can reduce the old supply since this is an internal condition.

There is no evidence either that diet, massage, and hot or cold water have any effect on the flow of sebum. Very greasy hair is almost always accompanied by a greasy skin type, so a fringe of hair around the tempos will collect grease from the skin as well as the scalp.

Excessive combing or fiddling with greasy hair encourages the sebum to travel through the hair faster, so, apart from washing hair often and carefully, greasy hair should be worn in an easy-to-manage, well-cut style.

Light perming can help here because it lifts the hair slightly away from the scalp, making it less easy for the sebum to travel up the hair shaft.

Very dry hair may be caused by a hereditary or a hormonal problem as in the case of greasy hair or it can be brought on through overuse of heated rollers, hot hair dryers, perms, and bleaches.

You can protect dry hair from further damage by using very mild shampoos and good quality conditioners, and by having your hair trimmed regularly.

A once-weekly hot oil treatment also works well for dry scalps to use warmed olive or almond old and massage it carefully into the scalp and hair.

Leave the old on overnight, if possible, by covering the hair with a plastic bath cap and a toweling turban. Wash the oil off the next day by applying diluted shampoo directly to the scalp before adding any water.

Dandruff, it is generally accepted, comes in two distinct varieties.

The type medically known as pityriasis capitals is the simple kind and consists of white dry flakes falling from this than others, but it is basically to do with the rate at which the scalp sheds its dry skin cells.

This depends very much on the health and diet of each individual and is also stress-related.

Often, it can be cleared up by paying more attention to hair hygiene, using shampoo more often, it can be cleared up by paying more attention to hair hygiene, using shampoo more often, rinsing the hair very carefully after shampooing, brushing gently to rid the hair of the trapped cells, and massaging the scalp.

If a simple routine like this doesn’t work, the condition can be controlled with an anti-dandruff shampoo which slows down the rate at which the cells are shed from the scalp.

When the scalp is very greasy, simple dandruff can lead to the second type, known as seborrhea dermatitis, which is thick, oily, scaly, crusted, and weeping.

This condition almost always needs medical care and attention, but if it is fairly mild you can treat it yourself with a special dandruff preparation from the chemists.

These preparations may be poisonous or inflammable, as great care should be taken in following the correct procedure for using them.

Because not a great deal is known about this kind of dandruff, and because it is so often related to internal factors, it is always worth seeking a doctor’s advice if these preparations do not give good results within a couple of weeks.

The well-groomed male

Good grooming and an attractive appearance start with the hair. A good cut that takes its account the type and texture of the hair can do wonders, especially if your hair is unruly.

You need only blow it dry or leave it to dry naturally and it will fall into place, which is important if you have greasy hair.

Daily shaving may sometimes be a bore, but it is beneficial to the skin because the action of the razor takes away all the dead skin cells laying on the skin’s surface, as well as chopping off the whiskers.

But sometimes a man’s skin may develop a ‘razor rash’ and this is often caused by an allergic reaction to the fragrance in a particular soap or shaving foam.

Or, it may be that the skin was not properly ‘prepared’ beforehand. The skin should always be thoroughly dampened and softened before shaving to prevent irritation, and if an electric razor is used, special pre-shave lotions are available.

Very sensitive skins may also require moisturizing after shaving, and this is where after-shave balms can help.

Tougher skins will benefit from the bracing effect of after-shave lotions or tonic designed to tone up the skin and close pores.

Caring for beards and mustaches

Beards and mustache need to be trimmed regularly and carefully, and washed with soap, massaged firmly in to loosen the dead skin cells that can cause beard dandruff.

Beards and mustaches should be cut to suit the shape of the face, and the best person to do this is the barber. Once the shape is right, you can trim it yourself at home with a pair of sharp long-bladed hairdressing scissors.

Hairs should be kept even and the same length all over, and ‘stragglers’ that spoils the line should be cut off or shaved away.

A sparse beard and mustache will look thicker if they are kept short. Sometimes beard growth is quite different in color from the rest of the hair in extreme cases, the beard could be tinted to match but this really needs a professional’s skill to get it just right.

Factors Affecting Hair Growth

Average hair growth is half-inch every month but there are some factors that affect hair growth. The condition of the hair is directly linked to the physiological well-being of our bodies.

