"So Your Hair Goes POOF" So WHAT

by Crystal Styles - Advice Blogger

Public Speaker / Journalist / Columnist / Author
Contributing Writer - Black College Today Magazine
 
Social Media Mgr. / Asst. Dir. of Marketing  - Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils, Aunt Jackie's Girls, Texture My Way, Organics, Kids' Organics, Africa’s Best and more.

To book Crystal for speaking engagements: Submit your request in the "Contact Crystal" form to the right of this post.

 

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  "So Your Hair Goes POOF" So WHAT

Negative conversation surrounding “poofy hair”  has irked me for a looonngg time.  (Yes-I made up a word).  I mentioned this topic briefly in “Crystal’s Side Note” in Black College Today Magazine July/August Edition ‘14.  You can find the blurb in my Blog Archive to the right of this post, if you missed the article.  Anyway, why is it frustrating, for some, when your hair texture reverts back to its natural state after being heat pressed or Keratin treated? Why do women find ourselves running from the rain and humidity?  Is it not OK for your beautiful curls to reappear?  Wait--before you answer, I want to admit I too have struggled with the same hair foe…not wanting to sweat out my freshly pressed hair.  I must tell you though, over the past 4 years of transitioning into my natural, I am now a bit annoyed when my tresses are pressed TOO straight…go figure, right.  I’ve gone from wanting to keep my bone-straight relaxed look, to not wanting my hair pressed too flat.  I now enjoy the body, bounce and fullness that texture offers.

TELL ME YOUR CHOICE?

How do you feel about your hair reverting back to its natural texture after being heat pressed? Does it irritate you?  Are you frustrated? Ashamed to be out in the public?  Or, are you ok with watching your hair bounce-back to its natural volume? 

Send me a comment in the Contact Crystal form on the right.  Share the article with your college buddies, co-workers and family folks. I’d really like to hear your opinions about this topic.

RAIN DON’T BOTHER ME

Textured hair is gorgeous hair, as is chemically-straightened hair, if that is your choice.   All women should feel good about the decision to either wear your hair chemical-free, or chemically straightened.  In reality, running from humidity or fretting about sweating out your tresses is absolutely NOT just a natural woman’s worry.  Relaxed-hair women also face the dilemma of trying to maintain smooth edges and manageable kitchens. 

Psss..if you’re under 21 and not familiar with the terminology kitchen, send me a quick message in the Contact Form, I’ll tell ya’ all about it.  Hint: It is textured hair lingo, with a negative connotation, from back in the day.

YOUR CHOICE BUT KNOW WHY..

This is a tough conversation for many folks, but it’s always a good idea to recognize the knowledge behind the know-how.  Are you consciously aware of why, for generations, many women have been, and still are, more comfortable with chemically-straightened hair or bone-straight pressed hair, even though it is completely different from the texture of hair growing from their scalp? Of course, these embraced ways stem from a trained mindset inherited from decades of folks telling women that our textured hair is not acceptable, that the images of straighter hair means better hair.

LIFT HER UP

I sure hope by now, with such a dynamic of positive, natural-hair images depicting smart, highly intelligent, professional women of color, that this support helps you show off your bold locks, curls, twists and coils. You probably don’t think much about it, but the presence of beauty vloggers and bloggers online serves as strong reinforcement in support of your beautiful self!  It’s awesome and invigorating to witness young adults and school age children rockin’ their own hair—the hair that grows naturally from their scalp—women believing that their ethnic hair is absolutely just as beautiful as any other texture.

DON’T BE OFFENDED

Relaxed ladies—please do not feel offended by my comments on natural hair.  This article is intended to be food for thought and evoke good topics of conversation.  It is in no way intended to be offensive toward those who choose to wear your hair chemically-relaxed.  As a matter of fact, segments of natural women have decided to return to relaxers for reasons such as: not having enough time to maintain their natural hair, discovering they are causing heat-damage by over-pressing in an effort to keep their hair straight, or feeling that tight-natural-curls just do not suit their personalities.  They tried it, but natural just wasn’t for them.  And I say—do what’s most comfortable for your own self-esteem.  At the end of the day, you must feel good about who you are as a whole woman.  


