By Isha “Ice” Cole
Taking care of your hair
only gets more difficult as the season changes - the heat, humidity and rain
can cause the ultimate fizzes and flops.
All women want to have
healthy and strong hair, but at times it
can be hard because of all of the stress that we apply.
We blow dry, curl, flat
iron... but it’s all about finding the right match of products for the
individual.
What does it take to have that hair that we all work so hard to get?
We got some tips from Kathleen
Johnson, Director of Education for the Dr. Miracle’s hair care brand. She gave
us some good advice on how to keep your style cool for the rest of the Summer!
AllHipHop.com: At one point in time I was using a
product that severely damaged my hair. How can we be more careful about the
products that we use? Is their anything that we should be looking for, such as
a bad chemical?
Kathleen Johnson: Well, I think the first step is
that you have to take time to just get to know your own hair. I believe that
there is so much processing going on that I don’t really know if sisters are
really stopping and going, “Ok, what’s my hair like? What is the quality, what
does it need, how does it work?” There’s so much of the maintenance in hair, we
sort of become detached because of salon stylists, it’s almost like you take
your hair off and give it to them.
For instance, in the industry of music, you have
all these artists, and every time they go out or they go anywhere they need to
have makeup and hair done. Things that they have to use to get it done quickly,
the chemicals they have to put in to make it stay a certain way… just because
you look good doesn’t necessarily mean its good for you! I don’t know how many
people are going to make that choice to really make their hair care and their
hair growing and keeping it strong and healthy, a priority.
AllHipHop.com: I love Dr. Miracle’s commercials. Most
of the women are African American but are these products made for all types of
hair?
Kathleen Johnson: I would say yes, but it depends
on what you want to do with your hair. Just like any particular styling
product, you have to decide what it is you want to accomplish, but there are
certain products that I think are a specific market. The 2in1 Tingling Shampoo
and Conditioner anyone can use and get a good result. Excellent cleansing and
conditioning shampoo, to me, can benefit anyone nowadays, because everyone is
putting coloring in their hair or heat styling.
AllHipHop.com: What is the most-sold product thus
far and why?
Kathleen Johnson: I would have to say our Temple & Nape Gro Balm, that’s one that people have [given me] good feedback on over
the year’s .That’s a common problem of losing hair in your temple and nape. So
many women pulling their hair back from braiding it to tight, weaving and the
weight of the hair; it’s so many issues. Also using chemicals – it’s just
breaking down the more vulnerable hair in those areas. I know some women who
used the Temple & Nape Balm consistently for two weeks have seen something
happen.
AllHipHop.com: What advice would you give us in
regards to dying your hair?
Kathleen Johnson: Well, dying your hair really
dries it out; it makes it more brittle, it looks good! So it is damaging, but
we have so many things that can make up for what we want. You can put in
protective things like the Leave In Treatment and Conditioner.
AllHipHop.com: Okay so what about perming your
hair?
Kathleen Johnson: Perming your hair is the same as
any chemical processing; it’s making it more vulnerable, more brittle and drier.
All that’s happening is the chemicals in your hair helps it feels soft but you
have got to balance that with making sure your washing and conditioning your
hair. The great thing about Dr. Miracle’s is their products have a lot of
essential oils in it - shea, castor oil, lavender, sunflower seed oil and
others that your hair is longing for.
AllHipHop.com: Now what about washing your hair?
Should we be washing it every day?
Kathleen Johnson: The normal thing is to use
proper hygiene. I understand that washing you hair takes a long time… well, it’s
not the washing its everything after. For some people, by the fourth day they’re
scratching so much because you get bacterial build up in your skin. I really do
recommend [that you] don’t wait more than one week at the most to wash your
hair.
AllHipHop.com: Can you give us two important tips
to having healthy hair?
Kathleen Johnson: You have to sleep with something
on your hair; you have to cover your hair up at night if you have hair that is
processed. If you have braids in your hair, if you have a weave in your hair,
you should really try to protect your hair while you’re sleeping at night. It
dries it out and makes it more vulnerable for breakage from rubbing against
that cotton pillow case. Start buying satin pillow cases - it treats your hair
a little easier at night time and relieves some of the breakage. So that’s my
number one tip, please wrap your hair at night!
AllHipHop.com: That’s definitely a great tip; I
try to cover my hair each night as well. So what would be your next hair tip
for the ladies?
Kathleen Johnson: I think the second thing that I
would have say is you must take the time to deep condition your hair. You have
to set apart the time. I tell everybody I know, if they’re not heat styling, coloring,
braiding or weaving, they’re doing something [potentially damaging]. They need
to stop put in the deep conditioner - you can do it while you’re taking a bath.
This one step will make a huge difference in the quality of your hair. If your
hair is natural you probably don’t need to focus on deep conditioner, but it’s
still great to do.
During our conversation, Kathleen also
explained the importance of nutrition and health to your hair. I decided to
research the types of foods that can help aid the growth of strong healthy
hair. Here are a few:
Salmon contains omega-three fatty acids; this high-quality
protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.
Dark
green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, swiss chard are a great source
of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum.
Beans,
kidney beans and lentils - not only do they provide a lot protein
to promote hair growth, but are rich iron, zinc and biotin.
Whether you have
straight, natural, curly, dreads or braids, you still must treat your hair with
dignity and respect! Enjoy your healthy hair, and if you’ve got any personal
tips or secrets, feel free to share with us!