Gaga

Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.

 

How does a Steam Flat Iron Work?

Frequent use of hair straighteners can deplete your strands of moisture because conventional flat irons use your hair’s natural moisture to create smooth and perfectly straight hair. Steaming flat irons are designed to replenish moisture during the straightening process, giving your hair a sleek and shiny look without over-drying it.

Like using a steaming flat iron to remove wrinkles from your delicate clothes, the vapor emitted from the plates of the hair straightener enables you to achieve perfectly straight and silky hair.

Young woman getting her hair straightened with steam flat iron

Steam Hair Straighteners Vs. Conventional Flat Irons?

  • The steam feature is optional, so you can turn it off and use the steam flat iron just like a regular flat iron. You can select high, medium, or low steam settings depending on your hair type and desired results.
  • Both types of hair straighteners can only be used on dry hair.
  • Steam flat irons use Vapor Infusion Technology to straighten your strands more efficiently than regular straighteners while preventing heat damage to the hair. The released steam adds moisture to prevent over-drying.
  • Thick, coarse hair is difficult to tame with a conventional flat iron. This type of hair requires more time and heat to create the style you want and frequent touch-ups to keep the hair straight. Steam-infused flat irons use bursts of steam to effectively straighten problematic hair that resists heat straightening, giving you longer-lasting results than traditional hair straighteners.
  • Vapor hair straighteners come with a removable water tank, which should be filled with distilled water before straightening. Using plain water can shorten the lifespan of the steaming iron.
  • The steam function activates only when the unit is pointed at a downward angle. Once you press the plates together, the steam will flow through specially designed holes in the plates.
  • Depending on the brand of the steaming iron, a full tank provides 8 to 20 minutes of continuous styling.

Advantages of Steam Flat Irons

1. Works well for coarse hair: Using a steam straightener helps straighten natural, kinky, and coarse hair, giving you salon-like results at home. Using a steam iron can be a safe alternative to chemical relaxers. If you do relax your natural hair, you will need to get relaxer touch-ups less often.

2. Less damage from heat: Steam hydration helps prevent heat damage, leaving your hair looking healthy, soft, and sleek. The steam function makes flat irons very easy on processed and damaged hair, providing more protection from breakage than conventional flat irons.

3. Longer-lasting results: The straightening effects of a steam flat iron last longer than the effects of regular hair straighteners. The steam helps keep your hair straight all day or until your next shower.

4. More shine: The steam mist adds smoothness and shine, giving your style a beautiful glossy finish.

5. Less frizz: Vapor Infusion Technology makes hair more resistant to humidity, providing better frizz control.

A cute curly girl holding the steam flat iron

Steaming Flat Irons with a Conditioning Treatment

Some steam irons can also be used to condition hair during straightening sessions. These vapor irons use a heat protectant and nourishing products, like argan and macadamia oils, to infuse the hair shaft with a nutrient-rich treatment for restoring dry and damaged hair.

The heat transforms the oil into a conditioning vapor that is dispensed through the holes in the plates. Thermal-activated conditioning vapor penetrates through heat-raised cuticles to condition the hair shaft, leaving hair silky, shiny, and frizz-free.

Argan oil infusion minimizes damage from heat styling, softens the hair, and adds a glowing, shiny finish. Argan Vapor Treatment is especially beneficial for damaged and chemically processed hair.

A drawback of doing a conditioning treatment is that the small steam holes can easily become clogged with oil residue, especially if you own a cheaper steam iron. To get the most benefits from an Argan Vapor Treatment, consider purchasing a Cortex Professional Steamliner Vapor Iron.

How to Use a Flat Iron with a Steam Feature?

Make sure your hair is clean, detangled, and completely dry before using a flat iron with a steam feature. You will still need to use a heat protectant to prevent or minimize heat damage.

Wear a burn-proof glove while straightening your hair to avoid burning yourself, especially when you use the unit for the first time.

Fill the reservoir with distilled water and add a few drops of argan oil to enhance the shine. Adding oil works especially well for individuals with dry or normal hair. Re-insert the reservoir into place, making sure it will not leak.

Turn on the vapor button to activate the steam function. Select the steam level setting. Coarse hair requires a higher steam setting, while delicate and normal hair can be straightened at lower steam settings.

Point the flat iron downward to activate the steam function, holding it tightly while sliding your hair between the plates.

Turn the iron off when you need to refill the water reservoir to avoid burning yourself.

Clean the plates after every use to prevent the steam holes from getting clogged.

Is there any Drawback?

There are some drawbacks to using a steam flat iron. It takes some time to learn how to use it. While learning, you can easily burn your hand, face, or neck if you’re not careful. You can also burn your scalp when trying to get close to the roots if you don’t hold the unit at the proper angle.

The directions say not to take off the water reservoir when the iron is still hot, so you need to wait until the flat iron has cooled down to refill the steam compartment. This potentially adds some additional time to the styling process.

A blonde woman holding a flat iron

The Convenience of Using a Shampoo Brush

There are some things that you may have never known existed, but once you have tried them you become addicted. One example is a shampoo brush. Once you try one, it will inevitably become part of your must-have hair care tools.

This handy tool can make hair washing much easier. It cuts down on your hair washing time, saves your nails, and makes you feel confident that your scalp and hair are thoroughly clean.

Massaging hair with your fingers can be a tiring task, especially if you don’t have strong fingernails for a good scrub. Your fingertips often don’t remove all dirt and debris from the surface of your scalp. Scratching the scalp with your nails can irritate your scalp and can also break your nails.

Beautiful woman massages her scalp while shampooing the hair

The purpose of a shampoo massage brush is to replace your fingertips while making shampooing easier and more effective. It distributes shampoo more evenly and thoroughly cleans your hair while giving your scalp a satisfying scrub.

What is a Shampoo Brush Good for?

Cleans the hair and scalp thoroughly: A scalp massaging shampoo brush offers a deep wash, cleaning your scalp better and faster than your hands would. It can provide deeper stimulation and cover a larger area of your scalp than when using your hands. It removes dirt, dead skin cells, and every trace of buildup, leaving your scalp squeaky clean. It is an especially helpful tool for older people and those with weak hands.

Spreads shampoo evenly: A hair shampoo brush works the shampoo into the scalp and distributes it evenly through your hair, while slightly increasing the lather. If you have lots of hair, it helps you to get shampoo everywhere.

Provides comfortable and relaxing massage: A shampoo brush provides a great scalp massage while shampooing your hair. Many people enjoy the tingly sensation when using it. You may find it hard to stop washing your hair.

Enhances blood circulation: Scalp massage encourages blood flow to the scalp and brings more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicle. Some professional hairstylists believe that scalp massage can stimulate hair follicles and boost their ability to grow hair.

Alleviate the stress: Massaging your scalp stimulates the nerves that supply the scalp, which helps relieve a tension headache and boost your mood. The shampoo brush leaves your scalp feeling refreshed, especially after using a scalp invigorating shampoo.

Provides relief from dandruff: A scalp massaging brush scrubs away dead skin cells, keeping the scalp flake-free. Your dandruff shampoo is more effective if you use it along with a scalp massaging brush. A scalp scrubber helps spread natural oils and decreases dry scalp flakiness.

Exfoliates scalp: Hair thinning can be caused by clogged scalp pores and blocked follicles. A scalp brush helps remove debris, scrubbing off the loose flakes and eliminating scaly patches. In this way, the shampoo brushes create a better environment for healthy hair growth.

Enhances the effectiveness of scalp treatments: If you use a medicated shampoo to treat a certain scalp condition, a scalp brush helps your shampoo penetrate deeper and spread more evenly to enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.

Rinses any remaining products: Until finding this little, hand-held scrub tool I had never been able to thoroughly rinse henna dye from my scalp and hair. The directions say to wait a day or two before shampooing to allow the color to settle properly. During the next couple of days, I could see dark residue (I use dark brown henna) under my nails after accidentally scratching my head. Once I started using a shampoo brush, I was able to easily remove the unsightly dark henna residue from my scalp.

woman in garden background using pink scalp massaging brush

Shampoo Massage Brushes for Different Hair Types

A scalp scrubber is a must-have tool for short-haired people, as it works best on short hair. This little tool can be tricky to use on long, dense, or curly hair, as it can get tangled. Long, straight hair is less prone to tangles than long, curly hair. A shampoo brush also works well on short coarse hair. Finally, it works perfectly on men’s short hair.

1. Scalpmaster Shampoo Brush has closely spaced plastic bristles and is an excellent choice for short-haired people.

2. FREATECH Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush has larger spacing between the bristles to massage long hair without snagging. It has an ergonomic design to feel comfortable in your hand and uneven bristles to better fit your scalp.

A good shampoo brush has bristles firm enough to scrub well, but still soft and flexible to avoid hurting your scalp. Silicone scalp shampoo scrubbers are good alternatives to plastic ones. Semi-hard silicone brushes are gentler on the scalp than rigid plastic, yet still effective.

3. The Shampoo Scalp Massage – Silicon Brush by Shimomura is a good choice if you are looking for a brush that is soft enough for a sensitive scalp and not likely to tangle your long hair. The hygienic, one-piece design doesn’t retain water. There are no places for bacteria to collect or for mold to grow. The shipment may take longer, but it is worth waiting.

