Split ends are one of the most common problems faced by owners of long hair. There are plenty of reasons for damage to the hair structure, but there are not so many really effective ways to deal with this problem. One of the most effective methods that have emerged recently, is polishing hair.
What it is?
With the advent of hair dryers, hair curlers, and irons for straightening them, the procedure for styling curls and creating hairstyles has become much easier. However, the availability and ease of use of electrical appliances has caused a serious problem - cross section of the tips and the general fragility of hair.
Until recently, the only way out of this situation was a haircut, but with the advent of new tools and technologies, it became possible to eliminate the effects of heat on the hair structure by polishing.
The process is to remove the split tips along the entire length. It is performed using a hair clipper, scissors or a straight razor. The method of mechanical action turned out to be much more efficient than the use of cosmetics, because of which it quickly became popular. The procedure is performed both in the cabin and at home and does not take much time.
Even on heavy thick strands will take no more than 40-120 minutes, and on light hair of medium length - and even less.
The essence of polishing is based on the classic anti-splitting hair-cutting tool. However, unlike traditional hair shortening, polishing does not imply a reduction in their length and a change in volume, keeping her hair exactly the same as it was before polishing.
This was made possible thanks to a special technology in which only exfoliated hair sections are removed, while their length remains the same.
The cost of the procedure depends on the length of the hair and the degree of damage and varies from 500 to 2,000 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Hair polishing refers to cosmetic procedures, which means, like any of them, has its strengths and weaknesses. High demand for polishing due to a number of undeniable advantages of this method.
- As a result of the removal of exfoliated tips there is a noticeable renewal of the strands and the hair begins to breathe.
- Polishing effect can last quite a long time - on average about 4 months. This is made possible through the use of a special nozzle, the knives of which form an absolutely even cut, while using scissors it turns out to be rather loose.
- Hair is shortened no more than 3-10 mm, which allows you to keep the existing hairstyle and does not cause the need to change the image.
- Polishing can be done on all types of hair and be combined with any other hairdressing procedures.
- Thanks to the nozzle ability to work with strands of different lengths polishing is perfect for owners of graded haircuts.
- As a result of the procedure it is possible to remove up to 90% of split ends, which is one of the highest efficiency indicators.
- After polishing hair gets a beautiful shine and becomes much stronger. In addition, the procedure contributes to their smoothing and stimulates active growth.
- The process is quite simple. and does not require high professional skills, which is why you can do the polishing yourself at home.
Along with the obvious advantages of the procedure, it also has enough minuses. These include the risk of thinning curls, especially if you polish them too often. As a result, the hair will gradually lose its thickness, which will become clearly visible after a few procedures. Another disadvantage of polishing is the need to use the iron for straightening hair.
As a result of the heat exposure, the already damaged hair will become even weaker, and if the hair is not good enough, you will also get a portion of sebum in your cuticles.
In addition, when performing procedures in the cabin there is a risk of using a nozzle with a blunt or dirty knife. As a result, the ends of the hair will not be cut off, but chopped off, because of which they will soon split and start to split even more.
This procedure should be carried out exclusively with a clean nozzle, equipped with high-quality knives made of good steel, otherwise the hair can be inflicted even more damage.
Often, when machined, the healthy hair falls under the massacre, which does not add to the method of popularity and causes a noticeable deterioration of the hair structure.
Who is suitable?
Hair polishing will be useful after many salon procedures. These include lamination, staining and clarification. In addition, it is necessary to polish the curls after a perm, as well as frequent use of curling, hairdryer and ironing. After aggressive chemical and thermal effects polishing allows you to return your hair well-groomed and healthy appearance.
Polishing is indicated for unruly, dry or brittle hair, as well as after keratinizing procedures.
However, in some cases, polishing instead of good can be harmful. So, The procedure is quite harmful for thin and falling hair. This is due to the fact that thinned hairs are often torn under the influence of the nozzle or machine, which only aggravates their already unhealthy state. The exit in such a situation can be use hot or regular scissorswhich do not pull the hair and act only on damaged tips.
