Treat Your Hair

• Avoid using shampoos that will strip your hair and leave it dry. Shampoos that are formulated to cleanse thoroughly, but not strip Black hair and super curly hair types of all its natural oils, but replenish them, such as Kerasoft Enrich Shampoo are the only shampoos that are recommend. Remember, you do not want your hair to be "squeaky clean" after shampooing if has a very strong natural curl pattern. Any shampoo that leaves the hair in squeaky clean condition has not been properly formulated for Black hair and very curly hair types.

• Depending on the length of your hair, the chemicals you have in, the natural texture of your hair and the condition it is in, you can manipulate your hair to varying degrees when you shampoo. I will describe two ends of the spectrum.
If you have short, naturally straight hair, with no chemicals processes done to it, then you can give your hair and scalp a good scrubbing and suffer little or no damage, or consequences.

If you have long, relaxed and or coloured treated hair, then I ask that you treat your hair as you would a fine silk blouse. Do not scrub or rub your hair while shampooing, it's not necessary in order to achieve clean hair. You may damage the cuticles of your hair in the process. Gently massage the shampoo into and through your hair, working it into a lather on your scalp as you gently remove dirt and dead scalp cells. I recommend that you shampoo two to three times, rinsing well between shampoos.

• Condition your hair every time you shampoo it. You may not always have time to do a deep condition but there are conditioners that rinse out after only a few minutes and others that can remain in after applying. Conditioning is one of the most important things you can do to upkeep your hair’s appearance and health.

• After shampooing your hair, press the water from your hair, first with your hands and then with a towel. Always avoid rubbing the hair at all times, as your hair is at its weakest condition when wet. Avoid brushing or over manipulating your hair when it is wet, doing this may lead to breakage.

• If you have longer hair, always start the detangling process with your fingers first, then move on to a wide tooth pick or comb. Avoid pulling and straining your hair.

• Conditioners will not repair your hair once it is damaged. They may affect its look and feel, as well as detangle and improve the wet combability of your hair. But they will not repair any structural damage present in the hair.

• A reconstructor, if it has been formulated with the proper ingredients, may be able to repair external and internal damage to some extent. It depends on the amount of damage already present.

• The use of a leave-in-conditioner is recommended to seal and protect your hair from airborne pollutants, weather elements as well as to help prevent damage from thermal styling tools.

• Mineral oils clog pores. They should not be used on your hair or scalp as dressings. Read your products ingredients and if you see mineral oil or any petrolatum product as an ingredient, make another choice. There are many other products that will do a much better job. Ask your stylist to explain the latest products and make a recommendation for your hair type.

• Hair can be sunburned, be careful of the sun. If you are going to be spending any time in it, protect your hair with a hat or by a applying sunblocking product.

• A thermal protection product is a must if you frequently blow dry, or curl your hair with a curling iron. They contain conditioners and polymers that form a protective barrier around your hair that can help it withstand the heat from thermal styling tools.

• If you find you have a dry scalp, your sebaceous glands may need a little help. I recommend the use of an EFA (essential fatty acids) product such as Kerasoft Primoils. There are essential oils found in these types of products that closely resemble the natural sebum produced by our scalp's sebaceous glands. These oils will lubricate both your scalp and hair.

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day when possible. Water flushes your body’s system of toxins that can cause general health, skin and scalp problems

• Follow a well balanced diet. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables provides the body with the natural and necessary vitamins and minerals that are the basis for growing healthy hair and skin.

• Products purchased in retail stores will not perform as well as professionally formulated products that are recommended for you by your stylist. It would be a lie to say that they are all no good. However, a great deal of them are formulated not only with inferior ingredients, but with ingredients that will cause product build-ups to form on your hair. These build-ups lead to many problems, such as uneven perming and colouring processes, dull lifeless hair without body and bounce and can even stop any conditioning or reconstructing treatments your doing on from penetrating into your hair and working properly.