Apart from improper hair care; there are several other factors that can be detrimental to hair. Let’s know the factors affecting hair growth and the hair care system.

1. Hereditary: In a major case, hair growth depends on hereditary matter. Genes also determine hair color and density.

2. Nutrition: Nutrition is another most important factor for hair growth. There is some certain nutrition that affects hair growth they are vitamin B and iron. In absence of vitamin B and iron, you may lose hair. Nutrition is the most important part of the hair care system.

3. Exercise: Exercise affects hair growth. There are lots of exercises for hair like Scalp Massage Exercise, Balayam Yoga (Rubbing nails), Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold Pose). You may do that exercise to improve your hair growth. So, include exercise in your hair care system for better hair groth.

4. Health Issues: If anyone has any severe health issues it must affect hair growth.

5. Chemical and drug reactions: Because of over-styling and the use of lots of hair products you may victim of a chemical reaction. And it is the major factor that affects hair growth.

6. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and hormone levels can affect hair growth. Consult your doctor to get rid of this problem.

7. Birth control pills and menopause: Did you take birth control pills? Switching birth control pills or going off them may affect hair growth. Menopause can change the hormonal levels and it can affect hair growth.

8. Emotional stress, trauma: if you go through long stress physically like a car accident, surgery, or any other major physical stress it may affect hair growth. On the other hand emotional stress like divorce, death of a loved one, or major stress at work may cause short-time hair fall.

These factors, by and large, influence the hair condition and its proper growth. We all examine them when we discuss the hair disorders in succeeding chapters.

How to Manage Long Hair?

Every woman needs hair that is neat, simple, flattering, and easy to maintain. To end up with this kind of hair, you have to be with the right hair care tools and a practically manageable style. Let’s know how to manage long hair.

How to manage long hair (Hair Care System)

Caring for your hair will be much simpler if you have got the right products for your particular hair types as well as styling equipment that really performs. Here’s a checklist to follow.

Shampoo

Shamopp is an essential item for the hair care system. A good shampoo is the number one item or better still, make it several good shampoos. Although manufacturers insist that you don’t need to switch shampoos (at least not away from their brand), as the weather and the condition of your hair change, you may certainly want to change from brand to brand.

The best shampoo is not the most expensive, the one with the normal PH or the most enchanting scent. It’s the one that works best on your hair.

Ask friends or your hairdresser for recommendations and don’t be afraid to try new products to find those that work best for you.

When you have found it, decide just how often your hair must be washed to look its best. If your hair needs the everyday car, don’t try to get by washing it every other day.

No matter how good the cut or how pretty the style, your hair can’t look its best if it isn’t clean, fluffy, and manageable. (If you don’t have to shampoo frequently, keep the style as simple as possible so you don’t feel as though you’re spending all your free time on your hair).

Conditioner

Hair that’s washed frequently, permed or colored, or regularly exposed to heated hair appliances, will probably need a conditioner. Choose an instant liquid conditioner to apply after each shampoo.

Once a month, treat your hair and scalp to a deep conditioning treatment for extra nourishment. If your hair is damaged, use deep conditioner more often, say, two or three times a month.

Also remember that if the hair is really damaged, a conditioner cannot cure it, only make it look and feel better. To achieve a head of healthy hair, you’ve to go to cut off the damaged parts and start all over again. Chose your conditioner carefully this is also an important item for the hair care system.

Blow-Dryer

These come in all sizes and wattages, some with the styling equipment, some solo. The one that’s best for you is the one you find easiest to use with good results. (if you must travel for your job invest in a small blow-dryer that’s easy to pack).

Curling Iron

It is rather time-consuming to create a complete style with a curling iron but this appliance is great for touchups or a few quick curls. You might keep a portable curling iron ready in your purse or desk drawer for reviving a wilted hairstyle.

Brushes and Combs

For just plain brushing, choose a brush with natural bristles or open with heavy plastic bristles embedded in a rubber cushion.

If you like nylon bristles, bristles, be sure you check to see that the tips are rounded. Any bristles cut straight across can tear your hair.

When you blow-dry your hair, you will want around, natural bristles brush. These come in several sizes the larger brushes create a fuller, looser style; smaller ones are best for a tighter, curler look.

