What”s what: sorting out the porridge in your head

Have you ever been perplexed by the abundance of hair care recommendations available? One consumer raves about a product while another claims it’s a complete bust. What about the countless styles and haircuts? It’s enough to give anyone a spinning headache.

You’re not alone if you find yourself getting lost in a maze of acronyms, terms, and methods. There’s so much information out there that it’s simple to confuse what works and what doesn’t for you.

This post aims to help you sort through that confusion. So that you can concentrate on the things that actually matter for your hair, let’s sort through the noise and clear up any confusion.

Term	Explanation
Layers	Multiple lengths of hair stacked for texture and volume.
Undercut	Hair is shaved or cut short underneath, leaving the top longer.
Bob	A short haircut that usually ends at the jawline or shoulders.
Bang	Hair cut to hang over the forehead, also called fringe.
Pixie	A short, close-cropped hairstyle with a playful look.

With so many tips, tricks, and advice available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to hair care and styling. By dissecting the fundamentals of hair types, products, and routines, "What"s what: sorting out the porridge in your head" seeks to dispel confusion and empower you to take confident control of your hair without all the hassle.

Hair characteristics

The initial attribute that we shall examine is hair type.

Four varieties of hair exist:

1. Oily – the dullest ones become sticky, lose volume the second day after washing, and don’t hold a hairstyle well. Hair that is oily is a result of the sebaceous glands working too hard, leaving a film on the hair that needs to be washed more frequently because dirt sticks to it more quickly. The dandruff is thick and oily, covering the scalp.

2. Dry: difficult to comb, easily torn, split ends, dull, brittle, and non-elastic. There are tiny, dry dandruff on the scalp. absorbs moisture with ease. Regular trimming is necessary to prevent this type of hair from becoming unhealthy-looking.

3. Normal: lustrous, pliable, adaptable to styling, and simple to comb both before and after washing.

4. Mixed: This type of hair can be caused by over-washing oily hair, which leaves the ends dry and brittle but the base oily.

Why you need to know your hair type? Care for one hair type differs from another because.. each type will have its own needs. So dry hair needs to be moisturized, and oily hair needs high-quality cleansing. Different length sections can be of different types! For example, oily root type and normal length type.

The next feature is called porosity. The capacity of hair to absorb moisture is known as porosity. The state of the hair cuticle has a direct bearing on the porosity level.

By porosity, there are three types of hair:

1. Low porosity: hair that is thought to be healthy and resistant to chemicals. Hair is generally very shiny, particularly if it is dark in color. Your hair will reject moisture if you attempt to wet it. Such porosity makes it challenging to process hair because it prevents chemicals from penetrating.

2. Normal hair with medium porosity. They are typically chemically curled, dyed with predictable outcomes, and hold styling well. Hair doesn’t need particular treatments or products.

3. High porosity – this quality of hair is usually the result of previously performed chemical procedures, strong temperature exposure, lack of proper care, damage from environmental influences, or an integral property of the hair (for example, curly hair). Porous hair – damaged hair or very curly – dry, brittle and fragile. They have damage or large holes in the cuticle, which allow too much moisture to evaporate and make them prone to frizz, also in damp weather.

For those who may be curious, the cuticle, also known as the scaly layer, serves as the outermost layer of hair and shields it from the elements. The texture and sheen of the hair are determined by the state of the cuticle. Normal, healthy cuticles reflect light and facilitate easy hair-to-hair sliding on one another’s surface. It is made up of 6–19 tightly overlapping layers of cells that give the appearance of a nearly smooth surface.

A thin, imperceptible film of waterproof fatty acids covers a healthy cuticle layer at all times. All it is is a natural hair conditioner that gives the appearance of having silky, smooth hair.

We will next examine hair thickness. Micrometers, or microns, are used to measure the thickness of hair. Ten-6 meters make up one micron. Hair thickness is measured with a specialized tool called a micrometer, but you can also fairly accurately and roughly gauge your own hair thickness at home. A standard pencil and one or more of your hairs—the shorter the hair, the more you’ll need—are required.

To create a layer that is roughly half a centimeter thick, wind the hair around the pencil. Remember that the measurement’s accuracy is directly impacted by how tightly the coils fit against one another. Next, determine the number of coils and precisely measure the width of the resulting layer. Your hair’s thickness can be calculated by dividing its width by the total number of coils.

Healthy human hair comes in three main thicknesses. The unit of measurement is microns. Less than 50 microns is the thickness of thin hair; 50 to 70 microns is the thickness of medium-thick hair; and more than 70 microns is the thickness of thick hair.

