- Hair Texture, Type and Colour
- To the naked eye hair appears simple and uncomplicated. This is somewhat misleading as in reality hair is complex. See Facts about Hair. Hair is not only complex, but it also comes in a combination of types and textures. Perpetual good hair days can become the rule rather than the exception when you get to know your hair and understand its unique profile (type and structure).
- Afro Caribbean Hair.
- Texture
- The size and and shape of your hair follicles establishes it's texture. Texture is genetically predetermined; it is possible to have more than one hair texture at the same time. Hair texture is influenced by your age and in some instances it can be changed e.g. by chemical treatment. The categories of hair texture are:
- - Fine hair: has the smallest circumference. It can be strong or weak and
- lacks volume. When it is healthy it has a natural bright shrine.
- - Medium hair: is the most common texture. It is neither too think or too
- thin and generally has a lot of body and bounce. It is the most flexible in
- terms of styling and holds shape well.
- - Coarse hair: has the largest circumference. It is abundant, having a
- tending to grow outwards from
- your head, heavy and rough. Course hair it often fizzy, lacks elasticity and
- can look 'wild' with the wrong style or cut.
Type
- Hair type is determined by it's natural curvature and condition. Curvatures in terms of whether it is straight, wavy or curly. The condition is determined by the amount of sebum (oil) that it produces. It is described as normal, dry, oily/greasy or chemically damaged.
- - Normal untreated hair is neither oily or dry, it holds it's style and looks
- food the majority of the time.
- - Dry hair has a dull lack lustre appearance; it tends to feel dry, tangles
- easily and it difficult to manage. Dryness is caused by the under
- production of sebum, excessive heat (sun, styling appliances) and
- chemical damage e.g. perms.
- - Oily hair is most often fine hair; it tends to look lank, oily and requires
- frequent washing. Oily hair is caused by the over production of sebum due
- to a hormone imbalance, a diet too high in saturated fats, excessive
- brushing and hot/humid atmospheres.
- - Combination: Hair can be oily and dry at the same type with different
- conditions existing on different parts of the hair shaft. Some people will
-
experience oily roots and dry ends.
- Colour
Like texture and type, your natural hair colour is genetically predetermined. Natural hair can be altered in a variety of ways from total colour coverage to colour emphasising highlights/lowlights. Hair colour looks best when it matches your skin tone and eyes.
Depending upon the required result chemical hair colouring either removes melanin or deposits new colour.
- - Permanent: colour penetrates shaft and remains until it grows out.
- - Semi permanent: colour can be washed out with 2 months.
- - Temporary colourants: wash -in wash-out colours.
- - Highlights: streaks giving a 'sun kissed' appearance. Ideal for fair hair.
- - Lowlights: streaks of red or brown. Ideal for brunettes.