Final Winner of Our New Year Shea Moisture Product Giveaway Announced

The Final Winner is....

Congratulations April Manuel-Triplett, you are the final winner of our Shea Moisture Product Giveaway!

I would like to thank everyone who participated. Have a wonderful New Year and keep your hair happy!

4th Winner of our Shea Moisture Product Giveaway is.....

Ok everyone, the 4th Winner is....

Congratulations Femi Cooper! You are our 4th Winner!!

We have one more day left. Don't lose hope just yet....it might be you!

3rd Winner of the SheaMoisture Product Giveaway

OK Ladies, time for the reveal of the 3rd winner . . . Are you ready? 

Congratulations Renon Lyon you are our 3rd winner!!!
Only 2 more days left in the SheaMoisture Product Giveaway. Who will be our next winner?

2nd Winner of SheaMoisture Giveaway. . .

Ok Ladies, I know you were anticipating the reveal of winner #2, well here it is. Watch the video below to see if you are a lucky winner. 

If you did not win today remember we still have 3 additional gift bags that will be announced on the 29, 30, & 31st so stay tuned.

Shea Moisture Contest Winner is. . .

Hi Ladies,
Today is the day to announce the 1st winner of the Shea Moisture Contest Giveaway.  Are you curious to see if it's you. Well check out the video below to watch as I announce the 1st winner in the contest

  

Stay tuned in the next 4 days to see if you too, can be a lucky winner! All winner announcements will be posted on our YouTube Channel  and our Facebook Fan page on the 28, 29, 30, & 31st

Good Luck

New Years Giveaway!! Sponsored by Shea Moisture

Hello Beautiful People!! The countdown to 2012 has begun and we want to kick off the New Year with healthy New Hair, and what better way to achieve that than through the use of Shea Moisture's awesome products.

We are kicking off our New Years Giveaway with FIVE Shea Moisture gift bags. That means FIVE wonderful winners!!! The gifts bag prizes are:

Shea Moisture Retention Shampoo/ Deep Treatment Masque/ Restorative Conditioner $30 Value

 Shea Moisture Bath Body & Massage Oil/ Curling Souffle/ Reconstructive Elixir $25 Value

Shea Moisture Deep Cleansing Shampoo/ Curl Enhancing Smoothie/ Balancing Conditioner $30 Value

Shea Moisture Deep Cleansing Shampoo/  Purification Masque/  Balancing Conditioner  $30 Value

 Shea Moisture Anti-Breakage Masque/ Curling Souffle $20 Value

Shea Moisture products are available at Walgreens, Target, Duane Reade and select Wal-Mart stores. Each would make a great Christmas gift for someone else or you can keep them for yourself.  Rememeber the deadline to enter is Dec. 25th. Get your submissions in now. . .
Winners will be selected on December 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31st. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Here's how to enter:
1. Follow @drkariwilliams on Twitter
2. Subscribe to www.youtube.com/drkariwilliams
3. Like Mahogany Hair Revolution's Fan page on Facebook
4. Share the post on Facebook and Twitter
5. Then post on the Mahogany Fan page wall your favorite Shea Moisture product 

CHEERS!

Ladies & Gentlemen 4 days till Mahogany LIVE premiere & Holiday party!!!!

Hope to see you there. . .

Debunking the Hair Myths

Hair myths are all too familiar and our conversations about hair are littered with them.  They are almost like a piece of oral history and now we can't distinguish the truth from the tale.  Most myths are developed partially by the hair industry for marketing purposes to sell products and also from a misunderstanding of hair growth as we began to grow our hair after reconstruction (era of Madame CJ Walker, who happened to also use marketing ploys to sell her products.) Lets explore some of these myths:

Trimming makes your hair grow: false. Trimming makes the hair neater and even; it is a maintenance step. It can also be used to cut away damaged parts of the hair strand to reduce or stop breakage but it does not affect hair growth

Split ends split all the way up the hair shaft: false. Split ends do not break evenly. When the hair splits it breaks or tears off. Now this may lead to continuous breakage because of a weak hair shaft but it will not split evenly all the way up the shaft- and if it does (which is unlikely) trimming wouldn’t help it anyway. Once we stop doing damaging things to the hair that cause split ends they will be kept to a minimum.

