HAIR CUTICLES...what damages, seals, smooths, rips or removes them? (poll)

[fluffylocks]

We dont have many threads on hair cuticles....there is great information from posters on LHCF & other boards and articles that give wonderfull explanations on what effects hair cuticles in a negative and postive way, and then other posts and articles & websites that are just as good, but say the exact opposite.....
so now im confused, and i know (hope) im not the only one

 

[kiesha8185]

I was trying to answer this, but this is a hard question, only because I think it varies with your hair type, how healthy your hair is, techniques/styling tools you use, and products you use.

Like for me, airdrying my hair with a roller on the ends and a satin scarf makes my cuticles lay flat, so my hair is smoother. If I use products, it's even more smooth/shiny.

I think overuse of brushes, especially ones that are not naturally boar bristles, (ESPECAILLY if your hair is wet) can damage the hair over time, so I stopped doing that.

Whether I blow dry my hair with either hot or cold air, it will still be rougher than when I airdry it! Note: I used to use a cheapie $10 blow dryer from Walmart, am I am thinking about investing in an ionic one, hopefully that will make all the difference.

My hair has the most shine (softer, flat cuticles) when I airdry a twist out and when I flat iron after I henna.

 

[pisceschica]

Any kind of mechanical (brushing too much/heating tools) or chemical.

 

[Nonie]

I think pH is the major factor that affects whether cuticles will be raised (alkaline) or smooth (acidic). Friction is then responsible for ripping/damaging the cuticles, more so if they are raised. So low pH products and conditioning to coat the hair and give "slip", along with gentle handling serve to minimize cuticle damage.

 

[rdm]

I think pH is the major factor that affects whether cuticles will be raised (alkaline) or smooth (acidic). Friction is then responsible for ripping/damaging the cuticles, more so if they are raised. So low pH products and conditioning to coat the hair and give "slip", along with gentle handling serve to minimize cuticle damage.

Good point!!! I wonder if adding a little vinegar to conditioners to lower pH even more will make a difference? I smell an experiment!!!!

 

[fluffylocks]

Good point!!! I wonder if adding a little vinegar to conditioners to lower pH even more will make a difference? I smell an experiment!!!!

yeeaahhh get some ph strips girl

i took alittle bit of lemon juice to about 50 oz of water, and the ph dropped to around 4/5.....oh yes. Thats buh by to aphogee provitamin leave-in

 

[Neroli]

We dont have many threads on hair cuticles....there is great information from posters on LHCF & other boards and articles that give wonderfull explanations on what effects hair cuticles in a negative and postive way, and then other posts and articles & websites that are just as good, but say the exact opposite.....
so now im confused, and i know (hope) im not the only one

Here's a link re: hair cuticles:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=31222&highlight=cuticle

 

[Candy_C]

Cuticles are so very important in my hair regime and hair care

i remember to seal my cuticles every day by doing 2 major things

these two things COST NOTHING

and will stop your hair breakage....almost immediately

1. Spray hair with ice cold water before applying ANY moisturizer
2. put your hair moisturizer in the fridge freezer for 10 minutes before applying it

this will seal your cuticule flat on contact

your hair will be smooth and extremely shiney (bling bling)

thank me later

 

[SpiritJunkie]

Cuticles are so very important in my hair regime and hair care

i remember to seal my cuticles every day by doing 2 major things

these two things COST NOTHING

and will stop your hair breakage....almost immediately

1. Spray hair with ice cold water before applying ANY moisturizer
2. put your hair moisturizer in the fridge freezer for 10 minutes before applying it

this will seal your cuticule flat on contact

your hair will be smooth and extremely shiney (bling bling)

thank me later

I'm going to try this one tonight! and your pic is soo cute...

 

[pisceschica]

I think pH is the major factor that affects whether cuticles will be raised (alkaline) or smooth (acidic). Friction is then responsible for ripping/damaging the cuticles, more so if they are raised. So low pH products and conditioning to coat the hair and give "slip", along with gentle handling serve to minimize cuticle damage.

Yup alot of chemicals tend to raise the ph level of the hair from around 4.5-5 which is acidic to a range of 10-14 which is alkaline. Relaxers, perms, color must lift your cuticles to work this excludes rinses and temorary color as they only deposit (meaning they don't lighten the color of your hair which requires "lifting" of the cuticle).

 

[LiLi]

One thing that just about everyone on this board uses ... your comb.

Check the seams of your combs ladies. Your comb is one of the top culprits of ripping up the cuticle. Although it looks seamless to the eye, you only know if you scrap your nail where the seams (if it's is not seamless) would be ... on the end of the teeth and in between the teeth. If your nail goes over something ... it's not seamless and is the cause of damage to your hair.

I only use truely seamless combs on my hair and I notice a big difference. I use mason pearson combs and they last forever. No broken or bent teeth ... ever.

A lot of the combs that people rave about here scare the heck out of me because the seams are dangerous on those combs.

 

[kiesha8185]

1. Spray hair with ice cold water before applying ANY moisturizer
2. put your hair moisturizer in the fridge freezer for 10 minutes before applying it

Candy, does you hair still feel soft and moisturized when you do this, like after it's dry? I could definitely see how this makes the cuticles lay flat, and make the hair shine, but wouldn't this prevent the moisture from going into the strands, if you close the cuticles before applying the moisturizer? I would think it would just make the moisturizer coat the strand instead of actually moisturizing the hair.... I still wanna try this though

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

ACV rinse, then when I rollerset, no matter what product (even though I always use AVEDA USC), I make sure my hair is drenched with water and then smooth the hair to be rolled with my fingers, as though my fingers are a flat iron. I do this a couple of time and my hair wraps really smooth around the roller.

I just airdry and when I take it down my hair is so soft, bouncy and shiny!

 

[ChocalateDiva]

I use a product called Cuticle Sealer by Joico. It is a great product and I really likey.

I also make sure that my last rinse after my dc is done with cold water.