Dry, Fried, Overly Dyed Hair? Here's the 411 for some 911!

We have all been there.  At least the majority of us have been.  Those who color our hair, who blow dry constantly, who use a flat iron more than we do our clothing iron--we know we've gone down this path a time or two. And there are many other ways we can get there.  Double processing (two different chemical processes on the same head of hair), bleaching, and chemical hair straightening  or curling products all lead us to the point of dry, lifeless, frizzy, hard, or breaking strands.

There are also some of us who have naturally dry hair, mainly curly girls and guys.  And the tighter the curl pattern, the drier the hair tends to be.  We all have natural oils that are produced on the scalp, just like on the skin.  And those of us who know simple geometry know that it is quicker and easier to get from point A to point B when you're travelling in a straight line.  Well think of the oil as the traveller, and the hair strand the line.  Oil flows much more easily down from the root (point A) to the ends (point B) on straight hair.  However, the more "windey" and twisted the strand is, the more difficult it is for that oil to travel to it's destination. 

Those with wavy and large curls may suffer from a bit of dryness from time to time.  Those with corkscrew curls have more of an issue with dryness.  And those with tight curls, especially those of us like the Diva with some afro heritage, know that we always have the tendency to have dry hair and that we need to add moisture to keep it healthy.

Here are some deep conditioning treatments I like for overprocessed hair of any texture. Remember that the curlier the hair, the more product your hair can tolerate.

For moisturizing treatments: Straight,wavy, and large curls--use sparingly once or twice per month as directed.  Corkscrew curly, use more product as needed up to once per week.  Coily, kinky, and Afro relaxed hair, use more as needed up to twice a week.

Moisture for quenching parched strands( dry, frizzy strands):

Queen Helene Cholesterol Conditioning Cream-$3.50 at drug stores
It's A Ten Miracle Hair Mask--$18 at Beauty Supply Stores (BSS) or select salons
Kerastate Nutritive Masquintense Hair Mask- $44 at BSS or select salons


For protein treatments: Every type should use as dierected.  Some may find it useful to follow up with a regular rinse out conditioner, because protein can make hair feel hard.

Protein for strength (brittle or breaking strands):

Nutress Hair Protein Pak- $3.99 for a 4 oz. tube at BSS
Nexxus Emergencee--$10 at Rite Aid or at BSS
Sebastian Penetraitt Deep Strengthening Treatment--starting at $15 at BSS


 FYI for my "Non Bronzed Readers" ;-) About 80% of black American women today (way less than in the '90's) regularly undergo a chemical process called relaxing to break the bond of the coil pattern and make it straight.  The rest are naturally kinky, coily, curly, wavy, and a small percentage are even completely naturally straight--as we all have degrees of mixed ethnicity and a wide range of hair textures. And of course, some ladies use heat to flatten the coils out, or wear hair pieces and weaves.  If you are a reader who is not too familiar with black American hair types, just know that if the hair is always worn straight, it is likely to be chemically treated.  And if you hear a black lady talk about "going natural", she means stopping the relaxer treatments, cutting off the processed hair and rocking her God-given texture of  hair, whatever that might be! 

We'll chat again soon. Next time, I'll give you some natural, and home made conditoners!!

Bronzediva