Hair/Skin/Product Q and A: Answers ToYourMost FAQ's

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:59 pm; edited 11 times in total

Hair/Skin/Product Q and A: Answers to your most FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Finally, a sensible solution to the Product-Fuzzy issue.
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Q: What to do when your hair gets the white fuzzies...?

A: If you have this problem, you’re most likely using a leave-in that doesn’t mix well with the gel or product you’re using (or vise-versa so), you’ll just have to decide which product is most essential to achieving the look you want and then replace the other (with a new leave-in or gel).

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Sat May 17, 2008 6:51 am; edited 2 times in total

Basic Salon Etiquette Q and A
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Q: Is it okay to bring your own products to a salon (conditioners, stylers, or whatnot)?

A: Some salons are more particular/inflexible about using their own products than others (especially the ones that sell the lines they use), but as long as you let them know in advance of the appointment it should be fine. However, if it appears to be a serious problem, then you may want to consider a stylist who caters a more to the wishes of the client to avoid any negatives in your salon experience.

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Thu Aug 06, 2009 2:30 am; edited 17 times in total

About Salon THINNING/Has Your Stylist Thinned Out Your Hair???!!
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Q: Has Your Stylist Thinned Out Your Hair (or Did You Wake Up Bald)???!!

A: Okay, POINT BLANK: Anyone who wants to thin out your hair is trying to put one over on you (pun intended). If your hair is thinner (or shortened without permission--) when you leave the salon or wake the next day, call the Police. Because, If you are talking about a razor cut-- that is not thinning, it's just a cutting technique. Note: Medically and aesthetically speaking, Head-of-Hair includes the edges (i.e. hairline and nape areas) And especially if you already know you do not have the gene for male-female pattern baldness (androgentic hairloss)—there is a serious problem. ETA: And COUTURE cuts do not leave you with damaged hair or thinned ends (...models and other people wear wigs for a reason---i.e., they have been attacked to their person) and razoring does not remove bulk. Also, Layering is not a razor cut per se, but you get the idea...

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:45 am; edited 3 times in total

The Breakdown on Texturizers, Relaxers and Permanent (Wave) Sets
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Q: Is a Texturizer the same or similar to a Relaxer or Permanent Set?

A: Yes. It is a relaxer in ‘disguise’. The main "relaxing" ingredients are calcium hyrdroxide and guanidine carbonate. The calcium hydroxide is an alkaline that is substituted for lye in "no-lye" relaxers, which is actually worse for the hair than sodium hydroxide(lye). When used in combination with guanidine carbonate, they create a permanent waving affect (what the hair industry calls 'texturizing'), but can still straighten the hair. Any chemical that alters the structure of the hair has the potential to straighten the hair.

While, not all chemical stylers (hair dye, or highlights for example) are relaxers, it’s important to note that anything used to chemically straighten, curl, set , wave, texturize, or otherwise (chemically) silken or soften the hair is a form of (chemical) relaxer.

Chemical color is not a relaxer, but it is, however, still a chemical (based) styler with the potential to cause damage and/or breakage. So, if you want to color your hair, use an all natural product like Henna or Indigo (and there are no chemicals in real/pure Henna or Indigo).

Many unethical stylists are trying to lure natural clients by re-packaging their texturizer chem. services as softeners or bio-reconditioning treatments (some also do this by cutting the product with conditioner or reducing application time to achieve a more textured look as opposed to a stick straight look, but a neutralizing rinsing agent is still required).

And since No Conditioner will require a neutralizing rinse, And No conditioner causes burns to the scalp or hair if left unattended, You know what the grounds for your lawsuit will be if someone gives you a chemical service or modified chem-service without your permission.

It’s important to know exactly what’s going on your hair before contracting services.

Any unauthorized chemical service is criminal negligence/assault.

The stylist is liable for any damage or injury due to services not specifically requested AND authorized by the client.

File a police report for simple battery.

