Do I have Dry Scalp or Dandruff? What's the difference and how can I get rid of it?

I believe that one of the most confusing subjects pertaining to hair, is trying to figure out. What those annoying flakes are that like to pop up, while you tryna look cute. I mean it is very unattractive for a guy to see while combing his fingers through your hair a halo of flakes sitting on your shoulders. And you can't hide from wearing black your entire life. So let's together get to the bottom of this. So prince charming won't get scared and run from the site of "the little snow storm" in your head.

For years we have told ourselves and others that African Americans can not get dandruff. Which is totally FALSE in fact there  is found to be a higher prevalence of dandruff among our African American adults than Caucasian or even Chinese adults.

And when it comes down to dry scalp unfortunately we hold highest in that category as well. And even though from far away to you they both are the same. They are actually two totally opposite conditions. One is when your hair is too oily (dandruff) and the other is when your hair is too dry (dry scalp) so let me break it down a little bit more for you.

Dry Scalp looks grey or ashy. The skin may flake or peel off as well as become itchy and inflammed. If scratched or left untreated. Your scalp may also scale, these scales are white or may appear silver. And can be very thick and intense. Some people are drier than others which means basically your scalp is dehydrated and that can lead to hair breakage or loss.

Causes of dry scalp: washing hair in excessive hot water, winter, cotton hats and scarves, washing hair too often and of your diet.

People get confused in thinking they need oil to solve the problem. But if your an avid reader of my blog you know, that oil is not moisture. Oil makes hair shine, it does not moisturize the scalp. So please stay away from ingredients such as mineral oil, and petroleum based products.

Now for dandruff it is a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis which is a scalp condition that not only affects African-Americans but ALL RACES and ethnicities. It is a common flaking of the scalp that regularly affects 15 to 20 percent of the worlds population. Which means you are not the only one fighting this battle.

Cause of dandruff: Its hard to say exactly what is the cause of dandruff, some causes are stress, diet, hormones, and weather.

Now that you have a better understanding of the two, let's try to get rid of it!  First things first go and see a dermatologist to find out what you have.

When you find out, here are some helpful tips to having a healthier happier scalp.

To treat and get rid of dandruff:
First find a shampoo that contans eucalyptus, menthol, tea tree oil, or peppermint oil. Concntrate on more natural products because some of them maybe too harsh for your hair. Also you may just add one of the oils to your everyday moisturizing shampoos.

Step 1: Take a parting comb and gently lift the dandruff off the scalp as much as possible.
Step 2: Shampoo hair twice with Dandruff shampoo with lukewarm water.
Step 3: Apply a moisturizing conditioner to scalp with a plastic cap and sit (no dryer) for 10 mins.
Step 4: Rinse hair thoroughly
Step 5: Apply a leave in spray/heat protect and blow dry and style as desired.

Please stay away from oils and other heavy products. (Dandruff loves oil)
You may repeat this treatment twice a week.

Another remedy which is what I use on my clients is:
Step 1: Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with equal parts water add a drop of Tea Tree Oil or Peppermint oil.
Step 2: Section hair and apply to scalp only. Sit with plastic cap for 20 mins.
Step 3: Rinse with moisturizing shampoo follow by conditioner.

How to treat and get rid of dry itchy scalp:
1. Stay away from mineral oils, and other heavy products.
2. Drink plenty of water.
3. Try to wash hair every two weeks. (If you do hardcore cardio,then your excused)
4. Use steamer with moisturizing conditioner for 20 mins. Once every month or depending on climate change.
5. Eat dark vegetables, like Kale and greens.
6. Try Profolla Silk Moisture Shampoo and Conditoner.

If this doesn't work, then maybe you don't have it. And you should talk to a dermatologist to find out.

A Sneek Peek in My chair

This is one of my clients. I two strand the hair in small partings, then rolled small rods spiraling up to scalp. And set under dryer for 45 mins. She is transitiong and is 30% natural. Which is why I used the rods, to curl relaxed ends. Hairstyles usually last 3 to 4 weeks. At night sleep with satin/silk cap/pillowcase, use light moisturizer on scalp every 3 to 4 days or when needed.

The Products that I Love!

These are products that I recommend to use for Natural hair. All these products are 100% professional and are highly recommended from top stylist.

EVERYDAY™ SHAMPOO

Botanicals: Mango • Rosemary • Olive Moisture infusing paraben/ sulfate free shampoo

•Daily shampoo for all hair types

•Helps improve elasticity

•Refreshing cleansing shampoo

•Moisturizes parched hair

EVERYDAY™ CONDITIONER

Botanicals: Mango • Rosemary Moisture infusing paraben/ sulfate free conditioner.

