Why you should stop letting your hair air dry
So many clients, tell me they leave their hair to dry naturally and I understand; drying your hair is a lot of effort (especially for those of us with hair extensions)! We’re told about the dangers of heat styling all the time, so why not just leave your hair to dry by itself or even dry while you sleep??
Well, letting your hair air dry may be causing a lot more damage than you think!
Raise your hand if you thought leaving your hair to air dry was good for your hair…
So many clients tell me they leave their hair to dry naturally and I understand; drying your hair is a lot of effort (especially for those of us with hair extensions)! We’re told about the dangers of heat styling all the time, so why not just leave your hair to dry by itself or even dry while you sleep??
Well, letting your hair air dry may be causing a lot more damage than you think!
When our hair gets wet it swells. Hair can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water! That swelling puts pressure on the hair cuticles making it significantly weaker when wet, and the longer that swelling takes place, the more pressure it puts on the cuticles. Hair is especially vulnerable to damage at this time, as washing hair strips it of its natural oils. Therefore, by leaving your hair wet for a long period of time, you risk broken and split ends.
And leaving your hair to dry while you sleep overnight is an even bigger no no! As you toss and turn throughout the night, friction will cause the hair to snap! Also, the combination of warmth and dampness allows bacteria and fungi to multiply on your scalp, leading to all of ours worst nightmare - dandruff. Not to mention the tangled bedhead you’ll be greeted with in the morning! One of the most important investments you can make to reduce these effects is to sleep on a silk pillowcase instead of cotton. This material is smoother, which means less friction and hence less breakage and less frizz!
So, you’ve been told to stay away from heat styling and now told not to air dry your hair either! What should you do??
Excessive heat does damage your hair, but the key is adopting the right blow-dry technique!
Start by removing excess water when towel drying! Then, begin blow drying on a low heat, as your hair begins to dry you can increase the temperature until finally styling your hair on the highest temperature.
Most importantly, don’t forget to apply product to your damp hair! My favourites are Olaplex no.6 and no.7! Olaplex no.6 is a leave-in smoothing cream which strengthens and moisturises hair! While Olaplex no.7 is a reparative styling oil that protects against UV/heat and increases shine and softness of hair!
And this applies to men too! Male hair isn’t any stronger and its a lot quicker to blow dry! Its important we all take a little more time for ourselves and our hair, try this hair drying technique and see the improvement in your locks!
5 Reasons why your hair isn't growing
You may be asking yourself; "Why doesn't my hair grow past a certain point?", “Why can’t I retain length?”, “What am I doing wrong?” and any other number of questions. We understand how frustrating it can be when you're trying to grow your hair, but you just aren’t seeing any results…
You've tried all the good hair masks, you haven't had your hair cut in months, and you have an assortment of hair growth vitamins stashed away in your bathroom cabinet, but your hair is still stuck at shoulder length!
You may be asking yourself; "Why doesn't my hair grow past a certain point?", "Why can't I retain length?" "What am I doing wrong?" and any other number of questions. I understand how frustrating it can be when you're trying to grow your hair, but you just aren't seeing any results!
But like anything else in life, it can all be figured out! So read on to understand why your hair may not be growing and what changes you can make to stimulate hair growth!
SHEDDING
Everyone sheds hair! On average, we shed between 50 to 100 hairs a day! Problems occur when your hair sheds faster than it regrows. This is considered excessive shedding and can be caused by various reasons: losing a large amount of weight, giving birth, or experiencing lots of stress. Six to nine months after the stressful event, the hair tends to regain its normal fullness, but if the stressor stays with you, the hair shedding can be long term!
GENETIC
It may just be down to genetics! Our hair stops growing once a certain amount of time has passed, not once the hair has reached a certain length. The ‘terminal length’ of hair is the maximum length it can grow to without being cut or damaged. On average, most hair grows about half an inch per month, and each strand finishes the cycle at different points, which is why you may find different lengths of hair strands throughout your head. We all have individual, unique hair growth cycles, which can last between two to six years. Once the hair has reached the end of its growth cycle, it will either break off, shed or be cut off at the hairdresser. Unfortunately, this means that no matter how well you treat your hair, you cannot extend the growth cycle.
