CleanLocs Science & Opinion | With Age Comes Wisdom....Highlights That Is. Wisdom Highlights.

Many clients ask about colouring their Locs. Surprisingly most want colour to cover greys, or as I like to call them, "Wisdom Highlights". Grey hair runs in my family with my grandfather having a full white head of hair by the time he was 30, my father was salt and pepper by the same age, and I started going grey at the age of 25. On my Earthstrong. SMH I freaked out a little bit but a few days later it really didn't bother me any more. Given I still have more melanated strands than not, they are there. And I let them be...

Erykah Gets Real: Tweets Pic of Natural Gray Hair

Once I noticed my silver sprouts I learned via a quick Google search that there is very little one can do to slow down the greying of one's hair. Going grey is more about loss than gain as it's simply the loss of that follicle's ability to produce enough melanin to pigment the strand.  As a result, naturally melanated people such as Blacks and Asians tend to have less grey hair. Highly melanated areas include eyes and pubic hair.

Melanin is produced by the pineal gland also known as the third eye which regulates the pituitary gland which secretes Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH). MSH then binds with Melanocyte-Receptors on the surface of pigmented or melanated cells, resulting in darkening the eyes, skin and hair. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone as well as vitamin D from the sun can trigger and activate melanin production. At the end of each hair growth cycle some of the melanin production of the hair shuts off in the "dying" phase. When the cycle starts over and new hair is growing in, if the production of melanin doesn't turn back on, the strand will be grey.

 Naturally occurring anti-oxidant enzymes protect the melanocytes from being damaged however. In theory if the melanocytes remain undamaged, the hair will stay melanated. The top two things which we are rumoured to have control over are stress and smoking. Otherwise, your genes will decide your fate when it comes to how snowy your roof gets. So quit smoking and lighten up if you really want to keep that melanin glowing for years to come! 

Recently Erykah Badu a.k.a. "MyGirl" revealed herself and all her wonderfully wise wisps to the world embracing the natural and beautiful aging process that we will all come to experience. 

How do you feel about your Wisdom Highlights? Are you inclined to dye them? If so why? If you have embraced your Sexy Silver Strands what gave you the courage and frame of mind to do so? Share in the comments below! 

CleanLocs Knowledge | Does Your Shampoo Cause Cancer?

Last year, The Centre for Environmental Health, based in Oakland California released a list of almost one hundred different shampoos that are likely to contain carcinogenic ingredients. Namely Cocamide DEA.  

350ml available at Shoppers Drug Mart for about $9

The chemical in question is coached DEA, which is a chemically modified form of coconut oil often used as a thickener, or to cause suds. While this additive derives from Coconut, because it has been tampered with, it does not have the same properties or benefits as virgin coconut oil. 

After learning this, it is not surprising that a number of brands frequently used by melanated peoples are on this list including Carol’s Daughter, Creme of Nature, Trader Joe’s and Luster’s Pink anything. 

Now the knowledge seeker in me, forces me to ask if it is a  coincidence that it is often suggested to melanated people that they need to add something to their hair in order for it to be “accepted”. And if it is a further coincidence that these same products have known carcinogens in them. The Devil’s Advocate will say that the same cancer causing ingredient is in the other 90% of the products tested. But, hey, this makes for good conversation does it not? 

Check out the article below for more information 

Illegal Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Nearly 100 Well-Known Shampoo Brands

You may have thought that the worst thing your shampoo could do to you is to sting your eyes, but it turns out that your shampoo could be deadly. The Center for Environmental Health based in Oakland, California, performed a study on shampoos and soaps and found that 98 included a possible carcinogen known as cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA).

One brand that did not make it on the list was a favourite of CleanLocs clients. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. This highly efficient formula is especially designed to remove excess oils, product, and buildup from other free radicals and overall life. It is also fairly inexpensive at approximately $10-12 per bottle. And, a large 946ml bottle will last you about a year. My Locs touch my hips, and I only go through two bottles a year. Sounds like just what your Locs need right!?

While this shampoo does not lift and remove lint, it does a remarkable job of removing left over oils, product, shampoo and dust etc. that may cause dullness. It also smells very pleasant, is not overpowering, and leaves your Locs smelling amazing until your next wash! It's the best thing to use, to #GetTheGunkOut!

Regular weekly washing with a great shampoo like Neutrogena Anti-Residue is the best way to start your journey to Clean Locs! Washing 2-3 times a week is recommended for those with an active lifestyle! 

You Don't Need To Put Anything In Your Hair. Ever. And It's Finally Catching On...

Sometimes, if you're not popular, people need to hear it from a different source....

The article below pretty much sums up my ENTIRE philosophy over the last 5 years. In fact it was almost as if I'd written it myself.

