Sealing Cuticles

[MoMo]

Ladies, can anyone tell me when the cuticles in our hair should be sealed? I got some cuticle sealer by Joico that is part of a kit I bought and I want to know when to use it for my next touch-up. TIA

 

[clever]

bumping.I want to know also

 

[fluffylocks]

I always deepconditon with heat to open cuticles, then rinse with ACV to seal cuticles afterwords,(so my answer would be after conditoning) but i know some people seal before conditoning and other various ways

So bump for more answers

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I think most people do like you do, FL and make the *final* rinse an ACV rinse. Some people may so the ACV, then deep condition. I guess it depends on the person and the specific needs.

 

[chavascandy]

I always seal my cuticles right after I condition my hair.

But before I apply my oil to seal my cuticles, I apply a leave-in conditioner to my hair, then I follow up with my favorite oil to seal my ends.

Right now I'm using castor oil+ Profective growth oil.

 

[MoMo]

So it's probably better to seal cuticles towards the end of the relaxing process? I guess I really want to know what sealing the cuticles of our hair means?

 

[Nonie]

So it's probably better to seal cuticles towards the end of the relaxing process? I guess I really want to know what sealing the cuticles of our hair means?

I'm not sure but I guess it means keeping them closed (ie lying down). I know the cuticles need to be open (lifted) for relaxer to penetrate and break the bonds to straighten the hair, hence the reason an alkaline is uses as a relaxer. After the process, you apply a neutralizer which is acidic to close the cuticles. So I would guess that the best time to seal cuticles is at the end.

You can see cuticles here so you get an idea how they should be lying down and what it is you try to achieve when you apply an agent that seals or smooths or protects the strands. If you can have a protection holding the cuticles down, and preventing them from rubbing against cuticles on other strands in a way that rips them, then you are doing your hair some good and preventing what you see on the next page.

 

[fluffylocks]

So it's probably better to seal cuticles towards the end of the relaxing process? I guess I really want to know what sealing the cuticles of our hair means?

Yeah

When your hair cuticles are open, they absorb things easier like conditoners, if your hair is dry with your cuticles open--your hair will feel rough, and moisture will have a hard time staying in your hair, plus it wont shine as good, and your cuticles can get damaged.

When your hair dries with the cuticles closed, then moisture and everything can stay inside your hair, it will shine better, and feel smoother.

When you relax, the PH is so high, that its opening your cuticles wide open so the chemical can get in there and striaghten your hair, then you use your neutrilzing shampoo which has a low ph to close your cuticles back up. Thats why alot of people use a 5min. protein treatment right after relaxing and before neutrlizing so it can go in there really good while the cuticles are wide open.

High Ph's and heat (like deepconditoning) open cuticles
Low Ph's and cold (like ACV rinses, and rinsing with cold water) close cuticles

So after you relax, neuturilize, and deepconditon (you should use heat so that it can penetrate in your hair), you can use something to close your cuticles.

 

[MoMo]

Thanks Nonie and the rest of you ladies for your help.

 

[ChocalateDiva]

Correct me if I am wrong..........but it sounds like the OT is talkin about a product that is in the 17 Minute Joico Kpak Repair System.

I have it and I have the instuctions and the instructions say that the products should be use as such:

1. Step 1: Chelate- Shampoo hair with KPak Chelating Shampoo. Let stand for 2-5 minutes

2. Step 2: Acidify- Apply KPak Professional Cuticle Sealer to the hair. Let stand 5 minutes and rinse.

3. Step 3: Reconstruct- Apply KPak Deep penetrating Reconstructor to hair. Let stand 5 minute and rinse.

4. Step 4: Hydrate- Apply KPak Intense Hydrator to the hair. Let stand 5 minutes and rinse.

I have been use the system as instructed with the exception of STEP 4- I do this for 30 minutes with heat. My hair loves this.

HTH

 

[Nonie]

Well then, I'd follow the instructions. I guess the sealer just closes the cuticles then the reconstructor patches up any "cracks". In this case, the sealer seems to do the same thing an ACV rinse does - close the cuticles. I was wrong in my guess that the sealer was more like a serum that coats the hair strands covering the cuticles. My bad.

To the OP, just follow the instructions on the kiy. They have their reasons for suggesting that order so I wouldn't change it.

 

[OrangeMoon]

Okay you all just taught me something that I didn't understand before. Thanks.

 

[MoMo]

Correct me if I am wrong..........but it sounds like the OT is talkin about a product that is in the 17 Minute Joico Kpak Repair System.

I have it and I have the instuctions and the instructions say that the products should be use as such:

1. Step 1: Chelate- Shampoo hair with KPak Chelating Shampoo. Let stand for 2-5 minutes

2. Step 2: Acidify- Apply KPak Professional Cuticle Sealer to the hair. Let stand 5 minutes and rinse.

3. Step 3: Reconstruct- Apply KPak Deep penetrating Reconstructor to hair. Let stand 5 minute and rinse.

4. Step 4: Hydrate- Apply KPak Intense Hydrator to the hair. Let stand 5 minutes and rinse.

I have been use the system as instructed with the exception of STEP 4- I do this for 30 minutes with heat. My hair loves this.

HTH

Yep that's the one I got. Do you use this during the relaxing process (assuming that you are relaxed)? TIA

 

[MoMo]

Well then, I'd follow the instructions. I guess the sealer just closes the cuticles then the reconstructor patches up any "cracks". In this case, the sealer seems to do the same thing an ACV rinse does - close the cuticles. I was wrong in my guess that the sealer was more like a serum that coats the cuticle. My bad.

To the OP, just follow the instructions on the. They have their reasons for suggesting that order so I wouldn't change it.

But you know what Nonie I am confused because the instructions said to do certain steps prior to chemical treatment when I know I can't because I need to apply the relaxer first . I guess I probably shouldn't use this system during relaxer time.

 

[sareca]

I use a final cold water rinse to close my cuticles and oil to seal them.

 

[Nonie]

But you know what Nonie I am confused because the instructions said to do certain steps prior to chemical treatment when I know I can't because I need to apply the relaxer first . I guess I probably shouldn't use this system during relaxer time.

MoMo, I'm not sure I follow. Did this come with a relaxer so that the two have to be used together? The instructions that ChocolateDiva posted don't mention "chemical treatment" so where are you reading this? Could it be that the kit is a process you do in advance of relaxing your hair? Or in between touch-ups?

Perhaps if you clarify where you are reading the instructions that said "to do certain steps prior to chemical treatment" - or better yet, quote the full instructions that are confusing you, we might be more able to help you.