The Northwest Scents Blog

Question: How often do you recommend that someone can safely press their hair? Weekly? Every 2 weeks? or How often?

Answer: I recommend that you only press your hair after washing it. If you wash your hair weekly, then I would press weekly after washing. If you wash twice a month, then I would press bimonthly, after doing your hair. Pressing in moderation is fine, but when it is done too frequently, or at too high of a temperature, it will take a toll on the hair. If you have time, we have some more tips for hair pressing at http://www.pressing-hair.info. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Question: I need u to give me tips on how i can grow my hair VERY LONG and please tell me what to do and what to use.

Answer: Hi. You didn't tell me exactly how you are wearing your hair now, so I will give some general tips which you can use for growing longer hair.

For most people, hair growth comes when they stop doing the things to their hair that are causing breakage. For us as black people, it is not that our hair doesn't grow, the problems we face with our hair are usually due to doing too much to our hair. The things that we do usually cause hair damage, which causes hair breakage. For example:

If you are using chemical treatments of any type (relaxers, texturizers, dyes, etc.) I would recommend that you stop using them. Chemical treatments work by altering the natural structure of your hair. This causes the hair to weaken over time. For some people it happens right away. Others don't see the damage until years later, and by then it is often irreversible. So, if you are wearing chemical treatments, my advice is to stop them.

If you are using synthetic hair, such as braids with extensions, or weaves, I would recommend that you avoid those too. They tend to cause hair damage by adding weight to the hair shaft, which can cause the hair to be pulled out.

If you use heat on your hair, be moderate with it. Don't use your flat iron or pressing comb or curling iron every day. And when you do use a heated styling too, don't turn it up to the highest temperature. Heated styling tools work by temporarily altering the protein bonds in our hair. But if the temperature is too high, the changes become permanent, they weaken the hair, and they cause it to break off.

Do use shampoos and conditioners and oils that are moisturizing and gentle. Avoid sulfates in your shampoos (these are very drying and can cause the hair to become brittle), and avoid mineral oil and petrolatum in your conditioners and hair oils. Mineral oil and petrolatum can actually cause the hair to dry out. They coat the hair shaft (instead of being absorbed into it) and prevent other moisturizers from penetrating the hair shaft, causing dryness.

Be patient with your hair. Learn to love it for what it is. Not everyone can or will have floor length hair. Give your hair time to grow to its maximum length, and nurture it the best that you can.

Question: Is it safe to press colored treated hair? - I was thinking about pressing my hair, but not straight. I just want to loosen up some of my hair, because it feels so thick at the roots. I know too much heat is not good for any type of hair. I was just going to press my hair only after I wash it, like my mom use to do when I was a child. Thanks!!

Answer: I wouldn't recommend pressing hair that has been treated with a permanent color. If what you are looking for is loosening the roots, I would recommend using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and detangling your hair in the shower when it is wet and saturated with conditioner, and loosely braiding your hair while it dries to keep the roots looser. I've got tips for how to do this at http://nwscents.com/pages/How-To-Detangle-Your-Hair.php

Question: Can towels cause hair breakage?

Answer: It depends on how you use them. The best way to use a towel after washing your hair is to blot your hair to remove excess moisture. The towel may cause breakage if you rub your hair dry with it. Blotting is best. Microfiber towels are an option. Towels made from microfiber are supposed to absorb more moisture than regular towels, which in turn helps your hair to dry faster.

Question: My hair is natural and I want to press it. I have used everything to press it and nothing holds the press. What should I use?

Answer: There are a couple of things that might affect how well your hair holds a press. These are:

1. The quality of the tool that you are using. I recommend using an electric pressing comb or a true-ceramic flat iron with a temperature regulator. These allow you to control the temperature while you are pressing.

2. The products you use on your hair before you press your hair. Believe it or not, the shampoo and conditioner you use on your hair before you press your hair will affect the ability of your hair to hold a press. If you are using a shampoo that is drying to the hair, and either not using conditioner, or using one that doesn't properly moisturize and condition your hair, it is much harder to get a decent press, and your hair will revert. I recommend that you try our products (http://www.nwscents.com) to see if they help you in this area.

3. The products that you use on your hair while you are pressing your hair. I recommend using a natural hair oil as a heat protectant when you press your hair. I would avoid alcohol-based sprays (heat protectants which contain SD alcohol or grain alcohol). These are drying to the hair.

For more tips on pressing, visit our site at http://pressing-hair.info