How to Care for your Hair Enhancement!

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When you wear a human hair enhancement (full or partial), you need to know how to take care of it! The “non-growing” hair is not living, so there are a few extra steps that can be difficult to remember. Whether you wear it more permanently or temporarily with clips or tape, caring for your enhancement is important when it comes to the longevity of the piece as well as your happiness with your investment!

At HPIHair, we don’t let you leave our salon without understanding how to care for your hair. We will take you through this step by step process to show you it’s not as hard as it may seem. If you’ve had a hair addition for a while and have fallen off the hair care wagon, consider this a helpful reminder. If you’re new to wearing hair and never knew how to properly take care of it, the following instructions will restore your enhancement help to maintain it for a long time.

Man Feeling His Hair

TIPS FOR CARE:

Shampooing

  • Always shampoo your non-growing hair on head or attached to a form using a chin strap to hold in place as well as T-pins around perimeter. Shampoo twice a week if worn constantly and one time a week if seldom worn. Shampooing ensures the hair is kept clean and moisturized which is the key to longevity.
  • ALWAYS Keep hair flowing in its natural direction (do not rub or scrub in circular motions) to avoid tangling and inverting into cap. Wet hair well with warm water from scalp to ends and lather a nickel to quarter size amount of shampoo (massaged in hands) from scalp to ends in a smooth downward motion.
  • LONG HAIR – use wide tooth comb to comb shampoo from ends of the hair gradually working upwards toward scalp/base. Never excessively pull or tug on hair.
  • Rinse well with warm then cool water. Repeat shampoo if styling product is used, to ensure all product is removed from hair and completely clean.

Conditioning

  • *IMPORTANT: Do not apply conditioner directly on the knots of the hair ONLY from the middle of the hair strands down to the end.
  • Comb conditioner through hair as described above with shampoo
  • Leave in hair for 2-3 minutes
  • Rinse with warm then cool water
  • Protein Treatment – Treat once a week. Ask the expert technicians at HPIHair for their recommends and any special instructions.
  • Drying – Permanently attached hair should be blotted, blotted, & blotted again to remove as much moisture as possible. HPI recommends a friction free towel to assist with this process.
  • Temporary hair wearers – Dry hair on a towel, hair side down, and roll as you would fragile garments. Blot as you roll.
  • Styling – Apply styling products or moisture oil. Long hair should always be protected by a leave-in treatment prior to drying or using any type of heat styling tool.
  • Style hair on head or form (make certain the base mesh cap of full cap prosthetics are completely dry prior to placing on a Styrofoam form.
  • Use a drying stand to ensure base of cap is dry to ensure cap does not stretch.
  • IF using a hair dryer to finish drying, make sure to use MEDIUM to LOW heat.
  • Hair needs to be 75% dry before styling with a brush or applying any tension to the hair.
  • HPI recommends air drying to finish (no iron), or as much as possible before using a low heat setting blow dryer. **Make sure non-growing hair is dry before applying hot styling tools!

Best Ways to Stop Hair Thinning in 2016

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It’s officially 2016 and there’s no better time to finally get the hair you’ve always wanted (or restore the natural look you once took pride in). Whether you’ve been battling thinning hair for years or it’s a recent issue, check out these tips to put an end to the problem this year.
1. Loosen the tension in your hairstyles.
Many people love to wear their hair in tight ponytails or up-do’s because it feels more secure that way. However, this is one of the worst things you can do to your hair. Making a habit of wearing tight hairstyles, blow drying your hair straight with a brush, or wearing your hair up while you sleep can actually cause traction alopecia, a medical term from hair loss or hair thinning that results from too much pressure on the hair follicles.
2. Put down the heat styling tools.
Few things are more damaging and dehydrating to your hair than styling with heat, especially if you have thinning hair. If you just can’t live without that blow-dry or freshly-curled look, always use a heat protectant product before styling your hair with a heat tool of any kind.
3. Know your body and your history.
Hair loss or hair thinning can often result from changes in your health. Things like pregnancy or childbirth, hormonal changes, menopause, or medical conditions are all common causes. Take care of your body by eating a healthy diet and watch out for signs that there could be a bigger issue. Hair loss or hair thinning is often genetic, so if someone in your family experienced hair loss, there’s a good chance that could be the reason you are, too.
4. Condition your hair.
If your hair is feeling thin or brittle, never skip the conditioner when you wash your hair. It also might help to try to deep conditioning treatment once a week, or an easy home remedy like the ones in this post.
5. Consider a professional treatment.
Many people don’t realize what treatment options are available to treat their thinning hair. At HPIHair, we have low light laser therapy treatments, in home treatments, and stimulants and supplements that can work wonders for clients experiencing thinning hair or hair loss. Schedule a complimentary, private consultation with one of our experts who can guide you through the best treatment process for you.

