Fact or Fiction:

Does cutting your hair make it grow faster?

This question comes up in the salon a lot.  To be perfectly honest, its a trick question.   While cutting your hair regularly does not actually make it grow, it does keep it from breaking.  Breakage is the number one reason women (and men) across the world cannot seem to get their hair to grow quite as long as they would like.  If you are wondering to yourself:  "Why isn't my hair getting any longer?  I haven't cut it in months," the answer is because you are destroying it from neglect.  

Hair grows 1/4-1/2 an inch per month on average.  Split ends that go uncut, on the other hand, can equal inches of breakage.  When ignored, split ends will split up the hair shaft causing additional damage and ultimately the loss of that strand of hair.  It sounds like a no-win situation.  If your hair grows 1/2 inch  a month and your stylist cuts off 1/2 inch every 4 weeks... the math isn't very hard to figure out.

So whats the solution if you want your hair to grow?  Every 6-8 weeks get 1/4 inch trimmed off your ends.  You can also prevent split ends by using less heat on your hair, conditioning it with the proper bottle, and protecting those fragile ends with a leave-in conditioner.  If your hair is growing at a snails pace, check your diet.  Everything you put into your body eventually comes out in your hair (why do you think they clip strands for drug testing?).  Eat a well balanced diet and drink lots of water.  The extra hydration helps to keep your follicles lubricated and good food will nourish your hair at the root.

So the short version of my long winded answer:  Fiction. Cutting your hair certainly does not make it grow, but it does make it longer.  I told you it was a trick question.

Is Your Hair Bipolar?

Have you ever had the distinct feeling your hair is in a bad mood?  The same locks that behaved beautifully for weeks are suddenly laying limp and lifeless?  It could be time for a new haircut... or you hair could be seasonally bipolar.


Hair is directly affected by its environment.  A hot, humid day can make naturally curly waves spring into action.  That same humidity will make fine tresses fall flat.  Winter brings dryness and consequently depletes hair of moisture, elasticity, and sheen.  The drier your hair is, the more likely it is to have static and split ends.


Hair grows faster in the summer, so it doesn't make sense to cut more often in the dry winter weather to combat the extra damage.  Your hair will fare much better if you just pamper it a bit more in the cold months than you do in the summer heat.  With fall already here, there isn't much time to get ahead of the curve.  Luckily, its easy to keep your hair looking good year-round by following a few simple rules.


Oil is your friend if you have thick hair.  Oil gets into the hair shaft, moisturizing from the inside out.  Silicones can make the hair appear shiny and healthy, but they actually coat the hair, keeping moisture out.  A lightweight oil used as a leave-in conditioner can be the answer to your problems year-round.  Argan oil is found in many products, and is the perfect oil for the job.  This is the oil in the infamous Moroccan Oil everyone raves about.


If you have fine hair, the answer might be a new shampoo and conditioner.  In the heat and humidity of summer, a volumizing shampoo and conditioner are perfect, but they just don't cut it in the winter.  When fall arrives, switch to a basic color shampoo and conditioner (even if you are dye-free).  These products usually have a balance of protein and moisture... perfect for limp locks that are a little dry.  A moisturizing shampoo and conditioner might be too heavy for your skinny strands.


Everyone can benefit from in-salon conditioning treatments in the fall and winter.  These treatments are pretty hi-tech, and can be customized to fit the needs of your hair, whatever your hair type.  You can lengthen the affects of these in-salon treatments by getting an at-home treatment or mask to use once a week.  


The next time your hair is misbehaving, don't get mad... get even.  Feed your hair what its craving.  Just remember that the diet changes with the seasons.

Sulfates... Who Needs Them?

I have been a hairstylist for almost 13 years, and I can remember the first time I heard the word "sulfate" in beauty school. It was described as a necessary ingredient in shampoos, cleansers, and toothpaste that created lather. I remember thinking about sulfates fondly in this moment, reminiscing about those cute little blue scrubbing bubbles I had seen in television commercials or the adorably pink Mr. Bubble from bathtime in my childhood.

