the truth about teasing

> I have finally grown my hair down to my waist and now> am ready to experiment with all the different styles> you can do with it. The trouble is many styles that> appeal to me require teasing or backcombing. Patrick> Cameron's long hair book has teasing with almost every> style, and there are others I'd love to try (see> JoLynns column in the hair bloopers section called> prom bloopers), as well as most of the hair books> talking about celebrity styles, etc...> Can anyone give me the real truth about teasing hair,> especially long hair? Is it totally to be avoided at> any cost? Is it OK once in a while? Is it OK> regularly? What is the secret of unteasing? Is there a> right way vs a wrong way? Should I use a brush, wide> tooth comb, teasing comb, or does it make a> difference? Someone let me know.Katie,I remember some time ago Karen Shelton answering the samequestions (of somebody else who posted).From what I remember, she said that teasing was done in partto make up for a lack of sufficient hair, but with hair as long as waist-length, teasing was mostly unnecessary.I should think that teasing your hair on a regular basiswould cause some amount of damage. But if you only teaseonce in awhile, it would probably be "alright."As for "unteasing," the only advice I can think is that itis probably best to be gentle, and to start carefullyun-teasing near the ends.Can anybody else offer some additional advice to Katie?Dave

Hi,Excessive teasing is NOT recommended on any hair...long or short on a regular basis because it can damage and break the hair.However, for special events, occasions, etc. backcombing or teasing can be done very carefully and will achieve the results without damage.Patrick Cameron does use backcombing a lot in his book. However, in his last video, #3, he rarely uses it. Patrick also designed a special brush specifically for backcombing that reduces the risk of damage to the hair.Patrick does use controlled and carefully applied backcombing to create magnificant styles. However, he also creates styles without backcombing. It really is matter of personal taste and what you are trying to accomplish whether you backcomb or tease or not.As I have posted before, you can achieve all of Patrick's styles from any of his 3 videos or his book WITHOUT backcombing. I personally have been able to do this with my own hair. Shelley has also been able to create Patrick's styles without backcombing.The goal behind teasing or backcombing is to add lots of fullness and to create "big hair". However, the styles do not absolutely require that you have big hair. The styles can be created on regular hair that has been curled or had a ratt added for fullness.Ivana Trump who has big hair depends on a ratt to give her the fullness for her French Twists and bouffant styles.Bottom line....while backcombing or teasing is not recommended for any hair on a regular basis, if done carefully and correctly and with the proper tools, it can be done for special occasions to create a spectacular style and to create bigger hair.If backcombing is done it is important to deep conditiion after to repair any stress or strain to the hair.Hope that helps.Best wishes,Karen> Katie,> I remember some time ago Karen Shelton answering the> same> questions (of somebody else who posted).> From what I remember, she said that teasing was done> in part> to make up for a lack of sufficient hair, but with> hair as long as waist-length, teasing was mostly> unnecessary.> I should think that teasing your hair on a regular> basis> would cause some amount of damage. But if you only> tease> once in awhile, it would probably be> "alright."> As for "unteasing," the only advice I can> think is that it> is probably best to be gentle, and to start carefully> un-teasing near the ends.> Can anybody else offer some additional advice to> Katie?> Dave