The easiest comb to use is one with a handle or “Tail”. Pocket combs work only for very short hair. This two thing brush and comb is a must for a hair care system.

Setting Tools

If electric appliances don’t do the job for your hair, you do have other options. Rollers, either the foam kind or hard plastic ones, will give you a full, fluffy style.

Stay away from brush rollers or rollers secured with hair picks as they both tend to break hair. Boddy pins or clips can be used for pin curls that produce effects, ranging from deep waves to fine ripples.

Setting Aids

If you do set your hair with rollers or pin curls, save time by setting gels and lotions.

You can put more hair on each roller if you take advantage of these setting aids and your style will also last longer.

After the comb-out, hair spray will help to hold the line of your but be careful not to overspray.

Hair Accessories

Try plain barrette or small hair combs to rescue a fallen style. If hair is longer, you can sweep it back with a coated band.

Have a ready supply of these in your makeup bag or desk drawer for when your hair or the weather has an off day.

Choosing the right hair accessories is an essential part of the hair care system. you can buy your hair accessories from here.

Choosing a Hairdresser

A good hairdresser is just as vital to pretty hair as the right hair care equipment and the ideal style. However, a good hairdresser is hard to find. Here are some tips to help you in your search.

Your hairdresser should give you a style that fits both your hair type and your lifestyle.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, on the job, or off, you don’t want a hairstyle that must be constantly protected from the weather elements.

The same goes if you live in a damp or windy climate Don’t let anyone talk you into a difficult style.

The cut should grow out gracefully, too. If it is scruffy and scraggy by the third week, the cut wasn’t good, to begin with. Even hair that grows rapidly should look good for about five to six weeks.

One of the best ways to find a good hairdresser is through word of mouth. (Trial and error works but the errors can be very trying).

So ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, even strangers whose hair-dos you like, for the name of their hairdresser. It’s detective work that should pay off. Choosing the right hairdresser for the hair care system is a must.

How to Colour Hair?

Do you know how to color the hair? The primary rule is, avoid overlapping of color by retouching surfaces every four weeks. No more and no less. Exactly every four weeks.

If dying or bleaching is scheduled sooner, you overprice the previously treated hair and this is very noticeable from the hair’s dry and brittle appearance.

If you color or bleach five or six weeks later, you underlap the previously treated hair and create an uneven structure of the hair.

This is harmful since the original chemical process of dyeing or bleaching alters the structure of the hair, to begin with. So an exact four-week retouch is a must.

In addition, after coloring, you must allow your hair to remain dry for three days and three nights to allow the process to oxide properly.

All about Perm Hair

A salon perm is different from a home perm in that most perm lotions contain chemicals that damage hair, when used by inexperienced users and frequently result in under-processing-that, is little or no wave.

Your stylist, however, has the technical knowledge and expertise to know exactly which strength of perm solution, rod size, and wrapping technique is best for your hair and hairstyle.

Your stylist’s technical training and professional knowledge also allow him/her to select the proper timing for the curl reformation.

How long does the service take?

With today’s busy lifestyle, the busy woman is hesitant to allow time for a perm. Once the decision is made to have a perm, allow from 1½ to 2½ hours for the service.

The largest part of the service and one of the most important is the wrapping of the hair on the perm rods. Do not try to rush your stylist; some wrapping techniques can take as long as one hour.

Costing for perm hair

The price of a salon perm varies just as the price of a haircut does, depending on the salon, stylist, condition of your hair, and the style you want.

Whatever be the price, this is a small price to pay for an important fashion accessory that you wear 24 hours every day.

When should one have a haircut, before or after?

Hair can be cut before the perm, after the perm, or not at all.

This depends on your stylist, your personal style preference, and the condition of your hair.

Your professional stylist will be glad to advise you.

Does natural curly hair require a permanent wave?

People with curly hair do get germs, to re-direct natural curl into a more manageable pattern or to achieve a particular look or style and to even out the curl.

Also if you would prefer a smoother, less curly look, a perm on larger rods can reform the curl into a larger smoother curl pattern. Your professional cosmetologist is trained to redirect your curl pattern the way you want it to be.

