Topper said:
Sorry, I couldn't find anything. Can you (or someone else) maybe summarize it in a few words?
Brian
The famous hair stylist George Michael (now 82 and living in Florida) of New York City developed successful methods to grow out very long lengths of hair in women and eventually owned 2,000 salons dedicated to long hair. Women are often told that after they reach thirty that hair should be no longer than shoulder length. Michael felt long hair was majestic on a mature woman, did much to downplay wrinkles, made them look younger immediately.
Left - Dr. Michael with client
Dr. Michael has found that it is important for growing the longest, healthiest hair possible is to have hair that's all one length - without bangs or fringes. He says that the body will try to equalize uneven hair by excessively shedding hair.
He says that "The longer the hair, the stronger the root," and this results in healthier hair.
Longer Hair Reduces Shedding - Studies by Dr. George Michael Hair Length - inches Average Number Hairs Lost Per Day
4 87
12 26
Waist Length 16
Floor Length 2
One of his secrets was the use of acid conditioners and acid pre-treatment products use before swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water or exposing the hair to sunlight. This kept the hair proteins very tightly bound together. He used hair dryers set only about 10 degrees F. higher than body temperature. Common blow dryers reach temperatures of up to 260 degrees. Water boils at 212 degrees. This high heat can damage hair follicles. Large rollers of soft mesh or plastic were used for drying the hair. Velcro rollers were not used because they can tear the hair. Special care was taken to protect the ends of the hair when rolling or setting.
Hair cutting was done as one-length style using a straight blunt cut Michael felt that when hair was cut in layers, the body automatically tried to even out the hair which created extra fallout. Shampoos were kept to a minimum. Vitamin and mineral supplements were recommended. He recommended covering hair at all times when exposed to direct sunlight.
We thank Jennifer Bahney of Long Hair Lovers for the above photographs of Dr. Michael. A very interesting interview with Dr. Michael is at
http://www.bbahneycomm.com/longhairlovers/
Tips for Long, Healthy Hair
Hair experts have a number of suggestions. But remember, people who only want to cut your hair off usually know little about hair.
1. Hair is best cut when dry. The detangling comb is designed to be used on damp hair. Start at the ends and work up.
2. Detangle dry hair before washing. De-tangle ends first, then work your way up. Do not try to remove from top to bottom since this may pull out hair. Before entering a shower, use your your comb or brush to give your hair a few strokes. This aligns the strands, and help prevent tangles.
3. For washing, bring your hair to the front before you wet it and leave it there hanging down and keep it there during shampooing. During the washing, try not to move your hair. This keeps the hair strands in position so they won't move upwards and wrap themselves around other strands, resulting in tangles. Use water of room temperature for your hair. The lowest temperature that you can use is best for hair. Warm water open the hair scales, making the hair shaft more vulnerable to damage.
4. Use a minimum of a shampoo with a pH 5.0 to 6.0. Foaming the shampoo is overkill. Pour some shampoo into your palm, then rub your hands together and run the palms of your hands over your head but not yet down the string of hair. If the shampoo begins to foam, you used too much.
5. The shampoo is used to remove dirt from the top layers of your hair. Don't try to wash your hair inside out - just let the shampoo suds penetrate these under layers briefly as it flows over the lower part of your hair. Use your fingers to help release the soap from your head and works the shampoo down the hair. Running your fingers down the string of hair helps detangling.
Make sure that you wash out all of the shampoo. When you think all shampoo is gone, allow another half minute of constant water flow to ensure that residues are gone. Then bend over, and
give a final rinse of the lower hair part with cold water.
6. Use an acidifying conditioner with peptides that re-glue the hair cuticles. Such conditioners help detangle hair, add body and increase the hair's natural shine. Put extra conditioner on the hair ends to prevent split ends. Give the conditioner at least a minute to glue into the hair. For a final rinse use cool or cold water.
7. Air dry your hair whenever possible and use a special highly absorbent towel for your hair. Do not dry your hair with your general bath towel.
8. When you must blow dry your hair, first wrap in a towel for a time to remove most of the water. Blow dry the hair for a time, then let it air dry for a time.
9. Never buy a "heavy duty reconstructor" for your hair.
10. A "cool" setting on the hair dryer helps "set" the hair.
11. Never brush your hair when it is wet.
12. Excessive sunlight and use of tanning beds harms hair.
13. Find non-alcohol hair sprays which are less drying.
14. Only use wide toothed combs and picks.
15. Many hairdressers only cut hair. Tell them to keep trimming to an absolute minimum. Avoid hostile or hyper-critical hairdressers.
16. Only use coated or snag free elastics and hair fasteners
