Recently in Shampooing Category

I briefly talked about the new revolutionary products that Avlon launched for weave care named KeraCare® for Weaves and Extensions, but I wanted to dig a little deeper and talk about each of the three products in the line with a little more depth, as well as provide stylists with some interesting scientific evidence that Avlon recently stumbled upon.

As you may already know, the line features three items, the Gentle Cleansing Shampoo, the Hair & Scalp Nutritive Conditioner, and the Leave-In Conditioning Mist.

The first item in the system, The Gentle Cleansing Shampoo, is a gentle yet effective sulfate- and amide-free formula that removes residue from the hair, and eliminates dry, flaky skin and oily build-up from the scalp. Its been designed to nourish the client's natural hair, and add the lightest touch of conditioning to the commercial hair for body, shine, and tangle-free combability. Formulated with the phyto extract, Calendula, it moisturizes the hair and soothes the scalp.

The second item in the system, The Hair & Scalp Nutritive Conditioner, contains Calendula and an exclusive quaternium conditioning blend to keep the client's natural hair hydrated and in excellent health. The commercial hair is appropriately conditioned for exceptional shine and manageability, but not weighed down or coated with heavy conditioners. It also helps control the scalp challenges of weave and braid wearers. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and menthol provide a refreshing tingle as the scalp is exfoliated and sloughed, and they also aide in  triggering a healthy circulation of the scalp.

The third item, The Leave-In Conditioning Mist, beautifully prepares weaves and extensions for wet-to-dry styling, providing blow-dry protection to both natural and commercial hair. It detangles for effortless combing, and features a masterful blend of moisturizing silicones and quaternium conditioners to impart optimal hydration and silkening. Calendula was also integrated into the lightweight and anti-static formula as well as an aromatherapy fragrance to enhance your client's salon experience.

(From L-R; the Gentle Cleansing Shampoo, the Hair & Scalp Nutritive Conditioner, and the Leave-In Conditioning Mist)

Hair weaving and extension services are big business in professional hair care, literally, accounting for millions and millions of dollars in salon revenues. Indications are that the market will continue to grow as women opt for, at least on occasion, augmented hairstyles of varying lengths, colors and textures.

Up until now, expenditures have been concentrated in the sale of commercial hair and fees to stylists for performing these services. The care for weaved and extension styles, however, have been for the most part a disjointed affair - forcing weave wearers to search for a shampoo from one line, a conditioner from another line, and then a scalp care product from yet another.

During the shampooing of hair, a few processes are at work simultaneously, which are as follow:

1. While shampooing, physical abrasion of wet hair is being caused by rubbing movement of the fingers during the sudsing of the shampoo and the cleansing process. According to Okumura (1984), this rubbing action is responsible for cuticle damage or cuticle abrasion and the cuticles are chipped away from the surface of the hair.

2. Towel drying can also cause damage to the hair due to rubbing movements.

3. The detergents of the shampoo can slowly but gradually dissolve a small portion of the non-keratinous cell membrane complex and the endocuticles.