Asian woman relaxing in a bath

How to Use a Shampoo Brush

After applying shampoo to wet hair, gently massage your scalp with the brush for 3-5 minutes, working in small circular motions. Keep massaging to spread the lather around and cover every area of your scalp. Use the brush again to thoroughly rinse out all shampoo from your scalp and hair. Don’t push hard, especially if you have sensitive skin. You don’t need a lot of pressure to get the job done.

If you have long hair, comb your locks before showering to keep the tangles away and make the shampoo brush easier to use.

Vibrating Shampoo Brushes

Unlike manual scalp shampoo brushes, battery-operated scalp brushes have a vibration feature that can be activated by pressing the on/off button. Some people prefer the vibrating sensation they offer, while others may find it too harsh on their heads or may feel discomfort in their hands when using it.

A beautiful woman with smooth, freshly washed hair

Best Washing Methods and Shampoos for Your Dreads

Dreadlocks are a convenient hairstyle that looks wonderful on both women and men. Once they are established and get to the length that you want them, dreads require relatively minimal maintenance.

Dreadlocks work especially well for individuals with kinky coiled hair that is hard to tame. While it is easier for people with naturally curly hair to dreadlock their hair, people with straight hair can get beautiful locks also.

Dreadlocks don’t require daily brushing and styling like normal hair. They also don’t need regular trimming. They do require regular washing and proper care to look their best though. Some of the consequences of not keeping dreadlocks clean include unpleasant smell, itching of the scalp, excessive dandruff, and growth of mold and mildew.

If you care for them properly, dreadlocks are a much healthier hairstyle than styles achieved by chemical processing such as perming or straightening.

young blonde woman with dreadlocks

How to Wash Your Baby Locks

It is advised to avoid shampooing your hair for the first two weeks after you start dreading to give your locks time to form properly. If during this initial locking process your hair feels greasy, washing your dreads is recommended to prevent them from loosening. Excess oil makes hair slippery and inhibits the locking process.

To prevent your baby dreads from coming undone during washing, put rubber bands at the base and tips of your dreads. To avoid over-manipulating your locks, stretch a nylon stocking over your head before washing. Consider buying a washing cap made specifically for dreadlocks, which is designed to protect small or delicate locks from loosening while you are washing them.

To keep your locks healthy and neat, wash them at least once a week. If your hair is very oily, or you are sweating a lot during a workout, you need to wash your hair more frequently. Properly formed dreadlocks can be washed once or twice a week. Be careful, because over-washing your locks can unravel them. Another reason to avoid daily washing is that your dreadlocks take a long time to dry.

Washing Mature Dreadlocks

Regular washing of your dreadlocks is crucial because your scalp’s natural oils tend to lubricate the hair, causing dreadlocks to lose their shape.

Give your locks a good soak by running warm water over them. Apply shampoo to the scalp and roots of your dreadlocks. If you’re using a soap bar, rub it between your hands or against your scalp to work it into a lather. Focus on cleansing the roots and the scalp. Use the tips of your fingers to scrub the scalp to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells. You can also use a dreadlock shampoo brush to get in between the dreads, giving your scalp a good massage. A scalp massage helps exfoliate the scalp, stimulates blood flow, and strengthens the follicles.

Let the shampoo sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing. Hold your head down, allowing the shampoo lather to run through your locks while you gently squeeze and release them.

African woman wearing dreadlocks

Importance of Proper Rinsing

Rinse your dreads using lukewarm water, while squeezing repeatedly, to get all the shampoo out of the hair. Make sure that there’s not any remaining residue within your locks when you finish washing. Shampoo residue coats the hair shaft, slowing the drying process and causing scalp irritation.

A conditioner is not good for dreads because conditioners contain lubricating and detangling ingredients that can loosen them.

To maintain shine, restore pH balance, and kill mold, apply a vinegar rinse twice a month after shampooing. Apply to your clean, wet hair, massage it into the scalp, and let it sit for a few minutes.

How to Dry Your Dreadlocks

After giving your dreadlocks a good squeeze, wrap them up in a large microfiber towel. Pinch each lock with a towel to dry them as much as possible. Leave the towel on for 10-20 minutes to help draw out residual moisture.

Dreadlocked hair takes a long time to dry because tightly packed hair strands don’t allow for proper air circulation. If you let your locks air dry, make sure they don’t sit damp for any longer than two hours to prevent an unpleasant smell and the growth of mold and mildew. Use a hair dryer to help your hair dry faster and to get the hair inside the locks as dry as possible.

Never go to bed when your dreads are still damp, as this will encourage mold and mildew issues. Don’t wash your hair later in the evening to allow it time to dry fully.

To speed up the drying process and ensure that your hair is completely dry, invest in a bonnet hair dryer or a bonnet hair dryer attachment.

Attractive girl with red dreadlocks

Best Shampoos for Dreads

Most ordinary shampoos are unsuitable for washing dreadlocks. Regular shampoos contain fragrances, conditioners, softeners, thickeners, and other synthetic additives that lubricate the hair, stopping it from matting and causing the loosening of knots. Dreadlocked hair tends to hold residue much more than straight hair. Residue build-up can clog your pores, extend drying time, and cause an unpleasant odor. Chemicals trapped in your dreadlocks can also cause your scalp to itch and may inhibit hair growth.

Look for shampoos made with natural and organic ingredients that prevent irritation and dandruff, keep optimal pH balance, and stimulate hair growth. Residue-free shampoos, made from herbs, keep your hair grease-free and enable your strands to lock faster and tighter.

For proper cleansing and better lock formation, select a shampoo that is created specifically for dreadlocked hair. A shampoo for dreads leaves your hair clean and relieves an irritated scalp. It helps your dreads to lock up by leaving the strands squeaky clean. Your dreads will also dry more quickly. 

1. Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is a residue-free shampoo formulated to meet the unique needs of dreadlocks. It is made with pure botanicals and coconut-based surfactants. It is pH-balanced and hypo-allergenic. Some of the coconut-derived ingredients tend to become solid in colder temperatures, but this will not negatively affect the product’s quality. To get the shampoo back to a fully liquid state, immerse the bottle in warm water and shake it up a few times before using it.

2. Dollylocks Nag Champa Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is another residue-free shampoo from the same brand. The exotic, earthy floral Nag Champa scent will leave your hair feeling refreshed.

3. Dollylocks Nag Champa Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is a residue-free shampoo bar, formulated with pure organic ingredients. It refreshes and soothes the irritated scalp and increases hair elasticity.

4. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo has a very cool minty smell that will leave your locks feeling clean and refreshed. This residue-free shampoo cleans your dreads, keeps them from getting over-dry, and helps soothe scalp irritation. This product is completely biodegradable.

5. Dread Head Dreadlock Soap leaves your hair clean and relieves an irritated scalp. It leaves the strands squeaky clean and rinses out easily without leaving any smell or residue behind.

A beautiful dark-skinned girl with dreads

Add Texture to Your Hair by Using the Right Styling Products

What is Hair Texture?

The term “texture” is used to describe the thickness of individual hair strands. The hair can have a fine, medium, or thick texture.

The term “texturizer” can have different meanings: In chemical services, a hair texturizer refers to a chemical product designed to slightly relax tightly coiled curls, giving them more of a wave pattern.

In this post, the term “texturizer” refers to styling products that are meant to add volume and lift to fine and flat hair and enhance its manageability.

smiling young blonde woman with texturizing product in the hair

Seven Reasons to Use Hair Texturizers

There are many good reasons to include hair texturizers in your hair care routine, and some of them are listed below:

  1. Lift your roots: If you have thick, sleek hair that sits flat on your head, you want to use a texturizer to define your layers and give some oomph to your locks.
  2. Boost volume: If you have fine, straight hair that feels boring and limp, you need a texturizer to keep your strands from falling flat. A texturizing product will help reinforce some volume and give your hair a fuller look.
  3. Give grip and hold: If your hair is hard to style, you need a texturizer to give it some grip and cut down your styling time. Hair texturizers also help hold a style in place throughout the day.
  4. Enhance highlights: If you have highlighted, short hair, you may want a texturizer to make your highlights stand out more.
  5. Tame flyaway hair: You may need a texturizer to tame frizz and flyaways without leaving the hair feeling greasy or sticky.
  6. Crete beachy look: If you are trying to achieve beachy hairstyles, texturizing products can give you that sexy, tousled look within a matter of minutes.
  7. Help retain curls: When applied to the hair before heat styling, a hair texturizer helps keep your style longer. If you have trouble curling your straight hair, using texturizing products helps your curls stay longer and give them a more defined look.

Hair Texturizing Styling Products

Texturizing styling products are gaining in popularity because unlike most ordinary hairsprays, they give a brushable hold.

1. Texturizing Paste

Texturizing paste works great for short hair. It separates hair into random pieces to achieve a stunning, messy look. It provides a flexible texture and makes fine hair appear thicker. This product is also suitable for either women’s or men’s hairstyles.

For best results, use a texturizing paste after blow-drying to separate hair and give it more definition. Rub a small amount between your hands and run it through the layers of hair. Use your fingertips to pull the pieces of hair in different directions, achieving the look you want.