Don’t wash your hair too much or it will dry out your hair: false. Its not how often you wash your hair that dries it out but what you wash your hair with. If washing the hair dried it out Caucasians would be bald because they wash their hair everyday. Water is the number one moisturizer. Wash hair with pH balanced shampoo. Frequent shampooing with black hair is important because we put products on our hair daily to replace lost moisture. One shampoo is sufficient but sometimes two is needed if there is a lot of product/dirt build up. The first shampoo wont lather much because of the natural oils on our hair. If you are shampooing your hair more than twice a week one shampoo each time is enough. And don't forget to deep condition and lubricate your strands so that they don't dry out.

I will continue to discuss hair myths that confuse the truth in a later blog post. What hair myths do you need the facts about?

The Incredible Interchangeable Loc

Locs are so wonderful and are becoming more popular and acceptable as a wearable style. Grooming techniques are being perfected and unimaginable styles are created with locs by Loc-ticians everywhere. Often times women will shy away from the option of loc-ing their hair because of the belief that styling locs is limited and they are permanent. I have been growing my second set of locs for 3 years and as a hairstylist I love changing my hair. I style my locs in every way someone with loose hair can style their hair; from mohawks, side sweeps, and a variety of up-dos. Now I must admit, I do have the occasional itch to wear an afro. Especially when I see someone else with one. I have a moment of nostalgia, taking me back to the days when I wore my big hair.

Well, problem solved....afro weave on top of the locs. 

After wearing this style a total of 3 days the desire dissipated and I was quickly reminded of the work that comes with wearing big hair. But the temporary hair style gave me the best of both worlds. I could relive the afro for a moment and go back to my locs in no time.

Double strand twists is another hair specialty of mine, so when my mouth started to water for that look, I made it happen. I did it myself but after 2 days of diligently working between clients I made it happen. 

Loc'ing is a journey and if you are simultaneously considering locs but also planning how to get rid of them when you are tired of the style, you might not be completely ready for the commitment. To develop a mature loc can take about 1 year depending on you curl pattern and hair texture. Loc'ing requires a lot of patience because the hair will go through different phases. If I had my way I would give everyone locs, but it is important that I share with you that there is an exit strategy. If you are wearing locs but ready for a change, you can cut the locs off and wear a short natural, cut the locs after allowing your hair to grow a few inches so that you have enough hair to style or attach extensions or comb your locs out (if you have the time and patience).

With that said, I have to share an incredible story with you. A client of mine was excited and ready to start her locs with me. 2 years into her loc'ing process she received the news that she had to get brain surgery because of a diseased she had, called Moya-Moya, which caused her to have frequent strokes. Her first concern, "Will I have to cut off my locs?!" I put her concerns at ease with the guarantee she didnt and that I could reattach the locs we did have to cut.

We had to cut her locs prior to her surgery where the doctor anticipated making the incisions...turned out on the day of her surgery they told her the wrong location of the incisions and had to cut more locs. Her only request "Save my locs, my stylist is going to re-attach them." no one believed her but the pictures are evidence of the miracle of God through me and the doctors. 

 Tammi (Before)

 Cutting her locs

 locs

 attaching her locs (after the surgery)

 They're attached...

Happy Client, Happy Stylist, Happy Hair...

8 Summer Hair Tips To Keep Your Hair Healthy in 2011

Are you apart of that jet-setter crew, looking to spend the summer soaking up the sun, free of hair drama?  Or maybe you want something nice and easy to manage while it's hot?  

Check out my 8 tips to keep your hair looking fly and protected this summer.
(I would like to thank the lovely Brownstone Magazine for featuring me on their website!)


TIPS: 


