Conditioning Hair

1. Conditioning Hair

2. Conditioning Hair and Scalp Conditioning is a very beneficial part of a hairdressing treatment Conditioning improves the visual appearance of the hair by making it shiny Conditioning also improves the manageability of the hair which aids all other treatments

3. Preparing the hair for conditioning Carry out a thorough consultation before you begin to shampoo or condition the hair Once you have gowned the client and completed the consultation you are ready to choose the correct products to suit the clients hair and scalp

4. Types of conditioning products There are many different types of conditioners, but they fall into two main categories Surface conditioners Penetrating conditioners

5. Surface Conditioners Most surface conditioners usually come in cream form and work on the cuticle of the hair They smooth and coat the cuticle region making the hair look shiny and manageable Surface conditioners do not have the ability to go past the cuticle region and therefore cannot enter the cortex or re-strengthen the hair Where a surface conditioner is described as an anti oxy it can also be used after chemical treatments when its function is threefold

7. Anti oxy surface conditioners It stops the chemicals working any further (creeping oxidation) It closes and smoothes the cuticle region of the hair shaft making the hair shiny It returns the hair to its natural pH value (4.5 – 5.5)

8. Penetrating and Treatment Conditioners Penetrating conditioners work on the internal structure of the hair in the cortex because they have the ability to penetrate the cuticle region Some have the ability to temporarily rebuild the bonds in the cortex region which give the hair its strength and elasticity If the hair has become dry or chemically damaged these conditioners will add moisture to help improve the overall look and feel of the hair

9. Penetrating and Treatment Conditioners There are two types of penetrating conditioners Restructurant or protein conditioners Moisturising conditioners, used to add moisture to dry hair and help scalp problems If the hair is badly damaged you may need to recommend a course of penetrating treatments to your client

11. Scalp Treatments Treatment conditioners are usually 2 or 3 stage treatments involving a shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment from a particular product range Some scalp treatments claim to be able to help regulate the production of sebum from the sebaceous glands helping with excessive grease problems They also claim to be successful when treating excessively dry scalp problems by helping to increase the production of oil from the sebaceous glands

12. Scalp Treatments Dry scalps can also benefit from moisturising treatments such as hot oil treatments Regular moisturising treatments will benefit a dry scalp and help alleviate dandruff and some milder forms of psoriasis

13. Massage techniques for conditioning There are 2 main massage techniques used for conditioning hair Effleurage Petrissage

14. Effleurage A smoothing stroking action performed with firm but gentle movements of the hands and finger tips It improves the skin functions soothes and stimulates nerves and relaxes tensed muscles

15. Petrissage Deeper circular needing movement used to break down adhesions or fatty congestions in the skin. It assists the elimination of waste products and the flow of nutrients to the tissues of the skin and muscles

16. Applying scalp massage Scalp massage stimulates grease production and loosens skin, scale and dirt from the pores . If the scalp is very dirty shampoo before and after the massage The duration of the massage depends on the client

17. Using Steamers Steamers are commonly used to apply moist heat to the skin and hair during a conditioning treatment When you place the steamer over the clients head steam is able to flow around the hair which expands and softens this helps conditioners pass through the cuticle and penetrate into the cortex Always check manufacturers instructions prior to using a steamer

18. Climazone Climazones use radiated light and heat, they can be used for deep penetration of conditioning treatments Like steamers they help the hair absorb conditioners and so reduce the processing time