' Oil-Free' -Misleading - Mistaken - Misconception - Miss not-on-my-hair

Learn the Deception, Learn the Truth

LEARN TO LOVE natural, organic, earth grown, real ... homegrown oils, include them in your hair, body & skin products instead of trying to avoid them - - they are put on earth by God for all to use on our bodies and in our foods, it is such a simple concept that we have twisted into complication. Today you will learn that we must go back to the earth, back to our beginnings ... for decent and enriching ingredients, it is the way of the future, but we must begin today.
Seeing so many "OIL-FREE" labels on products has been very disturbing to me. For a very long time I have been hesitant to tell this story because it is such a huge concept and covers all cosmetic products. In my learning of this science I never went looking for many of the ''wonders'' I found . . . . they

were simply a by-product of the journey. I would like to teach you, in an easy to understand manner, what 3 years of Cosmetic Chemistry taught me. Once I delved into the world of chemistry I was soon to discover the true meaning of what "oil-Free" meant to the chemists that make your cosmetics . Funny thing is, I....like you... spent 20 years seeking out 'oil-free' products myself, going to all corners of the world to find them, I was sure that "oil" was what gave me the mini breakouts, whiteheads & blackheads I would get - I was sure they were very bad for my skin. Boy, was I wrong, you truly couldn't be more wrong than me and what I thought was right. What it is that sets an entire country of women off on a certain trend is beyond me, I am only glad I found out the truth.
Another accidental find for me, most of my grand discoveries were just that . . . common sense accidents. When I found this one out…I swear to you, I had tears in my eyes wondering just what else was as misleading as this was. Knowing that if the general public knew what "oil-free" truly meant and what is used in its place…the bottle would end up in the trash at the very least, if not in the manufacturers front windows. When a label says it is "oil-free" you should see what they replace it with in order to make that product you have holding in your hand.
First off, that product MUST have something "oil like" in the formula in order for the formula to come out correctly. Remember, making
cosmetics is exactly like cooking. Cooking and Cosmetic-making are both "chemical processes" -- no one publicizes it that way, it is not very appealing, but it is an easier way for you to understand these chemistry theories. I am dead serious when I tell you it took me 2 full years to understand most of this subject (I was raised an athlete, not an academic - so you can blame my parents) many more will understand in shorter amounts of time >> IF I relate it to cooking- so we can move on, that's all.
When 'oil' is required to make your favorite bread or a certain cookie, if you remove it, it will ruin the texture, taste and quality... turning the end result into something hideous. Every single ingredient is mandatory to make that loved product come out the exact same way you LOVE it. Same thing happens with using oil in the formula to make a body lotions, creams, or hair conditioners. You notice in THRIVEN, my deep conditioner, the very first ingredient is Camellia Oil (another wonderful oil I found), that is one of many reasons why THRIVEN works so well - it also has avocado oil another of my favorites. When I found the following information out, I went on long and deep research mission studying and analyzing all Natural Oils. My goal ? to know everything about every oil at our disposal, some of them are spectacular (here I spent 20 years avoiding them - idiot!) Many times I will use just plain oil right out of the bottle ( with a couple drops of amber fragrance mixed in ) after a bath or long shower on my skin, just use a small amount of Rose Hip Oil : rub it all over my dry skin, its truly wonderful and so fascinating to me that I (we) never knew this, and how perfectly it works! No need for a heavy lotion or cream if I haven't made mine for the month yet, rubbing oil directly on the skin is perfect for dry skin, absolutely perfect! I only make & use my own lotions now and have never used a store bought one again. Remember, your skin is the largest organ on your body, so every bit of goodies you rub on the skin ...goes in the body.

