Article by Melva Williams
Photo credit: Christina Cernik
Featuring: Carley Page Interiors
Magazine: Issue #37
I have been a stylist for going on 25 years now and loved hair since I was 5 years old. I had an aunt who would braid my hair every week and I would watch the way her hands would move and it was like watching a masterpiece being created for me. I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My grandfather told me as a young girl whatever you do be the best, stand out from the rest and help others while you’re doing it. About 14 years ago I noticed women coming into the salon losing their hair for various reasons, not only my clients, but other stylists clients as well. This was not just external hair loss because of over-processing due to chemicals, braids, weaves, etc. But there are internal reasons why we lose our hair also. I began to ask a series of questions, and from their answers I noticed they were on the same lines and all had to do with the blood stream. So my research began in diet, exercise, medications, stress, hormones, metabolism, hydration, and how they all affect our hair.
At some point in my life I have been affected by one, and now all, of these issues in which I have researched. I think it made me dig a little deeper in a sense to gain more understanding of how I was to connect the dots in order to help others to do the same thing.
A woman is only as beautiful as she feels. That beauty should come from the inside out, but in today’s society that we live in, that beauty is put on what we see in the media; TV and magazines. Then the outer beauty we put on clothes, jewelry, makeup and hair which are just extensions of one of our greatest attributes.
In today’s economy I also know that when money gets tight, for most women, your hair salon visit is the first thing to fall off the budget list.
Here are some things you can do to make sure that you ensure healthy hair practices at home:
1. If you are African American whose decided to go natural, make sure you are using non-sulfate shampoos and conditioners
2. Conditioners and Protein Treatments are not the same; treat your hair every 6 weeks
3. Trim your hair every 8-12 weeks; it’s a part of your healthy growth process
4. If going through hormonal issues, use non-sulfate because of parabens in regular shampoos
5. Stretch out chemical treatments as much as possible; it’s healthier
6. If you are on high blood pressure medication you should not get permanent color; the ammonia interacts with medication
In our society today, hair has been made to be a very important part of a woman’s beauty, but not in the proper content in which it was given to her. Like everything else, if the inside is not right, no matter you put on the outside, it’s not going to help. All the good products you put on the hair won’t penetrate the hair. If you put lipstick on a pig, it’s still a pig.
This journey is about connecting your dots and going back to the root of the problem and finding out what’s going on inside. Give an honest account of where you are. Are you eating properly on most days? How’s your workout routine: over working out, no workout? Are you taking your medications correctly, do they cause hair loss? Are you stressed? What can I do to lessen my stress? How much water should I drink daily? All these things play an important role hair loss and hair growth.
Whatever is going on the inside is going to show up on the outside sooner or later. These things will also begin to show up in your hair as well. If you are on medication or sick, it will show up in your hair, or even after surgery you will discover some hair loss because of anesthesia. Anything that affects your blood stream will affect your hair. When you go to give blood, what do they tell you? "Squeeze this ball," why? It gets the blood pumping in your arm. That’s what exercise does to your scalp; it increases blood flow and helps with hair growth. But then over-exercising builds up testosterone and can causes male pattern baldness. Your hair is connected to the capillaries the blood flow of your scalp and is needed to grow. The same way that you need that blood to flow in your heart, and if it’s not flowing there will be a blockage. Same thought process if the blood is not flowing in the scalp there will be blockage and the hair will break off.
If you're overeating, eventually it will show up on the outside. It’s the same aspect if you’re not drinking enough water, your body will show signs of dehydration. There won’t be enough water to flush your liver or kidneys; your vital organs. It will not be enough to make to your hair so it will become dry, brittle, and break off. Toxins stay in the body longer, that’s why they take a strand of hair during drug testing because of the toxins.
When it comes to obtaining and maintaining healthy hair, here are my thoughts:
From the inside approach; make sure when you are prescribed medications that you do your own research to find out the side effects. Drink 6–8 glasses of water daily to properly hydrate, eat fruits and vegetables at least 5 days a week, exercise at least 3 days a week, and if possible, adding some vitamins in your regimen couldn’t hurt either. When it comes to your hair itself, make sure you are using quality products that are made for your hair texture, treat and trim your hair regularly, use satin at night and cotton when you work out.
You are not only restoring your hair but you are being brought back to fullness by connecting your dots. With each approach of restoration you receive your crown in its rightful honor by caring for our bodies.
I have found joy sharing my gift and passion for hair and helping others by mending their tresses. I have enjoyed this journey with you.
