New Hair Serenity Service at Lakme Salon Tired of your frizzy, tangled hair?
Leave the old behind and say Hello to the new Hair Serenity Service at Lakmé Salon
Gives you gorgeously smooth, manageable and party ready hair completely naturally without using formaldehyde.
Play it sleek as Lakmé Salon delivers the latest innovation to get silky straight hair with the launch of their new Hair Serenity treatment. Introduced to India by Lakmé Salon, the Hair Serenity treatment is a natural solution to hair that is unruly, frizzy and hair that refuses to behave. Unlike Keratin, the Hair Serenity treatment at Lakmé Salon is formaldehyde free and a safer process for achieving naturally smoother and shinier hair. Step away from the harmful effects of Keratin treatments and indulge in the natural goodness of ingredients like the Cysteine complex to get a glossy and healthy mane that will make heads turn. A pioneer in the beauty services industry in India, Lakmé Salon is a one stop shop for all the beauty needs of the contemporary Indian woman.
The Hair Serenity treatment is a natural way to restore lost proteins and transform hair. Special ingredients used in the service like Cysteine, Dendrobium Orchid, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Cocoa Seed Butter and Shea Butter help nourish the hair and give it a long lasting shine and smoothness.
Divided into seven essential steps, the service starts off with a detailed consultation with the Lakmé Salon expert who determines the condition of your hair and the best way to proceed with the treatment. The hair is then shampooed and the Cysteine complex is applied to the hair. The complex is allowed to process in your hair as it starts it work on making your hair healthier and more lustrous. The hair is then blow dried and flat-ironed to give it a sleek but yet not poker-straight finish. Post this, the hair is finally rinsed off and you are left with a naturally glossy and manageable blow dried look which lasts for approximately 3 months.
Thus this all-natural service helps:
• Work in synergy with the existing proteins to restructure, soften and release curls
• Penetration into the hair shaft for moisturizing and conditioning
• Helps for overall shine, softness, strength and health of hair
Get ready to glow this monsoon- Skin and Hair Tips Expert tips by Dr. Sangeeta Amladi, Head Medical Services, Kaya Skin Clinic
The onset of monsoon is a welcome relief after the sweltering summer heat. The thick grey clouds and the cool breeze makes you hum. But don’t be surprised if your skin doesn’t share your fervor.
The rainy season brings with it an increase in humidity, grime and pollution, which has the potential to play havoc with our skin. To fight all the skin woes, one is required to follow a simple but effective skin care regime. Keep your skin fresh and glowing by following the expert tips by to Dr. Sangeeta Amladi, Head Medical Services, Kaya Skin Clinic.
· Good and effective cleansing using a soap free cleanser is recommended. You could also use a gentle scrub (with uniform mild beads) once a day
· Cleansing should be followed by toning using an alcohol free toner, since increased humidity could open up your pores
· Use a sunscreen even on cloudy days
· Use a light lotion-based moisturizer or serum which will gently rehydrate your skin and also brighten it up
· Avoid heavy makeup and use waterproof make up when necessary
· Remember to nourish your skin from the inside too – eat salads blanched in boiling water to disinfect them, vegetable soup which will keep you warm and healthy and drink the usual 8-10 glasses of water. Your skin is always thirstier than you are!
