Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hair Styles for Fall/Winter – Corporate/Professional

This week’s curly hairstyle we will focus on from the Jonathan Torch Collection will be the Corporate/Professional look. With the time constraints of getting ready in the morning, a weekday hairstyle should be styled close to the face with structured and natural movement using a quick and simple technique. Choose a style that makes you look and feel professional, confident and ready to impress everyone you encounter during the day.


Here’s how to create the corporate/professional look at home:

1. While hair is still damp, begin at the bangs and comb hair towards the back of the head.
 2. Begin with gorgeous frizz-free curls using Curl Keeper and the Skip Curl technique.
 3. Begin drying the hair using a hairdryer and diffuser. Use a hair band to keep hair off the face while drying.
 4. Finish drying hair by flipping head over forward by bending from the waist to let hair hang downwards. Diffuse hair in an upward motion to create volume and speed up the drying process. 

Check in next week to see the third Fall/Winter Hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Jonathan Torch Collection of Curly Hairstyles for Fall/Winter – Weekend/Playful

No matter how busy your life gets, it is important to pay attention to your hair and the impression it makes about you. Regardless of the occasion, event or location you’re headed to, choose a hairstyle that you are comfortable with. Try changing up your look from time to time. Curly hair can be very versatile with the right products and the right techniques, which will not only keep your hair healthy and shiny but also give you the ability to create your desired styles.

Over the next six weeks we will be unveiling six new curly hairstyles from the Jonathan Torch Collection. We will provide hairstyles for each occasion, including weekend/playful, corporate professional, elegance, messy-sexy, cultural and angelic. The styles veer towards fluidity and take on a classic, timeless look while blending both modern and traditional techniques that emphasize luscious curls, texture and lots of movement. This week’s focus is the weekend/playful look.

Whether you are out shopping, getting your nails done or out for a meal, the weekend is all about relaxing after a long week and spending time on yourself. Your weekend hairstyle should be simple, easy and natural looking, with loose curls to match your relaxed state of mind. 

Here’s how to create the weekend/playful look at home:

 
1. Begin using Curl Keeper™ and follow the steps for the Skip Curl Technique.
2. Allow a small section of bangs to gently fall over the corner of your eye. Make sure the curls are loose so they don’t block your vision.
3.  Begin drying the hair using a hairdryer with a diffuser. While drying, use your hand to scrunch your curls upwards.
4. Create added volume by lightly placing a section of hair from the left side of the crown over to the right side and vice versa. 


Enjoy your relaxed look this weekend, and check back next week for another great curly hairstyle from the Jonathan Torch Collection.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Acne Miliaris Necrotica

Acne Necrotica Miliaris is a superficial, non-scarring inflammatory disorder of the hair follicles. It is one of two syndromes that falls under the broader clinical term Acne Miliaris Necrotica (AN), the other being the deeper, scarring Acne Necrotica Varioliformis. Since first being described in 1851, AN has proven to be a rare condition, prevalent among adult males, with chronic symptoms that wax and wane over time.

Both Acne Necrotica Miliaris and Acne Necrotica Varioliformis are characterized by pruritic follicular papule that are often triggered by stress.1 Patients tend to be men aged 30 to 50, although the lesions have been reported in women and patients younger than 30 who have passed puberty.

Acne Necrotica Miliaris is characterized by minute, intensely itchy pustules on the scalp that may become sore and crusted due to constant scratching.2 The lesions may concentrate around the frontal hairline (acne frontalis), but can appear anywhere on the scalp. They also vary in number from just a few to numerous pustules covering the scalp. Additional lesions may be found on the face, neck, chest, or back.3

Acne Necrotica Miliaris affects only the superficial portion of the hair follicle, allowing for hair regrowth following successful treatment, which can include oral antibiotics, topical corticosteroids, and oral isotretinoin, which has shown a rapid reduction of the pruritic lesions.4

Acne Necrotica Varioliformis is characterized by erythematous follicular papules that undergo necrosis (or cell death). These deeper lesions may progress to crusting, dry, dark scabs that leave smallpox-like scars (varioliformis) in their wake. Permanent hair loss may occur where the scalp has
been scarred (cicatricial alopecia).

Histological studies of an early lesion show lymphocytes (white blood cells) and plasma cells centered around a central hair follicle. The lymphocytes then fuse into the external root sheath. The keratinocytes within the external root sheath and surrounding epidermis show extensive cell necrosis.5

The true etiology, or cause, of AN is unknown, however, it has been postulated that the initial lesions are inflamed hair follicles with Propionibacterium acnes. (Propionibacterium acnes are slow growing anaerobic bacterium which are linked to the skin condition acne.6 They are gram positive, which means they stain dark blue or violet with gram staining. Gram positive bacteria generally have a single lipid bilayer called monoderms.)

