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Hair & You
There are all kinds of hair out there. And there are
all kinds of girls out there wishing for something
DIFFERENT.
Girls with smooth, straight hair who want curls.
Girls with lush natural ringlets wishing for sleeker hair.
Girls with fine hair imagining how great it would be to
have thick hair.
Girls with bright brown locks wishing their hair were red instead . . . or black . . . or blond . . .
But here’s what’s true: Unless something happens
that causes you to lose your hair, you will always
have the kind of hair you have.
True, you can dye it a different color.
You can use chemicals to change its texture.
You can use hot tools to try to make it act a different way.
Lots and lots of girls and women do this. In moderation,
it’s just fine.
But it takes time and money (and sometimes discomfort) to
try to make your hair do something it doesn’t naturally want
to. And even after all that effort, people still have “I hate my hair!” days. That’s because no matter what the exciting advertisements promise, no product or process is magic. Hair treatments and tools might make some changes until your hair grows out, but no product or service can actually, really give you hair you don’t have.
Learning to like the hair you
do have—and to understand it— is what you need for hair happiness.
Hair Quiz
1. When I wear my hair in a ponytail, the elastic usually wraps around it . . . a. four or five times. b. three times. c. twice—maybe.
Answers
If you chose a, you have thin hair. If you chose b, you have medium hair. If you chose c, you have thick hair.
2. When my hair air-dries, it usually looks . . . a. stick-straight. b. a little bit bendy. c. coiled and poofy.
Answers
If you chose a, you have smooth hair. If you chose b, you have wavy hair. If you chose c, you have curly or textured hair.
Turn the page to find
your personalized
symbols.
thin
medium
thick
Hair Thickness
smooth
wavy
curly/textured
Hair Texture
Watch for your symbols throughout the book for personalized
advice. Sections without icons should work for most girls.
Note:
If your hair seems to fit into more
than one category, that’s normal! Even
similar types of hair can benefit from
different types of care. Try different
tips throughout the book to see what
works best for you.
What Is Hair?
Hair grows all over your body, except for
in a few spots, including your lips, the palms
of your hands, and the soles of your feet.
Your genes decide what kind of hair will
grow on your body and your head.
Each hair is made in a hair follicle (say it like this: FALL-ih-cul), which produces cells. As new cells form, the old cells are pushed out of the follicle to form a strand. That’s your hair. It means that even though your hair is “growing,” the part of it you see is actually dead! Unlike your skin, your hair cannot repair itself, so it’s important to take good care of it.
Is my hair falling out?
The average human head has
between 100,000 and 150,000
strands of hair, and it is normal
for some to fall out.
People can normally lose 100
hairs a day or more, so don’t
worry if you find strands in your
brush or if some come out as
you wash your hair.
Take Care of
Your Hair
Just as you take care of your
body, caring for your hair is
important.
Washing
Keep your hair clean by washing it regularly.
What type of shampoo should I use?
Choose a mild shampoo that’s made for
your hair’s thickness and texture. Make sure to read the labels!
Moisturizing shampoo can build up in some hair and make it
limp. Shampoo that is too clarifying can dry out your hair. If a
product doesn’t give you good results, ask to try a different one.
How often should I wash?
That depends on the kind of hair you have. Shampooing every
day is best for some girls. (That’s especially true for girls who
swim or play sports that make them sweat, and also for girls
whose