Foot Care
· Effective cleansing of feet is very important as they would be exposed to lot of grime and muck
· Do not forget to completely dry your feet so as to prevent fungal infections
· Avoid wearing boots as these would hold water for a longer duration, creating a soggy environment for your feet
· A home pedicure should be done once a week. This would consist of soaking feet in warm water to which you can add 3-4 drops of Savlon, for 15-20 minutes, followed by cleansing your nails and scrubbing your feet with a foot scraper. Complete the pedicure by applying a light moisturizer
· When you go for pedicure, ensure that the instruments used are sterilized/ cleansed with disinfectants, or if possible use your personal instruments. Also instruct your aesthetician to avoid pushing the cuticles as toe nail fungal infections are very common in monsoons
Hair Care
· Good and effective cleansing using a volumising shampoo twice or thrice a week is highly recommended as hair tends to go limp in this season
· Conditioning your hair becomes twice as important during this season. Don’t shun it if you have sticky hair, instead opt for a light conditioner that is suited for limp, oily hair
· Keep the scalp dry to avoid scalp conditions like fungal and bacterial infections, which are more prevalent during the monsoon
· If you need to blow dry your hair, apply a leave-on conditioner prior to it
· Go easy on styling during this season. Excessive use of hair gels and sprays will only cause further damage
· Take time off from your busy schedule and book yourself a hair spa therapy appointment
· Oiling once a week would help but make sure you wash your hair well as residue oil can attract dust and grime, which along with sweat, can cause dandruff and even scalp infections
· Keep your hair trimmed and short during the season
· Food for hair – milk and milk products, nuts, soya products
While following these tips, one should also adhere to the below mentioned daily skincare regime to keep sparkling this season:
Monsoon skincare regime
PRODUCTS SUITABLE DURING MONSOON…
RECOMMENDED BY KAYA SKIN CLINIC:
· Kaya Revitalizing Tonic
· Kaya Foot Care Cream
· Kaya Soothing Cleansing Gel
· Kaya Daily Use Sunscreen with SPF 15
· Nourishing Shampoo
· Insta Brightening Micro Mask
· Purifying range for acne prone skin (cleanser, toner and moisturizer)
It is possible to enjoy healthy, glowing skin without a high-maintenance routine. Here are some rules that we should try and adhere to.
· Cleansing Washing the impurities away from your skin allows it to breathe. To protect the skin’s natural oils, avoid anti-fungal and perfumed soaps. Instead use a non-soapy cleanser that ensures deep pore cleansing
· Toning This helps to tighten the pores and prevent pimples. A non-alcoholic toner incorporated into your basic cleansing regime every morning and before going to bed will prevent skin infections and eruptions
· Moisturizing People who spend a lot of their time in an air-conditioned environment need to keep their skin moisturized. However, those with oily skin should do so only twice every day. Their skin’s natural oils will keep it hydrated
· Don’t rub your face while drying it
The facial skin is very delicate so rubbing it with a towel can cause hyper-pigmentation. Gently pat it dry, avoid any kind of friction
· Don’t step out without sunscreen protection
As long as there is daylight, our skin needs protection from UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you step out and re-apply every three to four hours
· Regular Maintenance For glowing blemish free skin, adhere to your skin treatments like facials, cleanups, skin polishing, peels, etc, as suggested by your dermatologist. In fact the monsoon season is area very good time to do peels and lasers, as post care is much less due to the absence of direct sun rays
To complement your daily skin care regime, you can also try the below mentioned services by Kaya Skin Clinic:
· Recently launched Fruit Sorbet is a unique service by Kaya Skin Clinic, which uses a combination of cutting-edge technology and exotic natural ingredients to luxuriously pamper and nourish your skin, giving it brilliant radiance instantly!
· Kaya Aqua Radiance, a service that uses the revolutionary JET aviation technology. Exclusive to Kaya in India, the service infuses vitamins deep into the skin. Drawing on the healing properties of oxygen and water to replenish skin cells, this service uses cool and soothing supersonic jet sprays to gently slough off layers of dead cells,instantly enabling your pores to breathe while restoring lost lustre.This service complemented with a proper skincare regime would be the ideal recipe to keep your skin radiant and glowing, in this weather.
· Aqua Fairness is an enhancement service perfect for those who are looking to overcome effects of sun tanning post summers. This service provides excellent hydration and helps in preventing the effects of the sweltering heat and scorching sun.The unique JET technology uses the goodness of water and air to provide lymphatic drainage which rids the face of toxins. This process is then followed by deep exfoliation. The glycolic peels used for “infusion” in the service are derived from sugarcane and penetrate the skin quickly and easily, allowing new skin to surface quicker. So although the sky may carry a gloomy cast, you can brush off your skin woes and guarantee healthy, beautiful and glowing skin with these handy tips and Kaya Skin Clinic!
Introducing Advance Techniques 3D Rescue from Avon
HAIR DAMAGE UNDONE
REPAIR THREE YEARS OF HAIR DAMAGE IN JUST THREE DAYS
The Breakthrough: 360 Repair Technology targets and repairs damage on every dimension – surface, core and ends, caused by all 3 sources – chemical, thermal and mechanical.
