HAIR POWER

Coloring hair can cause it to become dry, dull and brittle, but certain antioxidants may offer substantial protection.

 A study done at Dong-Eui university in South Korea, exposed hair samples to hydrogen peroxide or ammonia ingredients found in many permanent hair dyes.

By treating the hair with procyanidins-flavanoid reduced the surface damage and protien breakdown and increased hair strength.

Some of the most powerful  procyanidins are found in, moringa oil,grape seed oil, cocoa seeds,acai oil, elm green tea and blueberry extract.

Procyanidins have been found to promote hair growth in cases of balding, they may also protect hair against oxidative stress from straighting treatments,sunlight and aging
Antioxidants are extremely beneficial in the prevention of hair loss as well as stimulating new, healthy hair growth,” says Kosia of Kosia Naturals.

Always look for hair products that contain antioxidants like Growth & Repair Serum from Kosia Naturals which contains botanicals and  herbs, all rich in antioxidants to promote healthier scalp and hair.

Although the best option will be to skip coloring all together, that will leave a lot of us pulling the grey out, not recommended, or a bunch of women walking around feeling very unhappy and the world will not be able to handle that :).

So lets start by using products that help our stands!!. 

Simplify your Blow Dry

The perfect Blow-out no longer need fall into the once-and-a-while category. Necessity or treat, it can seem difficult nonetheless but with the right magic touch you, too can be a master of the trick, creating the illusion of flawless fairy tale locks.

Having the right tools are important. A professional hair dryer is a must, it will cut your drying time in half. Also some round brushes and hair clips

Having the right product is crucial. If you’re lacking a smooth, lustrous finish so sought after when it comes to your coiffed do, or perhaps the health element appears to be wearing thin as you fear the heat is frying away the shine blow by blow, your hair and scalp are crying out for some Moringa Oil!

This hidden secret of a liquid pumps out of a tiny bottle with a nutty and natural, earthy yet yummy scent and glides along the strand and soaks into the follicle for a healing, perfecting effect this is the oil that is infused in De-Puff "the name saids it all". Turning to this product brought to you from the ends of the earth and into your home – originally derived from the Moringa Tree in Africa and packaged just outside of New York City, it can now be yours forever – what a find. Visit www.kosianaturals.com as well as opensky.com and amazon.com to peruse the product and other brand selection.

So how to best use the wonder drug? First things first, try washing out the dirt and sealing in nutrients to create a great base to work with before going into your style.

Keep in mind if you start it off right and proceed with caution, a good blow out incorporating the correct ingredients – such as helpful product that isn’t cheaply stocked with junky contents that just clog up and coat your strands (simply adding more to the mess to combat!) well, a good blow out can actually last quite a few days. If oil does build up, keep in mind this is good! And patting a tiny amount of baby powder at the roots will not only solve the problem but also add extra body!

Here we go. For shampoo and conditioner, turn to the Growth & Repair line by Kosia Naturals. With a goal to preserve your natural oils and create a foundation for healthy hair, repairing  and encouraging healthy circulation while rebuilding with tea tree oil and increasing hair’s resistance to breakage is all composed in this bottle retailing for $18.99 each. There is also a serum offered at $27.99 to amplify the moisture content, sustain follicles, prevent hair loss, and pump up shine.

Now, get out of the shower and get the water out; it will be easier to dry in an attempted professional manor if you start with hair that is not soaked and completely wet. Aim for a damp start by towel drying your hair. To prevent breakage, do not wring it out but do so in a more pat-like manor.

Now let’s coat the hair; start with the ends and work your way up the shaft. Be cautious as to apply a small amount – for serums think of a dime opposed to a handful of goop. You don’t need much but make sure to get every piece lightly coated. Comb it through and get ready to section.

Sectioning your hair is key. Divide and use clips and ponytails to keep wet pieces away from the area you are working on. One above the other helps manage the blow as you can release bit by bit from the bottom.

Shooting air at the root and working down, use your fingers to loosen hair and create ease. Pull it away from your neck and create a small amount of tension. Using your fingers will help you get closer to the root than a brush can.

Next, pull out another handy tool that should be in your styling kit: the round-barreled brush. With nozzle of dryer aimed downward onto brush, roll it through the hair applying heat directly to the brush.

Patience is a virtue and comes into play when drying your hair. This may sound tedious, but drying until all strands are completely dry is a must, otherwise the hair will succumb to the wavy, perhaps frizzy temptation and counteract all your hard work.

Finishing by weaving your fingers through your now-bounced hair with a very tiny amount of Growth & Repair Serum already on your fingers will add that perfect luster to the look. Pulling the hair together at the back, as if gathering it together while your hands still have a tad of oil remnant (location: where a low pony would fall) will slick any fly-aways down and smooth it all down. Release and it will softly fall back into place around your face.

