Hair Relaxers: Debunking the Myth

Chemical Column

Hair Relaxers became very popular in the 80’s,

after people realized the jheri curl couldn’t give

them versatility and was too greasy. No lye

relaxers were formulated due to the complaints of burning

from women who were getting relaxer services. No lye

relaxers were presented as a gentler/milder form of relaxer

without the lye.

Women happily grabbed boxes of relaxer and applied their

chemicals at home to save money, and for convenience.

When they’re hair became dry and brittle, and began to

shed they couldn’t understand why their hair did not look

like the models on the boxes.

The reason: The no lye relaxers come in two forms, calcium

hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. (CaOH is the chemical

formula for calcium hydroxide.) The OH at the end of

this compound is actually the base/lye component. The

calcium causes deposits on the hair, causing it to become

dry and brittle.

Because hair consists of three layers and relaxer penetrates

to the seond layer of the hair to break polypeptide

(protein) bonds. The cuticle (first layer of the hair) remains

open if relaxer is just rinsed and neutralized after processing.

(Which causes splitting, shedding, and breakage.)

In 2007 Diva By Cindy hair care company developed a three

step condition hair relaxer system, which would resolve this

problem. A sodium hydroxide (NaOH) relaxer containing
 

 

Cindy Tawiah is C.E.O. of Diva by Cindy Hair Products and Diva by Cindy Salon.

After graduating college with a degree in Chemistry and working as a nurse for

years, Cindy finally followed her dream to make beauty products for ethnic women.

Diva by Cindy started in 2009 and it focuses manufacturing products infused

with Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and no alcohol, promoting healthy hair growth.

Cindy strives to help prevent hair breakage, reduce shedding, and stimulate the

scalp. While her products promote healthy hair growth, Cindy’s other projects

promote helping others in need. Diva by Cindy strives to “minister through hair

care” by providing support and help for women in tough situations. To learn more,

 

Neutralizing Shampoo

aloe and shea butter was developed. (The aloe is to soothe

and prevent burns, and the shea butter to moisturize).

After the relaxer is rinsed a product called the Stabilizer

Plus (or the Ultimate Treatment) is applied. This product

seals the cuticle or hair shaft, and rearranges the polypeptide

or protein bonds which were broken. Because

the pH of hair is acidic and relaxer is a base/or alkali, the

pH of the stabilizer is a 3 (acidic). The purpose of the stabilizer

is to bring hair back to its normal acid mantle pH.

Process: Relax hair, rinse relaxer, apply stabilizer, rinse

after 2-3 minutes, and shampoo with Diva By Cindy

Neutralizer. Shedding and breakage is a thing of the

past, now women can enjoy straighter hair with body

and bounce. Healthy hair can be attained by all who

wish to relax their hair.

 

Cindy Tawiah
Tel: (410)581-9337 Email: Cindy@divabycindy.com Website: www.divabycindy.com

Caring for Your Hair- Changing Color, Choosing Wisely

Caring for Your Hair - Changing Color, Choosing Wisely

By Cindy Tawiah, C.E.O. of Diva by Cindy Hair Products

 

Summer is a hot time to consider a cool color for your hair. A change in hair hue can alter a woman's appearance and attitude. But before going fire engine red or honey blonde, here is information that can help with deciding if a semi, demi or permanent color is the best option for you.

 

Add Depth

If you are seeking to add depth to your natural color, then a semi-permanent (rinse) is for you. It requires no mixing and lasts for approximately eight to 12 washes. Semi-permanents are great for adding red tones to brown hair. Two examples of semi-permanent color brands are Adore and Jazzing.

 

Add Degrees

For an intense, longer lasting color, select a demi-permanent. It’s ammonia-free, and lasts longer than a semi-permanent, while causing less damage than a permanent. Demi-permanents are healthy alternatives for covering grey and using immediately following a relaxer or permanent wave services.  Clairol Radiance is an example of a demi-permanent hair color.

 

Add Drama

Whether you decide to go fire red or jet-black, a permanent is the best option when selecting a color that is shades lighter or darker than your natural color. It is best to have permanent color applied by a professional stylist, to minimize the breakage and damage to your hair.