•Daily conditioner for all hair types
•Helps improve elasticity

•Daily nourishing formula

•Formulated with protein

FREHAIR.  Mastey Paris

Frehair instantly eliminates tangles. Its lightweight texturizing system controls flyaway hair and eliminates static. Smoothes and softens to leaves hair manageable, shiny and ready for easy combing, brushing and styling. Vitamins A, B5 & C, lipids, rice protein and minerals provide comprehensive replenishment for proper nutrient and moisture balance. With Anti-Oxidants to maximize the life of hair color.

WHITESANDS STUCK UP

Stuck-Up’s holding power is second to none with the indiviual determining volume control. Yet, thermal intelligence is what makes Stuck-Up so unique.

NAIROBI

This superb conditioning and moisturizing lotion is specially formulated to provide style support for full-bodied looks achieved by roller or wrap setting. P.H. balance.

KERACARE Edge Tamer

lays down wavy hair along hairlines to give edges a silky-smooth touchable texture. This super-holding gel can quickly tame any tapered area without the fear of sudden reversion. May be used on relaxed or natural hair. Non-Greasy Flake-Free Colorless.

All Ways Natural Instant Oil Moisturizer Leave-In Conditioner

made with 100% natural herbs and oils, is a daily leave-in hair treatment that protects, moisturizes and conditions instantly. Our All Ways Natural Instant Oil Moisturizer is enriched with Vitamin E and Extracts of Aloe Vera to strengthen and protect dull, dry hair. This exclusive formula will turn dry, lifeless hair into soft, shiny, manageable hair, as nature intended. Regular use of All Ways Natural Instant Oil Moisturizer helps protect during blow drying, hot curling or combing. Beautiful, shiny, healthy looking hair is yours...Naturally.

MOROCCANOIL Treatment

Moroccanoil Treatment’s really versatile, nourishing and residue-free formula can be used as a conditioning, styling and finishing tool. It blends perfectly with other products and even speeds up drying time. This treatment for hair completely transforms and repairs as its formula transports lost proteins for strength; fatty acids, omega-3 oils and vitamins for shine; and antioxidants for protection. It absorbs instantly to fill gaps in hair created by heat, styling and environmental damage.

My Favorite Summer Hairstyles!!

Let's Talk Diversion

Definition of DIVERSION

1: the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use : deviation <bad weather forced the diversion of several flights>

2: something that diverts or amuses : pastime

3: an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation

 

 

What I like to do is educate my client's on things that are going on in The Industry. One of the most talked about topics is DIVERSION, Now, Diversion meaning in this case, if I may put it in laymen terms is basically. When you the consumers purchase  products from Walgreens, Target or Beauty Supply stores. As opposed to purchasing the product from the provided professional retailer.

 

I understand one of the reason's is that, you believe you are getting the product for a cheaper value. Which I honestly can't blame you. But in reality you are actually spending more than what you should .  You see the professional products that are sold through salons and professional stores all have one set price (even sales). We will purchase that product for, let's say, $10 and we will make a 50% profit so we charge $20. and that's all across the board. We can't sell it for more than 50%. But when you go to Diverting stores they purchase it for $10 and may charge however much they like. (I myself have seen products being sold for more than 90% the sugg. retail price) and then what they like to do is give you a sale. Which will on be at 10% off making you think you saved money. Hard to believe go look for yourself.

 

Now, I am going to take you a little deeper, into purchasing a professional product from a professional retailer, when doing so you are GARUNTEED to having that product in that bottle. But, from a Diverting store who knows, what's in that bottle. You see, we get our products from the manifacturer itsself , so we know what we have in our products. Diverting stores recieve their products from the black market, on the black market people are able to put anything in those bottles and call it whatever they want. That's why some people have allergic reactions to certain products, or the product was working fine until one day it just stopped working. I have clients that have been using my products for along time and they still continue to deliever the same results. Because its the right product in the bottle. Don't risk your hair being healthy just to save a dollar.

 

And last but not least, We as professionals just like any other field would like the support from our clients and soon to be clients. So when purchasing products through us, it's helping us, it's supporting us. And we need all the support we can get, we work hard to provide and enhance the beauty for people and love what we are doing. But we need your help, When purchasing from us, YOU are keeping Salons and Schools open. So that we may provide YOU with more services. So I feel it's only right to keep the Beauty Dollars within the Beauty Industry. And don't worry Target will not miss your money.

 

 

So, You want to hair color?