If you have very fine or thin hair, use it before blow-drying to add more volume.

Related products: TIGI Bed Head Manipulator Texture Paste, AQUAGE Transforming Paste, Kevin Murphy Night Rider, Sun Bum Sonny’s Original Surf Paste, and AG Hair Natural Dry Lift Texture And Volume Paste.

cheerful young blonde woman with texturizing product in the hair

2. Texturizing Mist

If you have fine hair, this lightweight product will give your hair a nice texture and soft fullness without leaving it heavy.

For best results, use this product on towel-dried hair, before blow-drying. It will make your hair easy to style and keep the humidity at bay. When used before curling iron, it helps create well-defined bouncy curls.

Re-apply texturizing mist to dry hair to redefine texture and refresh your style.

Related products: Kenra Platinum Texturizing Mist, Brocato Back to the Beach Texturizing Mist, Design.ME Puff.ME LIGHT Volumizing Mist Powder, and Uplift Volumizing Mist by Volaire.

3. Dry Texturizing Spray

Dry texturizing spray partially works as a dry shampoo, keeping hair looking fresh between washes. It absorbs oil at the roots, giving volume and “oomph” to flat hair. This product offers a bit more hold than dry shampoo. It also gives hair a flexible grip, allowing for easy styling and restyling.

A dry texturizing spray works best on straight hair that needs some texture and messiness. This is the right product if you need something to refresh dirty or limp hair and add some volume.

To boost volume, flip your hair upside down and spray. To lift the roots, spray the product on the root area, and massage it in a circular motion. Use a comb to lightly tease your tresses for more volume. Spray on dry hair, after styling, to hold the style and prevent hair from getting oily. Use before curling to get longer-lasting curls.

Related products: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, MOROCCANOIL Dry Texture Spray, and MONAT Studio One Dry Texturizing Spray.

relaxed blond woman with texturized hair using smartphone

4. Dry Shampoos

Dry shampoo absorbs excess oils and keeps your locks looking fresh between washes. It also gives texture and revives limp hair, giving it body and bounce.

To refresh oily hair, spray the roots with quick, short sprays while holding sections of your hair upright. Hold the spray about 10 inches away from your scalp.

To create more texture and body, flip your head upside down and blast the dry shampoo throughout your hair.

Also, use a dry shampoo to create a gritty body and texture before styling an updo, bun, or braid.

Related products: Aveda New Shampure Dry Shampoo, Bumble, and Bumble Pret A Powder Shampoo, All Natural, Vegan Dry Shampoo Powder by Handmade Heroes, R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder, and Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo.

Smiling blonde with beautifully textured hair

5. Sea Salt Sprays

Sea salt hairsprays add volume and give a messy, tousled texture to your hair. They offer the quickest way to achieve beachy hairstyles without swimming in the ocean.

Salt sprays work best for people with naturally wavy hair.

If you have thick straight hair, sea salt spray helps achieve a more texturized look with some natural messiness.

If you have short hair, you can use sea salt spray to get a messier texture and more volume.

If your hair doesn’t hold the curl, apply sea spray before using a curling iron to achieve more natural and longer-lasting curls.

To get a beachy texture, apply sea salt spray to towel-dried hair, tousle, and let your locks air dry.

To enhance waves, apply sea salt spray generously onto damp hair and tousle with your fingers.

To boost volume, apply sea salt spray liberally to damp hair before blow-drying. To achieve a wavy, messy look, use the diffuser and run it through your hair in a gentle, circular motion.

Reapply sea salt spray to dry hair to redefine texture and bring your waves back to life.

The main downside of salt sprays is that they tend to strip moisture from your hair because salt attracts water molecules. Certain brands of sea salt sprays contain special ingredients in their formula to help balance moisture.

Related products: KICK Sea Salt Spray for Hair, Davines Sea Salt Spray, Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray, Sun Bum Sea Spray, and Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray.

A cute woman with texturized fine hair

6. Sugar Sprays

If you have dry or keratin-treated hair, you might want to skip salt sprays and check out a sugar spray. Unlike sea salt, sugar cane extract has a conditioning effect and will not dry out your hair. A texturizing spray with sugar cane extract gives your hair body, texture, and hold without the unwanted drying effect.

Apply a sugar spray to damp hair, before blow-drying, to create volume and texture. Use this product on dry hair, after styling, to lock your style in place. To get messy waves, spray sugar spray onto your hair, skipping the roots, then scrunching your hair with your hands.

Related products: Wella EIMI Sugar Lift Sugar Spray, Shea Moisture Sugarcane Extract and Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Miracle Styler, SUNCOAT PRODUCTS Sugar-Based Natural Hair Styling Spray, and Paul Mitchell Neon Sugar Spray Texturizer.

relaxed blond woman with texturized hair dressed in white

Sweet Almond Oil: Benefits and Uses for Hair and Scalp

Chemical-based hair care products can bring you short-term benefits but may harm your hair in the long run. If you are concerned about chemicals in your hair products, consider incorporating natural oils into your hair care regimen. This way, you can reduce exposure to chemicals while enjoying the amazing benefits of natural hair oils.

Sweet almond oil is a versatile oil that can substitute several of your store-bought products such as hair lotion, shine enhancer, and leave-in conditioner. This light-feeling oil is completely safe to use, except for people with a nut allergy.

Types of Almond Oil

Almond oil in bottle

Almond oil is extracted from the seed of the almond fruit. Two main types of almonds come from different trees – bitter almonds and sweet almonds.

  1. Bitter almond oil is poisonous in its pure form. Thanks to the delightful almond scent, bitter almond seeds are used for producing essential oil. Bitter almond essential oil is used to add scent to cosmetics products that add scent to cosmetic products. This type of almond oil should be used only by professional therapists.
  • Sweet almond oil is extracted from pressed sweet almond seeds. The sweet almond tree (Prunus dulcis) produces edible almonds that can be used for culinary purposes and also for cosmetic applications. Sweet almond oil has a pale yellow color and a mild nutty scent. It is rich in vitamins A, B, and E, antioxidants, fatty acids, and minerals. Those bioactive compounds make sweet almond oil one of the key ingredients in cosmetic products for skin, hair, and nails.

Brands that are supposed to be used for hair: Sweet Almond Oil for Skin by Viva Naturals (natural and unscented), Organic Sweet Almond Oil For Hair Growth by Hair Thickness Maximizer (100% Pure Organic), Pure Sweet Almond Hair Oil by Hollywood Beauty (certified organic), All Natural Sweet Almond Oil by Nature’s Oil (100% pure, works well as a carrier oil), and Sweet Almond Oil by QUANE COSMETICS (organic, cold-pressed).

Benefits of Sweet Almond Oil for Hair

Almond oil gets absorbed quickly, without leaving your hair sticky or overly oily. This lightweight oil can greatly improve the look and overall health of your hair.

  1. Moisturizing and conditioning effects: Due to its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, sweet almond oil is used to seal in moisture and restore softness and natural luster to dry hair. The high content of fatty acids prevents hair from drying out and keeps it strong, pliable, and easy to manage. To keep your hair hydrated, apply oil to your damp hair and scalp 30 minutes before washing. Comb your hair gently to spread the oil evenly from the roots to the ends of your hair. Wrap your hair with a plastic shower cap and a hot towel to trap the heat inside or use a heated gel cap to increase the treatment effectiveness. For best results, do this treatment once or twice a week.
  2. Leave in conditioner: To seal in moisture inside the hair, put a few drops of sweet almond oil on your palms and rub them together to warm the oil. Run your fingers through the hair to spread the oil from the roots to the tips, focusing on the ends.
  3. Shine enhancer: Sweet almond oil can bring life back to hair that is damaged by bleaching or heat styling. This oil adds a nice sheen to dull hair and makes it manageable and tangle-free. To add a healthy shine to your hair, apply a pea-sized amount of oil to damp hair. You can also add a few drops of the oil to your regular conditioner.
  4. Curl enhancer: To make your naturally curly hair softer and more manageable, rub a few drops of almond oil on your palms and run your hands through the hair. This will make your curls smooth and well-defined.
  5. Smoother, silkier hair: For adding softness to hair, put a few drops of oil and gently massage the scalp, then work it through your hair. Allow the oil to absorb into your scalp and hair for 30 minutes before shampooing or leave it on as long as you like.
  6. Split ends tamer: High levels of protein in almond oil help make hair stronger and prevent the strands from splitting. Using almond oil as a deep conditioning treatment before shampooing helps minimize the drying effects of hair shampoos and reduces the appearance of split ends.
  7. Sun protector: Omega-3 fatty acids in almond oil help reflect harmful UV rays, protecting your hair and scalp from sun damage while improving hair elasticity and strength.
  8. Hot oil treatments: Mix sweet almond oil with other hair oils and use to apply hot oil treatments. This oil can penetrate the hair shaft and is popular among people with low-porosity hair.
Beautiful blonde girl holding almond nut

Almond Oil for a Healthy Scalp

Almond oil can improve the overall health of your scalp and prevent some scalp conditions.