STRESS LEVEL
Stress seems to affect pretty much everything about our health; both emotional and physical stress can be linked to hair loss and the overall decrease in our hair quality. Stress is detrimental to our hair growth as it restricts the hair growth cycle.
HEAT STYLING
If you haven’t heard it already, excessive heat is bad news! We all love a sleek straight style, but hot styling tools accelerate damage by essentially frying your hair (Hence, the trademark sizzle of a hot tool)! This causes split ends and breakage! Split ends are when the ends of your hair split in two, and they are impossible to undo! The only way forward is to cut them off to prevent them from breaking higher and higher up the strand. It is vital to keep your hair healthy and strong for maximum growth, so if you want to see results consider giving your hair regular vacations from the blow dryer, straightener, and curling wand!
OVER-PROCESSING
Harsh chemicals strip our hair of its natural oils and causes cuticles to raise. A healthy hair cuticle lays flat making hair look smooth and shiny. Cuticles that have been damaged and raised lead to dull and brittle hair! This means excessive hair dyeing, relaxing, perming or highlighting, can lead to some significant breakage! Making it almost impossible for hair to grow past a certain length. This is why it's so essential that if you have chemical treatments on your hair, you're also having strengthening treatments alongside them! The most popular strengthening treatment we offer at Carmen Walker Hair is the infamous Olaplex treatment. Olaplex is a three-step process that seeks out broken bonds in the hair caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage and restores them. You can have Olaplex within your service, plus we recommend having protein and moisture treatments in between services.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS…
The solutions to these causes are all long term changes, and it may be months before you start to see some significant results! So, whether you're impatient and want those inches now with our Carmen Walker hair extensions, or you're ready to get you're healthy and robust with some strengthening treatments, we can help you!
Why drinking water is good for your hair
We can get so carried away with this hair serum, this vitamin and this beauty find but we often forget to drink enough water. Not to give you a science lesson but up to 60% of the human body is water. Water makes up 25% of the weight in a strand of hair so if you are not drinking enough your body feels it and so does your hair.
We can get so carried away with this hair serum, this vitamin and this beauty find but we often forget to drink enough water. Not to give you a science lesson but up to 60% of the human body is water. Water makes up 25% of the weight in a strand of hair so if you are not drinking enough your body feels it and so does your hair.
Now we all know we should drink at least 2 litres of water a day and this is because water hydrates – the skin, scalp and even your locks. It will help strengthen and grow your hair. Water has soo many internal benefits too it cushions joints, helps you to absorb nutrients and has been proven to help keep weight in check.
Soo drink! your! water!
Tip: I like to add berries, cucumbers, citrus fruits and sometimes mint to keep things interesting.
And when its hot like this nothing beats a nice cold glass of sparkling water – well there is always wine but *shrug*.
Simple Avocado Hair Mask
Most of us love avocados, and I am a fan of them in salads, sushi and of course on toast with tomatoes and feta BUT, did you know they are perfect for hair?
Avocados contain Biotin, good fats, and plenty of vitamins, among many other good things. Biotin is essential for strong nails and healthy hair.
The avocado hair mask is suitable for all types.
Ingredients
One avocado pitted and peeled
1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
Mash the avocado into a paste, leaving a few chunks as possible. Add the coconut oil and stir well to combine.
Rub the mixture all over your hair and scalp. I suggest styling the hair up and adding a plastic cap to keep the hair contained while in the mask. Let the avocado mixture sit on your head for at least 20 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with water. Then shampoo once or twice. Follow with some conditioner.
Hair Mask 101
Considering the amount of strain we all put our hair through with heat styling, teasing, chemical straightening and colouring, we should all be using luxurious hair masks. If you have a specific hair concern - such as damage or really dry hair - then treating it with an intensive mask will only do great things, plus chilling out at home with a hair mask is great for the soul.
Considering the amount of strain we all put our hair through with heat styling, teasing, chemical straightening and colouring, we should all be using luxurious hair masks. If you have a specific hair concern - such as damage or really dry hair - then treating it with an intensive mask will only do great things, plus chilling out at home with a hair mask is great for the soul.