2016 New Year, New You – New Hair, New Do!

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It’s 2016, Hurray! What you need is a new hair style for the new year! You’re working on a few New Year’s resolutions, (working out, eating healthy) which will take some time to get the hang of and see results. What you need is a resolution with immediate success!
Changing your hair is just what you need. Whether it’s a new cut, color or new hair piece to give you some options this year, and it’s a resolution easy to accomplish!
Here’s what you need to remember when figuring out your new look.
Stereotypes – Don’t let society tell you how to look!
Let your grays shine if you like them…don’t cover them up! Just because Nancy next door thinks gray makes her look old, it doesn’t mean you look old with grays. Gray is in for all ages right now! Rock it sister!
Short hair, don’t care – Short cuts are not just for women of a more experienced age or what society might call “mom haircuts”. If you want short hair….cut your hair short!
You Define You – your hair does not! Rock a cut that fits your new 2016 outlook on life!
Compliments – Smile and Accept! Remember, a new hairdo will attract attention, so be encouraged to accept those compliments and own your new look! You deserve the positive feedback!
You’re “New Year, New You” hairdo needs to be because you need a change, not because you’re at a point in life where some trendy societal rule says you should look a certain way. You are who you believe you are; create your new look – short, long, blonde, gray, extensions, wigs or no hair at all! – Rock it in 2016!

3 Tips for Classy Healthy Hair in 2016!

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2015 was a long year! The lack of taking care of your hair or hair piece has taken it’s toll. Dryness, tangles, split ends, dullness and shedding may be part of your hair’s current reality. Here are a few things to remember to revitalize your hair and give it some class.
1. Use the Right Products
What type of hair do you have and what products work best for your hair? There are reasons certain products work better on thin, straight hair versus thick, curly hair! Ask your stylist what you should be using. Your products may differ by your hair’s color, texture, length and even by time of year and where you live.
2. Use Fresh Products
Throw away products with expired dates, or give away products you’re not using anymore!
While most ‘non-organic’products will have a longer shelf life due to preservatives; even your average shampoo and conditioner can go bad! Manufacturers put their products through a process called stabilization to determine what causes shampoo to breakdown or expire. While they may not necessarily have expiration dates on the bottles, storage location can determine how soon the product will break down and lose effectiveness. Are you keeping your hair products in the shower or by a window? You may want to relocate them, especially if you don’t use them on a regular basis. Heating and freezing temperatures can cause the chemicals to break down.
When to replace hair products –
Smell it, there may be a sour smell if it is spoiled.
Check for discoloration and texture changes.
Packaging – Typically, manufacturers call for a package redesign when they bring a fresher product batch to the market. If your bottle is not the latest package design, it may be time to toss it and restock! Your hair will thank you later!
3. Check Your Styling Tools
Is your flat iron burning your hair? Remember to check the temperature before you use it!
Flat Irons, curling irons and blow dryers are not designed to last forever. So if your last straightener was purchased in your college days, you may want to consider letting the past be the past and purchase a new one!
New Brushes – Over time the build up of hair, oil and product creates a perfect environment for bacteria. Either invest in some new ones or try cleaning them with some baking soda and warm water.
When to replace your tools –
A good rule of thumb…if you can’t remember when you got your current styling tools and/or you notice a smell stemming from them during use…it’s time! Use the new year to your advantage and treat your hair to some new toys. You’ll be able to style with less damage, a better hold and in less time!