Relieves itchy scalp: A scalp massage with almond oil helps calm the dry/itchy scalp. A hair mask containing almond oil helps moisturize your scalp and hair to prevent dryness during the cold winter months.

Dandruff control: The antibacterial and antifungal properties of sweet almond oil help soothe scalp inflammation and alleviate the symptoms of dandruff. The potent penetrating property of almond oil help to soften and remove dead skin cells from the scalp.

To fight dandruff, massage almond oil into your scalp. Let it sit for an hour before a bath or leave it overnight for maximum results. For best results, mix almond oil with tea tree, coconut, rosemary, and lavender oils.

Relief for eczema and psoriasis: Because of its moisturizing and mild antimicrobial properties, sweet almond oil is often used to soothe the dry and irritated scalp and alleviate the discomfort of eczema and psoriasis.

Is Almond Oil Good for Hair Growth?

Almond oil is rich in healthy hair-growing ingredients such as proteins, folic acid, vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium. It helps prevent thinning hair, strengthens hair fibers, and boosts hair elasticity.

Almond oil soaks into the scalp easily, without clogging pores, and keeps your scalp hydrated and clean. It efficiently dissolves dirt, oil, pollutants, and dead skin cells to unblock clogged hair follicles, allowing them to grow healthy hair.

To cleanse and nourish your scalp, apply almond oil a few hours before showering. Massage gently into the scalp in circular motions using your fingertips. Leave the oil overnight for the best results. Repeat twice a week.

Sweet almond oil is easy to combine with essential oils, such as rosemary, or lavender oil, for improved effectiveness in promoting hair growth.

How to Choose and Store Sweet Almond Oil for Hair

Cold-pressed almond oil is made by mechanical procedures of pressing ripe seeds, without using heat or chemical solvents. The cold pressing method allows for better preservation of potent natural ingredients. Cold-pressed sweet almond oil is slightly darker and is more expensive than refined almond oil.

It’s important to read the label to ensure you are buying 100 percent pure, unscented, food-grade, sweet almond oil with no additives. Make sure the bottle says “sweet” almond oil. If the price is too low, check the list of ingredients to ensure you are buying a genuine product.

For people with sensitive skin, certified organic almond oil is a great alternative to chemical-laden skin care products.

Check the expiration date to ensure you are purchasing a fresh product. Properly stored almond oil will stay fresh and potent for up to a year. Make sure it is packaged in a tightly sealed dark glass bottle to prevent oxidation and preserve freshness. Keep it in a cool, dry place (it doesn’t need to be refrigerated) away from the light.

a cute girl holding almond nuts in her hands

Proper Hair Care Routine for Low Porosity Hair

What is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity is the term used to describe the hair’s ability to absorb moisture, nourishing products, or chemical treatments. There are three degrees of hair porosity: high, medium (normal), and low.

Overly porous hair has damaged cuticles that have lost their tightness due to excessive usage of thermal appliances or frequent chemical processing. Highly porous hair can absorb excessive amounts of water but is not able to retain its internal moisture.

Low porosity hair, also called resistant hair, refers to cuticle scales that are tightly sealed, not allowing moisture or chemicals to easily enter or leave the hair shaft. Low porosity hair generally looks healthy and has lots of sheen because of the smooth cuticle layer. Another advantage of having low-porosity hair is that color doesn’t tend to fade quickly.

Hair that has medium porosity falls in the middle of the spectrum and is considered ideal as it responds well to styling products and chemical treatments. The cuticle of normal porosity hair is flexible, allowing the right amount of moisture to pass into the cortex.

hair porosity test

If you find it hard to saturate your hair with water in the shower, that may be a good indication of its low porosity level. A simple strand float test can be performed to determine your hair porosity, but the hair products you use can lead to inconsistent results. It is best to do the strand float test after using a clarifying shampoo when your hair is freshly clean.

It is advisable to have your hair examined by a professional to get more reliable results. Knowing your hair’s porosity level, you can adjust your hair care regimen and select products that are compatible with the condition of your hair.

Why is Lower Porosity Hair So Frustrating?

Although considered healthier than high porous hair, low porosity hair is not ideal when it comes to the absorption of moisture and responsiveness to hair treatments. When deprived of moisture, hair strands can become inelastic and fragile.

If your low-porosity hair becomes dehydrated for some reason, you need to put in additional effort to infuse your strands with moisture.

Low-porosity hair is more susceptible to product build-up, because hair products don’t pass the cuticle layer, but rather sit on the hair shaft making your locks feel greasy.

Hair with low porosity is more resistant to chemical processing, such as perming or coloring than hair with normal or high porosity. If you are dealing with resistant hair, keep in mind that it will take longer for chemicals to penetrate the cuticle to work.

a beautiful dark-skinned woman with low porosity hair

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Low Porosity Hair Regimen

Lower porosity hair requires a different approach than the hair of medium or high porosity. You need to learn some tips on how to get hair treatments absorbed into the hair shaft and how to keep your strands healthy and beautiful.

Deep conditioning treatments: Deep conditioning, at least once a month, is crucial for infusing low-porosity hair with necessary moisture. To get the most benefit, apply the product to clean, damp hair. Also, apply mild heat to make the treatment more effective.

The best way to help moisture enter the hair shaft is to incorporate a steamer or a heated gel cap into your hair care regimen. Using a hair steamer for 15-30 minutes helps loosen up tightly closed cuticles, allowing the conditioning ingredients to penetrate the hair shaft and infuse your strands with moisturizing nutrients. If you don’t have either of those tools, sit under a hooded dryer with a plastic cap on for 10-15 minutes. Wait for about two hours if you are using a plastic cap and your body heat.

Deep conditioner for low porosity hair: Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment is an intense protein-free and silicone-free deep conditioner that infuses dry and curly hair types with much-needed moisture. This thick and creamy conditioner uses cocoa butter and shea butter to hydrate dry hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and easy to detangle. It has either citrus lavender or island fantasy scent while for fragrance-sensitive people an unscented option is available.

Clarifying: Buildup can prevent hair from absorbing water when a moisturizing treatment is applied. Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to remove old, lingering products from your strands. Follow with a protein-free rinse-out conditioner.

Bentonite clay is a great natural deep cleanser for low-porosity hair. It has strong absorptive properties that attract impurities and remove excess product buildup. A bentonite clay hair mask softens resistant hair, making it more manageable and receptive to styling products.

Wash your low-porosity hair with warm instead of cold water to help the cuticle open a bit, allowing moisturizing ingredients from the conditioner to enter the hair shaft. After conditioning, rinse with cool water to close the cuticle and seal the moisture inside the hair.

Use a water-based, leave-in conditioner on damp hair after every shampooing. Liquid-based leave-in conditioner, which contains little to no protein, will infuse your non-porous hair with hydration and lubricate the hair shaft, without coating the hair with too much product.

To meet the requirements for low-porosity natural hair, Shea Moisture has created a new, porosity-based product line. Shea Moisture Low Porosity Hair-Line includes Low Porosity, Protein-Free Shampoo, Tea Tree Oil Low Porosity Protein Free Conditioner, and Leave-In Detangler.

Another brand that caters to the needs of low-porosity hair is TGIN (Thanks Good It Is Natural).

Rose Water Smoothing Leave-In Conditioner for Natural Hair is a light, protein-free leave-in conditioner that leaves thirsty low porosity hair soft and moisturized.

Also, consider Rose Water Sulfate-Free Hydrating Shampoo.

Charming African-American girl with curly hair holding a notebook

What Products Should You Avoid?

There are some products that your non-porous hair won’t like:

Silicones: Avoid using products containing water-insoluble silicones because you already have a compact hair cuticle layer and don’t need anything that can coat the hair shaft. Water-soluble silicones are easily washable with a mild shampoo. To remove the residues of water-insoluble silicones, you need to use sulfate-containing or clarifying shampoo.

Protein-rich conditioners: Avoid heavy and creamy, thick conditioners that can weigh down your hair. Use a lightweight or diluted rinse-out conditioner to provide good slip for smooth detangling.

Protein-enriched styling products: Protein-rich leave-in products may not be beneficial for low porous strands because there are not many tears or gaps in the cuticle layer that need to be filled. Protein particles that bind to the hair can block already tightly closed cuticles preventing the absorption of moisture and products.

Heavy oils: Avoid using heavy hair oils for styling purposes, as these can’t be absorbed and will sit on the hair’s surface. Use hair oils in small quantities, preferably lightweight moisturizing formulas such as jojoba, argan, baobab, and sweet almond oils. These oils can easily penetrate the hair shaft. However, heavier oils work well for hot oil treatments because they can be absorbed when warmed up.

Co-washing: Washing your hair with a cleansing conditioner will lead to build-up over time. If you stick with the co-washing method, you need to regularly cleanse your non-porous hair with a clarifying shampoo.

charming African girl with low-porosity hair

How to Apply Chemical Treatments to Hair with Low Porosity?

A disadvantage of lower porosity hair is that the compact cuticle layer doesn’t allow chemical treatments to enter the hair shaft. Chemical services such as coloring or permanent waving can be difficult to perform or processing time may take longer than normal. A clarifying treatment before processing will make the hair more receptive to the perm service.

