Do you like Hair Science? Come on in...

[vkb247]

I love learning new things about hair so I was pretty excited to learn that hair has severals layers of cuticles (I just thought it had one). I was going through google looking for more info on that when I found the following fun facts:

Chemical analysis of the hair reveals that each strand is composed of 70-85% protein.

Hair that is lacking protein will break easily. Protein loss almost never occurs without moisture loss.

The cuticle or the outermost layer of the hair is a hard, shingle-like layer of over-lapping cells some 5 to 12 deep.

Moderately hot water and high water pressure will cause the cuticle to peel.

The texture and porosity are judged together in determining the processing time during a chemical service. Although porosity is the most important of the two, texture does have a part in judging processing time.Coarse hair that is porous will process faster than fine hair that is not porous. The more porous the hair, the less processing time it takes, and a milder solution is required.

This is all from a site that is dedicated to thermal reconditioning/keratin treatment but has lots of in depth info about hair and hair care...and they have a forum!

http://www.verticalsinhair.com/index.html

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Very Good Site! thanks

 

[silvergirl]

i love learning about hair, i keep my moms stylist text books and videos just to look through, they have sooo much useful info.

 

[Junebug D]

Moderately hot water and high water pressure will cause the cuticle to peel.

Say it ain't so!

 

[vkb247]

Silvergirl please share the names of some of those books and videos!

 

[silvergirl]

Silvergirl please share the names of some of those books and videos!

omgosh! i had no idea you could read the whole thing online... but this looks like the complete book http://books.google.ca/books?id=OQBJqpKBg7AC&pg=PA651&lpg=PA651&dq=stylist+hair+textbook&source=web&ots=IX6L671aVc&sig=3TpVHqUGRnZeHFuzE5jf5xcDjkg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA559,M1 ( eta: darn, not the whole book)

she has this one plus videos from suppliers like matrix/joico. paul mitchell, they'll send her promo videos of how to use their products. i also have technically videos for haircutting an such

 

[vkb247]

Thanks silvergirl! I am definitely gonna check that out.

Here is some more info:

Chlorine can alter the electrical charge on minerals in the hair causing them to form bond more strongly to the hair, and may even change the color of certain minerals. It can be done as our hair is naturally negatively charged. The highly charged minerals may in turn damage or discolor the hair. (Most tap water has chlorine right?)

Hair is made by protein which can be denatured (or the shape and function is altered) easily by high temperature. The sun’s burning rays can deplete the protein in the outer later, leaving hair dry, brittle and even a fade in color. Dark shades can lose their luster and light ones may go brassy.
In addition, melanin is very sensitive to the UV light form the sun which can also oxidize it (or increase its positive charge by removing electrons). That’s why blow dry hair has a paler color, the reason is simply extra heating.
Protection: Use hair product which contains Zinc oxide (shield against through UV spectrum), Vitamin E (anti-oxidant) or Benzophene-4 (UV-filter).

http://www.jetsetextension.com/help/ourhair.php

 

[The Princess]

Interesting....

 

[Leesh]

Wow! Ladies this is a Great Thread, I can't wait to read this information.

 

[naturalgurl]

Ummmm, why does this thread have me drooling with an increased heart rate....

 

[vkb247]

Ummmm, why does this thread have me drooling with an increased heart rate....

whoa nellie...is that a good thing or a bad thing?

 

[vkb247]

I found another hairdressing book that is designed for those who are seeking a NVQ (National Vocational Qualification). I believe this is a UK certification process but either way the book has a lot of information because it is designed for people who are studying to become stylists.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=Xxx...X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA24,M1

This one is for advanced hairdressing. There seems to plenty of hairdressing books on google.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=GC7sPYjwEoMC&pg=PR4&dq=nvq+level+3+hair#PPP1,M1

 

[sydwrites]

Thanks OP this is great info, I have been really getting into the science of hair here lately.

 

[Patricia]

Thanks for the links ladies. very good info

 

[sunshinelady]

So, we should wash our hair in cold water in a bucket?

 

[vkb247]

So, we should wash our hair in cold water in a bucket?

Sounds like a challenge!

 

[msa]

Moderately hot water and high water pressure will cause the cuticle to peel.

nooooooooo.


Hot water dries out my skin so I figured it must dry out my hair as well. But, my cuticle is peeling? That couldn't be good at all. I guess it's back to warm/cool water for me. But I refuse to give up the water pressure...it detangles my hair for me and it gives me a nice scalp massage.

 

[Casarela]

I think she was referring to really high pressure like when water comes out of the facet , If you have a shower head that has the rain drop feature youre good to go IMO.

nooooooooo.


Hot water dries out my skin so I figured it must dry out my hair as well. But, my cuticle is peeling? That couldn't be good at all. I guess it's back to warm/cool water for me. But I refuse to give up the water pressure...it detangles my hair for me and it gives me a nice scalp massage.

 

[vkb247]

Bumping hoping others will add