LET YOUR TOPIC SHINE!  

Guess What? You can tell Crystal what beauty care topics matter to you by sending her a message through the "Contact Crystal" form on Crystal-Knows.blogspot.com.

Maybe your topic will get picked for a future article. If so, your picture will be featured in the post!!

"PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM THE FALL OUT"

by Crystal Styles - Advice Blogger

Public Speaker / Journalist / Columnist / Author
Contributing Writer - Black College Today Magazine
 
Social Media Mgr. / Asst. Dir. of Marketing  - Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils, Aunt Jackie's Girls, Texture My Way, Organics, Kids' Organics, Africa’s Best and more.

To book Crystal for speaking engagements: Submit your request in the "Contact Crystal" form to the right of this post.

 

WIN YOUR FAVORITE 
"AUNT JACKIE'S " 
HAIR PRODUCT

EMAIL YOUR ANSWER TO THE (?) BELOW BY CLICKING THE "WIN A GIVEAWAY" LINK

What type of alopecia does tight sew-ins cause? 

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 It’s FALL!…and with it comes an array of eclectic foliage colorings and downed leaves.  As the sunlight wanes, shorter days encroach, and beautifully enriched, green leaves slowly lose their abundance of bursting chlorophyll.  Carotenoids and anthocyanins (pigments) push through, reflecting brilliant reds, yellows and browns.  Leaves slowly brownout, floating away from their beginnings to make way for a new burst of fresh flowers and greenery, once the sun’s strength returns. 

What?! - Don’t Get It Confused

New leaves, like human hair, do return indeed—zillions in fact, which causes us to forget that they had temporarily gone away.  But don’t get leaves confused with hair.  Humans have an average of about 100,000 hairs on the head at any given time (zillions would be a bit much..you agree) with about 100 of those strands shedding each day; a very normal process, I should add. I thought I would throw in a poetic comparison of the leaf life cycle (smile), just as a little something to ease your anxiety while we discuss a stressful subject—excess, abnormal hair shedding…Yikes! And while my findings may not be the absolute answer for all readers, there is valuable information here to help.    

In Black College Today, July-August ’14 edition, we discussed reasons, and a few solutions, for hair shedding that does, at times, stem from a lack of moisture in dry, summer heat.  Now, we’ll talk more in-depth about reasons for extra excess shedding of tresses and some additional solutions to help you discover the one or ones that work best for you!

Do You See What I See?

Yes, I know.  You’re looking in the mirror and you see a family resemblance occurring--your hair is thinning in the same areas on your scalp as your grandmother, grandfather or one or both of your parents.  Or wait! No one in your family is bald, but your hair is gradually thinning? What?!

Life Cycle of Hair

In order to understand what might be happening to your tresses, you should first understand the life cycle of hair.  Hair transitions through (3) phases. The Anagen phase: this growth phase lasts 2 to 6 years, as cells multiply creating new hair across the scalp while pushing out old hair.  The Catagen phase: hair growth stops in this phase, while club hairs are formed (when the sheath of the hair follicle root attaches to the base of individual hairs, completely cutting them off from blood supply).  And the Telogen phase: in this phase, it is very common to see a dry, white substance around the base of hairs pulled out or shedding from your scalp.  Club hairs detach during this resting period which lasts about 100 days.  Just to note, all three phases are usually occurring in different areas of the scalp, at the same times. Any phase may dominate certain areas of the scalp, giving way to hair growth or shedding at different rates, causing you to possibly experience longer or shorter hair strands on varying sections of your head. 

Self-Inflicted Hair Shed!  Did I say that?  YES--I did!  

