Archive for the Shampoo Category

How to get Thicker Hair

Posted on April 16, 2012 with No Comments

Some people have naturally fine, thin hair in which case they want to know how to get hair thicker. Everyone has what nature and genes have given him or her. This does not mean that this status quo has to be accepted. There may be a medical issue at work that is thinning your hair. Your family physician will be able to give you a simple test to find out if your hair is thin through an ailing thyroid, through fungal growth or perhaps to a psychiatric problem.

If no such cause can be determined, then it has to be assumed that you have genetically determined thin hair. There are a few things everyone can do to improve their hair volume. Your hair follicles will not regenerate once they have died or been removed from the dermis. The issue to focus on is more the prevention of hair loss than additional growth of hair. To keep as much hair as possible on your head, there are a few steps you can take to achieve that.

Keep Your Scalp Healthy

Let’s look at the scalp. Ask yourself if you think that perhaps you need to wash your hair more often. If you have a job that places you in a smoke-filled or grease-filled environment, your scalp will need daily shampooing. Hair follicles can get clogged with oil and dirt particles too small to see with the eye. This may affect the death of a number of follicles every single day. The only way to prevent that is to protect your hair with a cap and daily washings with a mild hair thickening shampoo.

Do Raw Egg Treatments Once A Month

Even though the hair on your head is already dead, the follicles are alive and can benefit from the pure protein infusion an egg will provide. If you do not work or live in an environment that adds layers of dirt to your hair, perhaps you are washing your hair too much. Two to three times a week will keep your hair and scalp clean. This can prevent damage from harsh shampoos or over washing. You should supplement this treatment with a shampoo that thickens hair for best results to help swell the follicle shaft.

Another Step Toward Full, Thick Hair

Have you thought about scalp massages? You can do a scalp massage and hot oil treatment all at one time. Heat the oil you are going to use to make it comfortably warm. You can use any oil you want but coconut oil is often a good choice. Some people prefer olive oil. The smell may be the deciding factor over which oil you prefer. Massage it into every inch of your scalp with your fingertips in rotating motions. After you are finished, a hot towel wrap will keep the effects working for quite a while. This should add volume to your hair.

Internal Action Toward Thicker Hair

This will be a very important step for you. If your thin hair is due to a medical problem, the right prescription and treatment will reverse the thinning process and your hair will gain in volume and number. If no medical issue is to blame, then begin a healthy lifestyle. Eat the proper foods, get enough exercise, take your vitamins and stop smoking. Healthy living and proper hygiene will give you a much thicker head of hair.

Hairstyle Ideas for Long, Straight Hair

Posted on January 13, 2012 with No Comments

Now that 2012 is upon us, everyone is looking for a new style to wear this year. While almost anything goes, long, straight hair seems to be a preferred look among the top-celebrities and athletes. Here are several looks you can consider that will make long and straight hair look great!

If you tired of the same boring straight look, try some of these hairstyle ideas for long, straight hair. There is a look out there for you to ensure that you look the best that you possibly can for this coming year.

  • Super Sleek: Bust out your straightening iron and get to smoothing out those frazzled tresses. This year try to keep it as smooth as possible with some frizz taming serum and a flat iron to get your locks at neat as possible. We recommend using Sleek and Straight Shampoo by Nourish. It was designed specifically as a shampoo for long, sleek and straight hair.
  • The Half-Do: Keeping your tresses loose and a bit tussled is a great hairstyle idea for long, straight hair. After you have dried your locks to look loose with a bit of control-holding mousse, then pin the top of your locks up into a loose twist or poof. This is a great look for day or evening engagements.
  • A Simple Pull-Back: If you are having a day where it seems no matter what you do, your locks will not cooperate, then try pulling all of your hair back into either a bun or a high ponytail. You can leave some tendrils or bangs out of the bun to give it a less severe look.
  • Au Naturel: Another great hairstyle idea for long, straight hair is to just go natural. Whatever the texture of your locks may be, just throw in some frizz easing serum or some control gel and get on with your day!
  • Braids: Braids are all the rage this year and will look fun but mature at the same time. You can do a French Braid, a half braid, a loose slung to the side braid or a messy braid. Anything goes with a braid.
  • Bangs: Bangs are a wonderful hairstyle idea for long, straight hair because it breaks up the heaviness of locks that are one length with an interesting frame for your face. You can opt for whimsical side-swept look or go all out with a bold horizontal bang.
  • Accessories: If you want to spice up your look without cutting it, adding accessories is a good hairstyle idea for long, straight hair. Pins look great as well as bands and flowers. Keep it light and fun and you can’t go wrong.
  • There are plenty of great hairstyle ideas for long, straight hair and all it takes is for you to do some experimentation to find out what works for you. Step out of your comfort zone and you will be happy that you did!