1. Braid it up: Give your hair a break from mechanical and chemical damage during the summer by experimenting with braid and twist styles, with or without extensions.
2. Set your hair for a new look: You want to take a break from chemical and heat application in the summer when your hair is exposed to dryer temperatures. Try braiding or twisting the hair to give it a wave or crimp. Is your hair relaxed or straight? Set your hair with a light setting foam to give your straight hair some volume, texture and flavor.
3. Protect your hair before you swim: Coat you strands with conditioner before diving into that chlorine filled pool or salt water ocean. It’s better to fill your hair strands with proteins and moisturizers than water, especially if your hair is chemically processed with color. Chlorine and salt can change the color of your hair and cause it to become excessively dry and susceptible to breakage.
4. Opt for products with silicones: Hair tends to be more moisture deprived in the summer. Silicones are great for sealing moisture into hair strands.
5. Protect your hair from the sun: If you know you’ll be in the sun and don’t have a hair cover up use products that have SPF protection in them. These products are often labeled as heat protectants or contain a glycerin (which is a natural sunscreen). This will give your hair extra protection from the sun.
6. Switch your shampoo: During the summer months use more moisturizing or light shampoos. In hotter climates the key word is MOISTURE. Make sure you are using products that will give your strands more moisture and cleanse the hair more gently so sun exposed strands won’t dry out.
7. Deep condition more often: Make sure you are using deep conditioners for your hair to restore proteins to your strands for strength and to replenish moisture. Deep conditioning requires using a plastic wrap or a plastic cap to allow the conditioner to penetrate your hair strands.
8. Give hair moisture from the inside out: Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking more water. The water you consume will benefit your hair from the inside out.

This is Dr. Kari... make it a great summer. Stay healthy and fly! 

To My Natural Homie...

A message to my natural homie:

This is a beautiful song celebrating the natural sistah. We need to see more images like this to reinforce what we already know but to also shift the standard of beauty that is perpetuated through other music videos, printed ads and commercials. Go on Dead Prez...always the antithesis to the mainstream. I expected nothing less.

Diabetic Hair Loss

Diabetic Hair Loss

By Dr. Kari Williams, Ph.D Hair and Scalp Expert

Healthier You Magazine

 

“Anyone can be confident with a full head of hair. But a confident bald man - there's your diamond in the rough.”  

~ Larry David, executive producer of “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

It’s been said that beauty is only skin deep, but your hairstyle is a cut above. All humor aside, hair has always been one of the richest symbols of beauty in our society. But hair is also a barometer of health. It can expose slight changes in our body, including nutritional deficiencies. It is difficult for most people to believe how significant the impact of our systemic health has on the growth of our hair. Often time, patients suffering from hair loss desire quick topical treatments to reverse the hair loss or they will search for issues in their external environment to determine the cause of their hair loss.

Unfortunately, often time hair loss is not caused by an environmental problem. There are a number of diseases and disorders that will affect our health, and in turn, impact the hair cycle. Nutritional deficiencies, in particular, affect the strength of the hair strand. Ultimately, the health of our hair is a reflection of our overall health.

Hair loss is the first sign of disease; therefore, it is important to check with your doctor to determine if your hair loss is health related.  An early symptom of Diabetes is hair loss. When glucose levels become high in the blood and are not properly regulated, it interferes with blood circulation.  When the circulation of your blood begins to decrease, this affects the ability of nutrients and oxygen to reach the follicles. As a result, a follicle not receiving enough nutritional support leads to brittle strands that break and snap.  

Poor blood circulation also makes it difficult for the body to heal from infections making those who suffer from diabetes more susceptible to fungal infections in the scalp.  This can also lead to hair loss if left untreated. It is important to mention the loss of bodily fluids. 

Diabetic patients are prone to dry skin and eczema because the body looses fluid. Dry skin on the scalp causes discomfort and itching. Hair breakage can occur with excessive scratching of the scalp.

Hair follicles are sensitive to changes in our hormonal levels and Diabetes is a hormonal disease. When androgen and estrogen are not balanced there is an onset of hair loss, especially in people who are genetically predisposed to hair loss. Stress exacerbates this form of hair loss. Individuals with Diabetes take on added stress due to insulin injections, monitoring blood sugar levels, watching diet, exercising etc. Therefore, Diabetic patients are at an even higher risk of hair loss and should take extra steps to monitor and remove stress.  

It’s important that you monitor your blood sugar levels.  If you do have elevated blood sugar levels, take steps in the beginning towards regulation to not only prevent hair loss but to prevent other symptoms of Diabetes, some of which can be life threatening. Doctors tend to aggressively treat Diabetes because it severely impacts other parts of the body. Managing a disease like Diabetes includes choosing nutrient rich foods and exercising which are excellent steps to not only overcoming the disease but also overcoming hair loss.

The Retouch Addict

The Retouch Addict.  Yes, you guessed right.  In the world of "creamy crack" and "hot comb warriors" the term "retouch addict" has made its mark.  