It is not recommended to polish the hair and those who have problems with the scalp, for example, with the defeat of fungal diseases.
People with curly hair can use polishing, but it will not bring the expected result. This is due to the fact that curly curls after polishing look like they have just been cut and there will not be any visible effect on them.
Devices
Hair polishing can be done with scissors, a straight razor and a special attachment for a hair clipper. When choosing a machine for the home, you can limit the household option. Such devices differ in budget cost and have a small resource. However, with individual use of this will be quite enough and the tool will be able to serve more than one year. The acquisition of a professional machine for personal use is impractical, due to its high cost, which at home is unlikely to pay off.
Typically, these models are equipped with high-quality carbide knives and are designed for intensive work in a barber shop.
Along with a special machine for home use is ideal grinding comb-trimmer. The device effectively removes split ends along the entire length and makes the hair perfectly smooth. Such a device is often used not only by home craftsmen, but also by novice hairdressers.
A good option would be to purchase hairbrushes Split Ender. The device is very easy to use and comes with a comb, clamp and cleaning brush.
As for polishing tips, their choice is very large. On sale are available as unpretentious plastic models for independent use, and serious metal samples, equipped with good professional blades.The main thing with the purchase - do not make a mistake with the size and purchase a nozzle that exactly matches the width of the machine.
No matter what tools the procedure is, they must be clean and disinfected, especially for salon instruments. At home, cutting surfaces can be held over hot steam or treated with disinfectants. The decisive role is played by the quality of the material of manufacture of knives. Experienced craftsmen recommend using blades made high quality alloy steel, and do not use cheap soft knives made of stainless steel.
You should also monitor the state of the cutting edge. It should be well sharpened and free from chipping and other metal defects. Dull blades will tear the hair, which will further aggravate the situation.
How to do?
It is possible to make hair polishing both in a hairdressing salon, and independently. The home method is an excellent alternative to expensive salon procedures and, if properly executed, is not inferior to them in terms of the quality of the result. To do this, it is enough to purchase a special HG Polishen typewriter or limit yourself to buying a nozzle. Polishing curls at home occurs in several stages.
- Head wash shampoo dried with a hair dryer and combed.
- Carefully line up after order, using an iron or hair dryer. Before leveling, curls are applied any means that protects them from the effects of thermal exposure.
- The hair is divided into separate strands, after which they pull out each of them with a comb and place it in a grinder, retreating 15 cm from the roots.
- With equal hair length strand is pulled up, and with a graduated haircut - down.
- Carefully hold the nozzle along the entire hair length 3-5 times, without lingering on any of the sites. Movement should be smooth and uniform.
- The whole head is treated in the same way, after which it is washed again with shampoo for damaged and split ends.
- After washing your hair a little dry and put a mask of castor and burdock oils.
The next fairly common home method is polishing scissors. Manual method requires a little more time, but does not have a thermal effect on the hair. Before performing the procedure, the hair is washed, dried with a hair dryer and combed. Then they take alternately one by one strand, twist them with braids and run with their fingers from the bottom up. Then the hair, which began to stick out from the bottom of the rope, is neatly cut off with sharp scissors, trying to grab only stratified parts.
The hairs that are out of the top do not touch, as this is new hair that simply did not have time to grow. Each strand is treated in this way, after which the head is washed again and dried naturally.
If everything is done correctly, the result will be no worse than after machine polishing.
The manual method is often used to polish curly curls, using for this, both hot and cold scissors. The use of hot in this case is more preferable, since, in addition to trimming, they also seal the ends of the hair, preventing their re-section.
Straight razor also often used for mechanical polishing of hair. To do this, the average thickness of the strands is twisted into a very sweaty rope, the same as with scissors. Then gently, without touching the main bundle, cut off the protruding tips. The razor is kept at an angle of 80 degrees relative to the tow. Using a razor requires a hard hand and skill, therefore, with a lack of certain experience, you should not use this polishing tool.
