Non-alcoholic hair products?

   Hmm... I know it's a curious sounding title for todays blog. Hope it got your attention. Should I avoid hair products that contain alcohol? Will they dry my hair out? It's a question that comes up frequently in the Salon. Every few years clever marketing companies come up with trends to sell more products. This is one that first appeared in the mid 80's. Since our industry tends to come full circle every twenty years or so it only seems fitting that the products and advertising will follow suit.
   I met a hair chemist at a hair seminar twenty-some years ago and had the good fortune of having lunch with him.Actually, what really happened was that all of the "Cool People" skipped out of the classroom and quickly headed to the hotel bar in hopes of rubbing elbows with some the platform stars of the day. I felt bad that he had been so blatently snubbed and ask him if I could buy him lunch.His dignity restored, he readily agreed. At the time all of the companies were touting their "new, revolutionary, alcohol free" formulations. I asked him what his opinion was about alcohol and hair care products. This is what I remember of our conversation. According to him, any products containing SD 40 alcohol are fine to use on the hair. SD 40 alcohol, as most all alcohols, has humectant properties. This means, it dries things out. The advantage of using it in styling products is that it does remove moisture from the hair, cutting down your styling time and therefore saving the hair from excess thermal damage caused by blow drying. It also has unique properties one of wich is that it leaves a light film on the hair that will attract atmospheric moisture back into the hair, replacing what it has removed.
   I know it's a little long winded but chemists aren't known for being neccesarily social, amusing or entertaining individuals. On the other hand what great information to be armed with while shopping for your hair care products. So there you have it, it is OK to use "alcoholic" products in your hair. As a matter of fact, it's late on Saturday, it's been a long, busy week and I'm looking forward to a little alcoholic product with wich to enjoy the weekend. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Summer and your hair

   The last few days have been HOT in Northwest Indiana giving us a little preview of what summer has in store for us. Many of us will be spending a considerable amount of time outdoors working on the lawn and flower beds, hangin' at the beach or the pool working on your tans or just enjoying the fresh air and warm weathe. Here are a few tips to keep your hair in its best condition this season.
   Keep it covered! I know that it's not always practical or fashion forward but it is the best defense for your hair against the suns damaging rays. If you're not comfortable with this advice, make sure that your haircare products contain UV protectants. KENRA offers UV protection in a progressive system wich means that with each one of their products that you use, you are adding another layer of UV inhibitors to help protect your hair from the suns damaging rays.
   If you're going to be soaking up the rays in the comfort and privacy of your back yard, give your hair a spa treatment while your body is bronzing. Apply a conditioner such as KENRA'S Nourishing mask to your hair, prior to your sun session and cover it with a plastic processing cap. Make sure to rinse it out when you're thru. You'll be amazed by how soft and silky your hair will feel afterwards. We recomend this once a week.
   Try to minimize your hair's exposure to chlorinated pool and hot tub water. Make sure to rinse your hair with fresh water after your pool session and follow with a good moisturizing conditioner. This is particularly important if you have color treated hair. Excess sun and chlorine exposure will make your color fade faster so protect your investment by using professional products. Nobody knows your hair better than your stylist so be sure to ask them what they recommend to keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long.
   One more quick tip for all of you gardeners. The active holding ingredient in many of the professional hairsprays is a sugar derivative so avoid using it while you're working in your flower beds, it has a tendency to attract bees, flies and other little flying pests. We at Vincent's Hair Design would like to take the opportunity to wish you all a safe, healthy and fun filled summer. As always, your questions and comments are always appreciated.

Men's Hair Care

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