And that’s that! Visit www.kosianaturals.com for more on the recommended product line and get blowing!

How to have healthy hair

Our hair and nails are very useful as "barometers of health".  Hair can become thin, dull and lifeless due to overuse of chemicals, heat and styles that cause tension and inadequate diet. The attention and money that is spent on our hair is a waste if we do not eat well and get enough sleep.

Hair only needs to be washed once or twice a week and not anymore. I know a lot of you are probably thinking there is no way I can do that. Many of you complain that your hair needs to be washed frequently to remove grease and other pollutants. But really the truth is too much washing makes dry hair drier and oily hair oilier.

One of the best way to to ensure thick, healthy hair is to use lukewarm water when shampooing and cold water for the final rinse. Follow these tips to help improve your hair's length, body and shine.

1. Find a natural or organic shampoo and conditioner that is free of sulphates and parabens.
2. Wash your hair once or twice a week (trust me just try)
3. While your hair is wet use a wide tooth comb and not a brush to comb your hair since hair is very elastic at this point and can be damaged by rough handling.
4. Use the best hair brushes you can afford. Pure bristle brushes are the best (remember to wash your brushes once a week).
5. Regularly massage your scalp. Thus increases blood flow to your hair follicles and greatly improves condition of your hair.
6. Brush your hair (30-40x) for normal to fine hair and (20-30x) if you have oily hair.
7. Find a great serum like kosia naturals growth and shine serum  which has a blend of  moringa , argan or camellia oils just to name a few) and give your hair a deep treatment once a week,or when you feel your hair needs it.

Hope you fall in love with your hair again. xo

What Causes Hair Loss

What Causes Hair Loss

Hair is a filament-containing bio material that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Proteins, accounting for 91% of composition, raw  elements, amino acids and bonds work together in forming hair fiber and  make up chains found within the cortex of the hair.

Your hair says a lot about your overall health. When the body goes into crisis mode, hair growth is stunted to redirect energy to other cells throughout the body. So hair loss is often times the first sign of trouble. While age is definitely a factor of hair loss, other factors, such as hormonal imbalance, emotional stress, medications and hair care products can also lead to thinning of the hair and even male pattern baldness. The best way to get to the root of the problem is to determine the underlying cause.

Causes of Hair Loss

Emotional Stress.

This causes the body to produce an accelerated amount of adrenaline and testosterone, in addition to  DHT, a stronger variant of testosterone. The increased production of these hormones can sometimes cause the hair to fall out due to the resulting hormone imbalance. So Relax!!

Hair Loss after Pregnancy.

I get this question asked a lot: “Kosia, my hair is falling out in clumps in the shower and I have all these short pieces around my hairline; please tell me it will come back. Relax! of course it will - remember your hormones are in disarray after that precious baby you just had. Once everything is back to normal it will re-grow naturally after a few months.

Medications.

A variety of medications can result  in hair loss for women. Perhaps the most common is birth control so check the side effects of your medication to see if that is a contributing factor.

Extreme Hair care.

 We all take pride in our hair; coloring, blow drying, the usage of flat irons, curling irons and hot rollers, tight pony tails holders, etc.

If it can not be avoided make sure you give your hair a break from it and regularly give your hair a hot oil treatment or a conditioning treatment with natural products.

We should also stop or limit the use of aerosol sprays, styling gels, chemical straighteners and dyes that not only damage the hair follicles, but also cause irritation of the scalp. If you're experiencing hair loss as result of extreme hair care, your first order of business is to ditch the products that are damaging your hair. If hair growth is not restored within a few months, treatment may be necessary.

Healthy hair maintenance should be a proactive and not a reactive practice.  Do not wait until the hair is extremely damaged before seeking the help.

People that can help.

Endocrinologist : hormonal 

Dermatologist : scalp infections, auto immune conditions like alopecia. 

Nutritionist : adjusting an improper diet can prevent future problems and improve overall quality of hair.

Cosmetologist ( Stylist): hair and scalp conditions.

Homeopath: a homeopath will address any emotional stress leading to hair loss. Homeopathic remedies are noninvasive and have zero side effects. 

Acupuncturist: acupuncture will stimulate points of energy in the body; they will combine bodywork with herbal remedies to restore lost hair and prevent future loss.

Hair care 101.

I want you to stop reading now; go to wherever you keep your, brushes, combs, blow dryer… and all styling aids. Ok! Now let’s make sure they are clean. First make sure the vent at the back of your hair dryer is unclogged as when it is, it makes the dryer very hot which is not good. Cleaning your tools can prevent irritations caused by unclean items. In addition, cleaning your heated tools will prevent the hair from smelling like burned hair that often occurs during at home use.

Alright; next tip: massaging your scalp with shampoo and conditioner. Do this for about 40 seconds before washing it out. If you have oily hair, repeat the process once more (with the shampoo, not the conditioner). When you massage the top of your head, the circulation increases and it also helps prevent dandruff. Use a sulfate and paraben free shampoo.