Retouch addicts are those who retouch their hair frequently and as a result, they suffer from over processed hair.  Often times, they mistake the damage from over processing with other forms of hair loss  that result from systemic or hereditary conditions. 

In my opinion, there are three kinds of retouch addicts: 

1. the Relaxer Retouch Addict

2. the Color Retouch Addict

3. the Hot comb/Flat iron Retouch Addict

There are many dangers when someone becomes addicted to retouching their hair excessively.  Some examples include excessive breakage in the hairshaft, scarring on the scalp (with chemical applications) and scarring alopecia - a gradual process that is often noticed too late. These dangers often occur when individuals retouch their hair at home.  In a previous blog, I commented on the dangers of doing your hair yourself.  There are licensed stylists who are trained to properly apply chemicals to your hair.  If you have your own heat styling tools at home, I understand, you want to touch up your roots with your flat iron or hot comb.  However, most of the time your hair is dirty, or oily and adding heat or chemicals to your hair  aides in breaking off your hair.  This is when the client misappropariates the blame onto the stylisits. 

Of course, I wouldn't recommend relaxing your hair at all.  But at least wait 8-12 weeks before retouching your hair.  The key thing is to try and find a style in between your scheduled touch-up time that will keep your hair nice and fresh so that you are not tempted to retouch those curly roots. For example, pin curling it at night, wrapping your hair around rods or any style that will give you volume and blend in those roots.  

As always, I want everyone to embrace their curls.  I'm THE Curl Loving Doctor.  But if you choose to chemically straighten your hair, color it frequently or hot comb it excessively, be careful because the incidence of hair loss in the black community is higher than in other communities. 

We must balance our hair priorities carefully.  Either we can resist the retouch or face the consequences of scarring alopecia at age 40.  We can resist the retouch or struggle with dry brittle hair.  We can resist the retouch or suffer from excessive breakage.  

To all of the retouch addicts, I encourage you to receive some Retouch Rehab by pairing up with a stylist that can offer alternate hair styles in between your touch ups and some maintenance strategies so that you can preserve your hair into your older age. 

Happy Hair is Rehab Free!!!

Notes:

Scarring Alopecia - potentially permanent, irreversible damage to hair follicles and the replacement with scar tissue.

Don't Let Your Hair Make You Fat!!!

Hey readers!

Have you ever thought about getting in a good cardio exercise at the gym and quickly remembered you just got your hair done 2 days ago?  You might have said, "It's too soon to sweat out my fresh press."

Or maybe you plan your workout schedule around your hair style?  "Let's see, I get my hair done on Friday so I won't work out until the following Friday."

You're not alone.

I decided to write this blog because often times we (as black women) let our hair affect certain aspects of our  healthy lifestyle.

With an increasing number of diabetes and hypertension, it is imperitive that we exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing a hairstyle like a weave can allow you to become more active. However, you still have to style, curl and keep your weave looking fresh.  Especially if it is not a full head weave.  Even with weaves, cleaning your scalp can become a daunting task.  When you exercise, you sweat in your hair and if you are not cleansing your scalp throughly it can lead to various scalp issues.

So what do you do? Do you get a weave so you can work out more often? Do you stop working out completely?  Do you choose to work out once every 2 weeks (the day before you get your hair done)?

My simple suggestion is, don't let your hair make you overweight.  Choose a hairstyle that works for all aspects of your life.

I want to hear your thoughts!

I know it is hard to find that balance for some individuals.  Choosing a style that will help you work out will often times cause you to lean towards natural hair styles (locs, twists, braids, afros, etc.).

How do you find balance?

What do you do to maintain your healthy lifestyle while keeping those beautiful tresses pretty and free?

As we are nearing Valentine's Day and stuffing our faces with sugar filled treats :-),   I encourage all women to choose a hairstyle that will allow them the freedom to work out and get active while still feeling comfortable and beautiful during the day at work.

Remember, happy is the hair that is loved!

This is only the BEGINNING!!!

 Hey Everyone,

Watch this video! I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to be interviewed by Myss Moxie. 

I hope you enjoy it!  Let me know what you think.  Leave a comment or a question here (or on my facebook page) and I'll be sure to get back to you soon.

Love that happy hair!

HELP! My Hair's Not Growing, I Need A Trim!

Good day, everyone! 

So, what's the deal with the title (you might ask)?  It sounds like an oxymoron, right? Well, I'm writing this blog to give you some insight on a common myth.  To trim or not to trim, that's that question! 

