Tips to help keep your hair healthy and beautiful between salon visits.
Some people have uneven hair growth patterns that can be caused by cowlicks, double crowns, whorls, or a combination of these characteristics. Cowlicks are portions of hair that grow strongly to the left or right usually on the crown or at the front of the hairline and sometimes at the nape of the neck. Double crowns are two areas of hair close to each other that have hair growing in opposite directions. Whorls are sections of hair that grow in a circular pattern often at the nape or the crown. It is important to know that everyone's hair does not grow in the same way or at the same pace. If you are trying to grow your hair longer to obtain a particular style, you may have to endure uneven hair growth as you strive to reach your goal.
A two-strand twist set is a healthy style choice for your hair. Compared to a braid-out, it is easier to do, dries more quickly and is more gentle on the hair. Unfortunately, the twists can come undone during rigorous activities or if you are a rough sleeper, so the braid-out may be a better choice for some. To do, first wash and condition your hair. Second, part your hair into sections (eight sections--four in the front and four in the back-- will usually suffice, but you may want more depending on your preference--the smaller the twist, the tighter the wave pattern will be). Third, gently comb each section, separate it into two parts or strands and then twist. If your hair is prone to frizz, you may want to add a small amount of styling gel to each section before twisting. Remember not to twist your hair too tightly--you do not want to have any tension near the scalp. For the safest and healthiest option, let your hair air-dry (time will vary depending on texture, but thick hair usually takes at least 8 hours). If you don't have time to let your hair air-dry, you can use a blow-dryer with a diffuser or a hood dryer (time will vary depending on texture, but thick hair can take about 45 to 60 minutes). After your hair is completely dry, untwist each section. A two-strand twist set is a great way to add waves to straight hair or stretch and lengthen curly hair without using a heated styling tool, such as a curling iron or crimper. Results will vary depending on texture, but you should have some luscious waves to work with--the possibilities are endless.
A healthy and clean scalp naturally secretes oils for lubrication, so there is no need to grease or apply oil every day. Sometimes different factors, such as extreme weather conditions, can cause the scalp to feel dry, so you may need to use a product. Oil is great for relieving dry and itchy scalp--just apply a few drops to your fingertips and gently massage onto the affected area. The days of applying pomade directly to your freshly washed scalp as a routine are long and gone--only oil or grease your scalp as needed.
The scalp has two main layers of skin. The inner layers are called the dermis, which contain oil and sweat glands, blood vessels, cells, tissues, and hair follicles. The outside layers are called the epidermis, which contain the mouths of the hair follicles and protect the sensitive dermis layers. The dermis layers secrete many important substances to the epidermis layers, such as oil and sebum, that are needed to keep the scalp lubricated and pH balanced. Knowing and understanding the layers of your scalp are necessary parts of a healthy hair lifestyle.
