|
|
Hair is composed of three layers: an inner layer called the medulla, a middle layer called the cortex, which contains the pigments that provide hair colour, and an outer covering layer called the cuticle. The cuticle is composed of overlapping cells that resemble shingles on a roof. When the cuticle layer is intact, with the 'shingles' flat, hair feels smooth, doesn't tangle easily and looks shiny.
The cuticle can get damaged due to many reasons:
- Exposure to sun, heat and pollution.
- Frequent brushing or combing.
- Excessive use of a hair dryer to dry hair.
- Rough handling.
- Too much processing, especially bleaching.
- Unprofessional colouring.
- Perming and straightening.
- Chlorine in swimming pools.
Because of any or all of these factors, some of the cuticular cells begin to separate and may even get torn off. The surface of the hair now begins to look rough and pitted. The hair tangles more easily. It looks dull and drab. The ends may fray and split into layers (split ends). Such hair is technically called 'weathered' hair. Weathered hair is rough, dry, brittle, porous, breaks easily, lighter in colour and develops split ends. Since the hair shaft is dead, once hair has been damaged it cannot repair itself. Hence the damage is permanent, and to have shiny, easy-to-manage hair once again, you have to wait for new, undamaged hair growth to appear.
Hair Conditioning your hair regularly helps prevent 'weathering' and hair damage by forming a protective film over the hair shaft. Just as the skin requires moisturizers to counteract the ill effects of pollution and UV rays, similarly hair requires conditioners.
Benefits Of Conditioning
- Improved sheen.
- Decreased porosity.
- Decreased brittleness.
- Increased strength.
- Repair of split ends.
- Detangled hair which is easy to comb.
- Decreased static electricity.
- More manageable hair.
Hair Conditioning is the flip side of shampooing - you concentrate your efforts on the ends of the hair where your hair needs the most moisture. Using a shampoo with conditioner is not enough to condition your hair-you need to use a separate conditioner.
Remember that the protective effect of a conditioner lasts only until the next shampoo. Hence, you need to use a conditioner regularly after each shampoo. It would be beneficial if you got a professional deep conditioning treatment done at the salon once a month.
|
|