The mane gets thicker the more hairs there are and the thicker they are. You must gather your hair into a ponytail and measure the circumference in order to calculate the density. similar to this The hair is thin if it is less than 5 cm. If it is 5–10 cm, medium. If the thickness exceeds 10 cm.

Let’s examine the hair groupings now. Here, everything is easy. Three categories exist: curly, wavy, and straight. It gets harder now because they are separated into groups.

Group 1: Straight hair Category 1A: Straight, thin hair. They are challenging to style and do not hold a curl well. Weakness and oiliness are frequent grievances. For a daytime "reboot," always have dry shampoo on hand. Steer clear of thick, nourishing conditioners that can "pull" the hair down and give it an oily appearance.

The thicker strands of Category 1B. hair have a small bend at the ends (but not curls). Use a dry texturing spray at the roots of curls to add volume and texture, then style with an iron.

Class 1C. This hair is mostly straight with a few waves. They retain style well, are extremely thin, and are prone to curling. However, when blow-drying, use cold air, antistatic, and a smoothing serum to avoid looking like a fluffy ball after going outside.

Group 2: Curly hair

Class 2A. categorized as classic. Every curl has an arbitrary bend. To achieve a sleek hairstyle, most girls with this type of hair straighten it. However, blow dry your hair and use a curling iron to curl the straighter strands if you want to highlight your natural texture.

Class 2B. referred to as "beach waves." The best way to style these curls is with mousse or a diffuser. The trick is that you’ll end up with more waves the less you touch your hair. Remember to use hair oil as well.

Class 2C. Curly, large waves look stylish, but they need special attention. Finger styling and hydration are beneficial for this kind of hair. Make sure to treat it with nourishing, deep-conditioning masks (at least once a week).

Group 3: Hair with curls

Group 3A. This type of hair has the largest diameter curls. Wet hair and apply leave-in care to make them look gorgeous. To compress the curls and force the strands toward the scalp, use a towel. Although this type of hair is easy to straighten, it is delicate to high temperatures, so wear protection.

Class 3B. These spirals are elongated and descend to the shoulders. Combining light gels with conditioners can help produce curls that are bouncy and smooth without leaving a sticky trace. It works best to apply stylers to damp, clean hair, allowing them to absorb the moisture before drying them.

Class 3C. These curls, which can range in diameter from a pencil to a tiny marker, are the tightest and most prone to curling. Pay close attention to hair cleansing (use a cleanser air conditioner, for example) to prevent choosing the wrong kind of hairstyle. Taking such care will keep the shine and lessen the knocking strands.

We have now deconstructed the primary features. Let’s head to care now.

Shampoos

The selection is really substantial. To select the appropriate methods, however, we first identified the hair’s characteristics. Thus…

Shampoos for average hair The broadest category of shampoos is for normal hair, as this is the recommended choice for individuals with healthy hair. All of the neutral, acid-balanced, and technical salon shampoos fall into this category. This line of high-quality shampoos has a standard detergent composition, requires little maintenance, and does not have an alkaline pH. These shampoos do nothing more than wash hair and, if at all possible, preserve its healthy appearance. Since these shampoos have a strong cleaning ability, they are typically not advised for daily use.

Manufacturers occasionally conceal shampoos for blondes, brunettes, and redheads in order to draw consumers to their products for advertising purposes. All of these kinds are essentially just marketing ploys that cover up a regular shampoo regimen for normal hair. Very seldom do shampoos themselves fall into the staining shampoo category, if they have any color at all (red, yellow, brown). However, this is an uncommon instance.

Shampoos for stained hair

Shampoos for painted hair are a particular class of shampoos designed to keep the hair’s cosmetic color intact. They contain a few caring ingredients along with mild detergents that only slightly remove the hair color.

Shampoos for hair that is damaged These shampoos work to artificially restore the structure of damaged hair while enhancing the appearance of healthy hair. Their job is to wash damaged hair and scalp gently and without causing more harm. additionally smooth the surface of the hair’s voids by filling them in slightly.

For dry and curly hair, moisturizing shampoos—also known as conditioning shampoos—are used. This also applies to the shampoos from the summer series. The goal of moisturizing shampoos is to retain and replenish as much moisture as possible in the hair. These shampoos are sometimes referred to as air conditioning shampoos because they contain a lot of air conditioning ingredients.

Shampoos with therapeutic properties Several medications with unique therapeutic ingredients that address scalp problems are included in the category of therapeutic shampoos. This group includes shampoos, shampoos for sensitive scalps, shampoos for oily hair (including shampoos for the treatment of seborrhea), and shampoos to prevent hair loss. Shampoo is one of the many therapeutic agents used in the integrated treatment of each of these issues.

