Porous Hair - Redken Fills in the Gaps

As a relaxed head, you should know all about Porous Hair. Hair's Porosity translates to the ability of your hair to absorb moisture. Basically porosity is directly related to the health of your hair's cuticle, since the more porous the hair the more "holes" there are in the cuticle and that's not good.

If you notice that your hair is easily overly processed, dry, very fragile, and keeps on breaking no matter what you do. You likely have very porous hair. Porous hair can be caused by chemical processes (relaxers, perms, hair color), heat damage (heat tools and also SUN damage), chlorine, as well as aging.

Because so many women are fighting the signs of aging on a daily basis Redken has developed Time Reset at-home haircare range and a Time Reset Salon Service to combat and prevent aging hair. Follow me now, the combined impact of chronological and hormonal aging can leave hair with six visible effects that lead hair to become porous, lifeless, and extremely difficult to manage. Hair relaxers can also leave hair with the same visible effects that lead hair to become porous, lifeless, and extremely difficult to maintain. So if you have porous hair this could be the answer for you!

Combating Female Hair Loss

For many women, concealing their hair loss might seem like a full-time job-- from wearing wigs and altering their hairstyles to trying unproven “remedies” and applying temporary hair cosmetics. Recently, we sat down with Dr. Neil Sadick, renowned dermatologist and researcher to discuss Traction Alopecia and a more permanent solution to reverse hair loss– hair restoration surgery.

Member surveys conducted by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) found that the number of female hair restoration surgical patients worldwide increased from 11.4 percent in 2004 to 15.1 percent in 2008. Why are more women undergoing hair restoration surgery? As a Manhattan hair restoration physician and a member of the ISHRS, Dr. Sadick believes the continued growth in women seeking hair restoration surgery over the years can be directly attributed to the fact that women are tired of temporary fixes and appreciate the gradual, permanent results hair transplants offer that are both natural-looking and virtually undetectable.

Since there are many causes of hair loss – from medical conditions, physical stressors and even certain hairstyles – it is essential that women seek proper diagnosis by a qualified hair restoration specialist. Dr. Sadick offers patients the latest advancements in hair restoration surgery and proven medical treatments that can help women permanently restore their thinning hair.

AHS: Traction Alopecia is one of the most prevalent hair loss problems facing African American women what is it and what can we do to stop it?

Dr. Sadick: Traction alopecia occurs from too much tension applied on a regular basis to the hair shaft. Perms, hot irons (curling or straight irons), tight hair braids and mechanical brushing are common causes. The problem can be stopped by decreasing these mechanical stressors.

AHS: Can Hair Restoration Surgery be used in cases of Traction Alopecia?

DS: No.

AHS: How long is the downtime (if any) from a procedure like Hair Restoration Surgery?

DS: There is minimal swelling for 3 days and some mild discomfort the first night. Sutures are left in place in the donor area for 10 days.

AHS: Will my friends, neighbors, or co-workers be able to tell that I've had "something" done?

DS: No, the results with follicular unit hair transplantation are totally non-detectable.

AHS: Even though Hair Restoration Surgery is not an option for traction alopecia, how much would it run to correct that problem with other treatments?

DS: Traction Alopecia diagnosis is covered by most insurance plans. Work up and treatment costs vary from $500 to $1500 depending on treatment course.

Hair Products for Specific Hair Issues

More and more hair care companies are realizing that not all hair is created equally. Since we all have different hair types we all have different issues that may need correcting and finally the big hair care companies are making it easy to find products for your specific hair needs.

Pantene has completely revamped their entire hair care line based on different hair types and the issues facing them. To navigate through the collection and find your perfect products you need to know your hair. Is your hair fine, curly, straight, or in need of moisture then Pantene has you covered with an entire collection to suit your needs. My perfect line? Fine Hair Dry to Moisturized. Plus, occasionally I will use products from the Relaxed & Naturals collection when I feel like my hair needs an extreme dose of moisture. During the Pantene breakfast, Celeb Stylist Tippi Shorter talked about how most women of color turn to the Relaxed & Naturals brand even though it can be too heavy for their hair. Bottom line: Don't just turn to that particular collection because your a woman of color.

