Steam dry your hair to add moisture
Depending on the porosity of your hair, you may struggle to adequately moisturize your locks. Hair is made of protein held together by lipids/fatty acids, Roland explains, and the outermost layer, the cuticle, is similar to roof tiles or scales. How open or closed these scales determine how easily or difficultly different hair types can absorb and retain moisture. The cortex of high porosity hair is very high - meaning that water is easily absorbed, but evaporates quickly. The low porosity hair cuticle is sealed so tightly that it is very difficult for water to reach. The challenge with this type of hair is that the products often sit on the strand rather than being absorbed. "Even the water rolls off and will evaporate from the strand before it can be absorbed," she explains.
How can people with low porosity drink water? Rullan encourages you to use steam. It engages this steam that encourages opening of the epidermal layer scales, allowing moisture to make its way through.
To steam your hair at home, apply conditioner to freshly washed hair. Cover hair with a shower cap and wrap it in a hot, damp towel. The steam will open the scales of your hair's cuticle layer, allowing the conditioner to absorb
Apply emollients to the seal to lock in moisture
For those with high porosity hair, the problem isn't so much moisture gain as it is retention. There are many natural moisturizers that can be applied to the hair to lock in the moisture gained by wetting the hair. Roland states that the following moisturizers are beneficial for high porosity hair:
Natural moisturizers include:
honey
Cactuses
Glycerin
It's important not to overdo it with these products, so start with a tablespoon-sized amount. Rullan also shares that flexible gels help hair with high porosity retain moisture—"Many people like to make their own flaxseed gel for hydration. Shea butter is great for weight loss for people who like a more weightless look." Roland also stresses the importance of cleaning the hair properly to ensure no buildup with these products.
7 benefits of sleeping on silk pillowcases
Given that humans spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping, it's no wonder we want to make the most of our time in bed by creating the dreamiest sleep environment possible. While there are many recommendations on how to get some extra benefits from your eight hours, using a silk pillowcase is probably one of the most talked about. What can silk do for you?
In fact, there are a lot of benefits to sleeping on a silk pillowcase. The properties of silk can soothe your skin, keep your complexion cool, and even leave you with healthier-looking hair. If you're ready for something a little less hitting the hay and a little more out of this world, we've got the details on how a silk pillowcase can send you flying to the stars. Silk pillowcases provide a host of benefits that will leave you feeling refreshed every morning. The Casper Silk Pillowcase + Sleeping Mask Set offers 100% mulberry silk so you get the best.
1. Prevent wrinkles
If you're a side or stomach sleeper, you've likely experienced sleep wrinkle dread: You get out of bed, head to the bathroom, and look in the mirror to find the wrinkled pillowcase pattern etched into your pillowcase. cheek or forehead. To make things worse, you have a meeting in less than an hour, and those lines that your pillow spent hours pressing against your face are going to take their sweet time fading away. Of course, those sleep wrinkles may eventually disappear as the day goes on. But it turns out that repeated squeezing and wrinkling of the face while sleeping can turn into permanent wrinkles over time. And it's easy, then, to see why sleeping on a softer fabric with less stiffness or wrinkling can help slow the wheel of time—your face, at least. And as an added bonus, sleeping on a silk pillowcase means you're more likely to wake up without those embarrassing pillow lines.
2. Soothing skin comfort
Silk offers many benefits to your skin. Other than avoiding sleeping wrinkles from forming, those with sensitive skin, sensitive facial skin, acne, eczema, or other sore or inflammatory skin conditions may be especially helped by the smooth texture. Pillowcases made of other coarse fabrics, and choosing a silk pillowcase can provide great comfort. In addition to providing a smoother, less abrasive surface for your skin, one study found that those who slept on silk fabric experienced many improvements in the condition of their skin within weeks, including:
decreased inflammation
Less irritation
Relief from itching
If you suffer from any troublesome skin conditions, you may already be picky about your nightwear. But why should your head and shoulders receive less special treatment? When it comes to finding full body comfort, consider swapping your regular pillowcase for a silk one.
