aileendq
New Member
I've recently read several posts about what constitutes damage in hair. I wanted to put this out there and then ask all of you a question:
1. Hair CAN be damaged and not be split (YET!). Hair can break mid-shaft if water in the hair shaft is heated (say, with a flat iron or blowdryer) to the point the water boils (expanding) and bubbles the hair shaft. Eventually, this WILL break off and leave a multi-split.
2. Split ends CANNOT be "fixed". If anything, they will continue to split up the hair shaft. Just cut them, already! (I do micro-trims and "search and destroy" every day by holding my hair in front of my eyes in front of a light. The ends that are significantly lighter and or split are cut 1/2 inch above the damage.
3. If you smell burning hair (at the salon or at home) STOP!!! You will recognize the smell of burned hair- it's distinctive and not anything like burning product. (I have this theory that the smell of burning human hair/flesh is ingrained in our olfactory regions of our brains as a vestigial survival mechanism...but I digress.)
4. If you are creating steam with your flatiron (the EXCEPTIONS are steam flat irons such as Maxiglide) then the flation is TOO HOT. See #1.
5. Hair can look damaged (frizzy, especially at the ends) and be perfectly fine.
6. Hair can be damaged and look perfectly healthy at a glance. (Hair smoothed with product etc.)
7. DON'T let a stylist tell you you "need" a trim, unless you trust them implicitly. Remember, it's YOUR head, YOU have to live with the results, and you CAN'T glue it back on. If your hair is long enough, get under a bright light and examine your ends yourself. If it is not, find a trusted friend to help.
8. It is extremely difficult (!!!!!) to both relax AND lighten your hair and not have damage, which will manifest itself most readily at your ends, because your ends are the oldest part of your hair.
WHEW!! Okay, here's the question: What can you ladies add to this about damaged hair for the newbies? I KNOW I missed/don't know A LOT of damaged hair. And by all means, if you disagree with something I said, give it your side of the story.
I remember when I started my LHCF journey, and how much I didn't know. I wish there had a been a "damaged hair" thread that would have summed things up. So, "oldtimers" chime in (especially you BSL/waist length ladies)!!!
TIA!
1. Hair CAN be damaged and not be split (YET!). Hair can break mid-shaft if water in the hair shaft is heated (say, with a flat iron or blowdryer) to the point the water boils (expanding) and bubbles the hair shaft. Eventually, this WILL break off and leave a multi-split.
2. Split ends CANNOT be "fixed". If anything, they will continue to split up the hair shaft. Just cut them, already! (I do micro-trims and "search and destroy" every day by holding my hair in front of my eyes in front of a light. The ends that are significantly lighter and or split are cut 1/2 inch above the damage.
3. If you smell burning hair (at the salon or at home) STOP!!! You will recognize the smell of burned hair- it's distinctive and not anything like burning product. (I have this theory that the smell of burning human hair/flesh is ingrained in our olfactory regions of our brains as a vestigial survival mechanism...but I digress.)
4. If you are creating steam with your flatiron (the EXCEPTIONS are steam flat irons such as Maxiglide) then the flation is TOO HOT. See #1.
5. Hair can look damaged (frizzy, especially at the ends) and be perfectly fine.
6. Hair can be damaged and look perfectly healthy at a glance. (Hair smoothed with product etc.)
7. DON'T let a stylist tell you you "need" a trim, unless you trust them implicitly. Remember, it's YOUR head, YOU have to live with the results, and you CAN'T glue it back on. If your hair is long enough, get under a bright light and examine your ends yourself. If it is not, find a trusted friend to help.
8. It is extremely difficult (!!!!!) to both relax AND lighten your hair and not have damage, which will manifest itself most readily at your ends, because your ends are the oldest part of your hair.
WHEW!! Okay, here's the question: What can you ladies add to this about damaged hair for the newbies? I KNOW I missed/don't know A LOT of damaged hair. And by all means, if you disagree with something I said, give it your side of the story.
I remember when I started my LHCF journey, and how much I didn't know. I wish there had a been a "damaged hair" thread that would have summed things up. So, "oldtimers" chime in (especially you BSL/waist length ladies)!!!
TIA!