Calling All Weave Wearers:  STOP your hairstylist in his/her tracks (yes..pun intended) from braiding your hair too tight!  I can’t tell you how many professional braiders I’ve heard boastfully bragging about how tight they braid hair.  I’m sorry to tell you, but this is not a badge of honor. Braiding hair too tight, especially around the edges of your hairline, causes traction alopecia for thousands of weave wearers.  Many weavers ignore the gradual signs of balding by continuing to get tight sew-ins, as a means of covering over the damage.  “Camouflaging allows women to forget or ignore the alopecia as it insidiously worsens,” says Dr. Susan Taylor, MD and Harvard Trained Dermatologist (Huffingtonpost.com).

STOP!--and start asking your stylist to braid your tresses gently. Trust me, if the weave is sewed in correctly, it will last.  If your favorite stylist is incapable of implementing a better technique, then search for a braider who knows about hair care.  Don’t be afraid to look for someone who will care about your real hair, not just raving over how fabulous your weave looks. 

 

Take a mental snapshot of what I’m about to say.  So your stylist braids your hair super tight to your scalp, causing tiny fine bumps to raise around the edges of your scalp, not to mention the 3 day headache you are about to undergo (but of course, you probably ingested a couple of pain relievers prior to sitting for the sew-in, right?).  Then, the stylist tightly sews a protective net over your braids (of course the net is good protection against weave friction, but the tight sewing method adds additional stress to your hair follicles, cancelling out the purpose of the net which is designed to protect your hair from breakage…hmm).  Now, it’s time for the tracks! One by one, your stylist sews in each weft, tightly wrapping another layer of thread around the already binded braids.  When done, you walk away feeling like you just had a face lift.  Is anyone following me?….this is not good for your hair--follicles--or scalp!  Now you might be saying, well my hair is strong and can take the pressure.  I say, have a few conversations with women who thought the same but over the years realized they now have bald spots.  If no other hair issues exist, simply changing braiding techniques will allow your hair to grow back but continuing to tightly braid your hair can cause permanent balding…so beware.

Doctor’s Orders

Now that you have a little more information about hair loss, the next step is to get a checkup. Talk with your physician to see if certain conditions like diet deficiencies, thyroid disease, scalp fungus, internal infections or chemicals could be causing excess shedding.

There are some medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, known to slow down hair thinning. Discuss both non-surgical and surgical solutions with your doctor.  He or she can help you make a sound decision about the correct remedy for you.  If your hair shedding is due to scalp fungus, try using a good dandruff shampoo at least twice a week, but be sure to add moisture to your hair after each treatment.  Deep conditioning and hot oil treatments may help too.

Hungry Hair

This is just my opinion, but I suggest you try boosting your intake of dark, colorful vegetables, protein and vitamins before diving into surgical hair replacement solutions.  Be cautious of your diet habits.  Hair needs protein, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins including A, B, C, D, E, and biotin.  Don’t forget about foods rich in iron, zinc and minerals which play key roles in healthy hair growth. If you’re starving yourself to get into that fav dress you bought last summer, you could be altering your hair health in the process…make sure your diet includes nutrients for internal health as well as healthy skin, scalp and hair. 

Above all, try not to stress over your hair loss. Stress, in itself, can possibly cause hair loss to accelerate, so don’t sweat the small stuff.  And as always, be well...and be Happy! 

Check out Crystal's articles in each new edition of Black College Today Magazine! 

 
Guess What?  
You can tell Crystal what beauty care topics matter to you by contacting Crystal @  Crystal-Knows.blogspot.com.  Maybe your topic will get picked for a future article!

                                                                                                                    

"SUMMER HAIR"

by Crystal Styles

Journalist / Columnist
Contributing Writer - Black College Today Magazine
 

Author – “Knot Afraid of the rain” publishing Winter ‘14

Social Media / Asst. Dir. of Marketing  - Brands: Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils, Texture My Way, Organics, Kids’ Organics, Africa’s Best and more.