3. A deeper sleep
There are few, if any, surfaces we press on our faces so much and our pillows have long been. This unfortunately means that any dirt or bacteria that makes its way onto your pillow will also be in long-term contact with your skin, so how can a silk pillowcase help? There are several ways: While you should still wash your pillow regularly, silk has properties that help it stay cleaner between washes, and since silk absorbs less moisture than other fabrics, it is less likely to act as a host for dust mites and for silk. Bacteria from your face and skin: Silk's dryness attracts fewer allergens into the bedroom than other moisture-retaining fabrics, such as cotton pillowcases. Who wouldn't feel more refreshed knowing that their pillow provides a cleaner, healthier atmosphere than before?
4. Moisturizing the skin
If you've spent time and money on a multi-step skincare routine hoping to nourish your dehydrated skin, only to wake up with a somewhat taut and dehydrated face like before, your pillowcase may be part of the problem. The fact of the matter is that some of the fabrics used in a regular pillow absorb or wick away moisture more than others. This could be one of the reasons why your skin is feeling dry, and fortunately, for people who are concerned about skincare, another of the many benefits of silk pillowcases is the potential for more moisturized skin. Natural silk fibers resist moisture more effectively than other fabrics. This means that instead of absorbing all the moisture into your skin, a silk pillowcase can help you retain it. This, in turn, can make your nightly skin care products more effective. If you've been dreaming of waking up with a glowy, hydrated face, this easy addition to your sleep environment is sure to send you over the moon.
5. Softer, healthier hair
Say goodbye to bad hair days. If all of the skin-healthy benefits of a silk pillowcase appeal to you, you'll be happy to know that many of the same properties can simultaneously work wonders for your hair. Locks on the silk pillowcase reduce friction caused by twists and turns during sleep. This provides many benefits for a healthier head of hair, including:
Reduce frizz
Less break
Less tangles
silk threads
And what are the benefits of moisturizing the skin that we mentioned earlier? You can bet it also means more wet hair. If you struggle with keeping your hair healthy or have curly hair, moisturizing can help. For those with bleached, dyed, chemically-treated, or damaged hair, resting on a smooth surface is essential for restoring your hair's strength and reducing further breakage.
6. The right temperature
Regardless of whether we tend to hoard our blankets or throw them off the bed, we often overlook how our bedding affects our body temperature and comfort while resting. In fact, silk pillowcases can be an effective way
color damage
Even taking a break from regular foils won't undo years of lifting color and stripping it away—just wait for the color to grow out or bleach to completely undo the damage. But there's a good way to make sure your color does as little damage as possible: Find a professional who cares about your hair's condition. "Choose a dye that puts the integrity of your hair first," recommends James Corbett, stylist and owner of James Corbett Studio in New York City. “Some of the things that make a difference are the proper use of color chemicals, not using a developer that is too strong to color the texture of the hair, and avoiding unnecessary overlapping of color or bleach on previously dyed hair. I often do a conditioning treatment instead of a shine, because the shine is still there.” Contains peroxide.
Plus, a thoughtful at-home color maintenance plan can help. There's a reason stylists recommend color-safe products. "The wrong shampoo can lift excessive dandruff and cause more color fading and moisture loss," explains Reese. Best of Beauty award-winning Allure editors love Sachajuan Color Protect Shampoo. For a leave-in treatment, Los Angeles-based stylist Matt Reese recommends Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream because it includes "[the] popular skincare ingredient cica, with reparative benefits to promote healthy, strong hair between salon visits." (Rez is an ambassador for Redken.)
