Archive for March, 2010

Flat Iron Hair Extensions Safely

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Moisture loss is the main cause of hair extensions to lose luster, resulting in dry frizzy hair. The best way to maintain the quality of hair extensions while still using styling tools is to use little to no heat. The occasional use of your flat iron on hair extensions is okay in most cases.

If you do decide to use a flat iron or curling iron, its ideal to follow these guidelines to prevent as much damage as possible to your hair extensions.

1) Always use a heat protector like the Ionix Maintenance Spray and only flat iron freshly shampooed dry hair. If your hair is dirty, the oils will adhere to the iron causing it to burn as it straightens.

2) Limit the frequency of use to reduce the amount of damage it can cause.

3) Make sure your hair is completely dry by letting it air dry, or blow dry sections before ironing.

4) Keep the temperature on low to medium heat and work with small sections. This allows you to achieve straight hair with less heat.

5) Be sure to use proper styling tools. Flat irons with tourmaline, ceramic and titanium metals tends to heat more evenly and are less likely to cause damage to processed hair.

Female Close Up Brunette

Balancing Liquid Tension to Hair Energy – Hydrating Hair Extensions

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

Surface tension is a property of the surface of a liquid. It is what causes the surface portion of liquid to be attracted to a solid surface. Surface energy is the property of a solid. There must be a perfect balance of the two for maximum bonding.

Extensions are manufactured hair that goes through a rigorous chemical process that changes the amount of energy on the surface of the hair. Every surface has a measurement of energy and every liquid has a measurement of tension based on ions. Since the surface energy has changed, the surface tension in products needs to be changed to properly affect this specific type of hair. If the balance of the product is not right for the hair, the product will either slide off without affecting the hair or bond too strongly creating build up.

Because hair has a negative charge, manufacturers design their shampoos to have a negative charge, so that shampoo will not adhere and absorb into the hair. Conditioners are designed to have a positive charge so that it will adhere with the negatively charged surface of the hair without leaving deposits.

surface tension

Surface Tension

Avoid Dry and Frizzy Hair Extensions!

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Most hair weakens and becomes damaged by abrasion and stretching as a result of everyday grooming. If the hair is not protected during wet combing, blow drying with hot air and styling, hair will fracture, split and eventually lead to breakage. Hair must be thoroughly moisturized which will leave the hair full and shiny, keeping frizzy hair at bay.

With hair extensions, the usual problems are multiplied. Extensions need extra care that regular hair products are not equipped to handle. The Ionix Deep Conditioner is formulated with a sophisticated hydrating system that is scientifically proven to reduce the friction that causes breakage.

Combing Cropped

Every ingredient used is meticulously researched and laboratory tested. The dimethicone silicones selected were chosen because they have the highest percentage of active ingredients and are more effective on damaged and over-processed hair. Low molecular weight silicones are blended in to affect the hair faster and therefore increasing the moisture content causing the conditioning agents to bond with the surface and penetrate the fibers.

The special formula in the Deep Conditioner gives it the ability to reduce fly-aways and frizz, leaving hair silky and smooth. After just one use, hair is left fully hydrated, shiny and with increased strength and deters tangles. Ionix Deep Conditioner is a powerful moisturizer for light blonds, chemically treated hair and even dry scalp.

“Curly Hair Gene” is Found, Paves Way for Straightening Pill

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Recent research has indicated that there is a predictor of curly hair. Scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research has identified the culprit – the trichohyalin gene. Having analyzed data from 5,000 Australian twins over a 30 year period, Professor Nick Martin, who led the research, found that the variation in the gene determines the curliness of hair. Research suggests that 45 percent of Europeans have straight hair, 40 percent wavy hair and 15 percent are curly… and if you’ve got those curls, your kids have a 90 percent chance of inheriting them.

Scientists can then potentially develop new treatments to make hair straighter or curlier without actually treating the hair directly.
Curly Red Hair

The Science Behind Dyeing Hair Extensions

Monday, March 1st, 2010

THE PROBLEM with applying any color to the hair extension is that the results can be very unpredictable. The hair does not take color like normal scalp hair, since Hair & Compounds uses the highest quality permanent pre-metalized fiber dyes designed for the highest longevity and color integrity. Therefore, attempting to dye the hair extension would produce an outcome that could be drastically different from your normal expectations.

Highlighted Hair Ends

THE SOLUTION is to apply a color that will be the same level or darker, which offers better results than trying to lift the color. Lifting involves bleaching which can cause damage to the already pretreated extensions. The safest solution if your client wishes to go to a significantly lighter color tone, encourage them to invest in new extensions for a longer lasting and better appearance. As always, if you proceed with a demi-permanent dye, a strand test is strongly recommended.