The lesions may also be caused by an abnormal reaction to the Staphylococcal Aureus Bacteria and the Streptococcal Bacteria, which live on the skin at all times but can cause infection when they enter the body through a cut or other injury. Gram-negative bacteria, which usually originates in the nose following antibiotic treatment for acne, may also be to blame, as is Tinea Capitis (ringworm of the scalp), caused by a fungus that invades the hair shaft. In at least one case, use of the drug phenylbutazone was believed to have caused the syndrome.7 In still others, extreme mechanical manipulation of the scalp due to scratching or rubbing patches of underlying folliculitis may be to blame, as are the tiny parasitic mites, demodex folliculorum. However, the most common pathogens found in pustules remain Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes.8

Examining the scalp and forehead for past umbilicated scars with a “punched-out” appearance is helpful to the trichologist working toward a diagnosis of AN. In addition, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes should be determined in erupting pustules. In the case of Propionibacterium acnes, Isotretinoin should be tried, while in the case of Staphylococcus aureus, anti staph agents and oral tetracyclines may prove successful.9

Sources

Dawber, Rodney, Ed., Diseases of the Hair and Scalp, Third Edition, Blackwell Science, Malden, MA, 1997.

DermNetNZ.org

HairScientists.org

Olsen, Elisa A.,Ed., Disorders of Hair Growth, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2003.
Wikipedia.org

1 Dawber, Rodney, Diseases of the Hair and Scalp, p. 511.

2 DermnetNZ, Scalp Folliculitis, http://dermnetnz.org/acne/scalp-folliculitis.html

3 Olsen, Elisa A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 111.

4 Olsen, Elisa A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 383.

5 Olsen, Elise A., Disorders of Hair Growth, p. 112.

6 Wikipedia.org, Propionbacterium Acnes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propionibacterium_acnes

7 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

8 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

9 Zemite, Inga, http://www.hairscientists.org/acne-miliaris.htm

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Treating Colored Curly Hair

With the change in season comes change in hair colors. We all know that the sun lightens your hair and darkens your skin. The color tones in your hair that have been damaged by the sun can be easily restored to healthy, deeper and enriched shades by using the right products. With all the wonderful bright reds, richer browns and golden blondes we see it creates a challenge to maintain the richness and shine over a period of time between color applications. Coloring curly hair can cause extreme damage if the color formula is too strong. We call this ‘color shock’. It is very important to add strength and moisture to color treated hair, since chemical treatments often leave hair feeling much more dry and brittle. Restoring shine and softness to your hair will require treating your hair with properly pH balanced shampoo and conditioners. 

Because curly hair is very porous, it is easy to deposit color pigments into the hair. It is sometimes harder to maintain rich color as the hair cuticles are naturally in an open position. As we always say “when your hair is wet it is shiny.” This is because open cuticles are filled with moisture reflecting light. Curly Hair Solutions™ products have a pH level designed to maintain the hair cuticle in a closed position without using silicones or oils. 

Pure Silk Protein with a pH balance of 3.5 -4 is the key to making the color come back to life. Use the Pure Silk Protein one day before your color application and add some directly to the color formula, either at home or in the salon. This will make your color last longer, have more shine and help your hair stay moisturized for longer. Get your hair prepared for your new hair color and be ready for the Fall season!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Start the New School Year with Clean Healthy Hair

Another school year is almost here as the summer comes to an end. Although this may be saddening news for many, it’s also a great chance to show off your gorgeous new curls to all your school friends. We know that nerves and pressure are always high on first day of school and a great hair day is the ultimate confidence booster and an excellent way to impress your friends that you didn’t get a chance to see over the summer. Plus, looking your best with frizz-free curls will give you the confidence to earn better grades, social independence and popularity.

A fresh start to the new school year starts with clean healthy hair. Shampooing is important in your daily routine so do not overlook this step. Curly hair is like a magnet to smoke, dust, and almost everything else floating in the air - therefore it needs shampooing. Some may think that shampoos contain harsh cleansers that strip the hair of its essential oils or that it’s not necessary to shampoo at all. The truth is not all shampoos contain harsh cleansers. Formulating the perfect shampoo for curls requires high quality natural ingredients and more importantly, the proper low pH balance.

Curly Hair Solutions has two shampoos that have a pH balance of 4.5-5.5 and are specially formulated to provide additional moisture and strength to the hair. This allows you to cleanse your curls without stripping away any natural oils that protect your hair and scalp. The Treatment Shampoo helps strengthen the hair, repair damage and improve the elasticity of your hair, which can be lost during chemical treatments like colouring, perming or relaxing. Whereas, the Silk Shampoo will add additional moisture, cleanse the hair leaving the hair feeling soft. Both the Treatment Shampoo and the Silk Shampoo can be used daily on any curl type and will keep your hair looking clean and healthy.

Find out Which Shampoo Is Right for You and be ready to start off the new school year with clean gorgeous curls!