When the public started requesting "oil-free" products of all kinds and the cosmetic manufacturers heard that request; loud & clear. It turned the cosmetic industry on their head. How would they make a lotion or a cream without an oil ? It just couldn't be done, Oil was the main ingredient to every hair conditioner, body lotion and cream.
Now in their defense . . they were 100% correct …and once I understood the chemistry .. I had (a tiny bit of) compassion for them. How could you make a cake without flour ?? is a fair comparison, oil is that important in any emulsion ( emulsion being >>lotions, creams, hair conditioners, etc.). That is basically what was being asked for, the most precious and most important ingredient in a lotion and a cream and a hair conditioner needs Oil or it will not work. One needs Oil and water to make the wonderful concoction we now call lotions, creams, conditioners, face creams, etc. and is a very large and costly segment of the entire cosmetic industry.
So what the industry did was make up a new classification of ingredients, calling a man-made substance they all make > Esters…into that newly named category "Esters" which were formally called an oil. Now technically, they claim to not be an oil either - and at this point my knowledge of chemistry has faded in the years...so it hits its limit so I asked a few chemists to explain it to me, every single one gave me a politician-like answer. Nothing I could comprehend or decipher.This way they had a brand new category which was not considered or referred to as an "oil" even though it looks - acts and feels exactly like one. They basically took silicones and all the variables of it and threw them into an entirely new classification so they "TECHNICALLY" could no longer be called an oil ... this way they could now...legally... print ..."Oil-Free" on the label for the FDA . . . and YOU, the consumer. I - - WAS - - - MORTIFIED - -to - - say - - the - - least.
For years they were used as oils and even called oils, then they twisted them into a new category " Esters " - if you want to look up what an ester is . . .

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/esters/background.html

Once I figured this one out -- I was floored.
I would much rather use an organic-natural-earth grown Oil that was not man-made and made with "only God knows what" in my creams, lotions, and hair conditioners. These esters were much worse and have no enriching ingredients in them, the only thing they do have, is the consistency of oil, they are man-made and now "legally" they could print oil-free on the label and you the consumer thought there was no oil in the formula, remember that. How deceptive I thought, they take a class of fairly new made chemicals called Esters and use them in the formula now to make Creams, Lotions, Hair Conditioners, Serums, Detanglers, hair sprays, shampoos, everything and can claim they are 100% Oil-Free even though it would be an oil to you and me if it was put in front of us -- blindfolded, open eyed or poured all over your body in a bikini oil wrestling match. Esters feel more oily than an oil does, I promise you.
I'm sure you all know what silicone is....right? Or Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Trimethicone, Yep, the stuff they cram in silicone breast implants, hair serums, Flat Irons sprays, Hair Detanglers (did you ever realize it was the same ingredients - yuk, huh?).....well silicone's are a man-made Ester as well, YEP! All those 'cones' which I feel are OK for hair in small doses {& are great for heat protection for hair} I sure as Hell wouldn't want them on my skin, how horrible they must be for pores and acne? For moisturizing? They don't moisturize they are greasy and sit on top of the skin. I actually think the world of them for heat protection....and 'why' ?? Because they are this odd type of oil that can protect your hair from getting heat damage... That oil, the oil they put in breast implants...is the oil they are using in those products you are buying that claim to be oil-FREE ! Because an ester IS silicone and Silicone is an Ester! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
I began experimenting and giving clients simple natural - real oil concoctions I made using multiple organic/natural REAL oils like avocado, sesame, wheat germ, raspberry, rose hip oils and asked them to u

se certain oils on their face instead-of their Le Mer Creams and other hundred dollar brand face and oil-free hair oils. Once many of my clients heard what I had learned they too were all shocked. Most are very into natural and organic and not using any type of additives, which is what an Ester is. The chemists that have been chemists for years protect the category and will give all sorts of BS reasons why an Ester is not an oil - Yet, they insist it is wonderful for the skin & hair ( job security for them). How about you....let you decide....I went to my lab and pulled out the first Ester I had and the first natural oil that were the same color so you could properly compare. I didn't have my glasses on so I didn't know which I had chosen.
Look at the photo . . .
On the left is the ESTER called PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate : the technical name and the common name is CRODAMOL STS ( STS = stands for Superior To Silicone -- !! ) -- -- -- on the right is HEMP oil a wonderful natural oil from the Hempseed Plant, works wonders on cracked dry skin. This is for problems with dry skin , and moisturizing hair. I'm fully aware you cannot tell by looking at the photo, but I played around with both of them prior to the photo - they are the EXACT same consistency. Except, the Hemp Oil actually absorbs in the skin and the other feels like a weird rubber liquid that sits on top of the skin. THAT is what is in all of those OIL-FREE lotions you purchase. Don't feel bad, I didn't know either - quite a blow isn't it?
Here's the back of the same bottles...........

