Do you have a burning hair or makeup question you're dying to ask someone, but don't want to feel embarrassed? Email me directly with all your questions so I can answer them accordingly in my FAQ blog entries, leaving yourself anonymous to the public if you like. If you don't mind, feel free to ask anything in the comments or leave a follow-up statement if you like. Thanks for reading!
If I color my hair too much, will I go bald?
No. There is not a link from hair color to hair loss. However, using hair color in a way different than that explained in the manufactures direction can lead to over-processing. When over-processing occurs, the outer layer of the hair shaft, the cuticle, stays open instead of laying flat like roof shingles. This lets essential moisture escape from the hair. When hair is not kept moist enough it can cause the hair to become brittle, thus making it break in pieces, but if the scalp is not effected by general use of color then there should be no hair loss.
Why do I have flakes from dry scalp even after I use conditioner frequently?
First, you may be using the wrong conditioner. Take a look at your conditioner bottle. Unfortunately the question about what types of products are better, professional vs. grocery store, must come into play. Are you using a good conditioner? If you are have scalp issues with your current product, that means you need to switch to a better one. One with more actual moisturizers in it. Second, notice what season you are in. You may only need to switch products depending on the current climate. Scalps tend to be drier in the winter or on colder days. Third, your shampoo may also have something to do with the issue. Not all people need a ton of specifically moisturizing products but if you are having problems with dry scalp you may have to change everything you are using together. Invest in a higher-end shampoo and conditioner and stay away from hot water. You want to soak and rinse you hair in cool water at all times.
Are professional hair care products better and worth the extra money compared to stuff I can buy at the grocery store?
Yes. However, fabulous hair care products mean nothing without the diagnosis of what you need from a knowledgeable hair stylist. For example, a giant bottle of family shampoo isn’t going to ease your husband’s psoriasis, rid your infant’s cradle cap and cure your frizzy locks. Each individual issue requires it’s own solution.
Ok, so what makes them better?
This is one of those topics where the phrase you get what you pay for really makes sense. For example, price is a good indicator of the quality of ingredients that are in your product. Cheaper products use cheaper ingredients, such as sulfates. Sulfates are added to shampoo to make water seem wetter and really lather when you use them. It is also a detergent, which is found in soaps. Soaps are naturally very alkaline, while your hair and skin have a slightly acid pH of 4.5-5.5. Using a pH balanced shampoo will keep your hair from having the dry feeling that cheaper shampoos and conditioners can seem to produce. Professional products use a better quality and less harsh surfactant (the sulfates), or none at all. You might notice that some higher end, more expensive products from the grocery store have a similar effect as low to mid-range professional brands. Read the ingredients: Is the first ingredient listed water? Skip it and pick something worth your money.
Why can’t I seem to achieve the same style at home after I leave the salon?
After you finished getting your new hair cut, did your stylist recommend and educate you on the products they used? Did they let you hold them, smell them, touch them and read any instructions and offer you answers to your product questions? Did you purchase each and every mentioned product? If not, you may have a difficult time replicating what your pro did for you. Remember, it all starts with basics. In the shower, using good quality products to cleanse and condition your hair leave it ready for style. Maybe you’ve purchased everything necessary but can’t seem to use the tools right. Know that you can not heat style your hair with even just a brush until your hair is at least 80% dry, just from finger drying and towel blotting. If you’re using a flat iron or a curling iron make sure you are protecting your hair from potential heat damage by using a heat protectant.
