Stop the Madness!... Part 1

Often in life, the negative aspects of a situation stand out before the positive.  In this case, there is no difference.  Let's not fall under the assumption that I want to pick on anyone, or create a negative vibe, but I find it easier to understand the solution,  or "proper hair care" if we first visit the problem, or "improper hair care". There is no easy way to sum up all of the "bad" things that we do to our hair, so let's just start with the obvious...

• OVER-PROCESSING:

This is the practice of applying chemicals in the hair with increased frequency, without proper application, and /or interval spacing.  The result of over-processing is dry, damaged, weakened, thin, and limp hair,  Characteristics of over-processed hair include, hair that pops when manipulated while wet, giving it a slimy or stretchy feeling, hair that cannot hold a curl, hair that has a brassy dull appearance, and hair that breaks or sheds easily when handled during styling, eventually leading to a reduction of fullness. Over- processing is caused by any chemical treatment used more frequently than intended. This includes relaxers, texturizers, color treatments, and permanent waving. Over-processing results when the hair cuticle is repeatedly lifted which causes hair to become over porous; meaning it absorbs the chemicals too readily, resulting in considerable damage to the hair shaft. I know it seems simple enough to slap some relaxer on those edges to get that sleek look, or to throw a box of color on those roots every time our natural, grays, browns, or blonds come peeking through, but the guidelines for using the products were created for a reason. so PLEASE...PLEASE...PLEASE stick to them!
  

• OVER- STYLING:

Over-styling is exactly what it suggests. Simply put it is too much manipulation of the hair, be it by combing, brushing, blow-drying, thermal curling, flat- ironing, straightening, or any combination of these styling methods. Despite your hair texture, or your ethnicity, hair  DOES NOT need to be shampooed, and styled on a daily basis. Over-shampooing can dry the hair, and styling with too much frequency can put hair in a position to split, and break over time. Another thing we do blindly is apply heat, heat, and more heat. It may seem nice to have your curls fall just right but cranking up the flat iron, or curlers to maximum heat and applying it to your hair even once can be detrimental.  So needless to say, baking your locks on a daily basis is a big time NO.  

Phew!!! that was a lot to cover, and we are not even close to the tip of the iceberg! Still to come, there is the unavoidable, the intentional, and the things that make us go hmmm! All to be visited in detail in STOP THE MADNESS... PART 2.  So until next time, hold on to your hair!!!