    Shampoo for Dry Hair

    Posted on August 23, 2011 with No Comments

    Dry hair can affect anybody, but how you handle it is very important. If you take care of the problem from the source it will stop the dry hair and make your scalp more healthy. If not treated correctly your hair will become like straw and break easily. Using a shampoo for dry hair is important, it will keep your hair healthier for longer.

    The purpose of a shampoo is to wash away dirt and grime, but it also washes away your natural oils which can dry out your hair. I thing you can try to do if find a shampoo that is very moisturizing. This will put moisture back into you hair that the shampoo can take out.

    Look for shampoos that are naturally based. They will be more gentle on your scalp and less likely to cause problems. Also try to find a moisturizing conditioner, but make sure it is not to heavy because if it is it will leave your hair flat.

    If your hair shaft is thick, wavy or curly make sure you dry your have well after every wash. This will help the natural oils from your scalp work its way down the hair quicker. Thick hydrating shampoos work best for this hair type.

    Look for shampoos that contain emu oil, shea butter or any other type of moisturizing property. When it comes to conditioning find a balanced conditioner to use after every wash this will lock in moisture and keep the hair healthy.

    Stay away from hot oil treatment, they can burn the hair and lead to breakage, but if you need a boost you can use a deep treatment conditioning treatment once a month. Curly hair is a gift but make sure to skip days in between washes, this will help control tangles and frizz.

    If you hair thin, greasy or dead hair use a lighter shampoo, this will keep the oils at bay. Make sure your shampoo is naturally based, because you will be using it daily it needs to be gentle. When using a conditioner you can opt for a light conditioner because your hair produces oils naturally.

    If your hair is generally tangle and frizz free you probably do not even need to use a conditioner. If you need a little extra moisture you can use a water based spray leave in conditioner it is light weight and will not weigh your hair down.

    If you can avoid coloring, heat or chemical treatments because they will dry your hair and scalp out. If you insist on using them make sure to deep condition your hair so it will stay hydrated. If your hair is colored you want a shampoo that will lightly coat the hair to protect the color yet make it more vibrant.

    Also stay away from clarifying shampoos because they will strip your color and cause it to fade faster. If your hair is chemically treated make sure you leave the shampoo on for an extra minute or two to get better penetration.

    Definitely use a conditioner just make sure it is a light one. Don’t let it sit on your scalp for a long time as it will make it oily. Always remember moisture is the corner stone of healthy hair so keep your hair hydrated properly.

    Shampoo for Dandruff and Oily Hair

    Posted on June 15, 2011 with No Comments

    Dandruff is a very common ailment and usually goes hand in hand with oily hair and scalp. Most shampoos will wash away the oils but they build back up quickly and the flakes will come back immediately. Some dandruff shampoos use harsh chemicals like coal tar. Stay away from these shampoos they can do more damage than good. The best dandruff shampoo should get rid of the flakes naturally without the use of harmful chemicals.