Salon procedure is performed using the same technology as the home one, with the obligatory use of special preparations that protect the hair structure from negative thermal effects, and the application of nourishing masks at its end.
In addition to mechanical methods of polishing hair, there are chemical agents, the most effective of which are considered polishes. Preparations do an excellent job with polishing curls and give them absolute smoothness and healthy shine.
Among the professional tools should be noted American spray Shine Infusion Thermal Polishing, which is used at the final stage of hair styling. The drug is rich in silk proteins, making curls resilient and alive. The spray is sold in bottles of 150 ml and costs about 2,000 rubles.
Good results and use polishing balm serum Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Blow Out. The tool helps to smooth the strands, effectively seals the cuticles and allows the hair to retain the natural moisture. The preparation contains soy and silk proteins, bamboo leaf oil and lychee extract. Balm is available in bottles with a capacity of 90 ml and costs about 1000 rubles.
However, when using polishes, it should be remembered that the products have only a temporary effect, which disappears after the first washing of the head.
And for the complete elimination of split ends will require a haircut or mechanical polishing.
Aftercare
After polishing, the hair must be carefully maintained, avoiding their excessive drying and thinning. Below are recommendations of specialists aimed at giving a healthy appearance to the locks and strengthening them from the inside.
- For washing hair after polishing it is better to use shampoos that do not contain sulfates.
- After washing must be applied on curls balm or conditioner.
- In addition to the finished cosmetic products, It is recommended to use folk remedies. It is advisable to regularly rinse your head with a decoction of nettle or chamomile. This will help restore the natural structure of the hair and significantly improve their elasticity.
- The use of natural oils is very useful. They are recommended to be applied along the entire length and used during aroma scaling.
- Every week you should make nourishing masks, using for this purpose both chemical preparations, and natural structures and serums.
- Combing wet hair is undesirable. From this they become thin and begin to break. Hairbrushes are recommended to choose with natural bristles. In cases where combing is difficult, it is necessary to use special sprays designed for unraveling the hair.
- Curls should be protected from the effects of adverse environmental factors: protect from drying out winds and protect from frost and heat.
- Before using the iron, hair dryer or electric tongs, it is recommended to apply a thermal protective composition to the hair. This will help at least partially protect the curls from the damaging effects of high temperatures.
- Calcium-rich foods must be consumed regularly. and vitamins, thereby promoting active hair growth and strengthening them from the inside.
- During the break between the procedures and the effect usually lasts for about 3-5 months, it is necessary to regularly apply preparations containing vitamins A and E to the roots of the hair. Often these preparations are produced in capsules and are very convenient for a single application. In case of severe hair damage, the interval between polishing procedures should be extended to 6 months.
Reviews
Reviews about hair polishing are rather contradictory and depend on the result obtained. Most people, sharing their opinions on the Internet, are generally very pleased with the procedure. However, it is worth noting that the result is mostly satisfied with visitors to beauty salons and hairdressing salons.
Professional processing rarely causes negative emotions, and in general, customers are very satisfied with the quality. Many say that with recommended hair care the effect of polishing lasts the entire declared period. Especially positively expressed by people with very slow hair growth, in which literally every centimeter counts. Polishing allows them to refresh their hair every time, without reducing the length of the hair.
However, there are also quite a few negative reviews, and they mainly relate to mechanical methods of polishing. Too short-term effect is noted, which is enough for a couple of weeks. There are situations when, when leaving the salon, the hair was beautiful and smooth, and after the first wash they took an untidy look and began to split even more. According to professional masters, The final result is influenced by many factors, including the structure and type of hair, the nature of the damage, the age of the client and even the season.
Because of this, it is quite difficult to predict how the hair will behave after polishing, so everyone decides on the way to deal with split ends.
You will learn about hair polishing from the video below.