Exactly the same...ESTER on the left Crodamol STS ........Natural Oil on the right. An untrained eye would not know the difference by feeling, NO ONE would know the difference by looking.
Some facts about “Nature’s Most Perfectly Balanced Oil”

Advantages of Hemp Oil:

• Helps heal skin lesions and dry skin
• Reduces inflammation of skin and joints
• The most unsaturated oil from the plant kingdom at over 90%
• Contains over 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs)-The Good Fats!
• Balanced 3:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3-this combination is also unique in plant based oils and deemed optimal for health
• Hemp oil also contains the super polyunsaturated Omega 6 derivative GLA, Oleic acid (Omega 9) and Stearidonic acid
• Hemp oil is cholesterol and gluten free
• Contains pain-killing and anti-nausea properties
• contains the natural anti-oxidant Vitamin E
• low amount of saturated fatty acids
• amino acids in Hemp oil nurture & condition hair
• moisturize hair and known to contribute to hair growth

There is an entire hair line devoted to HEMP oil and its benefits, they recently came out with a couple SLS-FREE shampoos, so I have one in testing right now and I LOVE IT so far, its leaving the hair wonderful after shampooing one of the biggest problems in SLS-Free shampoos! The Line is called HEMPZ, its been around since I started doing hair 16 long years ago, so the line is successful -- that is a long time for a line totally based on one oil.
Look at all the wonderful advantages to just HEMP oil alone and I have a dozen others that are even more enriching for hair, I just grabbed this one blindfolded. But just look at that list, you can cook with , bathe with it and put it on your hair for a conditioner. Now look at the Ester . . .
Advantages of Crodamol STS: (copied directly from the company's (Croda) literature)

• Silicone-like feel and functionality
• Improves emulsion aesthetics
• Reduces drag, greasiness of high SPF sunscreens
• Excellent wax solvency
• Lessens whitening effect of fatty alcohols
• Good binder for pressed powders
• Shine/gloss enhancer for hair
• Foam stabilizer

Remember it is "Superior to Silicone " ! Yippee.
Can you see the difference? HOW HORRIBLE IS THAT ! ! ! Look at comparison of the ingredients and what they do - they do absolutely nothing. Its completely abysmal ... this is being pulled over on American women. I just feel the cosmetic companies need to give the women of America more credit, make a statement about the issues. Put out a Press Release, produce a commercial explaining the issues. They are billion dollar companies and would have even more billions if they gave women more credit for understanding the problem of "Oil-Free" and the problems surrounding it.
The cosmetic manufacturers companies never said anything about sulfates, that came from my big mouth and other hair stylists that care about their clients hair and hair color.
That is what all those very expensive creams and conditioners have in them now. Natural oils are also more expensive - although Crodamol STS is the most expensive ESTER there is....There are a whole lot of them made by lesser companies than CRODA, [CRODA is like the Neiman Marcus of Cosmetic Chemistry companies].
If any of you have these creams at home please write in the Comment Section at the bottom of this post, with their names and I will tell you what "ester' they are. I would love to simply 'begin' opening everyone's eyes so we can go back to using Natural - Organic- Earth grown Oils > in all of our cosmetics > skin - body & most importantly > HAIR ! Maybe if I start now, spreading the word, in 5- 6 years the trend will become like the Sulfate-free shampoos, and all the companies will begin listening and "thinking" of what is best for the consumer. Wow, that would make me happy.
My next post which is almost finished is about a brand new oil I found that I had never heard of. It has truly amazing properties, is from Morocco and is referred to as Liquid Gold. The women of Europe have discovered it and started using it in their skin care lines for wrinkles and best of all for lackluster skin! Stay tuned for that one . . . KC

Holy Flat Iron, Batman. . .CRIMPED HAIR ! 70's Influence is Upon Us

Don't Crimp My Style

Guess the time has come to break out those crimping irons and set them to work...