    A good shampoo for oily hair or dandruff is going to contain zinc pca. This is because zinc naturally balances the oil glands in your scalp so that they will not over produce oils. This in turn dries the scalp out helping reduce dandruff. It is also, helps with dht, dermatitis and psoriasis. A good dandruff and oily hair shampoo should be a daily use shampoo.

    Be sure to leave it on your scalp for a few minutes allowing the active ingredients to absorb into your scalp, for the best results. Zinc has been proven to control dandruff. Glycerin helps lock in moisture. Both of these ingredients are carried deep into the scalp for maximum effects. A good dandruff and oily shampoo will also help deep cleanse your scalp as well.

    Shampoos with zinc for dandruff and oily hair have a very a high success rate because they take care of the problem by solving it, not just washing it away. Look for a natural shampoo, this will guarantee you are not putting harsh chemicals on your scalp which can lead to long term health problems. Some oily hair shampoo have even been able to help get rid of eczema.

    Eczema is like a thick chunky dandruff that peels off in big chunks and is more stubborn and harder to solve. In closing finding a good shampoo for dandruff is an easy way to get this embarrassing problem under control. Just remember oily hair and dandruff usually go hand in hand so if you fix one the other will most likely go away by itself.

    SLS Free Shampoo

    Posted on February 9, 2011 with No Comments

    Anyone with a computer will tell you there is a lot of information on SLS out there today. Some of it is good or inconclusive, but for the most part it has some pretty bad reviews. There are studies that show that it can actually cause cancer in some cases. Today we are going to talk about SLS too study the pros and cons. Hopefully you will leave here with enough information to make an informed decision on your own.

    SLS is short for Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is the gentler of the two sulfates. When ever you are studying sulfates you will hear the word surfactant used quite a bit. Surfactant mean basically the product helps separate oil or grease from a surface. Companies use SLS because it cuts oils and suds up. People think because there shampoo is foamy that it is really good, which is not always true. This just means that it has SLS in it. That is why SLS free shampoo does not foam up nearly as much.

    You can find SLS in products ranging from engine degreasers and floor cleaners to toothpaste and shaving foam. The majority of the time there is very little SLS actually found in the products themselves, just enough to make it foam up. So can SLS really harm you? This is a really hot topic. Here is some basic information about SLS, this should give you the tools you need to make your own informed choice.

    There have been many scientific studies done that have shown that SLS can be harmful. Some that have even shown that if you use SLS too much it can cause cancer. Once your body absorbs the SLS into it, it has no feasible means of getting rid of it. This can cause the product to build up over time leading to health problems ranging from hair loss to cancer. It is unknown at the current time how long it takes for SLS to build up in our systems.

    SLS has been blamed for many sicknesses on the Internet in the past few years. Most of these allegations are just that. The most common way SLS effects people is by allergic reactions so if you are using a shampoo that contains SLS and your scalp becomes sore and swollen it could be a sulfate allergy. Keep in mind it could be other things as well so the only be to really tell is to get an allergy test done by a doctor.

    The harmful effects of SLS have also been call a lie. Some people say it was corporate sabotage. One thing to think about is if SLS is that bad for you would 99% of the beauty industry use it? The answer is yes and no. Some complaints would use it just because it is much cheaper the sulfate free ingredients. Others use it but use the most mild form available. Other brands have used it in the past but are slowly converting over. While some beauty makers refuse to use it all together.

    Many companies now are introducing sls free shampoos into their lineup of products. They are doing this for people who do not like sls, have severe allergies or have very sensitive skin. One good thing is the easiest way to tell is by simply looking at the bottle to see the ingredient list. SLS free shampoos are not going anywhere soon, they are becoming more popular on a daily basis. So if you feel like your shampoo is holding you down simply look for one that is sls free. You will be glad you did.

    Advantages of SLS-free Shampoo

    Posted on December 29, 2009 with 1 Comment

    “Green” is big now – not only in terms of our environment, but also in terms of what we eat, supplements, what we wear, and how we recycle.  So, it is no suprise that sls-free shampoo is getting a lot of attention.  So, what’s the big deal with sls-free cleansers and, oh BTW, what are they?

