Types of hair conditioner

Oil conditioners

Olive oil Almond oil
Coconut oil

Which can be applied to dry hair and processed with heat, they will make the hair feel soft, supple and shiny.


Acid rinses

Weak acids (P.H. 4 - 5) such as lemon juice and vinegar can be poured through the hair after shampooing and left on. They will make the hair shiny by closing the cuticle scales.

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pint warm water = Treatment.

Chemicals such as neutralisers, bleaches, permanent tints are alkaline (opening the cuticle scales) and work by adding oxygen to the hair and return the hair to its natural acid state. We need to use ascorbic acid. This anti - oxidant (ie - it removes oxygen) is often added to acid balance conditioners because of its anti - oxidant properties and because its good at closing the cuticle scales.


Leave in conditioners

These contain moisturising and protective ingredients and are sprayed onto wet hair. They are ideal for greasy, fine or tight curly Afro hair and are very useful for disentangling childrens hair and prevent the hair from drying out too much.


Conditioning creams

Ordinary conditioning creams are emulsions which work in a similar way to the hairs natural grease. They coat the hair in a thin film filling in some of the gaps in the broken scales so the hair becomes more shiny and manageable. The better ones are acid.


Deep Acting conditioners

These are sometimes used when reconditioning the hair, especially as part of a 4 - 6 week series of weekly treatments for hair in very poor condition.


Restructurites

Hair that is in a very weakened and over processed state, (over permed, bleached) such as in Trichorrhexis nodosa will benefit from the application of a restructurite and should be applied to shampooed, well dried hair and left on.


High frequency

Is used for hairdressing and beauty purposes. A metal electrode and glass vacuum electrode are used, they consist of :

1 The metal electrode or saturator.
2 The glass comb or the rake electrode.
3 The glass bulb or surface electrode.
4 The cylinder is usually made from vulcanite and is called the holder.

It has been found that the H - F stimulates :

1 Nerve endings.
2 Circulation via the superficial, arterial capillaries.
3 Sweat glands.
4 sebaceous glands.


H - F treatment

The treatment consists of applying a H - F alternating electric current to the scalp by means of a suitable electrode. this gives a tingling sensation to the scalp and a feeling of warmth.