Crimping made its catwalk comeback this summer, and the look lives on for the winter. Will you wear it? Looks as though 2 of the style-setting stars ( Christina and Tyra are giving it the go-ahead).

It's funny they have tried to bring this back many times, apparently it is well liked in the UK, I have never liked it...until now. Its a long ass process, but it looks great.

try this light crimping . . .mix crimping with smooth hair to create hidden volume in the underneath layers - and a cool hair syle . . its called UNDER CRIMPING

About every 2 years in Europe they try to bring the crimp back...so am shocked that its actually on the heads of some of our celebs... the Brits are much more forgiving than we are here in the US.

70's / 80's are on their way back . . .are you ready for the peg-legged jeans, platforms, DISCO'S?

Here's a trick for you if you don't have a crimping Iron . . .
>>even IRON MAN and his IRON WOMAN may be lacking a crimping iron...
Braid your hair...in little tiny braids but start "OFF" the scalp maybe 1-1/2 inches down.The braid should be about 1/4 -to 1/2 inch wide --- the size of the braid determines the tightness of the crimped effect.
Go over each braid with the flat iron - being careful on the way down not to OVERLAP to avoid damaging the hair.
>> Very Important ** let cool fully **. . . . before unbraiding <<

{{ For interesting effects, spray braids with various textures of hair spray's - being careful not to spray too much on }}

Summer Hair Care for Olympian Locks: Beijing's & the USA's

How Water & Its minerals can affect your Hair + the 1st Step To Perfect Hair Color

As a former professional athlete the Olympics are the most incredible Television they could plant in front of me, I'm in heaven. What about Olympic hair that must go through so much...watching the swimmers & divers hit me, its time I give my southern California advice on water logged hair solutions. Spending time with the Malibu water polo team and helping their hair routine 8 years ago - gives me a bit of history with the subject. Water Polo is huge in all the local schools its such great exercise for kids. But the hair must be taken care of, healthy happy shiny hair is still a goal of most every kid once they hit about 13. This way the kids can still color their hair, I never think a sport should curtail your regular life and vice versa. Hair color is possible but the condition of the hair when you are in and out of chlorinated pools, diving - swimming - Jacuzzi's - water parks must be watched. Your hair takes a beating and in particular your hair color. My protocol works perfectly, if you follow it exactly. Sitting watching the Games I made a list of every water activity I could think of to see if this was warranted...

That's a lot of people doing a whole lot of water related activities all hell on hair, so here we go ... then we'll get back to "Highlights are History"- promise
Most of the people in the United States are using well water or hard water and that is only in your house, can you imagine what the water is like that is used in public places. It gives me the shivers.
All public water locations should have a water treatment service taking care of the water and running pH and other tests to keep the water at the right levels. I am told that blond hair should not even turn green if the levels are correct, if hair is turning green it means the levels of copper in the pool are too high. It may be that the water is too acidic (low pH) and that this is coming from the corroding fittings of the heater, so the solution is simple. Alternatively you may be over-using algaecide's that are copper-based, so never knowing this before, I've always reverted to Malibu 2000 and other tricks. Lets look at our water and what it can cause and create.
Over 85% of the population in the U.S., according to the Water Quality Association, are bathing with hard water. While hard water is fine for drinking, it can cause many problems for your hair, scalp and skin.
These problems include:

• Hair feels dry
• Hair is resistant to color
• Dandruff or eczema of the scalp
• Dry, flaky skin
• Thinning hair
• Colors fading too quickly
• Discoloration or darkening of hair
• Hair lacks body and shine