Alopecia Areata: Connecting you with others!

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Have you been diagnosed with Alopecia areata, totalis or universalis? You’re not alone! Over 6.6 Million people in the U.S. have Alopecia areata.

This is a highly unpredictable and cyclical condition. The affected hair follicles become very small and produce no visible hair above the skin’s surface. Hair can grow back in or fall out again at any time, and the disease course is different for each person (naaf.org).

If you’re living in Middle Tennessee and looking for a way to learn more about your condition, what treatments are available, what research is being done, and a community of people going through the same emotions and experience as you, attend a support group meeting with the Nashville Alopecia Group. The 2016 meetings and location are listed below. You can also follow them on social media.

https://www.facebook.com/nashvillealopeciagroup

Helping You Manage Trichotillomania in 2016

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You would like to take steps towards reducing the effects of Trichotillomania on your life in 2016, but you’re not sure where to start…
1st Step : Making the commitment
Nothing is harder than acknowledging an issue and deciding to do something about it. If you’re reading this, you’ve already decided to take a step forward! Write down your commitment on a sticky note and put it on your mirror. Next to it – write words of encouragement as a reminder that you can do this! You could use this, “strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”
2nd Step: Define your Goals and Reasoning
After you commit, decide on your desired end result goal. Here are some things to think about.
Will you stop completely all at once or gradually over time?
By how much time will you reduce picking and by when?
Which target areas will you stop pulling hair?
How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
What specific reasons, purpose or benefits are there for accomplishing your goal?
Write your goal at the bottom of a piece of paper. A broad goal happens in steps. So you need to create smaller goals starting at the top of your paper that are achievable daily/weekly/monthly (whatever your timeline looks like). Create your first step and write it down. Pursue your first step, complete it and then check it off. Repeat the process with a second step and a third until you reach your end result! The constant success of the smaller goals will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you on track.
3rd Step: Find an Accountability Partner
Find a support group in your area or online resource and seek out a specific relate-able person to hold you accountable once a week or more. Do not forget this step! Would you have completed your homework in school if you didn’t have a teacher to give you a test afterwards? Probably not. The same goes for goals in life. Decide who will give you a test at the end of each week!
Here is one source you can check out for help : http://www.trichstop.com/

Locks from a Loved One! – A Mother’s Story of a Gift from her Daughters.

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Have you ever wondered if you could have hair prosthetics made for yourself from a friend or loved one’s hair? If you are someone struggling with hair loss, whether that be genetically or medically, you know what it’s like to envy a certain friend or family member who has the PERFECT hair! You might even confront them about how much you wish you had their hair or even pull a section of their hair across your face to imagine what you might look like with it on! GOOD NEWS! HPIHair can make this happen for you. It takes some time to complete, but if you are someone who needs a hair prosthetic or someone who has lots of hair and wishes to donate it to a specific friend or loved one, we can help you get your wish!

Tennessean_Article.jpg One family’s wish came true when a mother, Kathy, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Her daughters, Rebecca and Bethany, wanted to make their mother’s hair prosthetics using their actual hair. Together, they came to HPIHair to make this happen.

