Double the amount of ceramide in your hair. Here's the secret!

I'm always super excited whenever I learn something new in the world of healthy hair. Right now I'm just smitten about results of a study conducted by the University of Technology in Thailand in 2005. This study was on the effects of eucalyptus extract on the properties of the hair and scalp.

In the study, a lotion solution containing 3% eucalyptus extract was used twice a day, on the scalp, of test subjects, for several months. This was done to test the effects of consistent use of eucalyptus extract both on the hair and scalp. The study concluded that, with 3 months of consistent use, the amount of ceramide in the scalp increased. The skin on the scalp of the test subjects also improved form the use of the lotion. This was observed by increased moisture retention levels on the scalp.

But here's where the good stuff comes! By applying the eucalyptus lotion on the scalp consistently, the test subjects experienced noticeably healthier hair. The scientists measured this by first having beauticians analyze the subjects for visible signs of health such as gloss, luster, bounce, etc. Almost all of the women in the study were observed to have visibly healthier looking hair.

The hair was then measured for elasticity. After measuring elasticity levels, they determined that with consistent use of eucalyptus, elasticity and luster improved. Here's the kicker, the same amazing results did not occur when the lotion was applied to the length of the hair . Their theory is that since noticeable changes didn't occur when the solution was used on the hair, the change must be taking place in the composition of the hair (i.e when the hair is being formed). So they measured the new growth of the study participants to find that the ceramide levels in the hair increased by 120%. Lemme repeat this one more time.....after 3 months of use, the test subjects increased ceramide levels by 120%! The article concluded that "the eucalyptus extract drastically affected the hair fiber properties, improving bending elasticity and luster by a change in the hair metabolism." Hence, the "improvements in the hair properties by the eucalyptus extract were the results of some change in the hair formation process." So essentially, by adding eucalyptus extract to the scalp, you are literally impacting how healthy your hair grows in. How exciting is that?!

Last year was when I first discovered ceramides. For those of us who aren't familiar with ceramides allow me to help shed some light. Ceramides pretty much act like the "sealer" that helps keep the cuticle layer in tact. The cuticle layer is what protects our hair from potential damage. I can almost guarantee you that if you were to look at various strands damaged hair under a microscope, one thing they'd all have in common is the degradation of the cuticle. The cuticle layer protects and the cuticle layer helps preserve moisture. Without it, our hair is vulnerable.

So let's wrap this up by stating the obvious. First off, ceramides are essential and, secondly, we negatively impact ceramide levels if/when we use relaxers. I have this (unproven) theory that if we start off with the healthiest hair imaginable prior to relaxing, then give our hair a bit of an advantage to preserving the health once the process is completed. The test subjects in the study were Japanese so their natural hair already contained adequate amounts ceramides. With that said, they were still able to take it to the next level by doubling their natural ceramide amounts. My guess is that hair with twice as much ceramide protection may fare better during the touch-up process.

What does this all mean for you? I say, go quickly out into the world and pick up some eucalyptus oil--stat! Please note that the test subjects used a lotion with only 3% solution to be effective so I don't want you guys using this stuff straight on so you can avoid any possible scalp irritation. Learning about these results further supports my method of using $2.00 spray bottles for applying essential solution to the scalp. Those of you who are consistent scalp massagers, adding a little eucalyptus to your carrier oil kicks it up a notch!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to mist my scalp with some eucalyptus.

Check out the details of the full study here.

Battle of the Cera-Repairs: Two Biolage Ceramide products go head to head!

Awwww yeah! It's time for another round of hair product battles! This time I'm putting two of the same products together, head to head, for some healthy hair action! You guys may remember today's contenders from my previous post on my favorite ceramides. Yes, my dears, for today's battle we are going to watch as Biolage Cera-Repair and Biolage Cera Repair Pro battle to the death (or whatever).

Enough talking, let's get to it shall we?

You guys know how excited I was when I was first introduced to Biolage Cera-Repair. I was right in the middle of my ceramide high and this product was a perfect compliment to my routine. Ever since my first taste of Cera-Repair, I've been itching to upgrade to the Pro formula. Now that I've had a chance, let me take a moment to compare the two based on my experience thus far.

I think the biggest, and most obvious, difference between the two products is the packaging. Cera-Repair Pro comes in a nifty little convenient glass bottle which makes for convenient usage. The non-pro package is a more of a plastic applicator tube which makes sense for the product's consistency. What I appreciate most about the glass bottle is that I make sure I use every drop of the product with each use. With the regular Cera-Repair, I have to cut the tube open so I can scrape out the last bit of product. Another thing I like about the glass container that it's clear which allows me the freedom available to ration out exactly what I want for pre-poo and deep conditioning. This round goes to Cera-Repair pro because of it's awesome product design.