HOW YOUR WATER AFFECTS YOUR HAIR

The water you use to wash your hair, scalp, and skin comes from one of two sources:

• Ground Water
• Surface Water

Ground Water
If your water comes from the ground, it is either from your own well or from the local treatment plant that derives the water from wells pumping water from the ground. The source of ground water is from rain passing through aquifers, which are layers of minerals. The acidity (pH below 7) of the rain increases the dissolving effect of minerals. These dissolved solids are found in the water when pumped above the ground and used to bathe.
Surface Water
If your water comes from the treatment plant which derives the water from a surface source, the water is coming from either a river or a lake. Surface water usually contains less minerals because the water has not filtered down through the mineral layers. However, increasing populations are polluting the water causing additional bacteria growth. As a result, the treatment plants must add more chlorine to kill bacteria and then add lime (a calcium compound) to help control the chlorine levels.
Water hardness is determined by the level of calcium that is in the water either found naturally from the ground or put into the water by the treatment plant.
While calcium is the element that determines hardness of water, there are many other elements in the water that effect the texture, volume, shine, control and health of hair.
What are the minerals that effect hair?

• Calcium
• Iron
• Copper
• Magnesium
• Silica
• Lead

What other elements effect hair?

• Chlorine -a harsh oxidizer added to the water to kill bacteria also adversely effects hair.

How do minerals and chlorine attach to the hair?
Our hair, scalp and skin have an electrical charge and that charge is negative. Minerals and oxidizers are charged positive. When a positively charged mineral comes in contact with our hair, scalp, or skin, it attaches on like a magnet.

How do hard water minerals and chlorine effect hair?
Calcium - If your source for water is a well, then more than likely you have calcium in your water. If your source for water is coming from a treatment plant, calcium may have been added to your water. Calcium is the mineral that determines hardness of water.
How calcium effects hair:

• Calcium leaves the hair feeling dry and weighted down. It can even cause a perm to appear relaxed.
• Calcium builds up on the scalp causing flaking of the scalp, giving the appearance of dandruff.
• Calcium can choke the hair at the mouth of the follicle causing the hair to break off, then coating the scalp, blocking further new hair growth.

Iron - Iron is found in ground water from domestic wells and wells used by treatment plants as the source for local water.
How iron effects hair:

• Iron leaves the hair feeling dry, brittle and weighted down.
• Iron can cause dark hair to tint darker and blonde hair to turn orange, sometimes I think this is many readers problem.
• Iron can color from properly processing.

Copper - Copper originates in water in three ways:

1. It comes from the ground and is pumped into the water from a well.
2. Particles of copper can come from copper piping. The corrosion caused by hard water lifts the copper particles off the pipes and deposits them into the water.
3. Copper sulfates are added to swimming pools to control the growth of algae. Copper is often added to lakes (that are a source of drinking water) in the summer to kill algae.

How copper effects hair:

• Copper discolors hair causing blonde hair to turn green and dark hair to tint darker - the reason for that Green!
• Copper can weigh hair down and cause dryness.
• Copper can inhibit the proper processing of color and relaxers.

Magnesium - Usually found wherever calcium comes naturally from the ground, magnesium is abundant in the soil and is very much a part of the mineral complex associated with hard water.
How magnesium effects hair:

• Magnesium causes hair to feel dry.
• Magnesium causes hair to appear weighted down.
• Magnesium can inhibit the proper processing of color and relaxers.
• Magnesium causes hair to lack shine.

Silica - Silica is a sand-like substance found in desert or volcanic areas. It is usually bound to calcium or magnesium and forms very hard, virtually insoluble deposits.
How silica effects hair:
Silica causes many of the same effects on the hair as calcium.

• Silica causes hair to feel dry.
• Silica weighs hair down.
• Silica can cause dandruff-like symptoms of flaking.
• Build up of silica can choke the hair follicle causing hair to fall out.