Revlon and L’Oreal Paris have permanent hair color options.

 

After any type of color service, defeat dryness and damage by utilizing a conditioning treatment such as Diva by Cindy Ultimate Treatment to balance the ph, seal the cuticles, and soften the hair.

 

Remember, hair coloring is a process that can bring about disastrous consequences if the right type is not selected, so chose wisely!

 

For more information on hair care or Diva by Cindy products, visit www.divabycindy.com or call 1-800-929-4057.

Natural Hair Care with oils

 

The human scalp naturally produces oil known as sebum which helps to reduce flakiness and

prevents hair from looking dull and dry. Application of oils to the hair and scalp should be done sparingly or in moderation. The main thing that black hair needs is moisture which needs to be replenished routinely to ensure healthy hair. That being said there are a variety of oil based products which promise to alleviate dryness and have been known to work. A few of these oils are Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and Argan Oil to mention a few. For years women have greased their scalps, bathed in oils and requested hot oil treatments or applied the oils to their hair. The objective was to relieve dryness and give dull dry hair a shine. Olive oil has superior penetrating power and is sometimes used in brilliantine hair dressings, emollients, eyelash oils , lipstick, nail polish removers, shampoos, face powder, anti wrinkle creams and massage oils. It is a pale yellow or greenish oil obtained from ripe olives grown around the Mediterranean Sea. Coconut oil is another oil which is contained in hair dressing products, soaps and shampoos. It lathers readily and is a great skin cleanser. Theobroma Cacao( Cocoa ) is used to make cocoa butter and is a solid fat expressed from the roasted seeds of the cocoa plant. It helps heal or fade stretch marks and scars and can also be used in haircare preparations.

Argania Spinosa ( Argan tree from Morocco) produces Argan oil. It has become a widely used oil in many products and has been widely marketed for cosmetic use as a Mo-

 

 

The Proper Use of Natural Oils and Their Purpose

By Cindy Tawaih (C.E.O. of Diva by Cindy Hair Products and Diva by Cindy Salon)

Cindy Tawaih

BNB magazine 2

Cindy Tawiah Diva by Cindy Hair Products Diva by

Cindy Salon 2009. Diva

by Cindy Hair Products

Cindy Tawiah is C.E.O. of Diva by Cindy Hair Products and Diva by Cindy Salon. After graduating college with a degree in Chemistry and working as a nurse for years, Cindy finally followed her dream to make beauty products for ethnic women. Diva by Cindy started in 2009 and it focuses manufacturing products infused with Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) and no alcohol, promoting healthy hair growth. Cindy strives to help prevent hair breakage, reduce shedding, and stimulate the scalp. While her products promote healthy hair growth, Cindy’ other projects promote helping others in need. Diva by Cindy strives to “inister through hair care”by providing support and help for women in tough situations. To learn more, visit www.divabycindy.com or www.facebook.com/divaby.cindy

Tel: (410)581-9337 Email: Cindy@divabycindy.com Website: www.divabycindy.com FaceBook: www.facebook.com/divaby.cindy

roccan oil. Argan oil contains Tocopherols (vitamin E) and is

also known for its healing properties.

Oils applied directly to hair can cause hair to become

weighed down and greasy. It can also lead to product

build up on the scalp which leads to flakiness and cause

the scalp to itch. The percentage of oil in quality hair care

product formulas is in minimal portions . These are very

light oils not as heavy as with the hot oil and olive oils.

These hair care formulations are also blended with proteins

, conditioners , and moisturizers which further reduces the

portions of oil .

Moisture is the key to healthy hair. After all when a plant is

dry and it is in soil we water it or hydrate it. We don’ pour

oil in the soil. Dry hair should be treated the same way using

products which help add or maintain moisture levels in

the hair. And if oils are used they should be done sparingly

and not as a matter of routine. Try putting a drop of oil on

a blank piece of paper and notice it spreads. Therefore

oil should be recommended for use in smaller doses and

quality hair care products containing these products can

be purchased and used. After all the goal for many of your

customers is to have healthy hair and to grow their hair.