The Concept: Most women don’t wake up with salon-perfect hair: Styling takes time—and takes a toll. Over the course of one year, the average woman will devote 10 whole days (240 hours) to her styling routine, with most of that time spent damaging her hair. From curling and blow drying, to straightening and coloring, the styling damage builds up over time—leaving hair dull and lifeless. Avon developed new Advance Techniques 3D Rescue to reverse the effects of over-styling, repairing three years of damage in just three days.
The Technology: Avon’s 360 Repair Technology seeks out damage and goes below the surface to infuse moisture and strengthen from within.
The Results: In just three days, three years of hair damage is repaired. Hair looks and feels stronger, healthier, and instantly softer with 10x less breakage.[i] After one use, 91% of split ends are instantly repaired.
Fergie Says: “Whether I’m on tour or at a photo shoot, my hair is constantly being styled,” Fergie explains. Advance Techniques 3D Rescue fixes that damage and keeps my hair from breaking – it looks and feels so much smoother and healthier.”
PRICE: Rs 599 for 100 ml
AVAILABLE: June 2012
Where to buy: Available exclusively through your personal Avon Representatives. To locate an Avon Representative call Avon toll free number 1860-500-2866
Tame that frizzy hair this monsoon! Matrix introduces the new POWER.SHINE service – Enhanced Anti-Frizz Straightening.
Humidity during the monsoons can take a complete toll on your hair- making it frizzy, dull and unmanageable. Get your hair ‘Monsoon Ready’ with the MATRIX Power.Shine- enhanced anti-frizz straightening service. It is a permanent straightening service from MATRIX that includes a ‘straight sealing’ treatment. Hair is hydrated and nourished, keeping it healthy and frizz free. Your pre-monsoon straightening ritual got even better with this new service that not only gives you super straight hair that is feathery soft, but also high in shine!
During monsoons, excess humidity in the air causes the hair cuticle to open and swell up, increasing the frizz and volume in the hair. The natural shine is lost and hair becomes unmanageable. Now you can keep your monsoon woes and bad hair days at bay with the MATRIX Power.Shine Service that will make hair sleek and manageable. Imagine . . . Good hair day, EVERYDAY !
Before
After
It is an exquisite combination of the popular Opti.straight and Opti.care products by MATRIX for superior straightening results.
Opti.straight, the effective hair straightener is empowered with a multi-ionic technology that eliminates fly-aways and leaves hair feathery soft and light. The service uses the Opti.care Smoothing Shampoo and Intense Smoothing Hair Mask which are enriched with silk amino acids and shea butter. This intensely conditions the hair & tames frizz, leaving hair sleek and manageable. The service is completed by applying the Opti.care Split end Straightening Serum that repairs frayed tips and split ends and adds an instant shine. Hair is left looking healthy, lustrous and frizz free!
Power.Shine Service is available in 3 different strengths depending on hair type :
1. Sensitized (For Color treated or sensitized hair)
2. Normal (For naturally wavy or frizzy hair)
3. Naturally Resistant (For naturally curly or frizzy hair)
This is a professional service, and is available in MATRIX salons only.
To maintain your perfectly straightened hair during the rains, take home the MATRIX Opti.care smoothing shampoo, smoothing conditioner, and split end serum to maintain healthy looking, silky straight hair.
Rain proof your hair before the monsoon begins this year with MATRIX Power.Shine Service and keep your hair looking fabulous and shiny throughout the season!
About MATRIX
Matrix, part of L’Oreal’s Professional Products Division, is the No. 1 professional hair color and haircare company in the US reaching out to over 275,000 salons across the globe. Matrix was founded in 1980 by Arnie Miller, an American hairdresser, with a vision to revolutionalize the salon industry and empower the hairdresser to Dream, Dare and Succeed.
Matrix offers an extensive portfolio of innovative, high quality products to cover every salon need across all categories – haircare, haircolor, styling and texture. All formulae feature advanced smart technology to deliver expert professional results and simplified solutions.
The Matrix product portfolio in India includes Socolor.beauty and Wonder.Brown haircolor ranges. These wide ranges of hair color include special hi-lift shades for naturally dark Indian hair. The Biolage hair care range offers professional, in-salon hair treatments as well as home-use products. All Biolage products are developed with natural ingredients and the latest technology. Opti.Straight and Opti.Smooth hair straightening ranges provide two services – a quick, accessible straightening and a premium, luxury re-bonding service. Matrix also has a smart range of styling products Vavoom.
