Mar 17
Scientifically, How Do Heat Protecting Serums, Lotions, and Sprays Guard Hair Against Heat Damage
General PostsThere are several kind of heat used in hair care. They are: hot water, click
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heat caps, viagra canada heat lamps, hot air and hot irons. All of which have the ability
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to damage hair if not used correctly. However, the source that can cause
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the most harm are curling irons and pressing comps because the heat
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may not be controlled manually, which can result in the device being too
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hot for the hair to withstand. In order to help protect against this, some
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type of protective product should be employed such as a Leave in
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Conditioner. Do not use gels because they contain to much water that
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can turn to steam and burn the scalp. Do not use aerosol sprays,
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because the propellant use to eject the product is flammable and can
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cause problems when used with a curling iron.
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The reason that some types of protectants should be used is because the
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heat can cause serious harm if there is not a lubricant between the hair
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and the iron.
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To better understand this, lets look at how a curling iron work’s to form
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a temporary curl on the hair. The outer layer of the hair shaft is called a
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cuticle. The cuticle, consist of the same element as the finger nails but
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much thinner. They overlap like scales on a fish. (that is why they are
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referred to as Cuticle Scales). These cuticles protect the inner areas of
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the hair from outside dangers. When a curling iron is used to put a curl
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in hair, the heat softens the cuticle, then bends the cuticle in the shape of
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the iron to form a temporary curl that only last for a short time due to
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gravitational affects. The protectants, not only cushions the heat but
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also helps to maintain the curl longer. Do not do this any more than 3
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times a week, because if you heat curl every day or even twice a day,
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this will do serious harm to the cuticle, because each time that you hot
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curl the hair, some cuticle is lost. It takes at least 2 days for it to recover
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and rebuild much the same way that a sore heals on the skin. You can
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maintain the curls by using smooth plastics rollers at night.
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On textured hair such as Afro centric or (kinky) hair, the curling iron
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may serve a dual purpose. Because it will be used to both straighten and
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curl. On this type of hair, a protectant that has more of a light
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petrolatum base is recommended, because it will also have a dual
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purpose, as a protectant and pressing agent to smooth down the cuticle
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before the curl is formed. The end results are a tight natural curl or
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(kink) being replaced with a smooth controlled curl. Hence, is how it
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works: After applying the product to each stand as you go, place the
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curling iron close to the scalp with hair placed between the pin and shell
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of the iron, then slide the iron down to the ends. You may want to this
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more than once depending on the resistance of the hair. Then form the
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curl around the iron in the usual way.
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Heat is an important element in cosmetology. As such, must be
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respected and regulated to conform to the type and condition of the
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hair. Relaxed and color treated heated hair will require less heat than
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virgin hair.
\nDr. Edward Tony Lloneau