Try to wash your hair on the coolest setting that is comfortable or at least try giving it a final rinse of cool water. This seals the hair cuticles (the outermost layer of the hair shaft) and locks in moisture, making it shinier. Hotter water may be used occasionally to wash hair – especially if you have very oily or dirty hair. Either way, try rinsing in the coolness for the finale.

Note: if you can, try not to wash your hair every day, as this will strip your hair of its natural oils. 

Pour conditioner into your hand and rub from the tips of your hair to the roots. If you want softer and silkier looking hair, leave the conditioner in your hair for a few minutes before you rinse it off.

Avoid wringing your hair with a towel after you get out of a shower. Wet hair is more fragile, and wringing it could cause your hair strands to break of fall out. In addition, avoid brushing your hair while wet. Wet hair is stretchier and has a tendency to break for this reason as well. Also, don’t brush too much; get a wide tooth comb and use it lightly. When you do brush, try a natural bristle brush like a boar bristle brush. These brushes distribute oils throughout your hair to make it softer and shinier. 

An excellent idea is mixing in oils to your conditioner, such as Moringa Oil, or demo Kosia Naturals Growth and Repair serum which has a combination of oils best mixed to repair your hair with intensive treatment. Leave this serum on for 1 to 2 hours then rinse thoroughly; you can also light shampoo and condition afterwards. Your hair will thank you!

Don’t forget: go easy on styling products. Styling products can dry your scalp so try not to use often. If you must, make sure to apply product directly to the strand near the ends and not the scalp. Also limit styling to under four times a week.

Keep in mind: accessories are great. Clips and barrettes can compliment beautiful hair! Elastics come fabric covered as well, which prevent breakage and tangles.

Eat healthy foods that will kep your hair strong and lustrous; essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 fatty acids, promote healthy skin, hair and nails. You should eat some of these foods every day… salmon, tuna, mackerel – these fish fall into this category as well as flax seed oil, soybean oil, mustard oil and tofu. Sunflower sees, pine nuts, brazil nuts, pecans, walnuts and almonds are also great. Vitamins B-6, B-12, and folic acid are also important to your hair. You can always take a multivitamin to get more of these nutrients, but you can also add foods rich in these vitamins to your diet!

Vitamin B-6 can be found in bananas, potatoes, both white and sweet, and spinach; Vitamin B-12 can be found in meat, poultry, fish and dairy products. Folic acid can be founds in citrus fruits, tomatoes, whole grain and fortified grain products, beans and lentils. Plant based oils, including evening primrose, borage and black currant seed oil, are good sources of gamma linolenic acid. Eating protein also promotes healthy hair, so include fish, chicken, eggs and/or soy into your meal.

love yourself

Oiling Your Hair

A long time tradition that works wonders

Hair is associated with strength and beauty in some cultures where a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. In today's world , I have never met a woman who did  not have some concerns about their hair, whether its the length,dryness, thining, color etc, they are all in search for a solution to their hair drama!

So what is the secret to beautiful hair? The age old tradition of oiling.Before there was all these  hair products, anti frizz serums loaded with silicone, oiling your hair and scalp was the only secret to beautiful healthy locks and did wonders for the hair. With many people the thought of applying oil to their hair will make them cringe, because they associate the application of oil with ‘being greasy.’ Nothing could be more untrue. Hair treatments using oil provide deep conditioning and help cleanse micro dust particles that cause dandruff, irritation, infections and even certain types of alopecia or hair loss. Also, applying oil to the scalp promotes relaxation, a process which is important for thick, healthy hair since it improves scalp circulation.

What Oils are Best For Your Hair?

 Moringa oil  high in antioxidants, it also contains antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties that help with scalp conditions and promotes healthy hair growth.
 Coconut oil  is a great nutrition for hair. It helps in promoting  healthy and frizz free hair and acts as an excellent conditioner that aids in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair.
Argan oil   properties effectively repairs damaged hair – whether from chemicals or the natural elements, it can increase hair growth, solving problems with balding. There are many varieties of these oils so make sure to identify the pure organic products or buy a blend with all the oils to save money and having less products on your shelf.
 Amla oil is used to maintain natural hair color and  prevent premature graying.

How to Condition Your Hair with Oil

The process is not too difficult. Massage a small amount of  oil into your scalp, Comb out to the ends of the hair. You can apply  a hot towel to help the oil penetrate into your scalp and individual hair shafts. Leave the oil in for at least an hour or up to overnight, but make sure you cover your pillow with a towel if you plan on going to bed with it. Wash your hair out,with an organic shampoo that will cleanse but not strip your hair of all the goodness. You will be amazed at the look and feel of your beautifully conditioned now healthy hair.

love yourself...........Kosia Naturals