The Matrix Range of products is distributed exclusively through Matrix Salons across India.
I found this article online..and I thought of sharing it with you all..
Chances are, you’ve committed at least one or two hair faux pas. From waiting too long to get a haircut to combing hair while wet to choosing the wrong shampoo for your hair type, we’re all guilty of making a few hair mistakes in our time. Fortunately, these common hair mistakes are all easy to fix, so fear not and tread forth with determination to correct your past errors.
Delaying Haircuts
Waiting too long in between haircuts is one beauty sin women habitually commit. Always stay on top of hair appointments to keep hair manageable and beautiful. The ends of your hair often become brittle and dry, giving them a dull and unhealthy appearance.
“Get a haircut every six to eight weeks, depending on your growth,” says celebrity hairstylist Vasken Demirjian, whose client list includes the Kennedy family and whose salon has been named as one of the country’s top three by Salon Today Magazine.
He adds, “As a stylist, I know when a woman’s hair is at its optimum condition. It’s vibrant, shiny, reflective and alive. When you wait too long, you have split ends and your hair is less shiny and out of control.”
Choosing the Wrong Shampoo
Always choose a shampoo that’s tailored to your hair needs. For example, certain shampoos are created for fine, curly, color treated, gray or dandruff-prone hair.
“Read the description on the label and do your best to match the description on the label to your hair type,” advises Colin Lively, a NYC hair stylist who’s served as the artistic director for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons for 10 years.
For example, shampoos that say something like “for dry and brittle hair” will be too heavy for natural or fine hair, explains Lively. Conversely, shampoo intended for oily hair will be too harsh and drying on other types.
Once you’ve selected the appropriate shampoo, massage it onto your roots and scalp and rinse thoroughly. Any residual shampoo left on the shaft results in dull locks.
Combing Hair While Wet
Did you know that when your hair is wet, it’s more susceptible to damage? That’s a shame, considering so many women experience a tangle battle post shower. Turns out, combing your hair while it’s wet and tangled can result in hair breakage in addition to pain. Always use a detangling spray or softening agent before combing wet hair, advises Demirjian.
“You have to be extremely delicate when you comb your hair, whether wet or dry, but particularly when wet,” he says. “Also make certain you are using an excellent toothed comb.”
Lively adds — and this goes along with hair faux pas #2 — that if you struggle with matted and tangled hair, you’re probably using the wrong products for your hair type.
Putting Ponytail in Same Spot
Your hair is also susceptible to breaking when you place your ponytail in the same spot every day, explains Demirjian.
“A tight pony tail will have residual damage on the hairline, from the pull and tightness, as well as on the area where the ponytail is held by the band,” he explains. “Depending on the type of bands you use, you can even have loss of elasticity.”
Switch things up by either wearing hair down, moving the location of your ponytail or by using a less damaging hair tool, such as a barrette, claw or bobby pins.
Demirjian adds that wearing your locks the same way every single day — pony tail or not — is an injustice to your hair. Try something fun and flirty.
“Hair is your number one accessory,” he says. “Use it effectively.”
Rubbing Hair in Towel
It’s OK to wrap your hair in a towel post shower, but rubbing your hair in your towel is a beauty mistake that’ll leave your hair frizzy, unkempt and less healthy. The best post-shower protocol is to wring out excess water from hair with your hands and then to wrap it in a towel for 5 to 10 minutes. If you still have excess water in your hair, either re-wrap and wait another 10 minutes or gentle press your hair between a dry towel. Never, under any circumstances, rub. (Unless you want to sport a frizzy mane for the rest of the day.)
I am guilty of rubbing hair in towel sometimes and now I know why I get that frizz 🙁 And also delaying haircuts..I don’t go for cuts every 5 to 8 weeks..and I guess most of us do not ?
What the Company claims: Hair that appears dry and dull on the outside are actually damaged from inside. To combat this dryness of hair, Dove Nourishing Oil Care Vita Oil Serum gives instant nourishment to your hair.
