LuvMeNatural: The Science of Hair: The Cuticle

LuvMeNatural: The Science of Hair: The Cuticle

The Science of Hair: The Cuticle

The Cuticle is a part of the hair follicle and the most vital part of your hair since it affects the retention of your hair length. The purpose of the cuticle is to protect the cortex of your hair. The cortex is the inner part of the hair follicle and responsible for the hair's moisture content, elasticity,strength, and the color of hair. Yes, the cuticle has much to protect. Consequently, the cuticle itself is very fragile, yet we abuse it to the point of no return. We use small comb, metal hair clips, too much heat on a daily basis and wonder why our hair has remained the same length for years. We have to be kind to the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of several layers, like tiles on a roof. However, when we do the daily styling and manipulation of our hair, we chip and tear down the layers. When he layer is gone, we get frayed, weak split ends that can not be repaired. The only way to correct the damage is to trim the ends. This is why no amount of expensive products will help "fix" the hair.

So there you have it, be kind to the cuticle

Here are a few pointers:

• Always use a conditioner in your hair after shampooing and focus the conditioner on your ends.





• Stay away from too much heat, especially blow drying and hot curling





• handle your hair with love, no rough pulling or handling





• Stay away from Brushes. They chips the hair cuticle away and with added tension that comes from pony tails, many of use give ourselves traction alopecia.

The Science of Hair : Part I-PH Balance

While many may discount the science of hair, it is your business to know the basics of hair and the science of achieving healthy hair. For beginners, lets start with the PH balance of hair. PH stands for the Potential of Hydrogen. Hair, which carriers a PH of 4.5 to 5.5. Any number between 0-6.5 is acidic, while any number between 7.5 to 14 is considered alkaline. Water, which is 7 is neutral. The trick to healthy hair and retention is to keep your products closest to the hair's PH, which is 4.5 to 5.5. Going below or beyond this range will surely make your hair more susceptible to breakage, which impedes healthy hair retention. When testing your hair products for their PH balance you can do call the hair care company and request the PH of their products (some companies print the PH balance on the actual shampoo or conditioners) or you can buy PH balance test stripes and become your very own amateur scientist!!! Either way, make it your business to know the PH in all of your hair care product.

To My Big Choppers

Ok, I had to write this letter to Dom, Trina, and TJ. My newly natural sisters who defied all logic and did the BC (Big Chop for all you non-naturals). No words can describe the journey you have embarked on. You have looked in the mirror, better yet, in your soul and realized that your hair is your true Crown and Glory. Your excited, pleased and self assured that your unique and awesome. However, there a few words of wisdom that I must share with you because I love you all so much. We share a bond, a sisterhood forged by scissors, eco-styler and sulfate free shampoo.

1. Going Natural is not a trend, a popular hairstyle, but a life style change. Please, never go back to the creamy crack!!!

2. Never compare your hair with anyone else. Your hair is unique and never try to desire to have so and so's hair. What God gave you is special and you must learn to work with it.

3. Invest in a good hooded dryer. Deep conditioners are your best friend.

4. Develop a regime and keep it simple.

5. Become a Product Junkie. Experiment with different products and keep a journal of what worked and what did not work.

6. Take measurements of your hair, pictures for memories because the first year goes by fast.

7. Play in your hair... It is so much fun

8. Accessorize- earrings, scarves, hats, headbands, eye shadows and clips.

9. Start a business- make a blog, start YouTube videos, make hair accessories. Promote the beauty of Naturalism.

10. Stand tall and realize that your beautiful

A Natural You Should Know

If you missed the Emmy's last week, the Best New Artist Award went to the beautiful Esperanza Spalding. Ms. Spalding is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, who album titled "Chamber Music Society" is a must have for all you music lovers. "Chamber Music Society" is a beautiful hypnotic infusion of classical music, with a pinch of funk, sprinkle of neo-soul, and a finish of jazz. Esperanza has the spirit of Billie Holiday and acumen of Stevie Wonder. If her music was not captivating enough, we must also pay homage to her boldness to rock an elegant Afro in front of millions. While she is the first woman to win best new artist for a jazz album in the Best New Artist category (she beat out Justin Beiber y'all), she may be the first and only woman of color to rock her natural with fierceness. Yes, I loved every moment of her humble acceptance speech and gracious apologies to Justin Beiber fans everywhere. If winning the coveted award was not enough, Justin Beiber telling her how much he loved her hair was shocking and confirmed what I already knew, Natural Hair is beautiful and our presence in the world is making others stand up and take notice that highly textured hair is not going away easily. Thank you Esperanza for rocking your fro for the world to see!!! If you have not had the opportunity to hear some of her music, go over to her website: http://www.esperanzaspalding.com/.

Meet the Cuticle

In hair care, you will find no one more important than the cuticle. Because I want to educate the entire world on Afro-textured hair, I feel it is my duty to introduce to you the cuticle.

The Hair shaft has three parts: The cuticle, the cortex and Medulla.

The Cuticle is the first line of defense when it comes to retaining your hair's growth.

The Cuticle protects the cortex and the Medulla. You may ask, why does the cortex and Medulla need so much protection? Well, it is simple. The cortex and medulla are responsible for the hairs ability to hold moisture (porosity), elasticity, color, texture and strength of hair strand.

As you see the cuticle is a very busy man and without him we would be bald.

So when people ask you about your hair care, tell them that the cuticle is vital and the goal to hair retention is to keep the cuticle intact so that the cortex and medulla are safe from harm. How is this done?

1. Always choose a shampoo that has a pH between 5-6

2. Always use conditioner after shampooing the hair

3. Never comb your hair while it is dry ( especially if your natural)

4. Never brush your hair with a hard bristle brush

5. Avoid too tight braids and styles that put to much weight on the hair follicle

6. Wear your hair in protective styles to avoid too much manipulation from combs, your hands, brushes and the everyday elements ( wind, sun, pollution).

Follow these simple steps and I promise you, that you will see more hair retention!!!!

I am so Obsessed

Ok, I have to tell you that I am soooooooo obsessed with Hi im currentlyobsessed.tumblr.com. Just google it and you will see the most gorgeous natural women from all shades of the color spectrum to the various types of kinky, curly and wavy hair types. I luv being natural....