Low porosity hair absorbs color at a slower rate than high porous hair because the hair shaft repels chemicals. Since such hair resists chemical services, color absorption may take longer than stated on the box.

Make sure to apply hair dye to perfectly clean hair because dirty hair is more resistant to chemicals than clean hair. Crystal Clarifying Treatment by Ion is designed to remove hard water and product build-up to prepare hair for chemical services.

Dying low-porosity hair may slightly increase the porosity level and make hair less resistant to penetration of hair products.

a beautiful young woman applying treatment to her low porosity hair

The Amazing Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Scalp and Hair

People with oily scalps and hair are often reluctant to use hair oils. This could be a mistake, especially when it comes to Jojoba oil. This oil can help balance sebum production and solve a problem with oily scalp. Jojoba oil is a miracle remedy for people with oily scalps and dry hair.

When applied to your scalp, jojoba oil rapidly soaks into the skin and sends a message to your oil glands: “Stop unnecessary sebum production, there is already enough moisture!” At the same time, jojoba oil keeps your scalp moist and nourished while preventing sebum accumulation in the pores.

If your hair is dry, you can use jojoba oil as a leave-in conditioner before blow drying to keep your hair moisturized, healthy, and lustrous. Unlike most commercial personal care products, this miracle oil doesn’t contain any chemicals that can harm your skin and hair.

a young woman applying jojoba oil to her hair

Uses of Jojoba Oil

In its purest form, jojoba oil has a wax-like structure, light golden color, and a subtle nut-like smell. Refined and bleached jojoba oil is a clear and odorless liquid that may have less active compounds. Jojoba oil is a rich source of potent nutrients that are highly beneficial for your skin and hair. Those nutrients include essential fatty acids, vitamin E, biotin, niacin, ferulic acid, silica, zinc, copper, and many other important antioxidants. Thanks to its amazing moisturizing and nourishing properties, this oil is one of the most important natural oils used to make beauty products.

Jojoba oil is highly resistant to oxidation and has less tendency to become rancid than other plant oils. It can be stored for at least 2 years before starts to degrade. Jojoba oil in a dark amber bottle has a prolonged shelf-life of up to five years.

1. Jojoba Oil for Hair Growth

Excessive buildup of sebum on the scalp can clog pores and block the opening of the hair follicle. This can cause hair to fall and interfere with normal hair growth. As a scalp cleanser, jojoba oil dissolves sebum deposits and removes the buildup created by hair products, leaving the pores clean. Clean pores allow nutrients to enter hair follicles to improve their functionality and stimulate hair growth.

Jojoba oil also may help with conditions that can cause hair fall such as scalp dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.

Jojoba oil closely resembles human sebum which gives it the ability to penetrate the scalp deeper than other oils and cleanse the blocked follicles that prevent hair from growing.

A scalp massage with jojoba oil boosts blood circulation in the scalp area. Increased blood supply to the scalp rejuvenates hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Rub the oil between your palms, then apply it to the scalp and massage gently for several minutes, focusing on the areas with thinning hair. Leave the jojoba oil sitting for about 10-20 minutes before shampooing. You can also leave it in the hair overnight. Repeat the massage at least twice a week.

Add a few drops of jojoba oil to your regular shampoo to fight dullness, reduce breakage, and stimulate hair growth.

a cute girl applying jojoba oil to her long hair

2. Remedy for Dry Hair

Jojoba oil can be used to compensate for decreased sebum production due to aging, preventing hair from becoming dry, brittle, and dull. Jojoba oil forms a thin, protective layer around the hair shaft to help your hair retain moisture. This gives your hair a smooth texture and instant shine. Since jojoba oil is very similar in composition to human sebum, it is readily absorbed by the skin, which keeps your scalp from drying out.

This oil can be used as a leave-in conditioner when applied to clean, towel-dried hair. If your hair is dry and damaged by repeated coloring and bleaching, put a few drops of Jojoba oil into your hands, before blow drying, and run your fingers through your hair. Turn your head upside down and apply 1-2 drops to the ends of your hair. This will mend split ends much better than silicone-based serums, while adding shine and a velvety feel to your hair.

3. Jojoba Oil for Healthy Scalps

In addition to shampoo or lotion prescribed by your doctor, Jojoba oil can help with common scalp problems. This oil is often used to moisturize dry scalp, balance sebum production, and relieve problems related to clogged pores and blocked hair follicles.

Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and non-comedogenic, which means that it will not irritate your scalp or clog the pores. Due to its anti-inflammatory and mild antiseptic properties, this oil has a soothing effect on the irritated scalp.

If you suffer from a dry, itchy, and flaky scalp in the winter, massage the oil into the affected areas. To control scalp acne, massage jojoba oil into your scalp and leave it in for 10-20 minutes, and then clean it with shampoo.

a woman applying jojoba oil to the scalp

Jojoba oil helps balance sebum production and can be used to eliminate oily scalp problems. When applied to the scalp, it balances the level of sebum on a dry, as well as on an oily scalp. Due to its similarity to human sebum, the application of jojoba oil to the scalp causes overactive oil glands to produce less sebum.

The most common cause of “greasy dandruff” is excessive sebum secretions and accumulation on the scalp. Since jojoba oil is similar in structure to sebum, massaging the oil onto the scalp can effectively dissolve and clear the encrusted scales created by sebum over-accumulation, providing relief from dandruff.

Since Jojoba oil is an excellent scalp cleanser, people with psoriasis benefit from using this oil as a remedy for an itchy and irritated scalp. Putting the oil on scaly patches of skin helps clear the layers of dead skin cells, providing relief from soreness and itching.

4. Jojoba Oil for Beard Care

Jojoba oil is the perfect addition to a man’s beard routine. It helps the beard grow, keeps it soft, and eliminates dry, flaky skin. This oil also helps soothe painful, itchy feelings during early beard growth after a shave.

Apply a couple of drops of oil to your beard after showering to keep your beard feeling healthy and soft and to give it a nice shine.

How to Buy the Best Jojoba Oil?

Select 100% pure, unrefined, cold-pressed oil, because in such form it retains all the vital nutrients and beauty benefits. A dark bottle helps preserve the product for a very long period. The presence of the dropper will make the application easier and more hygienic.

The bottle of Jojoba oil

Aloe Vera Benefits for Scalp and How to Use It

If you are looking for an effective natural remedy that can replace many chemical-laden products in your scalp care routine, and improve your scalp health, the answer is Aloe Vera! Due to the high content of antiseptic agents, Aloe Vera has the ability to provide anti-inflammatory and soothing benefits to the skin. It is widely used as a treatment for a variety of skin conditions.

Aloe Vera is rich in active phytochemicals and healthy ingredients such as minerals, vitamins, polypeptides, enzymes, proteins, and fatty acids. The clear gel from Aloe leaves can help you to relieve some stubborn scalp issues while keeping your hair healthy, moisturized, and silky.

smiling woman with aloe vera leaves

How Aloe Vera Can Benefit Your Scalp?

1. pH Balancer

Commercial shampoos and other chemical-filled hair care products can upset the natural pH balance of your scalp. Aloe Vera has a natural pH level between 4.5 and 5.5 which is in the same range as the pH level of your hair. The normal pH level of the scalp helps eliminate scalp issues and ensures an optimal environment for hair growth.

To restore and retain the normal pH balance of your scalp, use Aloe Vera shampoo and choose other hair care products that are designed to match the natural pH of your scalp and hair. The acceptable pH level for hair care products ranges between 4 and 7.

You can find the pH of your products on the label or you can determine it by using pH test strips (video).

2. Sebum Balancer

Normal oily secretion protects the scalp and keeps it hydrated. However, sebum accumulation on the scalp can give your hair a greasy look and leads to clogged pores. Extracts of Aloe Vera act as a natural astringent that helps prevent over-accumulation of sebum on the scalp. If you suffer from an oily scalp and want to regulate sebum production, you may want to regularly apply Aloe Vera juice to your scalp and hair. You can also use Aloe Vera shampoo or add a few drops of Aloe juice to your regular shampoo.

a young beautiful woman with healthy aloe nourished hair

3. Relief for Itchy Scalp

The antiseptic properties of Aloe can soothe an irritated scalp and provide relief from itching and inflammation. When applied to the scalp, Aloe Vera juice penetrates the skin quickly to get rid of bacteria, providing immediate relief. Aloe juice has a cooling/soothing effect on your scalp and helps get rid of scratches and infections.

For people who shave their heads, Aloe gel helps calm razor burn and protects the skin from inflammation.

To soothe an itchy scalp, it is important to choose organic and hypoallergenic products without fragrance or synthetic preservatives. Use Aloe gel two or three times a week to condition your scalp after shampooing. Gently massage the gel into the affected area after each shower and leave it in. The gel helps soothe inflammation and keeps your scalp feeling moist and refreshed.

4. Home Remedy for Eczema and Psoriasis

Using aloe vera keeps your skin hydrated and may relieve symptoms of psoriasis. Aloe’s anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties help reduce redness, scaling, and inflammation on the scalp. Aloe’s enzymatic properties help destroy dead skin cells that cause itching.