Often times when women come into my salon, their #1 goal is to increase their hair length.  However, there is this misconception that you must trim your hair on a consistent basis in order to achieve longer hair.  That's where this blog comes in handy.  I'm here to set the record straight and give you some facts. 

Trimming the hair came out of the practice of straightening hair.  When our hair is straightened on a consistent basis (with excessive use of chemicals and heat styling tools), it causes our hair to break and split at the end.  Just an insight - there are water molecules inside of our hair and when they get too hot, they swell, burst and cause cracks in our actual hair shaft (split ends). Now, if you are getting your hair styled with heat styling tools (properly), it is simply appropriate to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks.  But if you decide you want to transition to your natural hair, trimming can virtually become obsolete.  There is a complete paradigm shift.  If you’re looking for length, the #1 thing to do is not trim your hair every 6-8 weeks. 

The only time it is necessary to trim (with natural hair) is:

1.  If you are transitioning into natural hair and you have to cut off straight or over processed hair.  

2.  If you have curlier textured hair.  If this is you, you've probably noticed that as your hair gets longer the hair strands wrap around and create little knots at the end of your hair. 

3.  Lastly, if you’re not using the right products.  Your hair can become dry and brittle.  

I trim the hair of my natural hair clients once or twice a year. (I KNOW! SHOCKING, RIGHT?) But it's appropriate.  

I want to leave you with this...

What you do to the ends of your hair has no effect on what is happening at your scalp.  Remember, your hair grows from your scalp.  So, if you're not achieving the length of hair you desire, there is possibly something happening to the ends of your hair causing breakage.  If you're not seeing the desired length you want, and breakage is occurring at the ends of your hair, you should see a trichologist (like myself), or a dermatologist to see if there is a nutritional deficiency or hair shaft disorder.  But it could be something as simple as the wrong hair care products.   

Hmmm, hold that thought!  I just might write a blog on my recommended hair care products. 

Until next time, this is Dr. Kari.  at My Hair Is Happy.  

... stay tuned for Dr. Kari TV.  

Lovin' Her Natural

So, if you're connected to my facebook accounty, you've probably already seen my posts.  Nevertheless, I want you to check out my work on the lovely Kim Coles! Always a stunning beauty, she looks gorgeous with her natural hair! Ain't she cute? Go natural ladies-it looks good on us! Below is the link to the website that posted the photos, but as you know, I have to show you all the gorgeous photos myself.

NEW LOOK!!! COMEDIAN KIM COLES TAKES OUT HER EXTENSIONS . . . GOES 100% NATURAL!




Enjoy your evening, folks!  


Remember... Loved Hair is Happy Hair!





***Be on the look out for Dr. Kari TV streaming on YouTube within the next month***

Naturally Natural Tresses

So, I had a conversation with some friends about what it means to wear your hair "natural."  

I find it fascinating that there are multiple definitions of "natural" when it pertains to black women and our hair.  What is natural? Well, you know me! I took it all the way to Dictionary.com and looked up the definition (all 30 definitions) of natural.  One definition said, "not tinted or colored, undied.  Another said, "not treated, tanned, refined but original in its raw state."

... but really, what is natural hair?  What does it mean to wear your hair natural?

Some women who do not use chemicals or relaxers to straighten their hair consider their hair natural.  

Other women who only use hot combs to straighten their hair consider their hair natural as well.  

Then there are the group of women who consider their hair to be in its natural state when their natural curl pattern has not been altered.  

Say we take the last group of women with unaltered curl patterns and no chemicals in their hair.  If we add extensions for braiding, twisting or weaving, is their hair still natural? 

The list of questions can go on and on but one thing is for sure (in my opinion)...

HOW YOUR HAIR GROWS OUT OF YOUR HEAD, THAT'S ITS NATURAL STATE.  

We're all aware of this Natural Hair Revolution that is taking place.  It is referring to the curl pattern you were born with.  It is not altered by heat or chemicals. We see this in the "natural styles" that more and more women are wearing today: this incorporates the use of hair textures synthetic or human to enhance your natural curl pattern.  Some examples: kinky syntheic or human hair when double strand twisting your hair or braiding your hair. 

These are just my thoughts on natural hair and what I believe "natural" hair means. 

How do you define natural hair?