And it’s important to remember that your local salon expert is not a physician (M.D.) so, it’s your responsibility to avoid or refuse any service that might aggravate any pre-existing medical condition. So, be very careful when researching and choosing your salon/stylist and in what services you ask for (There are plenty of unqualified/unethical stylists who will still try to chemically service (or extension style) hair of a client with Alopecia Areata or eczema or other dermatitis they don’t care about your health, they care about billing for cosmetic services).

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:26 am; edited 9 times in total

The Great (Quality Of) Product Debate
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Q: Are Products really formulated specifically for either European or African or Latino or Asian or Mixed ethnicities hair issues..?

A: No. And in truth, it's not so much that it 'is' than the simple unpleasant fact that most manufacturers simply use substandard ingredients in products that target specific ethnicities (i.e., John Q. Public).

The proper way to look for your products is to find what your particular hair needs are (dry, oily, curly, straight, wavy, cottony, spongy, etc.) and look for ingredients known to benefit and/or compliment your hair's unique needs and go from there.

The best thing to do is to always check the ingredients, and look for stylers and cleansers with less than 12 total ingredients and that contain gentle, all-natural ingredients.

We Highly Reccomend The Following Natural Brands:

Aubrey Organics
Dr. Bonner's
Qhemet Biologics
Karen's Body Beautiful

*and similar natural hair-care brands that don't use sulphates or petroleum/mineral oils or other harsh ingredients or chemicals (Although cheapie brands like Suave work for those who are unconcerned about ingredients but still want 'results').

But, just try to remember, most people buy poorly formulated products out of a lack of information, but fortunately thanks to more boards like this and books we now have more information and a more comprehensive point of reference as consumers.

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Online Shopping Links
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Q: Where can I find products online?

A:
(OCF™) Q!HB™ : Quintessentials!™ Health and Beauty Depot/i-Shoppe™
VitaminShoppe
FromNatureWithLove
MountainRoseHerbs

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:25 am; edited 3 times in total

I Want That Hair!
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Q: How can I get my hair to look like the wavy and curly hair models in hair magazines?

A: You can’t. Those models (even the ones with natural curls, waves) have professional stylists to help achieve the desired look for the editorial. The key to great hair is to stop trying to emulate everyone else’s look, so that you can discover and learn to cater to your hair’s distinctive, natural characteristics (whether straight , curly, wavy, fluffy/cottony or somewhere in between) in a way that is uniquely flattering to you. And that only takes patience, good product choices and a gentle, disciplined healthy hair care regimen (tailored to suit your hair care needs and goals/length). Now in terms of growing longer lengths, everyone inherently has the natural potential for long flowing (waist-length and/or beyond ) hair length/s (i.e. if you have even one ancestor that had long hair you have the genes for growing very long hair --even those with auto-immuno disorders). Contrarily/Otherwise, a solid protective hair styling regimen will ensure that you yourself can achieve what genetics does not (i.e., flowing head-of-hair as long as you want according to your own personal standards of/for desired hair length).

Hermoine G.

The Great Silicone Debate
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Q: Are silicones really that bad for your hair (...A lot of stylists use them in their products)?

A: Stylists use silicone products to combat frizzy hair. However, long term usage can cause more damage due to buildup and blockage of moisture (which causes more dryness and frizz over time--and stylists do know this, by the way...).

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:27 am; edited 11 times in total

Finding A Salon Specialist
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Q: How can I find a salon/stylist that specializes in my particular hair-type?

A: Many sites (including ours) have salon listings or recommendations that can be used as a general guide when searching for a specialist. In some cases, you may have to register to view these listings.

Relevant Links

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Salon Services
Barber Services
(OCF™) Q!HB™ : Quintessentials!™ Health and Beauty Depot/i-Shoppe™

Hermoine G.

Aesthetics and Good Health/How Good Health Benefits/Affects Your Appearance
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Q: Can your health (or severe illness) really change/affect your appearance…And if so, is it possible to repair or counter the change to return to normal?