This natural remedy provides relief to individuals with eczema by healing patches of broken skin and preventing infections. To soothe scalp eczema, wash your hair with organic, fragrance-free Aloe Vera shampoo. Rinse your hair with lukewarm water and apply Aloe Vera gel to the problematic area.

happy young woman with healthy hair and scalp

5. Aloe Vera for Dandruff

Dandruff is often caused by the fungus Malassezia which lives on the scalp causing inflammation. People with oily scalps may have dandruff caused by the fungus because excess moisture in an oily scalp contributes to fungal growth. On the other hand, people with dry skin may experience scalp flaking.

Antiseptic agents in Aloe Vera have natural antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help fight inflammation and fungal infections. The Aloe reacts with the fatty deposits in your scalp, making them water-soluble and easy to remove from pores. This will make the scalp less suitable for fungus growth.

How to Use Lemon Juice and Aloe Vera to Relief Dandruff: Pour about 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into half a cup filled with aloe gel. Massage this mixture into the skin of the scalp and leave it on for about 20 minutes. When the time is up, wash your hair and scalp with mild shampoo. This mixture will remove deposits of dead cells and excess oil from the scalp.

6. Aloe Vera for Flaky Scalp

A lack of natural oils makes the scalp vulnerable to irritation and damage. The result is cell dead skin cells and unsightly white flakes. Aloe Vera is very beneficial for people with dry and flaky scalps. The skin absorbs Aloe Vera juice up to four times faster than water. Aloe keeps the skin moist and helps hydrate a dry and thirsty scalp. Aloe products can be used to prevent a dry, flaky scalp during the winter months.

Regular application of Aloe juice/gel to the scalp helps reduce or even eliminate flaking. If you cannot take fresh juice right from the plant, use a store-bought, organic, certified Aloe gel that can provide you with the same benefits.

How to use: Massage the gel onto the scalp with your fingers and let it remain for 30 minutes or more before taking a shower. You can leave the gel on overnight and wash your hair with a mild shampoo the next morning. Repeat this scalp treatment at least two times a week for a few months to prevent flakes from coming back.

Washing your hair with an organic Aloe shampoo can also help.

7. Aloe Vera for Hair Growth

Aloe prevents an over-accumulation of sebum and helps unclog pores filled with sebum and dead skin cells. It promotes blood flow to the scalp and enhances blood supply to the hair follicles. Increased blood flow boosts oxygen exchange in the cells, speeding up cellular regeneration in hair follicles, and stimulating hair growth.

You can incorporate fresh aloe vera juice into your DIY hair masks. However, the simplest way to use aloe vera for faster hair growth is to use shampoo and conditioner that contain aloe vera. You will also enjoy other benefits that this miracle plant can provide to your scalp and hair.

smiling young woman with healthy long hair a

Hair Color Removers- Benefits and Limitations

What is Hair Color Remover?

An artificial hair color extractor, also called hair dye remover or hair color stripper, is highly effective and one of the least harmful ways to remove artificial color pigments from your hair. If your desire to look like Gwen Stefani’s platinum pixie transformed into a “Yellow Submarine,” then read on!

Stealth Haircare Health: A color stripper is specially designed to remove oxidative (permanent) dye from the hair. Color-removing products generally don’t contain ammonia or bleaching agents. If you select the right brand and only use the product occasionally, it won’t cause significant damage to your hair.

Common Sense about the Scents: Color removers are suitable for use at home, but ensure that you carefully follow the directions and apply the product properly. The strong sulfur smell might be difficult for some people to tolerate.

A girl with wet hair after removing color

When Do You Need to Use a Color Stripper?

1. Color Chaos to Get Rid of Unwanted Color: If you tried a different brand of your desired shade and it came out darker than you wanted, a color stripper is your new BFF! Or, if you dyed your natural blonde hair a darker color, but don’t like the results, consider a color stripper as your rescue ranger! In either case, a hair dye remover is the most effective way to reverse an undesirable color application and achieve a good base for a new color.

2. Pre-treating color remover: This product can be used to remove the build-up of previous color applications, making your hair ready for re-coloring and achieving the shade of your choice.

Color removers without bleach: Color Oops Hair Color Remover, VANISH Color Corrector, PRAVANA Artificial Hair Color Extractor, and Salerm Color Reverse. These products are kinder to your hair than peroxide-containing formulas.

Brands that contain bleach: Some brands like the L’OREAL Effasol Color Remover, Colorist Secrets Haircolor Remover, and Wella Color Charm Color Remover contain bleach in their formula.

Makeover Moments: How Does a Color Remover Work?

During the processing time, the color remover works by 1. Entering the hair shaft 2. Then breaking down the large color molecules that are deposited in the hair by oxidative hair dyes.  The particles of color molecules become small enough to be washed out from the hair. This product will not only remove the synthetic pigments from the last color you applied but also from all the previous dyes, too.

Bleaching Briefs: Dye remover won’t lighten your natural hair color because it doesn’t contain bleach (there are some exceptions). This product is designed to only remove previously applied permanent hair dye pigments, without bleaching.

Here’s a bleaching brief: This product won’t work if you’re trying to restore your original natural color and you’ve used bleach in the past. Color remover won’t restore your hair to its pre-bleached color because the natural pigment within your underlying virgin hair has been lightened and altered. Dye remover will remove all the artificial dye from your hair and reveal the underlying lightened base.

Don’t expect a beautiful color after the color-removal process is completed. However, you can attain the perfect base to dye your hair again to achieve your desired color. That is what this product is designed for.

Color Chameleons: Those who want to return to their natural color may be disappointed by the results. Many people blame their color remover for leaving warm undertones (This is why you hardly ever see a highly-rated color remover). However, these undertones may be the result of the previous dying processes. Past underlying permanent dyes may have lifted some of the natural pigments present in your hair and the color extractor just revealed this unsightly hair.

Color Transformers: Will a Color Remover Strip a Semi-Permanent Color?

This unique product doesn’t work on intense colors such as blues, bright reds, pinks, purples, or greens. It only works on dyes that use peroxide developers, so it’s ineffective at removing direct dyes like henna and other plant-based colors, as well as semi-permanent or temporary colors.

Rainbow guys and gals have color-stripping products formulated for their needs. Direct dye removers help get rid of semi-permanent colors and allow for more experimenting with fashion colors.

To summarize the typical color chameleon facts,

  • The outcome depends on your natural color and your hair coloring history.
  • If you have been dying your naturally brown hair black, it may turn out a reddish-brown.
  • If you have been dying your naturally golden blonde hair a dark brown, you probably will end up with a slightly reddish blonde.
  • If you have been dying your naturally dark hair a lighter shade, a color remover likely will alleviate the artificial dye from your hair and reveal the lightened base.
  • If your hair was partially gray before permanently dying in a darker shade, your white hair will possibly turn orange. You may need help from your colorist to recolor or make the transition to your naturally gray hair.

Damage Control: Is a Dye Remover Damaging to Your Hair?

For the down low on damage control, keep in mind that color strippers remove only the artificial dyes without altering the structure of your hair. Using them is less damaging to your hair than applying bleach or ammonia-based products. However, subjecting the hair to shampooing multiple times and a lot of warm water rinsing can strip natural oils and leave your strands feeling dry. Make sure to do deep conditioning treatment to help your hair to restore moisture and softness. Do damage control to keep your hair on a hot roll!

If you only use a hair color extractor occasionally, you shouldn’t experience any serious damage to your hair. However, overusing color-stripping products can leave your hair dry, porous, and prone to breakage. Another potential unwanted effect is faster color fading because color strippers may leave the cuticles lifted.

To preserve the integrity of your hair, use hair color removers in moderation and choose a brand that doesn’t contain bleach.

How to Use Color Removers

a girl searching for information on her phone

Read the instructions: Read the instruction carefully to get the most out of the product and minimize unwanted effects. Some color removers are supposed to be used in a well-ventilated room. Some others work better in a warm room. So, you must read the instructions carefully to choose an appropriate environment as every product is different.

Protect your skin and your place: Color removers should be applied to dry, unwashed hair. The protective oil coating helps prevent skin irritation. Also, protect your clothing and nearby surfaces as the product could stain them. Always wear gloves and use the applicator bottle provided or ensure that all items used are made of plastic or glass.

Application stage: You need to follow directions and prepare the product in order to cause a chemical reaction that will strip the unwanted color. In this, stage you need to work fast because once the product is activated it will start losing its effectiveness. Using a tint brush immediately apply the mixture to the hair. If you have long hair, you may find it easier to pour the product into your gloved hand and apply it with your fingertips. Use a wide-toothed plastic comb to ensure even distribution.

Processing stage: Once the hair is well saturated with the mixture, put a processing cap over your hair, and leave it as long as directed. If instructions say to apply heat for the recommended time. You can use a blow dryer to keep your hair warm. Applying heat helps open the cuticle and accelerate color removal. If you don’t use the blow dryer, wrap the plastic cap with a towel to keep your hair warm.