Lead - Lead acetate is used in certain home remedy gray hair cover-ups - like Grecian Formula or JUST FOR MEN. They used lead to make the color work which screws up your hair for everything else. I believe they got sued and are in the process of changing those boxed kits.
How lead effects hair:

• Lead can cause the hair to feel dry.
• Lead can prevent the proper processing of perms, color, and relaxers.

Chlorine - unlike the other elements listed above, chlorine is not a mineral but an oxidizer. Chlorine is put into drinking water and swimming pools to kill bacteria. In addition to the following effects chlorine has on hair, due to it's oxidizing effects, chlorine also oxidizes minerals onto the hair causing worse effects of those minerals.
How chlorine effects hair:

• Active chlorine in the hair can cause hair to feel gummy when wet and straw-like when dry.
• Chlorine can damage the cuticle and proteins of the hair.
• As an oxidizer, chlorine can cause the air and sun to oxidize hair and worsen the conditions listed above.
• Chlorine can cause hair to feel dry.
• Chlorine can cause hair to become brittle.
• Chlorine can cause hair to lack shine.

Chlorine will be on of the highest ingredients in public water as they are trying to prevent bacteria and infection. So getting that off of your hair immediately is very important.
2008 OLYMPIAN Water Repair YO Hair Trick
What I had my water polo players do for Hair
<> works at the Gold Medal Level ! :

• while dry, wet hair with bottled water(or similar-not pool)
• apply a handful of hair conditioner, we used KeraCare's Humecto daily conditioner -- a 5 lb. tub is available and it works Xcellent- have the coach buy one for the team to use
• apply rubber swim cap - tuck in hair
• when finished, have large bottle of "SODA WATER" available(carbonated) pour & rinse thru hair - stops chlorine from doing any damage
• take Shower immediately, shampoo with Malibu 2000 Well Water or Swimmers Shampoo - Sulfate-free all of them
• Use THRIVEN 1-2 times per week

With this Solution, you will have NO hair damage
Water Polo Players are treacherous on their hair, they are in the pool all the time so its a great gage for anyone below their level of chlorinated water time.
Now this works for general hair protection in water sports.
++ TREATMENT FOR WATER ALTERED HAIR
If you feel the water in your home has built up on your hair, something we do before coloring Celeb's hair is apply different water treatment packs. Which I am happy to make available to you. The problem with having them done in a Salon for you and me? The cost and the time, it adds at least another hour to your time in the Salon and anywhere from $30 to $80.
Making these available to you at home, I will sell the individual treatments to you for $3.50 plus they can be put in a regular mailing envelope so the shipping can be $1.50 for 1 treatment. That is pretty incredible. I will list the various treatments and tell you they are super SIMPLE to apply... just time consuming - perfect for at home application. If you are applying your hair color ( which I hope ) apply the treatment the night before, then get up and color your hair > Perfect Plan! Wait till you see how much better your hair color comes out if you pre-treat your hair - its a treat and yes its worth the time and effort. Try it once, its a small investment.
COLOR PREPARE -1st STEP TO PERFECT HAIR COLOR
What It Is:
A patented, fresh-dried vitamin complex that dissolves into a gel in the palms of the hands forming a rich lathering treatment specifically formulated for hair prior to every color service in the salon, at home or when traveling to assure predictable and successful color results.
What It Does:

• Prepares hair for superior color
• Gently yet effectively removes minerals from hair that inhibit proper processing of color
• Extends life of vibrant color to prevent fading
• Helps prevent brassiness or discoloration
• Accelerates processing time of color
• Protects scalp from itching or burning caused by oxidizing chemicals

Blondes Weekly Brightener

A patented, fresh-dried vitamin complex that dissolves into a gel in the palms of the hands forming a rich lathering treatment specifically formulated for blonde and highlighted hair to be used in the salon, at home or when traveling to brighten and increase shine/ vibrancy while helping to prevent damage from environmental elements in the air and water.
What It Does:

• Immediately brightens blonde and highlighted hair
• Removes & prevents hard water mineral build-up that can dull blonde & highlighted hair
• Immediately restores vibrant color and radiant shine
• Improves flow and movement of hair
• Prevents dry-feeling hair