To keep it really simple i have broke down my favourite hair mask, based on some popular concerns;
If it’s BREAKAGE or SPLIT ENDS - look for masks which containing proteins
If its MOISTURE or FRIZZ - look for masks which contain ‘butter’, hydration and shine
Hair masks listed can be used on all hair types
Elasticizer contains all the moisturising needed perfect for very dry, fragile and thirsty hair. Your hair will feel instantly hydrated and nourished, leaving your hair full of elasticity, bounce and shine.
Directions of use:
Apply before shampooing.
Dampen the hair and apply in sections from roots through to mid-lengths and ends, ensuring maximum coverage.
Cover the hair with a shower cap or towel to ensure absorption of all nutrients.
Leave for 10 to 20 minutes to process.(the longer the better) - you can even sleep with product on
Rinse thoroughly, then shampoo and condition
Note: Do not use Elasticizer 72 hours before or after colouring your hair, as it may affect how the colour takes.
All Soft Heavy Cream moisturises and conditions as well as strengthening your hair to leave your hair feeling sleek and nourished.
Directions of use:
Can be used regularly
Apply to towel-dried hair after cleansing with shampoo
Gently massage product through hair. (Mid length to Ends)
Cover hair with a shower cap / towel or plastic cap. The heat created helps open up your hair’s cuticles, so they can properly absorb the nutrients.
Leave in for 15 - 30 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly.
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector - a treatment that reconnects bonds in the hair that have been broken by colouring, lightening or excessive heat styling. By multiplying and rebuilding the hair's bonds, it eliminates breakage whilst making colour last much longer. You'll see the best results when you use with step 1 + 2, which are in-salon services
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother - is an amazing concentrated, leave-in smoothing cream, great for use on all hair types, including colour-processed or chemically-treated hair. ingredients contain Coconut Oil and Vitamin E, it combats frizz and flyaway for up to 72 hours, hydrates and provides thermal protection.
Directions of use:
No. 3 - apply a generous amount to wet (not washed) hair then comb through. Leave in for 10 minutes or longer. the longer the better!). – you can even sleep with olaplex no 3
Cover hair with a shower cap / towel or plastic cap. The heat created helps open up your hair’s cuticles, so they can properly absorb the nutrients.
Rinse and wash with a Sulphate free shampoo then condition. If necessary, can be used more than once per week.
No. 6 - apply a small amount to damp or dry hair. Distribute evenly through mid-lengths and ends. Style as desired.
How to Remove your Braid-less Weave Hair Extensions At Home
I always advise getting your hair extensions removed by a professional but in this tricky time, we are faced with. Unforteneley I can't be there to help you. Instead, I have put together some key points and a video, to try and guide you through the removal process
Key Points:
· Make a note as to where you removed the hair extensions from (the left or right side etc) so they can be reinstalled in the same position.
· Tie the hair which is being removed, with a band at the top and keep safe if you want to reuse
· When brushing through your hair after the removal you may find that you have some excess shedding, this is very normal. This is just old hair that we would normally lose, you lose up to 100 strands a day naturally. When you have extensions it has nowhere to go so when you remove them the old hair is released.
· Once you have removed your hair extensions, wash your natural hair. We advise using a clarifying or detox shampoo for your first was to help get rid of any excess residue. 2-3 washes highly recommended ensuring no residue is left in the hair. Condition as normal
· If possible get someone to help with the removal
· Ones all the hair extensions are removed, wash the hair, remember to keep in mind where about they should be placed. ie; back, sides, nape, crown.
Tools Needed:
· 5” Pliers
· Small scissors
. Sectioning clips
You can purchase on this amazon link below. Both Pliers and Scissors are essential. You cannot use big scissors! As you will cut your hair. You also need small pliers, to get a grip around the bead. Please ask someone to help you.
4 MOISTURISING Hair Products for Chemically Relaxed Hair
Once your hair is chemically straightened/relaxed, hair needs to be kept well Moisturized to prevent any shedding or breakage. Because of the lockdown your going to be experiencing a lot of natural regrowth, you have to keep your hair hydrated from Root to tips!
