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Skin Biology Help and Index to Products and Information
See Also New Chapter The Truth About Hair Relaxers by Cassia McClain
Folligen Lotion and Folligen Solution Therapy Spray are used to restore scalp health after dyes, permanent waving and hair straighteners. The chemicals used for these purposes can be very damaging to the scalp and hair follicle. If damage is not repaired, eventually, these procedures can cause hair thinning and hair loss. Many women have reported that the use of Folligen Lotion after these procedures results in a much healthier looking hair and there is less hair shedding. Rub Folligen Lotion into your scalp at night time for the next 3 - 4 days to help restore scalp health. In cases where hair health has been severely damaged and much hair has been lost, it may take several months of Folligen treatments to recover hair growth, but hair health can usually be restored. Emu Oil May Also Help Within the past year, many of our customers have reported that the combination of Folligen's copper-peptides and emu oil often produce drastic reductions in hair loss and increased hair growth. Although emu oil is used by many for reducing hair loss in various parts of the world, in the USA FDA regulations discourage the marketing of emu oil for hair restoration. Recently, Dr. Michael Holick (Boston University Medical Center) reported a clinical study that found emu oil accelerated skin regeneration and also stimulated hair growth. He wrote -"The hair follicles were more robust, the skin thickness was remarkably increased...Also, we discovered in the same test that over 80 percent of hair follicles that had been 'asleep' were awakened, and began growing hair". Care of Hair Fibers Chemical and mechanical injuries to the hair or scalp can produce a number of different effects. Tight hairstyles, hot combs, hot oil treatments, and harsh use of hair blowers can all produce damage to the hair fiber. One should be aware of potential consequences when manipulating hair and to exercise caution. The typical chemicals used to alter hair include bleaches, dyes, relaxers, and agents used for permanents. Any of these chemicals can cause some degree of hair damage but, with care, most cosmetic products produce minimal unwanted side-effects. It is more difficult to repair damaged hair than to use gentler techniques that result in less damage to your hair. Some cosmetic products are partially beneficial in repairing damaged hair but normal quality of hair will return only after the production of new hair to replace the damaged fibers. Factors that damage hair include the normal "weathering" that occurs to the ends of long hairs that have been exposed to the environment for many years or exposure to chlorine from swimming pools. The apparent lightening of hair color noted to occur with individuals who have prolonged sun exposure during the summertime is an example of photochemical damage. As with other forms of damage, full reversal is often not possible.
Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry and Oily Hair Excessive shampooing is the main cause of damage to the hair shafts. The best shampoos for hair should be at a pH of 4.5 to 5.5(slightly acidic) which is the natural pH of the scalp and hair. This natural acid environment of the hair and scalp helps keep the hair proteins hard and prevents the growth of foreign bacteria. The natural hair and skin oils also help maintain scalp health. Shampoos of higher pH (more alkaline) work better to clean the hair and scalp but more alkaline shampoos strip away too many natural scalp oils and extract the "glues" that help hold the hair shafts together. Experts say that these high pH alkaline shampoos make your hair look great for a few weeks but then cause the hair to become dry and brittle which increases breakage of your hair. Also, avoid baby shampoos which are formulated for gentleness if they get in to the eyes but dry out the hair. Be careful of "clarifying shampoos". They are rather harsh and intended to remove materials that build up on hair such as mousses and sprays but they also can remove color and perms. Some hair experts recommend avoiding such shampoos and instead just mix, in your hand, plain baking soda from your kitchen with your normal shampoo and apply this to your hair to remove build up. The foaming of shampoos is often enhanced by "flash-foamers" but foaming means that too much shampoo was used and/or the shampoo is filled with foaming chemicals. Likewise, fragrances have no positive effect on shampoos. The test of a shampoo is what your hair looks like after using the shampoo for a week or two. Examine your hair's condition after this time. Does is seem healthy and easy to comb or is it hard to comb and limp looking? Also check to see if the hair becomes dry and if your scalp become itchy. If a shampoo doesn't work for you, try another brand. The cost of a shampoo is not generally related to quality but rather to advertising. Dry hair lacks enough natural oils. To shampoo, use a minimum amount of a mild and slightly acid shampoo. Do not over shampoo and do not repeat the shampoo application regardless of instructions. Cosmetic companies try to increase your use of their product. If your hair is very dry, only shampoo every two to three days. Our ancestors went months between hair washing and had healthy hair. Oily hair is more difficult to manage and shampoo. Oily hair looks moist, dull and is often difficult to comb. The fatty substance that covers oily hair called sebum is over produced by the sebaceous glands of the hair follicle. Sebum is rapidly is restored after washing the hair. More frequent washing with stronger, more soapy shampoos helps remove oil but damages the hair. Retinoic acid may be used to reduce oil production. Retinoic acid also stimulates hair growth and increases follicle health. But do not overuse the retinoic acid since this can result in scalp irritation. When finished, the shampoo should be completely rinsed from the hair to help bring the pH back down to its natural level. Also, the detergents in shampoos are very irritating to the scalp and must be completely removed. Most experts recommend using a shower for the most complete removal of the shampoo. Some shampoo manufacturers recommend that you comb through your wet hair to distribute the shampoo evenly into the hair. But wet hair is more easily broken way and you will only end up with worse hair.
