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! 

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.  

ESSENCE HOT HAIR SPECIAL ISSUE!!!

So, Essence just released their Hot Hair Special Issue magazine and I think it is great.  Not only do they profile sistahs rocking their styles straight, natural and/or in a cute a-symmetrical buzzed cut, but they also give great advice on how to care for your hair.  


Essence.com says, "In its first issue dedicated to hair, ESSENCE highlights the unique relationship between African-American women and their hair with the launch of HOT HAIR, an interactive experience covering all things hair -- from root to tip. This special issue covers all of the beauty needs, questions, concerns and triumphs of African-American hair care and style..."


WOW! I definitely encourage all of my sistah's to check out this special issue! There's no doubt that our hair is a focal point and it's up to us to keep it happy and healthy.  Hopefully, from here, good, high quality magazines with hair care information will continue to be produced.  Although it is really great to see magazines celebrate the versitility of our hair... it would be great to have a natural hair magazine that is completely filled with natural styles and natural hair care advice... but that's just me.  :-) 


Nevertheless, the hairstyles are beautiful and inspirational and I hope you all go and check out this truly special issue.  


Check out these hot videos covering the Magazine issue from Essence featuring Monica and Goapele!
Click here Essence Magazine's Hair Anniversary - KickMag.net


Have a HAPPY HAIR day!

Are we (women) really rewriting the rules on hair?

Good day! 


NY Times Article:
Black women rewriting the rules on hairstyles - NY TIMES


A friend of mine shared this NY Times article with me last week.  However, with my busy schedule, I'm just finding time to read it and I can say I appreciate the article.  I want to hear what you think? 


Some great quotes that I picked up from the article include:


"You can look great without having hair down to your [rear end], and you really get to see another side of beauty."


"Stephen says that it's ultimately about wearing any style that makes you happy. 'People used to wear their hair a certain way because they had to. Now they wear their hair a certain way because they want to. I'm really all about what's fun…. My hair could be short this week and long the next.'"

"Once you're happy on the inside, it shows on the outside as well." 


I would LOVE to hear your comments.  




~Remember, Happy Hair starts with you, not your hairstyle! 

Kitchen Beautician, Magician, poof ... Your hair is gone!

So, I saw a commercial from Organic Roots Stimulator (side note: I love some of their products and as a matter of fact, at Mahogany Hair Revolution, we use their lock and twist gel). One thing I cannot agree with are these at home relaxers (the “Kitchen Beautician” commercial). 

So, Organic Root Stimulator has this commercial for their line of at-home relaxers.  This relaxer promises to make your hair smoother, fuller, more manageable, strong and give your hair moisture.  I, for one, feel that’s an oxymoron. But moving right a long, the lady says, “...If i’m going to play kitchen beautician, my hair has to work.”  I understand it is a playful term but it is in the kitchen (at home) that a lot of our hair problems begin.   

As a tricologist, I have met with more and more clients, on a daily basis, suffering from increased hair loss due to the application and consistent application of chemicals.  Other causes of hair loss I have noticed include over processed hair due to heat styling: hot combs, flat irons and blow-dryers.  

To encourage this is not my “forté.”

As a licensed cosmetologist as well, I know that when it comes to relaxers, licensed cosmetologist have to complete 1600 hours of study on safety and the application of chemicals such as relaxers on clients.  Then, they take a state board exam with a practical and written portion to demonstrate their understanding of hair chemistry and proper application of chemicals. 

So, ... If you’re not trained, it’s dangerous.  It is a recipe for disaster and too much room for error.

We need to get away from practicing things in our “kitchen” that a professional should be doing. 

Let me paint you a picture. 

We set up appointments with the dentist to get our teeth whitened.  The Dentist uses a product called Zoom.   As you know, you can do the whitening process at home with a leading brand of “white strips.”  However, if there is anything used to touch up and maintain your bright white smile, Dentists will be the one to offer it.  Let me put it this way; Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is the most safe and effective way to get a bright smile. (www.zoomnow.com).  Yes, it is a higher price when you decide to let professionals (trained and tested) whiten your teeth (or chemically straighten your hair), but what price are you willing to pay?  There are professionals in place in certain industries for a reason.  It’s time we start doing our research and find the licensed cosmetologists that we can trust.  It’s a much higher price when you decide to take your hair into your own hands (especially with the use of chemicals).

I must admit, the women in the commercial had gorgeous, shiny hair, but I guarantee you they did not do their hair at home and/or on their own.  

Please, pay the price to go to someone who you trust and who can maintain your healthy, happy hair properly. 

What do you think about the commercial?  Click below (and let me know your thoughts). 

ORS Olive Oil Commercial - "Stimulating Discussion"