This past week I was scheduled for a client who wanted a haircut, as she was sitting in my chair she also decided she wanted a hair color, as well. I kind of already knew where this was going considering it was such a spontaneous move and she asked to see our choices.

In our Salon we use Chromastics which colors are rich in tones and penetrate into the cortex which means they are long lasting. And great for African-Americans. So, I knew that if She really wanted this color that we would have to find the best fitting and something subtle. Why subtle? well, 9 times out of 10 when someone is very quick to pick a color. The following week they will have (what I call) "Color Remorse". And just as I thought She wanted a Black and I am not talking about a regular 1N, I am talking about the Blackest of them all! A blue base black which is a very strong color, and when it comes to that color you can only do Permanent.

Now, the lady to me had a Kim Kardashian skin tone which I thought was too light to have such a dark color. I gave her other suggestions and told that I personally do not think that, that would be best for her. But, she continued to insist that, thats what she wanted. So, just like in every other customer service job, the number 1 rule is "The customer is always right." So, I did what I was paid to do. I pray she doesn't come back with "Color Remorse".


Unfortunately, She refused to listen to me but I hope you guys will take my tips into consideration before getting a color:

1. The first rule to getting a color is Always, Always, Always get it done professionally. When getting color from the Drugstores the contain the most harshest ingredients; Metallic Salts and Dyes that eat away at the hair.

2. When unsure about what color try Semi-Permanent, they wash out very easily and are the safest of colors.

3. I believe in contrast, never chose a color within 4 shades of your skin tone. They tend to wash you out.

4. Never get a Permanent Color unless you are totally, positively sure about what color you want.

African American Synthetic Wig Collection by Beverly Johnson

5. One of the best ways to see if you would really like a certain color, go to the beauty stores and try on different wigs.

6. Please listen to your stylist take whatever she/he has to say into consideration. They most likely know what they are talking about.

7. If you have a relaxer wait at least 3 weeks until getting a Permanent Color, relaxers dry out your hair and so do colors. You want enough time to restore your moisture.

8. And last but not least, after Permanent Colors on your next salon visit ask to get a deep condition. It helps your hair to stay strong and your color to stay vibrant.

I hope you use these tips when you are ready to change your color!

KinkyGirlHair xoxoxo

KinkyHairGirl Introduction

                                           KinkyHairGirl

I am yours truly, KinkyHairGirl I decided to create this blog for the women that do not have a clue on what to do with their hair. I am a licensed Cosmetologist in a salon in Downtown Chicago. I am trained in multi-texture hair, including natural hairstyles.

                                       Jennifer Hudson

Lately it seems to me that more women are moving out of the relaxer phase and going back to natural styles. A lot of these women are also Mothers or Full-time business women that do not have the money or time to spend on going to a salon. So, ladies just breathe a little more because I am here to help.

                                           Raven Symone
                                

I believe it is a wonderful thing that we (women) are trying to have healthy beautiful hair. But I also understand that due to our busy lives it makes it harder to achieve those results. Most of you go straight to the wigs and weaves thinking that, that will save you from having to take care of your hair. Well, my motto is and always has been, "If you have hair, you have to take care of it, regardless if its hidden, it is on your head." Even if you were bald you would still have to take care of your scalp. I know, I know you don't have the time well think about this. If you actually take the time out to take care of your hair (i.e. conditions, less heat, wrapping hair etc.) then when your hair becomes happy (healthy) you wont need so much time to do it.

                                     Kim Coles goes natural

The problem is you don't want to take the time out to get to the point where your hair is happy. Women nowadays are so stuck on things with the least effort as possible and are satisfied with the look of their hair not the actual being of hair. You want to hide it if it does not look up to your par instead of going to a salon to get it taken care of.

                                     Keisha Knight Pulliam

For example one of my biggest challenges with my clients is letting me cut their ends, everyone has had that one experience where a stylist chopped all their hair off. And because of that they refuse to let me clip their ends. And I totally understand, but at the same time you have to understand that by doing so, you are setting your hair up for DOOM. If you do not get your ends clipped then you are letting your split ends travel up to your root which will lead to a damaged hair bulb and that means your hair will not be able to produce. Also, when it comes to your look and style of your hair the result will look terrible because you CANNOT hide split ends. After explaining that to my clients if they still wont budge, i will consider letting them watch me clip their hair. Sorry ladies but it must be done.

So that was a little introduction into what this Blog will be about. I will also give you tips for at home or when you are at your next visit to the salon, if you have any question please post and i will answer those as well.

Love, KinkyHairGirl xoxoxo