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Conditioners to Re-glue Hair Cuticles
The
outer layer of hair forms cuticles somewhat like fish scales and is shown
in the picture to the left. A healthy strand of hair has an outer layer
of scales that are laying close above each other. If scales are laying
flat, the hair will look shiny, and a comb or brush will glide smoothly.
The cuticles are glued down by mixtures of polypeptides - similar to the
yellow liquid collagen glues used by schoolchildren (such as LePage's Glue).
Shampoos and soaps remove the glue(polypeptides) and loosen the cuticle.
High quality conditioners add small peptides back into the cuticle to glue
it into place again. A small amount of pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) is
also used which helps with the glue process. If the cuticle stays open
it can start a tear (see second photo at the left) in the hair shaft that
ultimately leads to breakage of the hair shaft (see third photo at the
left). High quality conditioners also help glue together split hair ends.
The longer you leave the conditioner on the hair, the better it smoothes
out the hair cuticle. Some manufacturers say only to condition for a few
seconds, but longer is better.
Many conditioners today
contain botanicals and herbal extracts such as extracts of juniper berries
and buckhorn leaves and so forth. These herbal extracts interfere with
the glue process and reduce the protective effects of the hair conditioners.
Combs with unpolished teeth, sharp hair clamps and tight elastic
bands can also disrupt the hair scales and produce damage. With such a
damage, the strand will rip more easily, the opened scales do not allow
other strands to glide over as smooth as before, which can result in tangles.
Conditioners should be
at a low pH of 4.0 to 4.5. The hair proteins remain very strong at a low
pH and shampoos - with their higher pH - should be completely rinsed out
of hair. Higher pH's start unraveling the protein strands which loosen and
break the hair. A small amount of fat is added to give the hair a better
shine.
Hot
oil treatment conditioners are the latest marketing ploy from the
cosmetic companies. The idea dates back to the 1950's when hot oil treatments
were first marketed by Alberto Culver. The basic idea is that the application
of heat drives the conditioners - oils, peptides, etc. - deeper into the
hair shaft and the hair looks better for a short time. However, the high
heat - about 250 degree F. from a hot air dryer - will ultimately damage
the hair follicles - which cannot take heat much about 120 degrees F. -
and the follicles will produce less hair and thinner hair.
Brushing Hair
Brushing is an essential part of healthy hair. Brushing helps keep the scalp healthy and improves the blood circulation which feeds the hair roots (follicles). It also helps distributes the natural protective fats along the length of the hair shafts. These fats serve as lubricants that allow smoother combing without breaking the hair shafts.
Morning brushing is best with a natural hair bristle brush which is similar to your hair structure and less likely to produce tangles on long hair. The brush should have a wooden base that reduces static electricity. If combing, start with a wide tooth tortoise shell comb. Never use a metal or rubber comb.
For brushing, stand with feet a little apart and bend down from your waist
until the hair falls in a curtain before your face. Then brush your hair
gently, starting from the hair roots at the nape of your neck and moving
toward the end of the hair. Follow each brush stroke with a stoke from
the open palm of your other hand to help counteract the build up of static
electricity. Slowly build up your brushing to 50 strokes a day.