Next, let's look at the price. As you would imagine, the price for the Cera-Repair Pro formula is a bit more than the regular. Since I can't find these products from the store I get them from Amazon. There are varying prices for the Pro formula but the lowest cost is close to $30.00 for 10 vials. The Hydra repair in the tubes goes for around $20.00 for 10 tubes. Using a little simple math tells me that each unit of the liquid pro formula cost $1 more even though you are getting the same .34 ounces of product per unit. So with that said, I don't believe that you get a full $10.00 of value by upgrading to the Professional Cera-Repair treatment. Those $10 dollars could be allocated elsewhere in your hair regimen. Perhaps a bottle of Gleau Nourishing oil....just sayin'.

Finally, let's talk about the actual product itself. When comparing the two products, the biggest, and most obvious, difference between the two is their consistency. The professional formula is liquid and similar in consistency to a watery leave-in. This makes the product ideal for mixing in with your current conditioner (which I do) or putting into a spray bottle and misting hair like a leave-in. Although the instructions say to rinse out, I chose not to because it doesn't weigh the hair down. Biolage Cera-Repair (tube) is similar to a conditioner in consistency. It's thick but not too thick. Last year I was dealing with treating specific damage areas. With the consistency of the Cera-Repair, I was easily able target certain areas of my hair based on need. Plus I loved the fact that once the product was applied, it stayed put.

The clincher for me, comes down to the results I experienced during use. Even though I so wanted the Professional version to steal my heart, I have to say that I was sorely disappointed compared to the regular formula. I don't know how to explain it but I could really tell the difference in my hair when using the regular Cera-Repair. Perhaps the Pro formula is more powerful but, for me, I see it more as a supporting product more than a major player in my routine. I just feels like the results are more subtle than my first Cera-Repair purchase. With the Cera-Repair, I wasn't mixing it into my conditioners, I applied the product separately so my hair could receive the full benefits (and I could tell the difference). My honest assessment is the thicker version works better with thicker hair.

And the winner is.......

While I love the idea of having access to a Professional strength product, my expectations were'nt met as sufficiently as they were with the at home version of the treatment. If you'd like to get your hands on the product, I invite you to opt for the winner of the battle of Cera-Repairs first then graduate to the Pro Formula if you feel the need.

'till next time!

Looking for Ceramide Products? Take a look at this...

If you've spent some time browsing through the topics on this blog, you may already know that I am a fan of Matrix's line of Biolage products. More recently, I've fallen in love with their fortetherapie line of conditioners containing the all important ingredient, ceramide. As a person who's hair responds somewhat adversely to high-protien strengthening products, ceramides are just what the doctor ordered.

Knowing how much ceramides have benefited my hair and countless others, I've made a conscious effort to seek out products with this amazing ingredient. This new mindset has also make me look at my current product stash so I can validate how much of this valued ingredient is currently available in what I already have, including my beloved Biolage products. So I go back and review the ingredient list on my Biolage conditioner. Much to my surprise, I don't see the word "ceramide" listed anywhere amoung the ingredients.

My next course of action was to promtly locate their customer service number and inquire about the seemingly missing ingredient. On the other line, I'm greeted by a rather friendly customer service representative who tries to help answer my question. I was placed on hold as she asked several individuals how to identify ceramide in their products. Finally, the rep returns to the line and informs me that she wasn't able to receive the information required to answer my query. She then asks for my name, number, and advises me that I will receive a call-back with a resolution. The amount of time needed to obtain a response, she tells me, could range from a couple of days to a few weeks.

That was a few weeks ago. Today I'm happy to announce that I did receive my call back from Biolage with the answer to my question. The ingredient(s) in question appearing in either Biolage conditioner and Biolage Cera-Repair are: 2-oleamido and 1-3 octadecanediol. I thought this was an important piece of information to share with everyone so you can actively seek out products that may have this ingredient but not actively advertise ceramides on their labeling or in their branding message. A couple of other brands with this key ingredient are Mizani's line, some of Redken products and Softsheen's Optimum Care Anti-Breakage relaxer. For those of you who like to add a little color in your life, L'Oreal hair color creams also contan ceramides. Keratase products are another ceramide containing brand. I'm sure the list goes on.

My intention for this blog entry is to open up the world of ceramides to all of you. For some, getting their hands on professional products like Biolage may be somewhat of a challenge but perhaps you can find a pre-poo conditioner containing ceramides on your your local Target or Wal-mart shelf. Now that my eyes have been opened to this new term for "ceramide," I feel empowered. This piece of information will definitely make a positive impact on my hair care going forward. Now go, and live your lives with this newfound piece of knowledge and may your hair enjoy the wonderful fruits of your labor.

....peace.

Dear Biolage Cera Repair,

I'm writing you in regards to our encounter last wash. While I already had a plethora of products which contained ceramides, I still felt like our experience was a special one. I loved the fact that you come in 5 individual tubes which made for easy application. Another thing I liked about your .5 ounce package is my ability to cut it open so I can scrape every last bit of you to apply to my hair.

