Women
Steps To Growing Long Hairs
The Tide women’s desk
took some time out this week to find out from women what they feel about their hairs and guess their responses, “I like my hairs long and silky; only a handful could settle for short, natural hairs.
Of course, hairs naturally set the pace for women’s beauty. Little wonder a little girl of five could be concerned about making her hairs long, she defies all odds, suffers the pains and discomfort of hair plaiting and weaving, all in a bid to make her hairs long.
Every woman wants a mane of soft, silky, touchable strands, but the reality is that it takes patience, determination and commitment to grow long hairs.
Available research records have shown that hairs grow only about a half inch per month but the greatest enemy of hair growth is its breakage hence, the biggest challenge is about stopping breakage and keeping strands strong.
For Jessica Prince, a beauty analyst, the fight against hair breakage starts from the shower. The dirts in the scalp occasioned by the hairs’ exposure to the outside environment, sweat, and the oil regularly applied to the hairs, can best be described as anti-hair growth agent. Mrs Alex-Naenwi Patience, of Gborsi Resources, declares that the menace of this anti-hair growth agent can only be effectively combated by using warm water to wash the hair so that the scalp can regain its freshness while still retaining the firmness of the strands.
She explains that some long hairs are naturally endowed while others are induced. Mrs Naenwi said that while the natural long hairs grow with ease, the induced takes some measure to develop which include hair treatment such as Omega growth, Duotex, Perm repair, Hair fertiliser to mention a few.
In her view, it is imperative to trim the hair after each retouching.
But for Mrs Catherine Okedu-Kamalu a stylist, growing the hair begins with the choice of an hair relaxer, she explains that different relaxers go with different hair texture and using the right relaxer for a hair type is a step in a right direction – She insists that conscious effort must be made by the hair dresser not to apply relaxer on the tips of the hair as that aids breakages.
Mrs Catherine pointed out an error ladies usually make in using different hair dressers for same hair which she complains does not make for continuity, stressing that hairs are better managed by people who know the history of the hair.
“Another important rule in growing long hair is regular steaming,” she said. Steam allows the pulse in the scalp to open especially with the use of egg which contains protein and oil coupled with conditioning which helps to restore the natural oil feeling.
Jessica says it is better to go sulphate-free. According to her, over washing can dry out hairs so the less you shampoo, the more hydrated it will be and the longer it will grow without breaking.
Therefore, when you do shampoo, consider a sulphate-free formular; they often contain less harsh detergent or none at all and helps preserve the hairs’ natural oil.
Pirade Mirmirani, a faculty member of the American Academy of Dermatology says “while lathering, remember that ‘shampoo is meant to remove product build-up and oil from the scalp, not the hair fibre.’”
Shampoo containing peppermint or eucalyptus oil helps to stimulate the scalp. The tingling sensation experience while massaging scalp helps increase circulation and blood flow to the follicles, thereby boosting growth. Meanwhile, Phillip Kingsley, a trichologist, has advised that scalp be massaged 30 seconds prior to washing as such measure is capable of growing the hair an extra inch in one year.
Another option is botanical leave-in-treatment which has been proven to stimulate hair growth when applied to clean root two or three times per week.
Experts say that when hair is well hydrated, it becomes less likely to dry out and split hence the need to apply conditioner even on days when shampoos are skipped.
For Hair stylist, Oribe Salon, hairs should be treated gently like a delicate fabric, but also needs to be regularly nourished.
Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist, recommends applying a deep conditioning product at least once a week is recommended.
·Maybe you may need to know that if you be not careful, your hair brush can actually do more harm than good. Ripping through wet tangles creates split ends, so try gently running a wide-tooth plastic comb from roots to ends.
“When blow-drying with a round brush” don’t pull too hard or you can break and pull out hairs. When you are not styling, avoid a brush altogether. “Brushing 100 strokes a day is completely old fashion and not a good idea says Phillip Kingsley.
Applying hot tools directly to the hair can fry the cuticle, so coat wet locks with a creamy moisturising product for protection. Beauticians say the best tools to prevent hair damage are ionic dryers and ceramic irons with uniformly heated plates so you don’t have to go over the same section more than once. And for waves, hot rollers can be gentler than curling irons.
Check your medications, you may need to know that some birth control pills can cause hair thinning? Although, it may not typically a direct cause and effect, any change in a woman’s hormonal situation, can lead to hair loss.
·Manage your stress. “stress causes the release of cortisol and other hormones that contribute to hair thinning. However, the good news is that you can reverse the problem by getting your stress under control.
Steer clear of scissors. Contrary to what some stylists say, hair cuts don’t stimulate growth, if you are trying to grow your hair, do not cut the length no matter how fried it is, says Josh, instead ask for the ends to be trimmed.
Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