It has revolutionary Vita-Oils that get easily absorbed to replenish essential oils. This instant nourishment smoothens up to 99% of roughness leaving your hair softer, shinier and more importantly damage free.
Directions:
Ingredients:
MRP: Rs. 300/- for 40ml
After reviewing the Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask..the Serum was the last one left for review..I quite loved those three things…and the range in general..how did this fare for me..well read on..
I liked the cylindrical packaging of this with the oval cap..and this is quite thick and sturdy..not one which would break or get cracks on falling. The pump dispensor pumps out the right quantity and does not ooze out too much.
Now this claims to smoothen out 99% of roughness..or give nourishment to the hair…since its a serum…I do not expect it to give nourishment..since we use serums to make our hair appear better and for a fact I do not think serums can give nourishment to the hair.
Though it contains oils..its not very oily and sticky..has a normal serum texture..it has this particular Dove smell..which I quiet like.
But it does make the hair shinier and smoother with less frizz..rainy season and winters make hair very frizzy..and the dryness and frizziness increases in winters especially..so yes this is something perfect for the season..and as it contains vital oils..it does help smooth out the dryness in hair.
Pros:
1. Does make hair shinier and smoother. 2. Controls frizz to a great extent. 3. The packaging is quite nice and sturdy enough. 4. Travel friendly. 5. The blend of vita oils helps reduce dryness in hair. 6. You need just 1-2 pumps…would last long. 7. Like the trademark Dove smell.
Cons:
1. I do not think it can nourish hair as claimed. 2. A little expensive compared to other serums. 3. If used too much..hair can feel weighed down and oily the next day. 4. Contains silicones…which with regular use can lead to product build up.
Overall I do like it..to control the dryness and frizz of hair..and the shinier, smoother effect it gives..would recommend trying it..and in the qty that best suits your hair..
Rating:
Quality: 3.75/5 Value for money: 3.5/5 Availability: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Would I buy it again: May be
P.S: Product gifted by brand through Indiblogger but it has not affected my opinion.
Natural Skin and Hair Care Products in your Kitchen
Guest Post by Kate
Women tend to do anything to look beautiful and gorgeous. Hence they don’t mind putting lots of their money in getting home costly cosmetic products for their beauty care. However, most of these cosmetic products are chemical based and at times can be lethal to your skin regardless of the small and big brand they come from. You might be lured and attracted to massive ads pertaining to beauty and cosmetic products promising you instant and good result. However, at the end of the day you hardly get anything trying them day in and day out. At such junctures, switching over to natural products can be a wise decision to make. Moreover, if you get beauty solutions in your kitchen only, what more would you want in life.
For your Hair and Scalp
For dealing with dandruff, using the juice made up of tomato can give good results. You can rid of scales by soothing dry and itchy scalp and reinstates its pH balance. People with dry hair can use Mayonnaise. It’s your treatment mask for deep conditioning. Mayonnaise contains egg yolks which caters your hair with vinegar, protein helping you in normalizing the pH balance of your hair. Use it along with vegetable oil it helps in lubricating the hair follicles. The dull hair can be given life and proper color using pure fruit juices. For best shining effect you can try out pure lemon juice, while apply highlighting cranberry juice in case you have dark brown hair.
For Eyes
If you have dark circles under your eyes or you find your eyes with some puffiness, make sure you try applying cold water, ice cubes, wet tea bags, tea, milk or try out the slices of potatoes or cucumber. By trying any of these options for around 10 minutes, you can make your delicate and soft tissues normal from being tight and shrink. If you see your eyes pretty tired especially when you return from a hectic day at work, try using the saturated cotton piece along with cold or chilled milk and lie down for around 15 minutes. Then rinse to get the good feel. Or you can use ice cube based chamomile tea along with water instead of milk to get the necessary cool effects.
For Face and Skin care
You can get rid of the aging signs like lines and wrinkles over your forehead by using oils. Oil comprises of fatty acids similar to the one you see in your skin fat and hence competent to complement your face skin. If you have a small surface blackheads, you can exfoliate them using oatmeal or cornmeal or sea salt. And for people with deep seated blackheads, try applying a blend of two teaspoons of sesame oil, cornmeal along with yoghurt. Try applying them for seven days to get the best result.