Some Cautions on permanents for perm hair

1. There is no reason why anyone cannot have a perm.

However, if you have skin abrasiveness or scalp irritation, it is advisable to tell your stylist and wait until they are healed before proceeding with the service.

1. Some medications build up on the hair shaft affecting the results of the perm.
2. Some people who have abused their hair will need a series of treatments prior to a perm service; and
3. Always consult your professional cosmetologist who will advise you about the proper procedures.

you should always be careful about perm hair it may affect your overall hair care system.

How to get rid of unwanted hair at home easily?

Unwanted hair is the term usually used to describe hair, growing on any part of the body that the individual finds unsightly and unattractive.

Here we provide some essential tips for how to get rid of unwanted hair at home easily.

It is interesting to note that where we allow hair to grow and show is usually the product of social and cultural tradition.

For instance, in some parts of Europe women allow their underarm hair to grow freely and naturally, while in other countries underarm hair is usually removed, as leaving it to grow is often seen as a lack of proper hygiene and grooming.

Although attitudes are changing and there is less social pressure on women to conform to traditional images of beauty many women do in fact find excess body hair unattractive and as a cosmetic refinement choose to remove it.

The legs face (upper lip and chin) underarms and breasts are the areas that usually receive the most attention but some women even choose to modify the shape of their pubic hair in order to look good in bikini briefs.

But whatever you feel about your body hair it no longer has to be the problem it once was. And if you do choose to remove it there are now many methods of dealing with it effectively.

In our society, facial and body hair on a woman are considered unattractive and unfeminine. It is a continuous endeavor of women to rid themselves of unwanted superfluous hair.

So, here we provide some most effective ways to how to get rid of unwanted hair in this post.

The problem of excess body hair is medically called Hirsutism and is considered hereditary to a large extent. Some ethnic groups tend to be hairier than others.

Psychologically, the dark-haired ladies are often distress-sed with their excess hair problem, when they actually have no more than usual. Their hair is dark and therefore more noticeable than in the case of women with light-colored hair.

Causes of growing unwanted hair

The activity of the endocrine glands escalates during puberty, menopause, or due to certain internal disorders. The growth of superfluous hair accompanies the hormonal changes that occur.

• During puberty, the hormonal disturbance is characterized by the erratic menstrual cycle, underdeveloped breasts, and often hairiness.
• Tumors, cysts of the ovaries,  diseases of the adrenal glands, malfunctioning, and tumors of the other endocrinal glands, such as the pituitary and thyroid also lead to a serious hormonal imbalance which triggers off hair growth.
• Stress and tension are negative factors in excessive hair growth. The hair follicles are under the hare influence of hormones. Emotional stress and anxiety disturb the hormonal activity which stimulates the hair follicles on our body.
• There are certain drugs that adversely react and cause hirsutism. The drugs most likely to cause hair growth are birth control pills, cosmetic creams containing hydrocortisone, dean dome a drug to dry up milk glands in new mothers, and Dilantin used for epilepsy.

Some effective way of how to get rid of unwanted hair

There are several methods used to deal with the problems of superfluous hair. However, on this page, we shall discuss those methods which women can easily do at home.

Some other methods not discoursed here require the services of expert cosmetologists.

Plucking and cutting

Plucking is a commonly used method for removing stray eyebrow hairs or stragglers on the chin upper lip nipples and chest.

Its greatest disadvantage is that whereas it is a swift inexpensive method it can distort hair root and damage it.

This means that the hair grows back at an angle or even grows inwards. It has also been suggested that the shock of plucking stimulates hair growth by irritating the hair follicle, causing it to produce two hairs rather than one.

Cutting hair close to the surface of the skin is another useful way to deal with stray hairs. It is the best way to get rid of hair growing from moles as unlike plucking it is unlikely to tamper with the source of the hair or the mole itself.

(Do remember that any obvious change in the moles on your body either in color or in size should be reported to your doctor at once).

Bleaching to camouflage

This method is extremely useful for concealing light, fine and fuzzy hair. Bleaching is less successful on very dark hair, which tends to turn an unattractive yellow-orange. When done properly, bleaching is safe and simple.

Since some skins are sensitive to bleaching agents, always perform a patch test. First, apply a little bleach on your neck and wait for 20 minutes.

