Why is it necessary to trim the hair every 6-8 weeks?

In order to maintain healthy looking hair, trimming is necessary to combat split ends. Although some products may claim to repair split ends, there is no way to repair a split ends once it happens. Think what would happen to your nails if they were never filed.  They would chip and break and get thin towards the longer part of the nail. Moreover, once you chip or break a nail there is no way to fix it. This is the same way you need to think of your hair, in order to keep those damaged ends under control you must trim your hair regularly.

Some people feel that if they are trying to achieve a longer hairstyle, regular trimming is not for them. Well, any trim is better than no trim at all, no matter how many inches need to be removed if the client only wants the very ends removed that is what we do. A trim can be any length from quarter of an inch to 3 inches; so don’t forego a trim because you don’t want to remove a lot of length.

What causes hair breakage?

First it is important to make a distinction between hair breakage and hair loss.  Hair breakage means the hair itself is breaking in pieces.  Hair loss means the hair is coming out from the root.

Hair breakage can be caused by many different things, like the wrong strength relaxer, too frequent or improper chemical process, too much direct heat, certain medications, too much tension on the hair (tight ponytails), infrequent washing, improper brushing or detangling technique, prolonged low fat diets and overly dry hair. Although there are many factors that can cause hair breakage it is fairly easy to reverse once the cause is detected.

The worse thing to do when experiencing hair breakage is to let it go untreated or worse yet, braid or weave it without assessing the problem and identifying the right products or treatment to help you.   

Although there are many products that can help repair the hair shaft, the best thing to do is treat your scalp weekly.  Treating the scalp on a consistent basis will nourish and strengthen the hair bulb.  This is by far the most effective way to prevent breakage and hair loss.

Why do I experience breakage and hair loss when I take my braids out?

This is a common question and the answer is simple.  Most people put braids in because they want an easy style that requires no maintenance meaning no washing and no scalp treatments.  The problem is there is no such style.  All styles require basic care. 

If you don’t wash your hair while wearing braids you will experience weakening of the hair shaft that will lead to breakage.  Additionally, keeping your hair moisturized is important.  Using nutritive spray oil will add sheen and strength and moisture to the hair.  Another thing that causes breakage after the braids are removed is the way the hair is detangled.  If you try to detangle your hair from the scalp to the ends, breakage is inevitable.  Instead, detangle from the ends of the hair and move up towards to scalp for minimal breakage.

Hair loss as a result of braiding on the other hand is caused by an entirely different set of actions.  First, wearing braids that are too tight especially around the hairline will eventually pull the hair from its root.  When this happens consistently there will be permanent damage.  Pulling the hair in a ponytail that is too tight also causes tension ending in hair loss.  Second, attaching hair that is too heavy for your hair is stressful the bulb and will eventually pull the hair out from the root.

Braids are fun and stylish, but done improperly or not cared for can wreak havoc on your hair!! 

What is a good age to begin relaxing a child's hair?