    What is SLS-FREE?white-female-longhairperfect2

    For those not in the hair products industry or who are not formulators for a manufacturer, SLS is short for Sodium Laurel Sulphate…and is also often referred to as “sulfate-free shampoo”.  It is a surfactant – a cleanser – used in shampoos.  It is what creates the “bubbles” and the lather.

    The Trend is not only for hair health, but the environment

    Surfactants are used in many cleaning products…dish washing liquid, clothes detergent, carpet cleaner, car wash, etc.  And interestingly, your daily shampoo may have more in common with carpet cleaner than you might expect or like to know.

    Why Should I Care?

    Put simply, there are several options to make the foaming lather in shampoos.  The two most commonly used for hair cleansers are Sodium Laurel Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Though they look and sound the same, they are not.  “Laurel” is considered harsh – being harmful to the biology of the follicles and scalp as well as stripping color, perms and chemical treatments, and creating splitting and general damage.

    If you take a look at the ingredients on a bottle of shampoo (I know, who reads the labels on shampoos??!), you’ll notice the surfactant and liquid base one of the first ingredients on the list.

    The trend, not only for hair health, but for the environment, is to use less harmful cleansing agents that biodegrade quicker and help protect the follicles and scalp while still providing adequate cleansing action.  The result of this trend is the advent and increasingly popularity of SLS-Free shampoo – or, essentially products that do not have Sodium LAUREL Sulfate; though some include its cousin Laureth in with definition when referring to sulfate-free.

    What are the Advantages?

    The benefits and advantages are easy to see.  Many users have noticed their hair is less dry and able to retain moisture and hydration.  Others have pointed out that damage is experienced less often – especially when using heated styling appliances. 

    Other users of SLS-Free shampoos report improved volume, body and control; and, one of the most cited advatages is color treatments last longer.

    While we don’t necessarily promote everyone start combing the back of their hair care products, it is useful to know that cheap(er) shampoos will generally use LAURETH, or worse.  Why?  Because the ingredient is less expensive – much less expensive.  As you might know be considering, there is some truth to “cheap supermarket” products being bad for your hair and the “professional salon” products being good.

    Oily Hair During the Winter?

    Posted on November 4, 2009 with No Comments

    Interestingly, we have begun receiving many calls related to oily hair problems during the winter, cold weather.  On the surface, this seems like a bit of a contradiction.  Most folks think of oily hair relating to hotter temps when folks are out exercising, getting hot, doing yard work, or sweating during sports.

    Candidly, for many years so did I…but, something interesting happens at night – yep, I’m keeping it clean.  I was just refering to the symptom of sweating while you sleep.  In fact, I answered a question on Yahoo a few days ago regarding a young person who was waking up with their head sweaty and oily.  After a little bit of back and forth, we figured out that they were keeping the temperature too warm in their room/house.

    They would hop in bead right after turning up the thermostat and by the time they were sound asleep and under layers of blankets, the room would be warm and toasty…the result??  Sweaty, oily head when they woke up.

    With that said, if you seem to be having this problem, consider doing a couple of things:

    • If doable, keep the temp on your thermostat no higher than 67-68 degrees.  Studies have shown the ideal “sleep temperature” to be aound 65 degrees.
    • Try using a firmer pillow.  Very soft, down pillows (especially if the are large) can wrap around your head and the heat from your head can make you sweat.
    • Make sure your not going to bed with any styling products in your hair – gels, mousse, hairspray, etc.  While this may not always be possible, chemicals in these products can mix with dirt and oils on your scalp to lead to an increase in oil production.
    • Try using a clarifying shampoo with Zinc such as Follicleanse to regulate oils on the scalp and hair.  Heat and humidity tend to increase the amount of oil your scalp produces; Zinc can help control oil and lessen the possibility you will wake up with oily hair.