 
"WIN "FREE" HAIR PRODUCTS" (link below)

To book Crystal for speaking engagements: Submit your request in the "Contact Crystal" form to the right of this post.

tweeting @CrystalKnows

        

Some of yours, some of theirs, we don’t care but your hair does

Ladies, I thought I’d get your attention with this title.  Now that I have it, let’s talk about how to nurture your doo in the summer heat and humidity, especially if you’re a naturalista trying to hold your elongated twists and curls in place, while stepping out at summer festivities. Like me, you probably get pretty frustrated with figuring out what to do with your hair when the atmosphere is not quite working with ya’.  Some days you wear your own textured hair, other days you might press those tresses straight, or slap on your handy wear-n-go wig.  Mid-week you’re sitting for a quick weave, and if you have enough time, you just might get a full sew-in.  Of course, all of these versatility choices are just fine, as long as you’re taking care of your real hair better than you’re caring for the summer extensions. Even while wearing body wave, deep wave or straight weave, you must remember to wash, condition and moisturize your own hair underneath, as needed.

rush-n-go hair

Too often, because of busy class and work schedules, social living and tons of other priorities, it’s easy to fall into a slump of not caring for your own hair, covered over with summer their hair. You know - out of sight, out of mind.  Lots of ladies tend to acclimate to the habit, if you don’t see it under the wigs and weaves, that means it’s not necessary to maintain it--NOT!  Don’t fall into the trap.  Human hair is like grass growing from the roots of the earth.  If you cover it up with a mat without sun (vitamin D exposure), sufficient moisture and nourishing soil, it will eventually wither, turn brown and brittle, and simply fail to grow strong and healthy.  It will lose its vibrant hues and sheen.

You’ve heard it countless times, natural hair must have lots of moisture, even more so in the summer, in order to maintain style manageability, void of that dry feel.  And I know what you’re thinking--all I need is a good moisturizer for my mane to seal in the softness  and elasticity, and I’m good.  If you’re thinking that, you’re correct but only partially.  Did you know moisture and nourishment, inside the body, are more essential to how your hair behaves, than the moisture you put on top? Yes, nutrients aren’t equally important but hands down are more superior than your favorite hair products.

On average, the rate of hair growth is about 0.5 inches per month.  However, diet and overall health play key roles in how fast or slow your hair will grow.  It would be nice to believe that hair products, alone, can cause your hair to come in faster and maintain length but unfortunately, that's not the case.  Having a healthy diet of lots of H2O, fruits, vegetables and the right protein balance, along with exercise, and scalp massages (which stimulate blood flow), all aid in how fast you will see beautiful new growth and luster, even during incalescent weather.

“The nutrients you eat today help fortify the hair follicle -- from which each strand is born -- and the scalp that surrounds it. "Healthier follicles? Healthier hair. Healthier scalp? Healthier hair!" states New York nutritionist Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author of The Beauty Diet.

i’m moisturizing & eating healthy, but why is my hair shedding more in the summertime?

Hair sheds at a normal rate of 100 strands per day, so don’t be alarmed.  A healthy dose of moisture balance (inside and out) helps to prevent excessive breakage and shedding. Wearing protective styles and using less heat is a good regiment to follow. Prepping your hair at night for the next day will significantly minimize usage of excess heat for rush-n-go styling each morning.  Here are a few night-time tools and techniques to consider: roller sets, flexirods, pin curling, wrapping, twisting, braiding and bantu knotting. Be sure to cover your mane with a silk or satin scarf, or use a satin pillow case if you’re uncomfortable with binding your hair down while sleeping. 
     

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Just a little side note for a later conversation.  Try not to get all bent out of shape when your hair goes "Poof."  Definition: when textured hair reverts back to its original curl pattern, after it has been pressed with heat, keratin treated or flattened using the pin curl method.

It's your hair, the hair that grows textured from your scalp naturally.  So embrace it, while learning and trying new techniques that work best for you, not what others think will work best for you.

And please ladies, stop comparing your hair--what it does and doesn't do, to your BFFs, family members, classmates and co-workers.  Champion your own tresses.  Work with what cha' got and be happy!

We’ll talk more in-depth on Crystal-Knows Blog and in Black College Today Magazine, September-October edition, about other reasons for abnormal hair shedding, and some solutions to help slow down or stop excess diffusion of your tresses.  Stay tuned for healthier hair tips for a healthier you.