Final Word
Trying these homemade kitchen based solutions can work wonder and that too without any side effect or fatal result. And above all you get them all at pretty minimal cost or no cost as most of these ingredients you use, you often find in your kitchen or your refrigerator. So what are you waiting for?
About the author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Besides this, she is fond of watches. She recently bought a watch from Skagen Watches latest collection. These days she is busy in witting an article on Bulimia nervosa for her blog DIY health.
Schwarzkopf Professional styles the glamour queens of Kingfisher Calendar 2012
~Comes on board as Official hair styling partner for the 10th edition of the calendar~
Schwarzkopf Professional has tied up with the 10th edition of Kingfisher Calendar 2012 as the official Hair Color and Styling Partner this year. Schwarzkopf Professional is one of the leading suppliers in the hairdressing business worldwide and brings with it international expertise and creativity in the hair dressing arena.
In keeping with its image as a world leader in hair couture, Schwarzkopf Professional sees this association as an avenue to showcase their world class products and stylists. The top-notch stylists from Schwarzkopf Professional conducted an exclusive & rigorous hair- consultation and hair dressing session for the 6 Kingfisher Calendar girls while they shot at the idyllic locales in Sri Lanka.
It’s been a decade since the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar was first shot. Over the years, the calendar has become a platform for fresh talent and an epitome for unmatched glamour, fashion and lifestyle. No wonder then, that the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar’s 2012 edition can boast ten times the glamour and excitement, especially when it gets International brands like Schwarzkopf Professional as hair dressing partners.
The models who will grace the calendar this year are Angela Jonsson, Maia Haydon, Saiyami Kher, Tena Desae, Mimi Blix and winner from the reality show- Hunt for the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar on NDTV Good Times.
Mr Murali Sundar , General Manager ,Schwarzkopf Professional India commented, “As experts in the field of professional hair care , we at Schwarzkopf Professional are extremely happy to help craft looks for the Kingfisher Calendar 2012 – especially for the tenth edition. Schwarzkopf Professional has always been at the cutting edge of creativity in hair fashion and international trends and with this association, our experts have got an opportunity to push their creative boundaries in hair styling. The highly regarded Kingfisher Calendar is witnessed by a worldwide audience and with its 10th edition it’s just got bigger and better”.
Najeeb Ur Rehman , PPS Manager , Schwarzkopf Professional India said “We are thrilled to be a part of Kingfisher Calendar 2012. The entire journey with Atul, models and the crew was simply incredible. The looks crafted on the models this year are very fresh, new and versatile enough to recreate the magic and drama in salons paving the way to the latest hair trends.
I read this article online and I was amazed reading few myths myself..so I had to share it with you all..
By now you probably know that washing your hair every day can dry out and damage your locks, which is why experts recommend only washing up two to three times per week instead. That got us thinking-what other long-standing hair beliefs can’t be trusted? We spoke to the experts to dispel eight popular tress tenets. Read on for what they had to say about everything from treating greasy strands to understanding your hair’s natural texture.
Myth #1: Slather on mayonnaise and olive oil to deep condition your hair.
While kitchen staples like mayo and olive oil do contain moisturizing properties, adding heaping handfuls of the stuff to your locks isn’t the ticket to silky hair. “The success of this treatment depends on the type and texture of your hair,” says Doug DiCanio, a stylist at Blow in New York City. “If your hair is fine, limp or sparse, you’ll see a greasy or heavy result. But if you have thick, coarse and extremely dry hair, mayo and olive oil can be a low-cost alternative to deep conditioning treatments, so long as you apply them correctly.” He suggests distributing one tablespoon of either ingredient into clean, damp hair, concentrating on the ends. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and then thoroughly rinse with a gentle cleansing shampoo. Photo: Valentyn Volkov/Thinkstock
Myth #2: You have to constantly change up your shampoo and conditioner in order to get great results.
If your tried-and-true shampoo and conditioner don’t seem to be working as well as they used to, don’t rush out to pick up new brands. Contrary to popular belief, hair doesn’t “get used to” products-build-up and residue is usually to blame for lackluster locks. “Some shampoos and conditioners can leave behind residue, which might make it difficult to see results over the long term,” says DiCanio. “Use a clarifying shampoo once every two weeks to remove excess build-up in your hair, and you should be able to see continued great results from your favorite products.” Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen/Thinkstock
Myth #3: Cutting your hair will make it grow faster.