Infusium 23 has also gotten on board with tailor products to specific needs. Their famous leave in conditioner is now available in different formulas to help correct your hair's main issue. Check out what's available:

* The Frizz Controller Leave-In Treatment tames and smoothes frizz-prone, distressed hair. It is ideal for curly hair that tangles or thin hair that’s prone to fly-aways.

* The Color Protector Leave-In Treatment enriches and protects the vibrancy of color-treated hair. It is ideal for hair that is dry, damaged and brittle from chemicals used in bleaching and dyeing.

* The Repair & Renew Leave-In Treatment strengthens hair against damage to alleviate breakage and split ends caused by routine brushing and styling. It is ideal for hair that is damaged from chemicals, heat and everyday wear and tear.

* The Moisture Replenisher Leave-In Treatment hydrates to replenish moisture to dry, parched hair. It is ideal for hair that is dry from processing, excessive heat and over-exposure to the elements.

Birth Control + Hair Loss

Up until a co-worker complained that her birth control was changing her hair, more specifically causing her hair to shed like crazy to the point she noticed a difference in the thickness I never even gave the concept any thought. Since I think this might be affecting more women I decided to look into it.

Keep on reading to see what I came up with
American Hair Loss Association had this to say:

"The following hormonal contraceptives have a significant potential of causing or exacerbating hair loss.
It is important to note that any medication or therapy that alters a woman's hormones, including but not limited to, contraceptives, can trigger hair loss in anyone who takes them.
Progestin Implants (I didn't know these where still in use)
Implants, such as Norplant, are small rods implanted surgically beneath the skin, usually on the upper arm. The rods release a continuous dose of progestin to prevent ovulation.
Hormone Injections (I've heard horror stories about weight gain and patches of hair falling out from these)
Progestin injections, such as Depo-Provera, are given into the muscles of the upper arm or buttocks. This injection prevents ovulation.
Skin Patch (I've always heard of very high stroke rates with the patch so I never considered using it.)
The skin patch (Ortho Evra) is placed on your shoulder, buttocks, or other location. It continually releases progestin and estrogen.
Vaginal Ring (I used this without any bad side effects, stopped because I didn't like leaving something inside me for weeks on end.)
The vaginal ring (NuvaRing) is a flexible ring about 2 inches in diameter that is inserted into the vagina. It releases progestin and estrogen."

WedMD says, "Millions of women are prescribed the Pill each year in this country, but very few are aware that oral contraceptives are a common trigger of hair loss." I can attest to this, I've had several doctors over the years (about 5) and not one of them has told me that the pill they prescribed me can cause hair loss, in fact I've never been told any of the side effects, I just know about most of them from my own education.

Something to think about right? Luckily, I've never experienced any hair loss related to the use of any type of Birth Control. How about you?

Super Growth Mix Update

Here is my updated for this post, The Super Growth Mix Video.  This time around I decided not to make a video.  Anywho, I've totally dropped the Mega-Tek from the mix, just leaving the Jamaican Black Castor Oil as the sole ingredient and I'm getting the same results.  My scalp just seems to be immune against Mega-Tek, while others use it and see amazing amount of growth (like a whole inch in one month). 

I have been oiling my scalp (especially the nape area) with JBCO at least two times a week and guess what?  My nape that was once made up of just taco meat, is now about 3 inches long!  But don't expect to see any pics of that area but it's still completely unpresentable!

Here is exactly what I've been doing with my nape:
1. Using JBCO at least two times a week on the scalp only
2. Moisturizing the area two sometimes three times a day with Wave Nouveau
3. Wearing thick headbands that cover the majority of that area.