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Friday, February 25, 2011

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.

Friday, February 11, 2011

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!


Tuesday, February 8, 2011

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!