If you plan on spending a lot time at the pool this summer, beware, chlorine can be especially damaging to natural and chemically treated hair. Frequent exposure can weaken the hair shaft causing split ends and breakage. Experts recommend a good leave in conditioner prior to hitting the water. The best way to protect your hair is with leave-in conditioner, a leave-in conditioning treatment prevents hair from absorbing chlorine and other harming pool agents. Wash hair after swimming and be sure to use a good moisturizer to restore natural balance.

If you prefer to hit the beach instead you might want to take a few precautions, especially if you have color treated hair "Excessive amounts of salt water can make (color-treated) hair change colors and look dull," Wash hair with a Color Revival Shampoo. It cleans hair without stripping color and leaves behind a protective layer of silicone to protect hair from damage. Most Color Revival Complete Therapy Conditioner is packed with UV filters and antioxidants to protect hair color from fading. For deep conditioning, try a Deep Moisture Masque for Color-Treated Hair to restore luster.

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Hair is the Thing For African American Women in South Carolina

"Your hair is your crowning glory." Many South Carolina women have heard this phrase growing up. Strong healthy hair is often considered a testament of good health and prosperity. It is very important that you care for your hair just as you would care for any other part of your body. Contrary to popular belief African American hair is not as strong as one may think; actually it is more delicate than Caucasian hair. African American hair grows in a tight coiled spiral pattern, it is much like a thread wound around a coil and when it is combed out or loosened it appears to have more volume and strength.

In South Carolina, many African American women turn to chemical relaxers and heat applications such as the hot comb and most recently flat irons. What most people do not realize is that these chemical and heat styling appliances can cause significant damage to African American hair. It is important that you wash and condition your hair every two weeks, trim split ends regularly and deep condition once a month.


South Carolina Hair Styles

There are so many different styling options available to African American women today. One of the most popular styles among young African American women is called the "up do". The up do consists of having extra hair, added to their own natural hair to create what some would consider a work of art or as they are sometimes referred to a crown. This particular style requires the hair to be chemically relaxed and smoothed down with a styling gel or spritz, then additional pieces or wefts of hair are added and intricately curled and pieced together using hairpins create a unique style.

The short hair cut has made a comeback. In the late 80's Halle Berry's short cropped hair was imitated nationwide. In South Carolina a new variation of an old standard has emerged. The new short cuts are jazzier and include color and precision styling techniques. The weave or hair extensions will always be popular, especially for those women who want to change their style without damaging their natural hair.

The most popular style for South Carolina is the wrap set or doobie. This particular style was made popular by Dominican Hairstylists and promotes healthy hair because it requires you to keep your hair well conditioned and trimmed on a regular basis. The best part of a wrap set is that you have the option of keeping your hair wrapped until you are ready to comb it out.

How to Wrap Hair

There are two ways to wrap your hair depending on the style you are looking to achieve. One style is called the Sleek Wrap and is requires the following:

Step 1: Shampoo and condition your hair and apply setting lotion
Step 2: Use your comb and comb/wrap your hair around in a beehive or
circle, blending the hair together all around your head
Step 3: Secure where you hair joins with hair clips, or you can place a
wrap strip around your head to secure your hair in place
Step 4: Dry your hair under a hooded dryer, remove clips or wrap strip and comb and style.

Another Way to Wrap is With a Roller Set

To do the roller wrap set, also know as the doobie, you will need to roller set your hair, dry it under a hooded dryer, take the rollers out, and then comb/brush your hair around in a wrap). Keep it wrapped for at least an hour or two, when you comb it down, you will have large bouncy curls with lots of body.

Looking for a new Hair Salon or Stylist? Click on any Region on our map above, or click on www.Classifieds.sc, or www.Directory.sc.

Also, visit www.Hair.sc for all of your South Carolina Hair Care needs.