You wouldn't believe how happy I was about the fact that you are a gel and not a liquid. This really helped me apply you to my freshly washed hair without worry of you dripping all over the place. There was no dripping at all that day. Every ounce of you remained right where I wanted it to be.

You know what else I appreciate about you? You're in a small package but you've got a lot in you. I felt like there was enough for me to cover all of my hair. I even felt like I had enough to apply you to some of my most needed areas twice. I should also be honest and tell you that even though you instructed me to leave you in for 3-5 minutes, I made the experience last much longer. If fact, I actually applied you to clean hair, then layered some Silicon Mix conditioner over you to help raise moisture. I left you guys in for much longer than what you recommended.

I realized that even though you are a product of Biolage's hydratherapie line, you would act more as a strengthener than a moisture creating product. This is why I did what I did. Going forward, I'll continue to merge you with my moisturizing conditioners.

So after my deep conditioning was over, I rinsed and felt the difference you made in my hair. I felt you reinforcing my strands, protecting them for the week that lay ahead. At the end of my rollerset, I found my self with strong, exceptionally healthy looking hair. None of my other ceramide products have been able to mirror your results. I must also tell you that my Silicon Mix ceramide leave-in complimented you perfectly. I rubbed some in after my rollerset and I was in heaven.

I like you.

I hope that like my beloved Hair Fixer, you will only make my hair better and stronger with every application. In fact, I can't wait until we're together again next wash day. Even though feelings for you are starting to develop, I feel like I mustn't just keep you to myself. This is why I'll purchase another box of five tubes, divide them, and give away tubes to my blog readers. It's the right thing to do....

Oh, by the way, even though we will probably be the best of friends, I still have the desire in my heart to buy and use the Cera Repair Pro. I hope you're o.k. with this. Anyway, I'm starting to ramble now so I'll end by saying this........

I can't wait to see you again next wash day.

Silicon Mix Proteina De Perla and Sedal S.O.S Ceramidas review

Nowadays, I can't seem to walk by a product containing ceramides without wanting to just snatch it up. I have quite a few products so far, some have worked well, some only adequately but I feel like I've hit the jackpot with a couple of them. Ladies, let me introduce you to Silicon Mix Proteina de Perla leave in and Seda's S.O.S ceramidas. Both are leave-ins that can be used daily. Treating your hair with ceramides at wash time is great but why not do a little better by giving your hair a little ceramide treat everyday.

I'll talk a little more about these products. First of all when comparing the price, the Silicon Mix is way more expensive. In fact, the minute I saw the product on the store shelf, I picked it up without even so much as looking at the price. It wasn't until I was paying the bill that I questioned if the cashier had rung my product twice. I think I paid close to $13.00 for a bottle. Soon after, I noticed a couple of bottles of Sedal's ceramidas at an ethnic grocery store. Ceramidas was much more pocket book friendly at around $4.00 so I picked up two bottles. I saw Ceramidas at another store yesterday for about $5.60. Either way, it's still more economical than Silicon Mix.

Do I have any regrets about paying $12.00-$13.00 for one product when I can get a comparable for half the price? Absolutely not! While both products appear to seem similar at the surface, Silicon Mix has just a few extras that make it worth the cost. Not only does it contain ceramides, it also has keratin, silk protein, and pearl protein. Ceramidas doesn't boast of such extras. If you like Silicon Mix's pearl protein conditioner, then you'll love this leave in. The leave in and the conditioner very similar in color smell and texture. In fact, the leave in feels slightly like a lighter version of the conditioner. The biggest difference between the two is the ceramide ingredient which the conditioner doesn't have.

I've used both SOS ceramidas and Silicon mix as moisturizers (on dry hair). I love both of them. The ceramidas has more of a watery moisturizer feel. When I say watery, I don't mean as in consistency, I mean as in the way the product feels on the hair. It's highly moisturizing. The Silicon Mix has a lighter feel that still moisturizes but not as heavily. It feels more like a strengthening moisturizer (if there's such a thing). Both have my hair feeling light and healthy. And both are on my repurchase list. I haven't had to worry about heavy build up while using these leave-ins regulary for the past couple of weeks. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with both of the products. I'm a little more smitten with the Silicon Mix but that won't stop me from getting the SOS ceramidas conditioner that I saw the other day. Now that I've got these two staples, I think I'm gonna slow down a little on my need to buy ceramide containing products. The real reason why I'll slow down is because, with these two products, my hair gets to benefit from a more frequent dose of ceramides, not just on wash days.

Oh, I finally got Biolage's Cera Repair. I wanted to get the professional treatment, Cera Repair Pro, but the Amazon vendor was all out. I should also mention that I probably won't be repurchasing Cerafix or the Bomba conditioner. I just don't know if I like them enough to reinvest.

Next time we'll chat about my Cera Repair experience.