While regular trims are a great way to keep your hair healthy, monthly snips won’t turn you into Rapunzel. “On average, hair grows about half an inch every month regardless of whether or not you trim it,” says Jenny Cho, a stylist for Suave Professionals. “While cutting ends will prevent damage and encourage stronger, healthier hair, it doesn’t tell the roots to grow faster.” However, healthy hair may appear longer, since it’s free from dry, damaged and broken ends. So visiting your salon every eight to 12 weeks is still the key to maintaining healthy, long locks. Photo: Diego Cervo/Thinkstock
Myth #4: You can’t dye your hair while pregnant.
According to Amy Burkett, MD, ob-gyn residency director at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio, no studies have conclusively proven hair dye is dangerous to a developing fetus. That said, “In general, pregnant women need to be concerned with what they’re exposing their body to. The big concern for me is that some hair products contain formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen that I’d recommend any woman, pregnant or not, steer clear of.” Formaldehyde will be noted on a product’s ingredients list, so to be safe, choose a dye that doesn’t contain it, opting instead for one that has as many natural ingredients as possible, such as henna-based dyes. If you go to the salon for color, ask your stylist what ingredients are in your hair dye, and see if there’s a more natural option to pursue. (Note: Formaldehyde can also be found in Brazilian blow outs, a hair-straightening treatment.) Although none of Dr. Burkett’s patients-including hair dressers-have ever experienced hair dye-related complications, to be cautious she recommends avoiding all hair dye during the first trimester of pregnancy, since that is when a fetus’s basic neurological development occurs. Photo: Shutterstock Myth #5: If you have greasy hair, skip conditioner.
According to DiCanio, greasy hair is caused by the overproduction of sebum, a waxy, oily substance that comes from the tissues of the scalp-so skipping conditioner altogether is not going to cure the problem. Instead, she recommends those with greasy locks to “shampoo the roots with a clarifying shampoo and the ends with a moisturizing shampoo. Apply conditioner to the middle and ends of your hair only, steering clear of the scalp.” Once your hair is dry, applying dry shampoo can help absorb excess oil. Since oil deposits can build up on styling tools and redistribute them throughout your hair, DiCanio also recommends keeping your brush clean by occasionally using a fine-toothed comb to remove the hair that can get stuck in its teeth. To remove oil and build up, dip both your brush and comb into a bowl of warm water mixed with a few drops of shampoo, rinse with warm water and let dry face down. Photo: Olga Lisitskaya/Thinkstock
Myth #6: Always comb your hair from top to bottom.
Though nearly every hair commercial features women brushing their locks from the roots downward, combing wet hair in this manner can actually cause breakage. Avoid snapping strands by combing your hair from bottom to top instead. “Start at the ends and work your way up,” suggests Cho. “This will put less stress on your hair than if you started at the top and had to pull downwards to detangle a massive knot.” Use your other hand to hold onto the hair above the knot you’re detangling so that the pressure doesn’t pull the hair from the roots, which could cause hair loss. Photo: George Doyle/Thinkstock
Myth #7: All hair grows at the same rate.
Ever wondered why the perfect symmetry of a fresh haircut never lasts? According to Joel Schlessinger, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and president emeritus of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, “Hair grows at different rates on every part of the body, including on your scalp. Hair goes through three phases of growth, and each area of your body has different phase times.” While there’s nothing you can do to even out your hair growth times, regular trims will keep your style looking consistent. Photo: Thinkstock
Myth #8: Nothing will ever change the natural texture of your hair.
Baffled by why your naturally stick-straight hair has suddenly turned wavy? According to Dr. Schlessinger, hair texture is not set in stone. “It has to do with the length of its growth cycle, nutrition and medications. While the actual hairs we have are technically dead, the scalp and hair root are not. Medications affect the strength of the hair root and can lead to curling or color changes. Additionally, they can weaken the root, eventually leading to hair loss, as happens with chemotherapy.” Stress, age and hormones may also play a role in how your hair texture behaves, turning thick hair thin, or coarse hair fine. Photo: Shutterstock