When I started CleanLocs 5 years ago there was nothing online about cleaning Locs outside of a few people who had talked about ACV rinses. What I was preaching nobody was not being addressed. CleanLocs is the first Loctitian dedicated solely to keeping your Locs healthy and clean!

I've seen it time and time again, where the client is using way too much (of everything) because that is what they did before, "thats what my Loctitian told me" or they were not given any guidance at all. That on top of  poor washing techniques leads to heavy, dusty, frizzy, dry scalp and Locs. As a result Locs get treated the same way as loose hair does. This is a problem for a myriad of reasons, the main one being that our needs are unique, and requires an approach that is equally specific. 

The effects of using copious amounts of Shea Butter, Coconut Oils, and other products

Now, I understand that I'm but a humble Loctitian on some "your hair doesn't need oils and butters" crazy talk.......but peep the article for 7 reasons that support the #CleanLocs philosophy to Loc Maintenance

7 Reasons Why You Need to Stop Using Coconut Oil & Shea Butter On Your Hair

VISIT: Third SERVICE: SteamWash'n'Loc w/LocDetailing ISSUE: Doesnt Like Doing Her Hair QUOTE: "I get my sister to pretend to be MissNiya....Aint nobody got time for that. You can't duplicate it"

Because I only deal with Locs, I have literally looked at them almost every day for 5 years. Investigating, researching, building, learning, discovering and innovating ways to address the issue of heavy, lifeless, lint laden locs. Over time I have logged over 5000 hours elbow deep in Locs. This gives CleanLocs a unique observational advantage. 

If you're a current client of mine, please drop a line below and tell us about your CleanLocs experience and what life is like once you've made it past your withdrawal phase of being product free. I ask you to leave a note because I can preach all day but it is YOU the client, the one who has actually gone through my process who can attest to product free, lint free, gunk free, itch free Locs with supple roots that have a clear curl pattern.

#CleanLocs Testimonials | Janiece | Aug 22 2015

Although Janiece takes very good care of her Locs, she had just about had it with the lint situations that have taken over the ends of her Locs. I can't believe I didn't get a before shot because the difference in the look and feel of her tresses after just one SteamWash'n'Loc session and 2hrs of detailing is amazing. Janiece's Locs are much softer, lighter and a lot less lint!

    *~ : : Stay Tuned For A FULL TESTIMONIAL From Janiece : : ~*

#CleanLocs Commercials | No Product. No Clips. No Time Under The Dryer

Often clients are perplexed by the idea that we retwist and interloc without any additional product. Just your Locs own natural oils and science.

Visit #CleanLocs to #GetTheGunkOut....#Since2010

#CleanLocs Styles

Any Style. Any Length. Always $45! Get a Colour & Style for $100 flat ALL SUMMER

CleanLocs | Why You Should Wash Your Locs

When perusing Loc blogs and the like, a question that is often asked when starting out is how frequently to wash your NewLocs if even at all. I'm not sure how this rumour got started that you should not clean your hair in order for Locs to form, but I would really like to ask that they stop perpetuating this myth. You MUST, I repeat MUST MUST wash your Locs!

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In everyday terms, Locs are fomed by creating a bunch of random knots with a bunch of random threadlike hairs and each loc can have a few hundred hairs.  If your hair is not clean there is a slick layer of oil and/or sebum on it. Now, something that is oily is usually slippery, and something that I'd slippery is generally more difficult to create knots with. Therefore the dirtier your hair, the less chance of knots forming or any tangling action, and definitely less chance, and longer time for Locs to form.

MIXED-RACE CLIENT WITH UNRAVELING LOCS

Sometimes I hear "my hair texture is different" and so this or that person feels they need to avoid washing so that the new Locs don't unravel. You might want to get a pen and paper for this next part; all new Locs unravel. LOL! Especially so for mixedrace hair, trust me I'm mixed with everything you can think of and "they" told me my hair would never Loc, because of the texture. But I tried my best to leave it alone, I washed it once a week, and in 4mos I was official.

Think of your new Locs like a plant, a mighty tree with strong roots. It is a cultivation. It requires, care, patience and a positive attitude. Your hair needs to be clean so that your scalp can get the oxygen and sunlight it needs to grow, and so that the hairs have enough "grip" to form the knots that create your Loc shaft. It takes time. 

After having all kinds of gunk put into his Locs and being advised not to wash his hair for a few months, check out this client's testimonial below talking about his SteamWash'n'Loc experience after 2months of not washing. 

CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO

CleanLocs Testimonial | Debunking Myths

Bad advice is like the common cold. It's everywhere and you can get it from anyone, but who of those people are in charge of your locs?

At Cleanlocs we try to spread the #NaturalSolution message near and far. No gunky products and yes it's ok to regularly wash your locs. Not only do you get a thorough loc cleaning service but also more knowledge on how to care for them. Niya is always excited to answer all the question you can find for her so let them rip. #AskCleanLocs