Then... they told me sulfates cause cancer.  I couldn't believe it, those cartoon bubbles were so loveable! Could they truly live a double life, moonlighting as harbingers of carcinogenic death?  I certainly hoped not.

Many times after this moment of disappointment in beauty school, I heard sulfates mentioned in this manner.  I began to think of these bubbles as evil little spheres of doom who were certainly trying to kill me.

Everywhere you look these days, "sulfate-free" is plastered on the front of shampoo bottles.  The assumption is that these sulfate alternative products are better for you.  They are often "all-natural" or "organic," and there is a negative connotation associated with buying products without a "sulfate-free" label on them.  Product companies are feeling more pressure than ever before to include sulfate-free  ingredients in their shampoos.  Certainly, this is to avoid the spread of cancer cells traveling by bubble through five layers of scalp skin to kill you, right?  Wrong.

The culprit everyone refers to as dangerous is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).  Three different agencies- the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have all rated SLS as being non-carcinogenic.  In fact, OSHA lists some nasty side affects for SLS if you inhale, ingest, or get it in your eyes; but we already knew that... there is nothing mentioned of the Big C.

The worst thing sulfates can do is deplete your hair of moisture, or cleanse a little too well.  Whether or not you need them depends on hair type and personal preference.  Recent studies show that sulfates can fade color faster, dissolve keratin bonds in extensions, or dehydrate the scalp by stripping it of natural oils. Consequently, I recommend sulfate-free shampoo to my clients when they are experiencing above average color fadeage, have hair extensions, or are scratching at a dry itchy scalp.  Beyond that, it comes down to personal preference.

If you are concerned about the ingredients in your shampoo and the affect they have on your head, ask your salon professional about it.  Rest assured that your shampoo is probably safe.  Just make sure you are using one that is made for your type of hair to get the most bang for your buck.  In the meantime, I'll be spending a little time with Mr. Bubble in my bathtub.

Come see me at my new salon!!

To My Most Valued Clients and Friends,

I am very excited to tell you that I am beginning a new stage in my career. As of Monday, July 5, I will no longer be employed at American Image. I am opening my own salon studio! Josh Nichols Studio, located in Loft 6 within Salon Lofts at 7354 Manchester Road
St Louis, MO 63143 is opening! This studio space is located in the historic business district of Maplewood, and is a perfect place for me to take my salon service to the next level. I will be in a private studio, allowing me to give each and every client personalized attention.
Along with this move, is the launch of my new website, JoshNicholsStudio.com where you can get detailed directions, a menu of services, check out my portfolio, and even book an appointment online!

I would like to invite all of my clients to join me at the new studio. Every appointment has been saved, and will be transfered to the new salon. Courtney and I will be in the new salon tomorrow from NOON until 4pm confirming appointments and preparing for our grand opening. Please call us if you have any questions or concerns at our new salon number (314) 973-3252.

I know that this news comes as a surprise. My decision to leave American Image is purely professional. I love my family at American Image, and wish them the best in everything they do. I am leaving with a good relationship and strong bond to the salon I have called home for almost ten years. With this in mind, if you choose to keep your future appointments at American Image, I will gladly refer you to another stylist who will strive to provide a service that meets your expectation.

Thank you for your support and dedication throughout the years. Without my clients, I could never make this leap. Each of you is very important to me, and I cannot imagine a salon without you in it. See you in the new salon soon!!

Yours Always
Josh

FMM Magazine Shoot

This shoot is another with my favorite photographer Marcie Cobbaert. The clothing was designed by local St. Louis designer Shan Keith, and is being featured in a spread for Fashion Models Magazine (FMM). Models were Kacie Estes and Lauren Bach. Hair and Makeup by me. Kacie will be competing in the Miss Missouri pageant next month. Good luck, Kacie!

We Won Beauty Battle II

Final Shots

The final shots from my shoot with Marcie Cobbaert are in. Let me know what you think!

(hover over squares to see the image)