Damage Control

Hi,Congratulations on your starring role.The first step to preventing as much damage as possible is to get your hair trimmed before the production. This will remove as many split ends or damaged ends as possible which starts you off on the right foot.The second thing to do is invest in the best hair care products you can afford and consider doing moisturizing and gentle shampoos and super conditioners. I would recommend Aveda Shampure and Curessence conditioner. I would also recommend that on the days that you are not performing that you pamper your hair to death. Give it a hot olive oil or Aveda Beautifying Oil treatment and leave it on all night if possible.You can also do the Curessence conditioning treatment that Cher does where she slathers it on and then wraps hot towels around her head and lets the heat soak the conditioner into her hair shaft.For the days of the production I would recommend the following:1. Use the mildest, most gentle shampoo you can. 2. Do a conditioning treatment in the shower. 3. Use a good leave in conditioner like Aveda Elixer. The conditioner will literally soak into the hair shaft and give you a layer of protection. 4. Use the best picks, combs and brushes when teasing your hair. 5. Consider using a "ratt" or even a clean ball of pantyhose inside your hair so you don't have to tease all of your hair. Ivana Trump uses this trick. She stuffs a balled up sock or pantyhose (clean of course :-) and then teases the perimeter of the hair and pins it up. She looks like she has a lot of teased hair, but in reality she is only teasing a minimal part.This will protect most of your hair.6. Use a gentle hair spray like Aveda's Firmata or Air-o-Sol.7. When you take the teasing out, do it slowly, carefully and gently.8. Never wash your hair unless all the teasing has been undone carefully. You can try and spray a detangler lightly on your hair to help untangle the teased parts. Try it on a small portion of your hair first before you spray the entire hair to make sure it works on your hair type.9. After the production is over, have any damaged ends trimmed off.10. Take extra B vitamins and Essential Fatty Acids to rebuild your hair form the inside. Kelp tablets would help also.Remember, models go through the same thing but a lot more often and they still manage to keep their hair in good condition, for the most part.Best wishes on your play.How about sending us some photos to post on Hair Boutique?If you are interested email me by clicking on my name.Take care.Karen Shelton> I'm going to be starring in a production> of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really> Trying" and just found out that we won't> be wearing wigs since they would fly off during> the dance numbers. So everyone will end up wearing> huge 50's bouffants using their own hair. My hair> is all one length and nearly to my waist. Over> a three week period it will be severely curled,> teased and sprayed 9 times. I'm wondering what> this will end up doing to my hair? How much damage> can I expect? What can I do to help minimize the> damage? (quitting the production is not a choice)> What is the best way to "untease" and> clean my hair after each performance? All the> female cast members will greatly appreciate any> advice.

Hi,Well I understand about not offending the hair "professionals". You might want to tell them that you are just very "picky" about your hair and want to avoid as much damage as possible. They may or may not be OK with that. Unfortunately, a lot of hairstylists are taught to encourage shorter hair for a long list of reasons I won't go into here. So they may or may not be sympathetic.I went through this similar experience in college when I was in a play. Unfortunately we did not have profesionals doing our hair. We did each other's hair and you can imagine. At that point in my life I was not as concerned about my hair as I am now and I shudder at some of the memories. :-)As far as photos...if that is a problem...I understand. If you want to send me a private email with the photogs name and address, I will be glad to write and make any arrangements that would be appropriate.I am currently working with the National Enquirer to get permission to reprint and repost some photos as well. I don't want to impose though. :-)Keep us posted.Sound like quite a deal.Best wishes,Karen>> Karen,> Thank you for the quick response. I'll pass> the information on to everyone. I'm not sure that> I have any say in what types of combs or hair> spray is used as they bring in "professionals"> to do our hair on performance nights. I'm sure> they'll have their own opinions of what is right> or not. I'm not sure how to share your advice> with them without offending them or appearing> like I'm questioning their knowledge or ability.> I certainly don't want someone upset with me to> be doing all this to my hair.> As far as photos go, I know we have a production> photographer who has rights to everything. I'll> see if I can get some copies, but right now my> computer doesn't have scanning capabilities.> Have you ever gone through anything like> this with your own hair, or known anyone else> who has? I'd love to hear from someone so I can> be better prepared for what is to come. Maybe> that way I can be alerted to any problems that> are happening, or rest easier and maybe even have> fun with the whole thing if I can tell I am in> competent hands. I'd love to hear from anyone> on this matter.> Thanks again Karen, and the cast thanks you> too.> Stephanie>