Below I have listed some of my favourite moisturizers, everything you'll need, from day leave-in conditioners to night leave-in moisturizers and a serum , and some helpful information to go alongside to help you choose the right product for your hair texture. I have also added a shop now button which will direct you to my Amazon front store. press HAIR CARE and everything you need will be there.
If you need any further help feel free to get in touch.
OLAPLEX No.6 £26
A great leave-in cream best for hair which is medium to fine. I suggest accompanying this with a serum when blow-drying. Such as Morrocainoil
Directions of use:
Apply 20 size to wet hair then blowdry.
Can be used at night time once a 2- 3 times a week
Do not rinse.
Use Mid-length to Ends
OLAPLEX N°6 strengthens, hydrates, moisturizes and speeds up blow-dry times whilst smoothing. Eliminate frizz and flyaway for up to 72 hours.
KERA CARE
NATURAL TEXTURES LEAVE- IN CONDITIONER £6
This is a gorgeous lightweight moisturizer, leaves the hair looking and feeling smooth, soft and in control. A perfect option to help control frizz. If you have curly hair this will define your curls nicely. Best for medium to fine hair
Directions of use:
Apply generously to clean, wet hair then blowdry.
Curl definition, apply to wet hair and scrunch
Do not rinse.
Keracare
Overnight Moisturizing Treatment £12.95
This Overnight Moisturizing Treatment. Perfect for preventing breakage, spilt ends and shedding, this treatment leaves hair silky, shiny and tangle and frizz-free come morning.
Perfect for combating dry, rough, hard or brittle hair, this coconut and sunflower seed oil infused treatment is the perfect nightcap. Great for coarse hair
Directions of use:
Apply at night.
Rub a small amount in hands and apply throughout hair every night, or as needed.
Do not rinse out.
MOROCCAN OIL £29.56
Choosing the right oils can be tricky. Allot of oil range from being extremely light to very heavy. Steer clear of castor oil and olive oil unless you're doing a treatment day/night. Argan oil is a common favourite, for people of every hair type. It's light, smells amazing, and is really good for your hair. It works well on as a finishing hairstyle, too; adding sheen and reducing frizz. Great for all hair types
Directions of use:
This is one for Regular use
Focus on the mid length to ends of your hair
If your hair is course, mix with the Kera Care leave in conditioner or Overnight treatment
Shampoo's and Conditioner’s to Maintain Hair Health
Choosing the right Shampoos and Conditioners is a vital part of your hair routine. Shampoos and Conditioners are both important for cleansing, smoothing and refreshing your hair.
In this blog post I have named some of my favourite Shampoos and Conditioners
Shampoo Choices Based on Hair Type
DRY HAIR
Kera Care Moisture/ Hydrating Detangling Shampoo 16oz - £8
“ A great option when your hair is feeling dry or brittle”
Humecto Crème Conditioner - £8
“It is amazing when used correctly. Humecto helps correct and prevent moisture loss more so when it's been exposed to chemical and thermal styling appliances”.
Please ensure you apply the conditioner mid-length to ends and ensure you rinse properly.
STRENGTHENING
Olaplex No 4 & 5- £48
“It is one of my personal favorites, it's great for colored hair, weakened, or brittle hair. Olaplex contains bond repairing ingredients to improve hair condition”.
All the products which I have listed, I use within the salon and personally.
I hope you purchase, at least one of the two brands which I have listed, to ensure we maintain your hair health.
Lots of LOVE
Hair extensions aftercare
WASHING YOUR EXTENSIONS
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS
Washing and conditioning is a very important part to maintaining the condition of your extensions.
Below is have named some of my favourite product to wash your hair with.
1. Wash and condition your hair extensions with Olaplex Shampoo & Conditioner – let the conditioner sit and soak into your hair extensions before rinsing
2. When conditioning, avoid putting product on the root area and thoroughly rinse to avoid build-up
3. Spray colour wow dream coat evenly onto DAMP (not wet) hair. Do not apply other styling products to damp hair.
4.Blow dry each section using a brush to hold hair taut. Colour wow requires blow-drying to activate.
5. Style to desired look