Minerals in Tap Water Alters Hair color?

 Do you remember seeing pinkish residue around your shower head in the bathroom?  Do you feel like your hair pulls warm or red gradually?  Well, the "soft tap water" in this area seems to be the culprit.  I had another hairstylist swear that this Malibu Color Wellness shampoo prevents those pinkish water minerals from collecting in your hair.

My water line shows some pinkish discoloration.  So there is probably some truth to countering the color changes in the hair especially if you have blonde or other lighter color hair.

SisterLocks Fullness Comparison

 This snapshot is at my 3.5 months SisterLocks anniversary.

 This snapshot is at my one month SisterLocks anniversary.

This snapshot is at SisterLocks installation.  The wigs/protective styling seemed to have been thinning to the hairline.  It was hard to see it until now.  Pictures really tell the story.  My hairline is less sensitive to touch now as well.

The timeline above represents three months from installation time at the bottom of this article to the 3.5 months at the top of this article.  Hair grows a half inch a month on average.  These three pictures seem to accurately represent realistic growth.  Besides taking biotin periodically and using the Bee Mine Products' Growth Serum once every few weeks, I am pleased with my growth.  I do not look for accelerated growth even though I may be getting accelerated growth.  Believe it or not, I want normal growth. If people are getting extreme accelerated growth due to organic mixtures, etc, that makes me nervous.  There is always a cause and effect as well as advantages and disadvantages.  Each to their own routine . . .

Wella Perm Rods Limited Edition

 The Wella "Identical to Nature" Perm rods were introduced in the late 1990's.  They are probably considered limited edition or maybe even vintage.

 They are designed to deliver more volume by giving alternating bends in the hair.

I like the closures on these.  I do not  have to worry about losing the closure band.  I have about four different sizes in this design.  I would probably use these perm rods in the top and crown areas.  Most people want more volume in those areas.

Three and a half months SisterLocks Check-in

These monthly check-in's are good for me to see my progress.  In addition, more and more people who I come in contact with on a routine basis are growing more comfortable with my SisterLocks as they are growing out.  Some people are visionaries.  They can see pass the immediate.  Some people have to have everything "staged" and "front and center."  I am a visionary, but I can adapt to the needs of others.

Well, I am at my five weeks past my last retightening so of course, my roots are thick.  My third retightening is due next week.  Below is my one month SisterLocks anniversary.  The thickness is the same.  So it took about 30 days or less to thicken up from the installation.

Above is my SisterLocks on day one which is my SisterLocks birthday.  I have all my hair off my face so it may be hard to compare the progress.  Overall, I think that I am gaining length.  I believe my fullness is staying the same as it was from my first month of SisterLocks.

Protein shampoos: Reconstructive Overkill?

Believe it or not, some shampoos can serve as protein reconstructors in place of conditioning treatments.  This AG shampoo has a pH  of 4.5 to 5.5 which is a normal pH for hair and skin.  The hair seems to be able to absorb protein no matter if it is supplied through the shampoo or the conditioner.  It seems odd but even after rinsing shampoo or conditioner out of the hair; the hair absorbs what it is craving.

Careful, if your hair is compromised due to heat damage or mechanical damage it may absorb too much protein too quickly and you may need to soften it with a conditioner that has no protein.  Some moisturizing conditioners still have low levels of protein.  Bee Mine Products has a conditioner specifically designed without protein.

As far as other protein enriched shampoos, be careful of  "Cleansing Creams" for curly, natural hair.  KeraCare Cleansing Cream can be protein overkill for relaxed hair.  Although, it is a sulfate-free product, it still is better for chemical free hair.  Even KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo - Classic has some protein in it but less than the Cleansing Cream.  Relaxed hair seems to remain strong and detangled with the use of the KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo.  Typically, clients who keep their hair 70% to 85% relaxed will find that the KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo is sufficient for their overall hair needs.

So if you are short on time but need a reconstructor, consider adding a protein enriched shampoo to your shampooing step followed by a pure moisture conditioner.  Please see the article on the Ultra Sheen Protein shampoo that was advertised in the 1970's on this blog as well.