DETROIT – We all have our hair stories -- those moments when we tried something that ended up damaging our hair. So, how do we keep our hair healthy? What product ingredients should we look for that are beneficial, and what hidden chemicals can damage it over time?
Related: Flat irons, brushes, and more: Consumer Reports reviews safer hair tools
“You hear so many stories and then you see so many dire situations, hair is so much more important than we give it credit for,” said Dezi Santiago. “I have seen so many horror stories from past things that they’ve used, whether it be relaxers, whether it was overheating their hair flat iron every day, to maintain a look.”
Dezi -- the founder of BiOMNI Beauty: For All and Swayd Style Lounge -- has decades of experience in maintaining healthy hair and restoring damage.
Chemical-free hair straightening alternative
---> You can watch Rhonda Walker’s full interview with Dezi Santiago here.
Finding the right fix
Many clients come to Dezi after trying various products at home, only to find they need a professional to fix the damage. So, what’s the solution?
“One of the things that I always encourage my clients are ozone treatments, deep conditioning, restorative masks, things that have natural ingredients,” Dezi said. “Anytime you see something like hydrolyzed -- that means that it’s water soluble, so it’s not leaving a heavy film.”
The importance of routine
Dezi emphasized that routine and consistency are important in maintaining healthy hair.
“Maintenance is about what you do at night and in the morning,” Dezi said. “What are you doing after your hair is styled? Are you wrapping it at night? Are you wearing a silk or satin bonnet? Are you putting a scarf on? Do you have a pillowcase that protects your actual hair?”
Dezi suggests techniques like pin curls or using flexi rods.
“We have heatless curlers that are satin. You can wrap your hair around them, tie it up, and put a bonnet on and your hair is protected,” Dezi said. “You still maintain the style so you don’t have to get up and put heat on it the next day.”
Hair care for workouts
If you have a heavy workout routine, it’s essential to consider how you sweat.
“If you sweat from your head, you should not wrap your hair while you’re working out -- put it in a loose ponytail so your scalp dries,” Dezi said. “If you’re a back sweater, you need to make sure it’s up off your neck.”
Choosing the right products
The amount of hairspray someone uses can also impact hair health. Dezi recommends using hairspray only when necessary.
“Alcohol-based products dry your hair out over time. And the issue with hair, one of the biggest things, no matter what your hair texture or type, is, is moisture. The cuticle is like a pore: when it dries out, it breaks and so that’s where you get brittle hair,” Dezi said. “When you use hairspray, you’re literally dehydrating the hair.”
To lessen the need for hairspray, Dezi suggests using products that set in and seal the cuticle. She said they result in less frizz, fly away and the need for hairspray.
Diet and supplements
It’s not just what you put on yourself that makes an impact, as what you consume also plays a role.
“If you want healthy hair, you have to have a healthy diet,” Dezi said. “It makes such a big difference.”
After years of mixing and matching multiple products, Dezi developed her own product line called BiOMNI. This line combines all her favorite natural ingredients into one cohesive collection, making it easier for clients to maintain healthy hair.
Dezi’s full do-and-don’t guide to restore and maintain healthy hair can be read below.