A: In good health, one’s appearance should only improve/become more naturally aesthetically enhanced with age and maturity. Circumstances that may affect your appearance are as follows: 1.) Obesity and/or extreme weight gain (not including or related to pregnancy); 2.) Bulimia OR Anorexia (typically presents as visible skeletal malformity/extreme malnutrition); 3.) Addiction (including, but not limited to deliberate abuse of illegal drugs, narcotics and/or alcohol); 4.) Certain types of terminal illness (i.e., (inoperable) cancer, aids/hiv, lupus, etc…) that have a visibly debilitating effect on the body over the course of the disease through terminal phase.. In terms of countering any potential negative impact such illnesses may have, proper nutrition, diet and exercise under the care of your medical specialist may and can minimize, negate or even offset any potential negative affect of the disease, which is particularly relevant for those who successfully enter remission/no-longer present symptoms and platelets return to normal and/or within an acceptable range of normalcy for general standards of physiology (internal medicines).

Hermoine G. · Last edited by Hermoine G. on Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:08 am; edited 2 times in total

The Aging Effect : Myth or Fact?
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Q: How and Does the aging process affect/change your natural appearance over time?

A: OK-- Biology/Genetics 101; People’s looks DON'T actually change with age/maturation, they become more enhanced as we progress. For example, pretty people don’t suddenly become ugly over time, it’s not genetically possible especially as things like natural bone structure does not change (i.e., ref: Lena Horn/e, Sharon Stone, Pierce Brosnan, W. Brad Pitt, Archibald Leech (bka Cary Grant) and Clarke Gable, etc… . Like other classic beauties such as Lena Horne, Sharon Stone, Michelle Pfeiffer, Racquel Welch and Dorothy Dandridge, natural, non-surgically enhanced good looks fit into the classic aesthetique ideal range of beauty and only becomes more pronounced with maturation-. P.S. : If you see a tore up photo of a maturing good looking person, regardless of their age, it’s a fake (as in, it’s not really them)… Also, Vegan-Vegetarian (friendly) living/habits only supports good genetics and including longevity.

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OCF™ Administrator -JJ/R
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Oprah and Chuck Spidena are my heroes.

Hermoine G.

About Hyperpigmentation
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Q: Does laser/bleaching successfully treat/minimize hyperpigmentation issues?

A: Hyperpigmentation tends to affect more deeply pigmented individuals (say medium to deep in general (i.e., Types 3 & 4 natural skin tones/types (in the medium to deep side of mocha tones), and also and Type 5-skin (ebene/ebony tone), so bleaching will NOT actually lighten the natural skin coloration. In naturally deeply pigmented patients darker than natural type I/1 (porcelain fair—the whitest/fairest among all skin types) or type II/2 (honey tone-light tones), Vitiligo related Hyperpigmentation in such cases where the patient is deeply pigmented (Types: 3,4,5) only Tanning/re-pigmentation therapy would be used to blend the discolored spots to the original pre-existing natural dark tone/type as in uva/uvb-type therapy or sunless tanner in the appropriate brown to black tones depending on any other influencing health factors to treatment (NOTE: hyperpigmentation (in any form) does not naturally occur in porcelain or/and light tones, but were it to occur, then the affected area would be bleached (but it is important to note that Type I/1-skin [(i.e., Lena Horne(actress/vocalist), Rose McGowan(actress), Fredi Washington (actress), yours truly Jan Johnson(researcher/super-waif'/KarateHotte/Keanu's wifey)] does not actually tan naturally at all (although redness can temporarily occur in extreme climates/heat and/or cold and all faux tanners (i.e., Mystic; Aveeno, etc., and the like) fade/wash off eventually without reapplication) and Type II/2 - skin[(i.e., Mariah Carey(vocalist), Jackie Chan(martial artist), Sean Paul(vocalist), Kitt McDonald Shapiro(actress/daughter of EarthaKitt), Salma Hayek (actress)] tans very little, if at all--so it is unlikely that any natural-discoloration would or can occur), But, as a general rule of medical thumb, neither lasering, nor bleaching would be used to treat any discoloration issues on naturally dark skinned patients [(i.e., Types 3, 4, 5 --(ex: Tahnee Welch (actress/daughter of Racquel Welch), Angela Bassett(actress), Sophia Loren(actress), Tyson Beckford (actor/manHotte)], as they tan naturally (genetically) vey easily and any potential bleaching if any/if possible would be negated (and short term at that).