Ordering
Information for All Skin Biology Products and Secure Order Form
Products based on GHK-Cu are marketed by AdviCare, American Crew, Amuchina (Europe), Atelier Esthetique, Bard Medical, BioPharm (Middle East), Creative Nail Design, Johnson & Johnson, Schering AG, Neutrogena, Osmotics, ProCyte, Sigmacon Medical Products (Canada) and Tanox Biosystems (Asia). These include products for Cosmetic Skin Renewal: Neutrogena Visibly Firm Night Cream®, Neutrogena Visibly Firm Eye Cream®, Neutrogena Visibly Firm Moisture Makeup®, Neutrogena Visibly Firm Eye Treatment Concealer®, Neutrogena Visibly Face Lotion®, Neutrogena Visibly Firm Body Lotion®, Visibly Firm Face Lotion SPF 20®, Blue Copper Firming Elasticity Repair®, Climate Extreme Body Repair with Copper Peptide®, Simple Solutions Pure Copper Skincare products (Pure Copper Night Renewal®, Pure Copper Morning Dew®, Ultra Copper Firming Serum®, Pure Copper Eye Repair®), Blue Razor Aftershave®, Neova® Eye Therapy, Neova® Night Therapy Creme®, Neova® Day Therapy, Neova® Body Therapy Lotion®, Neova® Cuticle Therapy, Neova® Antioxidant Therapy Serum with GHK Copper Peptide Complex(TM), Neova® Cuticle Therapy, Neova® Therapy Cleansing Bar, Neova® Therapy Mattifying Serum, Neova® Therapy Copper Moisture Mask®, Neova® After Shave Therapy and Neova® Body Scrub, for Veterinary Wound Healing: Iamin-Vet Skin Care Gel® and Iamin-Vet Wound Cleanser®. for Wound Healing: Iamin Gel Wound Dressing®, Iamin Impregnated Gauze Dressing®, Iamin Wet Dressing (copper-saline)®, Iamin-2 Hydrating Gel®, and Iamin Wound Cleanser®; for Hair Transplantation and improving the success of hair transplants: GraftCyte® Advanced Hair Restoration Technology: GraftCyte® Concentrated Spray, GraftCyte® Moist Dressings, GraftCyte® Hydrating Mist, GraftCyte® Post-Surgical Shampoo and Conditioner, and GraftCyte® Head Start Single Patient Pack; for Stimulation of Hair Growth and Hair Vitality: American Crew Revitalize Daily Shampoo®, American Crew Revitalize Spray Solution®, American Crew Revitalize Daily Conditioner®, American Crew Revitalizing Serum®, American Crew Revitalize Daily Moisture Shampoo®; Tricomin® Solution Follicle Therapy Spray, Tricomin® Revitalizing Shampoo, Tricomin® Restructuring Conditioner and Tricomin® Conditioning Shampoo; and for Post-Surgical Skin Healing after laser resurfacing, dermabrasion, and chemical peels: Complex Cu3® Intensive Repair Cream, Complex Cu3® Hydrating Gel, Complex Cu3® Post Laser Lotion, and Complex Cu3® Gentle Face Cleanser. In addition, human clinical studies of Pickart's inventions for bone healing and healing of intestinal irritations (Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Crohn's disease) have given positive results. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California at San Francisco. For details on copper-peptide tissue remodeling - see: www.skinbiology.com/copperpeptideregeneration.html.
Skin Biology is currently patenting and test marketing various products built around his new copper-peptides that are designed to possess greatly enhanced potency, strong breakdown resistance (and can be used with skin exfoliating hydroxy acids for more rapid skin renewal and for scar reduction), a longer duration of action, and very high adherence to skin. The first generation products designed around GHK-Copper performed well in many controlled tests; however, they failed in FDA clinical trials on the healing of difficult-to-heal human wounds. Dr. Pickart is of the opinion that this second generation of copper peptides should have a higher chance of success in difficult clinical trials.
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the effects of aging and damage on skin and hair and restore them to a younger and healthier condition. |