For those with colored and textured hair, damage can feel like a double whammy. "Bleached and over-processed hair [will reveal damage faster] than other types of hair," says Los Angeles hairstylist Graham Nation. "But curly hair will get drier faster and more frequently. And it needs extra hydration to help with curls overall." With that in mind, he recommends that those with more texture indulge in hair masks and deep conditioning treatments more often. Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask is a favorite among Allure readers and editors
chemical damage
Chemical treatments, such as straightening and perming creams, strip hair which can lead to breakage. Your best defense? protection. "Once the hair fiber is compromised, it can't be repaired or processed," says Bridgette Hill, a trichologist at Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa in New York City. The goal is to first prevent further damage by modifying the hairstyling habits that created the problem and implementing practices that promote hair health and nourishment for the hair fibre. The second goal, she says, is to consistently establish a weekly deep treatment routine for four to six weeks.
Her recommendations include using a pre-treatment — like Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer — and increasing daily humidity. "Pre-treat the hair fibers by applying a protein treatment to dry, dirty hair before shampooing, such as a detoxifying oil or mask," she says.
After that, comb through all the product and wrap it in a low bun while you sleep. Hill says.
Another way it can help: products that create bonds with the proteins in the hair, strengthening the cuticle in the process. "This protects the skin from excessive stress that leads to damage," explains Wilson. Try Olaplex No. 1 3 Hair Perfector, a bond-building home remedy.
Keeping your hair moisturized is equally important. "Be sure to add moisture daily in small amounts, and apply liberally to the affected area and conservatively all over," Hill explains. “The moisture on the ends of the hair fiber won't weigh it down or make it greasy if used correctly and designed for your hair type and texture. For example, finer hair textures might consider using a leave-in conditioning spray.” Giovanni Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner is good choice..
heat damage
Reliance on hot tools in your daily routine can reveal itself in multiple ways. "The heat opens the cuticle, allowing the hair to dry and shape when you blow-dry or curl your hair," Nation explains. "Too much can damage it, though — so using a heat protectant is a must every time." Sophia Emmanuel, a New York City-based trichologist, adds, "Your heat protectant product should protect styling up to 450 degrees." Other ways to prevent heat damage, according to Emanuel, are to use a heat setting suitable for your hair texture, avoid using heat on dirty hair, and try not to use heat every day. "A thermal protection product should contain ingredients that are either heat-activated to protect the strands or can provide a protective covering around the hair strands to prevent direct heat from damaging," explains Wilson.
Avoid Over Washing The Hair
Washing the hair frequently is yet another way of damaging the hair. In reality, the hair wash can actually strip away the oil build up from the scalp. So if you wash your hair too often, it will become very dry, leading to dullness and damage. It is advised that you figure out a routine that works for your length, thickness, and hairstyle. But make sure you avoid washing the hair daily. Besides, you can even use dry shampoos in the days between.
Use Hot Oil Massage
Oiling the hair is a great way of bringing back the lost shine and health. There are numerous oils you can consider for your hair concern. But make sure you are specific about the oil you are using and the steps you take. For instance, olive oil is highly popular for dry hair. Besides this, castor oil, coconut oil, almond oil etc., can also be used. All of these oils are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin e, which will help soothe the cuticle and provide moisture. You can even purchase onion hair oil from Nutriglow. The product is 100% natural and offers great results.
Avoid Brushing Wet Hair
Many people have a habit of brushing their hair wet. But it can lead to breakage and make the hair look dull. You must understand that with your one-step, you actually can cause great trouble for yourself. Thus to avoid such instances, you must allow your hair to dry naturally and then comb it using the wooden comb. With proper measures, you will actually maintain the health of your hair. Also, you must avoid brushing your hair from top to bottom. Make sure you detangle the ends first and then start combing the top of your hair.
massage your scalp
A scalp massage is similar to a massage you’d get for your neck, back, or body. However, a scalp massage is usually done a little more gently. It’s usually done without oil, but you can include it if you prefer, A typical scalp massage uses the fingertips only. There’s also the option of using a scalp massaging device that works to mimic the pressure of your fingertips.