The rinsing stage: This is the most important part of the process and must be done properly. During this step, you wash out the color particles from the hair. Shampoo and thoroughly rinse by directing the water into the hair multiple times. Follow each shampoo with a long warm rinse to keep the cuticles open. If you don’t rinse your hair well enough, the color particles that remain in your hair will oxidize in the air and expand again. When you do not completely flush color particles out, you may experience unwanted re-darkening and return to the unwanted color within 24-48 hours after use. The extra rinsing also helps with washing away the strong, unpleasant smell of the product.

Apply conditioner: Your hair will be a bit dry after multiple shampooing, so apply a good amount of conditioner and leave it for several minutes to combat the dryness.

Recoloring

Although the directions on the box say that you can dye your hair the same day, I would recommend letting your hair rest for several days before dying it. If your previous color applications left your hair dry and overly porous, this condition will become even more obvious after using a color remover. If you choose to apply permanent hair dye immediately following the color removal process, you need to select a color that is at least 2 levels lighter than you want, because the coloring of extremely porous hair will produce darker and more intense results than desired.

If you wish to re-color your hair the same day, it is advisable to apply a temporary or semi-permanent hair color closest to your natural shade and wait at least a week before applying a permanent dye. Use this period to recover your high-porosity hair to recover and replenish some moisture.

Use neutral protein filler to seal the cuticles and equalize hair porosity before applying a new color.

If you decide just to wait for the roots to grow out, using a “purple” shampoo will help keep the brassiness away.

attractive woman with ruby hair color

How to Keep Gray Hair Soft and Shiny

When your first gray strands appear, you have two choices: You can either accept and embrace your natural looks, or you can cover your gray hair and commit to regular coloring sessions.

Why are so many women dying their gray hair?

  1. Some women may feel they look less attractive because gray doesn’t look good with their skin tone.
  2. Gray hair can make you look older than you feel. For many years, gray hair has been considered an unpleasant sign of aging, so many women decide to cover up gray because they want to regain a youthful look.
Gray haired woman looking at the morror

5 Reasons to Love Your Gray Locks

  1. Women with gray hair can look fashionable. Right now, silver hair hues are a hot trend among celebrities and young, fashionable individuals. More and more young women are visiting hair salons to request gray dye color services. This new, trendy fashion has inspired a growing number of elder women to quit coloring and wear their natural gray hair color confidently.
  2. With the right hairstyle and proper maintenance, your gray locks can look cool and appealing.
  3. Wearing your naturally gray hair can be a sign of self-confidence.
  4. You will reduce the number of harmful chemicals that you apply to the skin.
  5. You will save time and money by eliminating professional color services and stopping the endless gray root battle.

Why Does Your Hair Turn Gray?

Graying hair is generally caused by the normal aging process. On the other hand, premature graying can be caused by a variety of factors including hereditary predisposition, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiency (especially B12), smoking, and stress.

Graying occurs when the amount of melanin pigment that is generated by pigment-forming cells in hair follicles starts decreasing. For some people, graying begins around 25 years of age, while other people may discover their first gray hair in their 40s. Going gray is inevitable and, regardless of age, the process cannot be reversed.

attractive woman with gray hair

5 Problems Associated with Graying Hair

  1. Dryness: Going gray changes the texture of the hair. Gray hair is drier than pigmented hair because sebaceous oil glands become less active as you get older. Gray hair also has a rough texture and can be more prone to frizz and difficult to manage.
  2. Discoloration: The cuticle layer of gray hair is very porous. Gray hair attracts pigments from the environment more readily than pigmented hair and can easily turn brassy.
  3. Stubborn texture and dull appearance: Unpigmented hair lacks shine due to its uneven texture and lack of natural oils.
  4. Brittleness: Gray hair is weaker and less smooth than pigmented hair, resulting in an increased risk of breakage.
  5. Commitment: Gray hair is less responsive to coloring than pigmented hair, so it may be a bit harder to get good coverage. For most women who choose to hide their gray, this means frequent visits to the salon for touch-ups, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Proper Care for Your Gray Locks

You can’t stop the graying process, but you can do your best to keep your gray hair healthy, soft, and manageable. Getting a modern cut and using the right products makes it easier to go gray gracefully. 

To keep gray hair healthy, use a shampoo and conditioner designed to moisturize dry hair. Eliminate all sulfate-containing shampoos as they can lead to dryness.

How to Soften Coarse Gray Hair

Softening Shampoos

A quality softening shampoo with moisturizing ingredients can be the answer to concerns about the dryness and roughness of gray hair. Moisturizing and smoothing shampoos help make gray hair smooth, soft, and manageable.

  • Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo is a wonderful softener that restores moisture and leaves your hair feeling smooth and bouncy.
  • Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo is a gentle, sulfate & sodium chloride-free formula that moisturizes hair, combats frizziness, and provides smoothness and shine.
beautiful greyhaired woman having video call on the phone

How to Keep Gray Hair Bright

Unpigmented hair is prone to discoloration from the sun, chlorine, or hard water. The easiest way to keep gray hair bright is by using a violet-pigmented shampoo and conditioner. Purple toning products are designed to take the yellow (brassiness) out of gray, as well as blonde and white hair.

Assian business woman with gray hair

Silver/Purple Shampoos

Purple toning shampoos deposit violet pigments onto the hair shaft to neutralize the unwanted brassiness that gray hair can develop. These purple pigments give gray hair a cooler look and add extra shine. You can start using a purple shampoo during the salt and pepper stage of your hair.

For best results, use a purple shampoo once or twice a week in place of your regular, sulfate-free shampoo. Always follow with a regular conditioner to keep your hair moisturized. Apply a deep conditioning treatment once a week to restore smoothness and shine.

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woman with short gray hair walking in the sun

Styling Gray Hair

To maintain the integrity of your strands, avoid excessive heat styling and any harsh chemical treatments such as perming and straightening.

Be careful using heavy styling products such as waxes, pomades, and oily serums as they can build up on your hair and make it look dull.

Gray hair tends to look dry and lifeless. To add shine and smoothness to your gray locks, apply a clear hair gloss or glaze occasionally.

To prevent damage and the appearance of brassiness, stay out of direct sunlight, and use hair sunscreen when you are going out in the sun.

Styling gels for gray hair help prevent white strands from developing a yellowish tinge and give your locks extra body and manageability.

  • RUSK Deepshine PlatinumX Gel is formulated to provide hold and control to people with platinum, silver, gray or blonde hair. It contains violet pigments that help neutralize unwanted yellow and brassy tones while boosting brightness and shine.

Carefully selected styling mousse can provide softness and manageability and add volume to your gray locks.

Leave-in sprays for gray hair are formulated to add moisture, smoothness, and shine to blonde, silver, and gray hair.

  • Pure Blonde Violet Leave-In Toning Spray by Surface Hair nourishes the strands, enhances brightness, and adds shine to blonde and gray hair.

Ask your stylist to help you find a stylish haircut that flatters your face shape.

How to Transition to Gray Hair?

If you have been dying your hair, there will be a transitional period until your color grows out. During the first few weeks, covering your roots with a root touch-up spray or powder can fix the problem.

Let your colorist help you during the grow-out phase. The transition will be smooth if you’re a natural blonde. For darker shades, a colorist may suggest going lighter, as a first step in the transitional process to make the demarcation line between regrowth and dyed hair less noticeable.

A gray-haired woman working in the garden

Benefits of and Concerns about Cellophane Hair Treatments

What is Hair Cellophane?

The hair cellophane treatment is a popular shine exchanging service that is also known as a hair gloss treatment. Hair cellophane works by coating the cuticle with silicon-based polymers that add a glossy shine to the hair. The product is available in a clear and tinted formula.

Hair cellophane treatments work best on dry, coarse, and dull hair. The hydrolyzed proteins and silicone in the formula seal the cuticle, helping to reduce hair porosity and preventing hair strands from turning frizzy. This treatment is often performed after a perm, relaxing, or hair rebounding services to condition dry ends, refresh color, and add a protective, shiny finish.

A woman with wavy hair after cellophane hair treatment

A cellophane hair treatment doesn’t straighten hair, but it relaxes curls slightly and helps achieve straighter hairstyles when you blow-dry or flat iron your hair. The effects usually last 6 to 8 weeks.

When used on curly hair, the cellophane treatment adds shine, detangles, and enhances curl. When used on healthy straight hair, a cellophane hair treatment works as a shine enhancer and/or a semi-permanent color service. The manufacturer claims that this treatment has no side effects (we will return to this issue later).

Clear Cellophane Hair Treatments

In a cellophane hair treatment, clear cellophane coats the cuticle with polymers, giving the hair a boost of shine while hydrolyzed proteins strengthen the hair. This treatment does not change natural or dyed hair colors, but it can make colors more vibrant by putting a shiny, clear film around hair strands. A cellophane treatment also helps preserve and prolong the life of color-treated hair.

After a cellophane hair treatment, the hair will look healthier, thicker, and shinier than before. This treatment also helps with detangling, reducing frizz, and preventing split ends.

Cellophane Color Gloss Treatments

A colored cellophane treatment is a semi-permanent color gloss treatment. It deposits semi-permanent color on the hair shaft and leaves hair looking lustrous. However, this treatment cannot lighten the hair. To get a tinted result, treatment of the same color as the hair, or darker, must be used.

A cellophane color hair treatment works great for refreshing color between professional color services. The darker shades provide good gray hair coverage. The deposited color fades gradually with every wash.

