Question of the day: How did you get that shine?

Questions:
How did you get that shine? I'm thinking about dying my hair to jet black so I can get some shine in it.

Answer:
Dull hair is a sign of damaged cuticles or very porous hair. When the layers of the cuticle are tightly knit together, the light is able to reflect off the cuticle. This is what makes hair shine!       

Cuticles can be damaged from chemical, heat, manipulation as well as Iron deficiency and thyroid problems.                         


The term porous comes from the mineral world: to describe rocks. When it has an infinite number of small pores that make it permeable to humidity. Porous hair comes from a deterioration of its cuticle, which no longer plays its role of a natural barrier, in front of the cortex. The more the cuticle is altered, even sometimes destroyed, the more the cortex’s keratin easily ‘gets wet’ and loses its compactness causing it to look dull.

A simple remedy is to try an Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse. 

Here is how to make the rinse:

1 Part  Apple Cider Vinegar into 1 Part filtered tap water.
Apply the vinegar rinse after a cowash and then rinse it all out (the smell will go away as the hair dries).

Rinse with cold water, cold water closes the cuticle, then seal your ends with a leave in conditioner and then an oil. The Vinegar removes scaly build-up and residue from hair shafts and closes the cuticles. Since residue coats the hair causing it to look dull, removing residue gives your hair more shine. By closing the cuticles, the hair slides more easily and there will be fewer tangles. Vinegar has a tonic action that promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin. The Leave in conditioner and oil will seal the ends.  

 Healthy closed Cuticle.