If there is no reaction, go ahead. An excellent bleaching recipe is given in the pigmentation chapter.

The harmful effect of bleaching: it sometimes damages the hair shaft and causes temporary breakage.

Shaving

It is the quickest and easiest to follow but has to be done more frequently than other routine methods. Within a  few days, a prickly stubbly reappears. For the best results, it has to be done regularly and as often as once or twice a week.

There is one misconception regarding shaving-using a razor that makes hair grow coarser. It is a wrong notion.

Shaving only leaves an oblique tip that feels stubbly and coarse until the sharpness wears off. Never dry-shave with a razor.

If your skin is sensitive, smooth on some almond oil or a moisturizer, then lather with soap or shaving cream for a closer finish. Use long upward strokes on the legs and upwards under the arms.

While shaving, the top layer of skin is loosened, so under-arm deodorants are used immediately after shaving irritate. If the hair regrowth starts early, smooth it with a pumice stone.

Tweezing

It is a popular and effective method used for removing scattered hair on the face and eyebrows.

It is not recommended for larger areas since pulling hair roots can be painful and time-consuming.

Plucking out hair has no adverse side effects as with other methods of temporary hair removal.

Some points to be remembered are:

• Constant and repeated tweezing leads to tiny pitted scars.
• It is important to sterilize the tweezer to avoid infection.
• Do not pluck hair from moles and warts.
• Rub some ice on the area before and after tweezing to ease the pain.

Waxing

This method is ideal for legs, arms, and underarms. Hair reappears in about four to six weeks. The more the area is waxed, the less the hair is likely to regrow as it damages the hair follicle.

Hot wax is best for facial hair. It is applied to the area, allowed to cool, and then pulled off in the opposite direction. Try this recipe at home.

• Apply the wax to the skin in the direction of the hair growth. Place a cellophane strip or muslin cloth on top of it and smooth it out. Zip-off the strip quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. In case of tiny bumps develop after waxing, it may be an allergy. Take an Avil tablet before waxing and after waxing, use a body lotion.

Make your Own Wax at home

Home wax recipes:  you could buy the ready-made wax from the market or make your own.

Necessary ingredients:

1. 500 gm sugar
2. 1 cup of water
3. ¼ teaspoon citric acid
4. ½ tsp glycerin

Heat water and sugar till sugar melts. Add citric acid dissolved n ½ cups warm water. When it reaches one thread consistency, remove it from the fire, and add glycerin.

Depilatories (Like Anne French)

Depilatory creams or lotions dissolve the hair just under the skin’s surface and give a much smoother and longer-lasting result than other temporary methods, such as shaving.

Some people, however, may experience an allergic reaction to an in-gradient in a particular formula, so it is very important, when using a depletory for the first time, to try it out on a small, hidden area of the body to determine its effects.

Depilatories usually come in cream, lotion, or aerosol form, and some are specially formulated for use on the face. They are smoothed onto the skin, left for the recommended time, and then rinsed off, taking the hairs with them.

Never leave a depilatory on your skin longer than is recommended, and always rinse the skin very thoroughly afterward with plenty of clear, lukewarm water.

These shave hair chemically by dissolving it away at the skin level. Depilatories are available in creams and liquids. Often new hair growth appears in a week.

Wash and dry the area to be dilapidated. Apply the cream and leave it on for a specified time. Later wash the area with soap and water and pat it dry. Use a moisturizing lotion after dilapidation.

Electrolysis

Unwanted hair can be permanently removed from electrolysis or a similar technique. This involves passing an electric current through individual hair follicles and works by destroying the hair root and surrounding cells so that hair will not re-grow from the treated follicle.

Only a few hairs can be treated in any one season, and many sessions over a long period may be required to clear a large area. For this reason, electrolysis is best used where the hair is sparse-such as on the face.

Because of the delicate nature of the treatment, permanent hair removal should be carried out only by trained specialists at reputable salons or clinics. Treatment tends to be expensive, but because it is a once-and-for-all job, it is well worth it for those women who find facial hair, nipple hair, or chest hair distressing.

Hope you find some useful information for your hair care system in this article, if so please share it with your friends and family.

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