Shampoos that add volume to thin hair Shampoos for fine hair, also known as volumizing shampoos, increase each hair’s diameter and consequently the volume of hair, producing a cosmetic effect. Several silicones and polymer compounds, which form a thin, slightly rough film on the hair’s surface and add volume, are found in large quantities in these shampoos.

This is a transient film that gets partially removed with a subsequent shampooing. But, you should be cautious of the cumulative effect of using volumizing shampoo frequently and wash your hair with a deep cleansing shampoo instead.

Shampoos with tints (coloring shampoos) This is a fairly common way to add color, bring out colors that already exist, and balance out unwanted tones. This line of shampoos includes some highly well-liked ones that hide gray hair, anti-yellowness shampoos that are a favorite among blond women, and shampoos that bring out the color of red and brown hair.

These are typically just ordinary shampoos for colored or natural hair, with the added benefit of color pigments that add color to the hair while the head is being washed. Since these shampoos lack oxidizing and alkaline qualities, they neither lighten nor degrade hair’s quality. They merely impart or marginally alter the hair’s color. Using regular shampoo removes the resultant shade, which is not long-lasting.

The potential for extremely lightened hair to acquire an intense, unwanted color is the only "but" associated with using coloring shampoos. As a result, depending on the porosity of the hair, you should use shampoo on such hair with caution and may even dilute it with water.

Universal shampoos "2-in-1" 2-in-1 universal shampoos are a unique category of shampoos that combine both conditioner and shampoo. They can take care of washing the head and smoothing the cuticle of the hair on their own, so they don’t need to use masks or conditioners any more. Hair shines and combs easily after using these shampoos.

Deep cleaning shampoos are a unique type of shampoo that is primarily used in salons. The primary function of the deep cleaning shampoo is to eliminate and cleanse all the buildup that has developed in the hair due to maintenance and styling. Such shampoo contains very little caring ingredients and a strong detergent. Shampoo should only be applied when there is a noticeable buildup in the hair, and no more frequently than every two weeks.

It requires the use of a good air conditioner and washes the hair and scalp vigorously, making cosmetic color easy to rinse out of the hair. Regular use of deep cleaning shampoo can result in irritation, dry skin, dandruff, and dry hair; therefore, using it at home is strictly discouraged.

Shampoos for regular usage Daily use shampoos are basically gentle shampoos meant for everyday use on normal hair. Their pH is typically acidic, and the detergents don’t irritate the skin.

Shampoos for children Typically, children’s shampoos are gentle detergents that don’t sting the eyes. They frequently use conditioning additives along with the gentlest detergents. It is not advised for adults to use children because they produce less sebum than adults do. When used as a daily shampoo, that is the only exception. It should be kept in mind, though, that this kind of shampoo struggles to handle extremely dirty hair, so it is not very effective there.

Dry shampoos (waterless shampoos)
Dry shampoos (waterless shampoos) are a fairly rare item that is used in cases where it is not possible to wash your hair with conventional products. Dry shampoos have a powder consistency and cleanse hair without using soap and water. In their composition, these shampoos are a mixture of absorbent powder and mild alkali. The alkali saponifies the sebum, and the powder absorbs dirt, soap build-up and fat residues. Shampoo residues are removed by combing.
However, it should be noted that dry shampoos add volume to hair, make combing difficult and cause dry hair. Since the alkali opens the scales of the cuticle layer, and subsequently they do not close.

Dry shampoos are not as effective as regular hair washing. Shampooing extremely dirty hair frequently necessitates using it several times, which significantly degrades the hair’s quality. Additionally, hair that has been washed with dry shampoo should be handled carefully when receiving hairdressing services.

Balms and conditioners

Balm for hair is used to neutralize the negative effects of shampoo, as well as to provide the hair with the components necessary for normal growth and restoration.
There are 3 main types of hair balms. Classic
Its task is to level the hair surface and ensure its smoothness. Any components that can fill the voids under the keratin scales and create a thin protective layer are suitable for this: natural oils, fatty acids, plant extracts, microelements. This type includes most completely natural products, as well as our grandmothers" recipes that are easy to prepare at home. The advantage of such balms is their versatility and availability, and the disadvantage is that they are intended mainly for healthy normal hair and do not solve serious problems with hair.

Conditioner The conditioner’s primary functions are to prevent static electricity and moisture loss. To achieve this, unique chemical components are added to its composition; these tend to build up on the skin and in the hair. They produce a thin barrier of defense that endures until the subsequent hair wash. Most likely, you’ve noticed that your hair gets heavier and thinner hair loses volume after using conditioners. However, it can effortlessly manage frizzed-out hair and keep it from tangling while blow-drying. Use of this product is limited to two or three times per week.