SWIMMERS SOLUTION - AFTER SWIM TREATMENT

A patented, fresh-dried vitamin complex that dissolves into a gel in the palms of the hand forming a rich lathering treatment specifically formulated for swimmers to be used in the salon, at home or at the pool after swimming to remove and prevent all the elements from pool, spa or ocean water that can otherwise damage and discolor hair.
What It Does:

• Immediately removes chlorine and mineral build-up from swimmers’ hair to help restore health and wellness to hair and scalp
• Removes chlorine and bromine that can otherwise oxidize and dry hair
• Helps prevent brittle, damaged hair
• Removes copper build-up to lift green discoloration
• Restores vibrancy to hair color
• Dramatically improves look and feel of hair
• Helps reduce itching and scalp irritation

HARD WATER DE-MINERALIZER
What It Is:
A patented, fresh-dried vitamin complex that dissolves into a gel in the palms of the hands forming a rich lathering treatment specifically formulated for hair shampooed in hard water or exposed to water softeners that use salt and/or phosphates. May be used in the salon, at home or when traveling to lift surface minerals and oxidizers, remove discoloration, brighten and increase shine/vibrancy while helping to prevent damage from environmental elements in the air and water.
What It Does:

• Removes all hard water minerals that can discolor or damage hair
• Eliminates brassiness
• Normalizes hair texture
• Revitalizes shine and manageability
• Restores flow and movement of hair
• Prevents dry-feeling hair

Features & Benefits:

• Safely restores natural color
• Makes hair feel lighter after removing hard water minerals
• Formulated with a patented, nature-identical Vitamin C Complex
• Food-grade, wellness ingredients
• Preservative-Free, Fragrance-Free, Sulfate-Free

Please State when you are taken to PAY PAL which of the treatments you would Like, Thank You

Flat Iron Addiction = F.I.A. Flat Iron Stuck To Your Hand? and Hair. .

HELP ! Out of Control Problem

This is an issue that I've addressed, had a client with a horrific problem show up yesterday. I knew it was hitting our youth strong but I can see now its even creeping into 25 - 30 year olds. YEP! Your busted. I'm no psychologist but the way some of my clients that will cop to it ( its very easy for hair stylists to tell if you have this issue -btw) explain it, it seems to be very similar to OCD issues as I understand it.
OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder and as Wikipedia describes it, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions ( tasks or rituals) which attempts to neutralize the obsessions. OCD is distinguished from other types of anxiety, including routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. The reason I put this in here, is so those of you that have this {which there are some of you right now reading this} that do indeed have this to one degree or another... must realize that it is a serious issue. Now I know from experience with my clients that many, as soon as it is pointed out, can stop. It takes some work, and some effort - its not just, "oh, I think I'll stop" . . . nope, its a bit more serious than that. it must be worked at and something must replace that urge to flat iron. If you have the urge to flat iron and cannot stop I can suggest 2 things.
1.) If you can afford it, I would suggest making an appointment with a Psychologist that specializes in OCD for a month or two, at least.
2.) There are many great books on OCD, which is the choice if you cannot afford it. I have used this method to work with about every single problem I've had - I even raised my children reading books! I feel they only publish books from the best in their field, so why not read a book for excellent information.
Now for those of you that have FIA and can deal with it on your own I would like to offer a few alternatives for you before you fry so much of your hair off there will be no recovery. I mean it, I want to scare you...because the person that was in my chair yesterday has to go on a very strict program or she will have no hair left soon. She used extensions AND a flat iron numerous times every day and the damage is done, I am hopeful that we can save her hair but it sure reminded what is out there.
Becoming dependent on your flat iron is just not a great habit to get into. Remember . . . what is the single worst thing that can damage your hair ? ? ? ? ? ?
HEAT
Therefore, think about it... if heat is the single worst thing you can do to your hair . . . then > really HOT heat on 2 metal plates that are then pressed very tightly onto small sections of your hair, MUST be horrific on its condition. That just has to be the worst way to damage your hair, don't you think. You can begin to burn the hair off, I saw it on the girl yesterday . . . it can happen to you, FIA is a REAL - serious problem.
Electrical Tools have their place, but try giving your hair a break from excessive heat styling once in a while - learn to love your hair natural texture, one of the main mottos of Vidal Sassoon Academies worldwide. VS believes and they are right that if you use your natural texture in your hair style your hair will look better and as much as even I tried to fight that idea, they are right.
If you cannot go completely cold turkey on quitting the iron - re-educate yourself on using them by following my iron-safe guide ...