Here are some advantages of cellophane hair color treatments over permanent dye treatments:

  • Cellophane color is a good color revitalizer for people who want a subtle color change.
  • This treatment is perfect for people who are sensitive to regular hair dyes.
  • Cellophane color won’t leave hair dry and brittle as permanent hair dyes do.
  • This treatment is great for covering a small percentage of gray hair.
  • Blonde shades of the cellophane hair treatment help remove brassiness from hair that has been dyed blonde.
  • Cellophane color is a great color revitalizer for permed and relaxed hair that can be over-dried and damaged by using a permanent color service.
  • With a cellophane color treatment, the color gradually decreases, without the appearance of root lines.
A brunette woman with shiny hair

How to Apply a Cellophane Hair Treatment 

Cellophane hair treatments can be done in a beauty salon or can be performed in the comfort of your home by carefully following the instructions.

You will need gloves, a color brush and bowl, and a disposable shower cap. The process can be messy if you use colored cellophane. Putting Vaseline around your forehead and ears is recommended.

Steps:

  1. Wash your hair properly using a clarifying shampoo, but don’t use conditioner. Blow-dry your hair until it’s about 75% dry.
  2. Divide your hair into 4 sections.  Start at the back and work forwards. Apply the product, making sure that your entire head is saturated, and comb it through to evenly cover each hair strand.
  3. The cellophane product requires heat to work. Cover your head with a plastic cap and sit under a hairdryer, or use a conditioning heat cap, allowing the product to be set for 20 to 30 minutes. You can also use a blow-dryer, but make sure to evenly apply heat over your entire head. If your hair is healthy and has low porosity you can extend the heat exposure time.
  4. When the heating step is over, allow the hair to cool completely and rinse with plain water. Wash the hair with a color-safe shampoo and condition it as usual. You can then style your hair as you want.

Hair Care After a Cellophane Treatment

This treatment requires very little maintenance. Since it gradually washes away over time, use a mild color-safe shampoo. Washing too frequently and using harsh shampoos can cause the effects to fade faster. You are free to go swimming in chlorinated, as well as in seawater. The treatment helps reduce dryness and damage that can be caused by chlorine and salt water.

Is Hair Cellophane Safe?

Cellophane is a safer version of hair dyeing because it only deposits non-oxidative pigments on the hair shaft, unlike other color services. Manufacturers claim that cellophane treatments are “hair-friendly” gloss treatments. Cellophane treatments can be used on hair that has already been colored and can be applied immediately after a color service. The treatment can also be applied the same day, following a relaxing service. But is it safe for you?

This popular hair gloss formula includes parabens, which are suspected to affect human health when used in cosmetic products. CELLOPHANES Color Revitalizer by Sebastion Cellophanes Hair Color includes methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben in its formula.

Check the product ingredient label before purchasing to ensure that the manufacturer has replaced parabens with a safer preservative.

A beautiful model with hair glossing treatment

Which Styling Products to Use After Keratin Treatment

One of the main advantages of a keratin treatment is a shorter blow-drying time and fewer styling products you will need to obtain the desired style. Your morning hair routine will be easier and faster because your hair is smooth, frizz-free, and manageable.

It is recommended to get a haircut after the keratin treatment to remove any split ends and ensure that your hair looks sleek and healthy.

Once your hair is chemically straightened you will need to take a bit gentler approach to your hair care. To keep the cuticles smooth and shiny, wash your hair with lukewarm water and finish with a short rinse of cool water. Also, keep the dryer on a low heat setting and finish blow-drying with a blast of cold air. Finally, brush your hair slowly and gently.

Beautiful long hair girl vith keratin straightened hair

What Products Can You Put on Your Hair After Keratin Treatment

You can use styling products after the first wash following the treatment. However, to prolong the effects of keratin treatment, it is important to carefully choose styling products for your hair. Besides the appropriate shampoos and conditioners, which must be sulfate and salt-free, you should also look for keratin-friendly leave-in conditioners, hair masks, and hair serums.

You should know that even some organic hair care products may contain sodium chloride – a thickening agent that can break down the keratin and shorten the life of your treatment. So, check the ingredient list to make sure that your hair products are compatible with keratin treatments, or use styling products recommended by your stylist.

Some styling products are enriched with keratin and may offer additional benefits for chemically treated hair. Products formulated with hydrolyzed proteins and keratin amino acids replenish keratin in your hair each time you use them.

The Best Styling Products for Keratin Straightened Hair

Attractive fashion girl with keratin treated hair

Keratin treatment products usually come in kits that include a keratin smoothing solution and aftercare products. You can also purchase styling products made by another manufacturer, but make sure that they are safe for keratin-straightened hair.

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1. Leave-In Conditioners for Keratin Treated Hair

A leave-in conditioner rehydrates dry hair, gives it softness, and takes the frizz away. In addition to conditioning properties, keratin-infused leave-in conditioner restores depleted keratin protein, repairs damaged strands and reduces the appearance of split ends. When your keratin treatment starts to wear off, your hair will still look smooth and shiny with the use of a keratin-infused leave-in conditioner.

La-Brasiliana Dieci All-In-One Instant Hair Treatment iconwith Keratin and Collagen is designed to prevent hair breakage, eliminate frizz, and tame split ends. It also works as a thermal protector, while enhancing hair shine and manageability. When used on non-treated hair, this leave-in conditioner acts as a mini keratin treatment that lasts until your next shampoo.

Pure Brazilian Leave-in Conditioner With Keratin is made to repair dry and damaged hair by restoring keratin proteins. It infuses hair with hydration, blocks humidity, and adds softness and manageability.

2. Keratin Hair Serums

A beautiful model with straight hairstyle

Hair serums create a protective barrier around your strands, provide UV and thermal protection, reduce frizz, and add brilliant shine.

A lightweight serum with keratin proteins and Argan oil helps to seal the cuticles, smooth split ends, and reduce breakage.

Use this product on damp hair before blow-drying to prevent heat damage and create a sleek and shiny finish.

Some keratin aftercare styling serums from the same brand as the original keratin treatment are formulated with silicone. When you have keratin-treated hair, you need to use a mild shampoo. Styling products with heavy silicone will build up and stay in your hair for a longer period because gentle post-keratin shampoos can’t dissolve them.

The good news is that some keratin serums have light silicone in their formulation. Light silicones are water-soluble and won’t deposit in your hair. You can wash out them easily without the need to use clarifying or sulfate-containing shampoo. 

GK HAIR Global Keratin Serum iconis formulated with KeratinJuvenix, light silicone, and Argan oil, which makes it a good choice for chemically treated hair.

3. Heat Protectants for Keratin Straightened Hair

ORIBE Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray is formulated without harsh ingredients and infused with Oribe Signature Complex and antioxidants to protect hair from thermal damage. This weightless spray helps also preserve the vibrancy of hair color and tames frizz and flyaways for smoother and more manageable hair.

Embelleze Novex Blindagem Brazilian Keratin Heat Protector Leave-In Heat Protectant is formulated to deeply condition the damaged hair shaft and give your hair smoothness and shine.

This product uses natural, non-animal-derived keratin protein to repair the cuticle layer of your hair, making it more resistant to environmental damage and humidity.

Apply the cream to clean and damp hair before blow-drying or flat ironing to protect your lock from the heat and obtain a salon-quality blowout.

4. Deep Conditioners for Chemically Straightened Hair

A woman with a deep conditioner applied to her keratin-treated hair

Although these are not styling products, they give your keratin-treated hair much-needed TLC. Use a deep-conditioning treatment once a week or every two weeks depending on your needs.

A deep conditioning masque helps to keep hair smooth and frizz-free, improves manageability, reduces breakage, and tames split ends.

Look for a moisturizing mask formulated with jojoba and argan oils, hydrolyzed proteins, and Panthenol. For best absorption, apply to towel-dried hair after shampooing.

Fortifying Protein Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner with Argan Oil and Macadamia Oil By Arvazallia uses Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Moroccan Argan Oil, Macadamia Oil, and Aloe Vera to repair and strengthen chemically-processed hair.

5. Hair Oils

Natural oils have high humectant properties, but make sure to use them in moderation. Too much oil requires frequent washing. Lightweight hair oils provide hydration, help tame frizz, and add shine without leaving a greasy residue.

So-called “keratin oils” contain keratin proteins and light silicone in their formula. Keratin-enriched oils have moisturizing and protective properties and can provide your hair with much-needed keratin. 

6. Styling Sprays

A hair styling spray helps to style and shape your hair and protect it from humidity, wind, and UV rays.

ORIBE Mystify Restyling Spray helps to refresh your style between washes while nourishing, strengthening, and protecting your strands. As your style becomes worn out, spray a fine mist all over your dry hair. Comb it through or tousle it with your fingers. You can either air dry and brush your hair or touch up your

This hydrating spray smooths out flyaways, leaving you with silky and heavenly-smelling hair. It also gives your hair a light hold and protects against sun damage.

ORIBE Mystify Restyling Spray is formulated without sulfates or sodium chloride, which means that is safe for color- and keratin-treated hair.

a young woman with long hair and a straight hairstyle