Avoiding Traction Alopecia

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Traction Alopecia is one form of hair loss easily overlooked.
In the spirit of celebrating Martin Luther King’s life this week, we took one of his well known quotes to heart and put it into action. MLK said this “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’” At HPIHair, we strive to do just that. Help others! Our specific goal is to help others with their hair issues. Right now, we want to help you avoid traction alopecia, or begin to reduce the effects of traction alopecia on your life. Here are a few helpful facts to remember. However, the real help starts when we meet you in person and understand your exact journey to better provide you with a solution.
traction_alopecia2.jpg1.) It Shouldn’t Hurt! – When you pull up your hair into a tight, slick bun, ponytail, weave or braid it should not hurt! If it does, your hair follicles are being stressed beyond what they can withstand. Doing this too often will result in dead hair follicles and once that happens, there is no going back. If you leave a stylist after a braid or hair extension and you begin to feel pain for days and/or little bumps around the hairline that were not there before, your follicles are in danger. Although you may think it was a waste of money, get someone to take out your style right away. You’ll save money in the long run by reducing traction alopecia occuring and needing to purchase hair replacements.
2.) Changing Styles – Ponytails and buns may be good for the ends of your hair, but not so much for the hairline and temples where the hair is delicate. Of course, it’s fine to wear these styles, as long as you remember to change the part and loosen your hair at night. Also, consider picking a few up do’s and down styles you like based on the time of year or what you’re doing in life. Change them up to give your hairline a break.
3.) Children – (Traction Alopecia is now happening at a younger age) Interestingly, a rise in receding hairlines at a younger age seemed to coincide with the availability of home relaxer kits. Especially seen in children approaching their teen years, a balding hairline could have been prevented if a professional was applying these chemicals for straightening. Leaving chemicals on too long, or using one that is too strong is going to damage the follicle. While you may be saving money short term, you’ll regret not letting a professional do it. Again, once a follicle is dead, there is no regrowing the missing hair. If you continue to relax you or your children’s hair at home, make sure you remember;
a. Do NOT shampoo your hair 7-10 days before relaxing.
b. Avoid scratching your scalp – an irritated area will result in burning from the chemicals
c. Do a strand test. Even if you haven’t been allergic before, do this before every relaxer.Traction Alopecia already effecting your life? We would love to meet you at HPIHair and see how we can help!

Thank You – When Gratitude and Happiness Meet.

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January is National Thank You Month! Did you know that being grateful can actually make you healthier and ultimately happier?
Studies on gratitude show that people suffer less from depression, sleep better and are less anxious – all leading to being happier with their lives.
“A positive attitude can protect against poor health later in life and may be a powerful antidote to stress, pain and illness”, according to a paper in Current Directions in Psychological Science.
I know what you’re thinking. It’s not easy to see through the clouds of life and be thankful. Maybe for some people, but not for me. Right? Let me ask you something. When you are around your children or grandchildren, do you have a moment of thankfulness? If so, how do you feel?
How can you be more Thankful? Thank-You-Note.jpg
Here’s an easy challenge for you:
1. Find something to use as your journal and write down how you feel. (emotionally & physically)
2. For 1 week, each evening before bed write down 5 things that happened in your day that you’re thankful for. (maybe a stranger said hello, or your waitress at lunch gave you a compliment on your outfit…ANYTHING)
3. After a week, journal about how you feel emotionally & physically. You may be surprised by how your attitude and happiness have increased!
4. Continue to consciously do something thoughtful for someone else each day. The gift of giving not only creates thankfulness, it gives you a sense of worth.
Now that’s something to be thankful for!
Join us in thanking others during the last few days of National Thank You Month. Show everyone in your life how much you appreciate them with two simple words, “Thank You.”
Our Thank Yous,
Thank you to all our wonderful clients in trusting us with making you look and feel like yourself again.
Thank you to those of you who have helped others by referring them to HPIHair. A simple act of giving can be seeing a need and providing a resourse to fulfill it! What a great feeling it is to help others!

HPI Hair Focus Group – Invitation to Join!

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Do you have thinning hair? We want to talk with you!
Have you noticed your hair is thinning? Have you lost your hair because of genetics or medical-related treatment?
Would you be willing to share your thoughts, opinions and suggestions in less than two hours of your time to talk with us?
If so, we need your participation in a small, confidential focus group!
Date: Thursday, February 4
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
* Complimentary Dinner will be served
Location: 4525 Harding Pike, Floor 2 Nashville TN 37205
Please RSVP to Kimberly Vaughn at kvaughn@hpihair.com or (615) 662-8722 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, if you wish to participate. Participation is completely confidential.