Hopefully you have an iron with a temperature control, most have them. Try straightening your hair with the temperature at a lower level. Experiment, I don't want to recommend a temp & it isn't right for your particular tool. Find the coolest possible you can get away with and keep it there, no reason at all to use the hottest temp.

Cheat that super-sleek finish by just ironing the top sections. Which means the top layer of the hair that is showing. This is the only part that is seen so why take the risk of damaging the rest of the hair !

If you know that you're going to be wearing your hair up, save time and help your hair's health by bypassing the irons. Hair that's got a little texture looks more modern in an up-do and will hold a style for longer if it has a rough texture as opposed to the smooth texture achieved with the iron.

Don't just use the irons to straighten your hair, they can be used to create a variety of styles, from flicks to volume to curls. If you have not mastered these yet, the trick? Practice - practice - practice. The only one a tad tricky is the "curls", but it is easier on the hair than using a curling iron that has heat in the entire circle and uses a hot CLAMP as well. Mastering the Flat Iron curl or wave is much easier on your hair and its condition than a full blown curling iron so set aside an hour or two for a couple days in a row and get it down!

The Golden rule of all electrical styling is to use a heat protector, like Kera Care's Silken Seal...a spray silicone serum without alcohol, every time you reach for the heat, to give your tresses some well deserved protection. Many companies make one, beware for an ingredient called denatured alcohol, it is drying for hair and should not be hair styling products.



Finally, my suggestion to everyone is to go BACK TO THE BASICS. What did we do 'before' Flat Irons were made by every single hair company and had every bell and whistle on them. I'm waiting for there to be a combo flat-iron and cell phone. Wouldn't that be the next logical step? Anyway, break out the blow dryer and brush. I like the look better anyway - I just think it has to do a bit with laziness, there is no easier way to style the hair than a flat iron.
Now , if the damage is done and you are saying to yourself, I'm quitting> now and decide to throw the iron away ( I've had plenty of clients go this radical) you will need to get serious about deep condition treatments - PRONTO. Give your hair the time and TLC it needs to recover. Invest in a re-hydrating and restructuring shampoo like KENRA'S Platinum Shampoo , SLS-Free and uses real Shea butter to moisturize hair. 8 OZ Bottle, to use everyday.
And Invest in a moisturizing deep Hair Conditioner that you must begin giving yourself overnight treatments with immediately. Here at Killerstrands we recommend our own little miracle, THRIVEN. The deep conditioner concocted by myself about 6 years ago and sold in the Malibu Salon I worked for. There is also a secret supplement that must be started - which you get the name of 'with' the purchase of your first jar of THRIVEN - we have had terrific luck with for hair health and hair growth. Almost all notice a remarkable difference in their hairs condition after the very first treatment. You may purchase this in the Side>>>>>Bar, there is a 1 click Buy-Now Button that will take you directly to Killerstrands Pay Pal account. Simple and safe.
If you have FIA to a serious degree and have nowhere to turn, please join our group -- we would be glad to answer your questions, there are a lot of people in our hair group forum with a lot of helpful answers and can be very supportive, many with lots of experience including myself. http://groups.google.com/group/killerstrands/topics
We have a nice group with some very kind and helpful members I am proud to call my friends. Please, consider joining and we will be more than happy to discuss anything hair related. . . . including FIA.
Check Those Flat Irons at the door Boys and Girls!