Cleanse-off After shampooing, rinse-off is a routine care product that helps the scalp return to its natural pH level. It must contain acid (grape, lactic, citric, ascorbic, glycolic, etc.) to balance out any residual alkali on the skin and hair. It is best used the day after you wash your hair. It is especially beneficial for damaged and colored hair because it closes the keratin scales, restoring the smoothness of the hair while also extending the life of the coloring pigment. The rinse can also "glue" split ends and offer nutrition and hydration, depending on what else is added.

1. Moisturizing
2. Volume
3. Restoration
4. Nutrition
5. Elasticity

Hair masks and creams

First, let’s examine hair masks. masks that moisturize. essential to preserving the scalp’s and hair’s moisture balance. Prevent your hair from becoming dry and brittle. Add smoothness and shine to hair. Both the summer and the winter should make use of them. They protect hair from the drying effects of wind and UV rays in the summer. During the winter, moisturizing masks shield curls from moisture loss caused by dry air in heated spaces. You can use moisturizing masks twice a week for dry hair. This once a week will suffice for other types.

Masks that nourish. intended to provide essential vitamins and minerals to the hair and scalp. They give hair elasticity and strength and enhance scalp blood circulation. They offer defense against detrimental environmental effects. For two months, these masks should be applied once a week in courses.

Masks that restore. required for damaged hair following coloring, frequent straightening of hair, curling, styling, and other adverse conditions. Encourage the scalp’s metabolic processes and aid in the restoration of the structure of the hair. It is advised to use this after nourishing masks. These masks ought to be applied in ten to fifteen procedures, two or three times a week.

Bolstering face coverings. used to treat hair loss or stop this bothersome occurrence. Enhance the health of your hair’s roots and give your curls more volume and thickness. These masks ought to be made in classes. For the first two weeks of the month. After that, once a week, until the intended result is obtained. To keep the effect going after that, strengthening masks should be applied 1-2 times per month. Such masks are too frequent and can overdo your hair.

Compassionate masks. Keep your hair healthy and beautiful; make it silky and soft. Make combing simpler. You only need to use these masks once a week for two to three months.

Additionally, there are masks with obvious effects—for colored hair, for growth, for thickness, etc.—as suggested by their names.

Hair cream is a material that looks similar to skin in appearance, but it contains a combination of ingredients meant to help the hair strands. Such a product can contain a wide range of ingredients, including conditioning agents, silicones, plant extracts, essential oils, etc. d.

The majority of the time, rinse-off versions of these hair cosmetics are identical to regular store-bought masks, which initially resemble cream in texture. Between these two products, there are either very few or none at all: When using a thick texture—usually white—it takes some time for the hair to absorb the healthy ingredients, which then rinses out of the curls.

Scrubs

Scrubs are intended to thoroughly clean the scalp (and occasionally the hair) of excess sebum, outside impurities, and dead skin particles. Those with extremely high sebum secretion, those with thick hair that makes it difficult to fully wash the scalp, and those with dandruff typically require scrubs. Deep cleaning is sometimes necessary for normal skin as well.

Microscopic abrasive particles that mechanically clean the scalp can be found in scalp scrubs. Conversely, abrasive particles can be artificial or natural (crushed apricots, grape seeds, etc.). Scrubs containing abrasive particles have a very high cleansing capacity, but using them always carries the risk of more sensitive skin afterwards.

There is another type of scrub that is homogeneous in consistency and does not include any abrasive particles. They clean because of adsorbents and surface-active ingredients. These scrubs are more comfortable to use, and they frequently clean just as well as traditional abrasive scrubs.

Crucial. It’s highly advised against using scrubs if you have increased scalp sensitivity or if you have dermatological issues (psoriasis, eczema, etc.) without first seeing a trichologist or dermatologist.

Leave-in care

Products for moisturizing and protecting hair (color fixation, heat protection) are also available. Leave-in conditioners are typically designed to make combing wet or dry hair easier by reducing friction and potentially damaging the cuticle. Some of them have the ability to "glue" or penetrate deeply into the hair to partially restore it and stop further damage. The ingredients in any leave-in product are the same as those in conditioners or hair masks (concentration is the only variation), but "leave-in" products have a much smoother consistency. Very cool post about leave-in products written by Pavlova_Maria. This is the post she made.

Choosing your hairstyle doesn’t have to be difficult, but it sometimes feels that way. Knowing what suits your face shape, hair type, and personal style is key.

Things begin to make sense once you understand the fundamentals. You’ll know what products to use, when to get a trim, and how to get the desired look without making things too complicated.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to have faith in your decisions. Follow your gut and try a few different things until you find what works best for you.

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