The solution to split ends

Hi, Rissa!

Right now I’m concerned about my hair. It’s been very dry but thankfully no flakes on my scalp or anything. But I do have split ends. It’s been quite a while since I last saw split ends on my hair. Nakakainis! I’m trying to grow my hair long. Is there a way to treat split ends without cutting off the ends?

Trish

First of all, hair is dry as a result of lack of sebum on the hair. Dehydration makes the hair less elastic so it’s more susceptible to breakage and damage. It will actually only stretch half as far as normal hair. Thus, dry hair needs more protection than normal hair from the drying effects of the sun, seawater, and stress from brushing and styling.

The first step to solving split ends is to have your hair trimmed. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice a few inches. After all, it’s for the sake of healthier hair. If you don’t go for a trim, your problem may worsen.

Next, to prevent further damage, start using leave-in conditioners or treatments before your daily routine of blow-drying and hairstyling. This way, your mane stays healthy and stylish at the same time. Try St. Ives Split Mender. It’s a leave-in conditioning treatment that contains a special micro-protein serum that is instantly absorbed into the cuticle, helping reconstruct damaged split ends. Another product to try is L’Oreal’s Kerastase Nutri-Instant serum for damaged ends. It not only treats dry split ends but leaves hair super shiny.

I recently tried Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Cream (available at Rustan’s Essenses). It’s a plant-based formula composed of seven plant extracts with special hydrating and regenerating properties. I love how just a dab of cream is enough to moisturize and hydrate the hair. The best part is it doesn’t leave the hair greasy and it doesn’t weigh hair down. An added bonus? It facilitates styling your hair and leaves it shiny, supple and full of body.

It would also help if you get regular treatments at the salon. Bench Fix offers a wide variety of hair treatments depending on your hair and scalp needs. Choose one that will fit your hair’s current condition.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to shampoo your hair as often as you want. Contrary to common belief, doing so won’t really make your hair drier. In fact, the cleaner the scalp, the more sebum will be able to move along the hair shaft. Just make sure you use the right kind of shampoo, too. Opt for creamy shampoos with built-in conditioners and those that are specifically for dry hair.

Rissa

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Quenching Dry Skin

Dear Tingting,

I’m a first-year college student. I don’t want to brag but I’m tall and attractive, except for one thing – my skin is so dry and it makes me feel uneasy. I want to know if I have to maintain a certain beauty regimen. What advice would you give?

Isabella

Beautiful skin is very important. More than anything, it’s getting the right sleep because it shows if you don’t. I sleep six hours a day. Basically, I follow a very normal routine of washing my face with Ivory soap. I use Obagi Exfoderm and Obagi Clear combined and Obagi Sunscreen in the morning from Dr. Vicki Belo, and Sisley Anti-Age in the evening which my daughter Mai-Mai brought for me from Italy. You can also try Endo Cream which Dr. Cervantes, my dermatologist from Tarlac, used to give me. Both are important morning or evening to moisturize dry skin. You can try Dr. Vermen Verallo’s coconut oil and Retin-A liquid on your neck. I really use a lot of products and I never stop finding one that will match my skin type. Vitamins and a balanced diet are also essential.

Tingting

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Paging Dr. Sylvia Huang

Dear Lucy,

I’ve been trying to locate Dr. Sylvia Huang, dermatologist par excellence, who has a clinic somewhere in Greenhills. My mom, who is now based in the US, used to go to her, but I’ve never accompanied her. Can you give me her clinic address and contact number so I can set up an appointment with her? You girls have mentioned her separately several times in Style SOS. Thank you so much! Your paper rocks! JANE

Dr. Sylvia Huang’s clinic is located in LPL building, Annapolis, near Club Filipino. Clinic hours start at 1 p.m. every day except Thursdays and Sundays. Her contact number is 722-2660.

Lucy

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Killer Shoes

Dear Rissa,

My tita just came home from the States two weeks ago and gave me a new pair of shoes as pasalubong. I was so excited to use them, of course. I wore them every day. My problem now is that since they weren’t broken in, my shoes felt a little too snug at first. They weren’t very comfortable for the first few days. I decided to give my new shoes (and feet!) a rest because I now have blisters on the heel of my foot and some calluses on my toes. I feel so miserable because I have to settle for wearing sandals and slippers so my calluses and blisters won’t hurt. How can I treat them ASAP?

Twinky Toes

I know how it feels when you’ve got a new pair of shoes that you love to death. You want to wear them every day. I’d even match my outfits to my shoes-of-the-moment just so I could wear them the whole week! But what spoils the excitement is when your feet no longer look and feel beautiful next to those lovely shoes.

When your shoes are tight, your skin’s natural defense is to thicken in reaction to the friction. Try having your shoes stretched (provided they’re leather) at Mr. Quickie or Heel Sew Quick. It costs around P75 only. It’ll take around three days before you can slip into those shoes again. Perhaps your tita bought you shoes half a size small. Then again, it could be your correct shoe size but the shape or width of the shoe might be a little narrow for your feet.

In the meantime, treat your blisters by putting on a Band-Aid. This will protect it from further friction. You can pop your blister using a sterile needle but don’t peel off the skin. Simply place a Band-Aid over the affected area to protect it and allow it to heal. Stockings and foot powder can also help lessen friction on your feet.

As for your calluses, get yourself over-the-counter corn and callus removers. Dr. Scholl has always been the best. But since these products are acidic, using too much can cause wounds. That’s why you should always read the instructions and follow them correctly. When your feet are healed and happy, keep them soft and smooth by moisturizing them, too. Now you can put your best foot forward.

Rissa

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Send your questions via e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, rissa_samson@yahoo.com, or fax Lucy Torres-Gomez at 301-9732.