No matter what length or texture our hair is, one thing that we all want is healthy, strong, resilient hair. The key to achieving the healthiest hair possible is to educate yourself about what your hair [once it has emerged from your scalp] needs. Every one’s hair is different, so it’s about finding the right balance and really getting to know your hair. Because no matter how much you pay your stylist, it’s ultimately up to you to make sure that you have products and a regimen that is tailored specifically for you.
What are Ceramides?
Ceramides are lipid molecules [lipids are non-water soluble compounds that are essential for cellular development.] Ceramides naturally protect the skin from moisture loss.
What does that have to do with hair?
Well, the same thing that ceramides do for your skin. They create a protective barrier around your hair to hold in moisture and protein, while simultaneously guarding your hair against the “bad things.” [e.g., heat damage, u/v rays, chemical processes.] They basically anchor protein to your hair and act as a shield around the hair shaft. Check my previous post regarding the importance of protein-balance and your hair.
Under a microscope, hair that appears healthy has a smooth, flat cuticle without any gaps or holes. Ceramides are also present on the cuticle. Hair that appears damaged, may not only lifted cuticles, gaps and holes, ceramides will be missing.
How do you restore Ceramides in damaged hair?
Great news! Ceramides are found naturally in certain oils.
- Hemp seed oil
- Sunflower oil
- Wheat Germ oil
- Eucalyptus extract
What products can you buy that contain Ceramides?
- Hask Cerafix
- Redken Extreme Conditioner
- Redken Extreme Rescue Force
- Matrix Biolage Cera-Repair
- Softsheen-Carson Breakthru
I must note that the amount of ceramides that each company uses in their products varies and even still, the total amount that they use might not be enough to really rebuild your hair. This is why taking care of your hair and maintaining the moisture and protein balance is important. These ceramide products are to be used to keep your hair healthy versus trying to repair badly damaged hair. The only thing that fixes that are scissors and time. Miracles do not come in bottles, stay proactive cleanse your hair when needed, condition it often, protect your ends, keep your hair trimmed and enjoy your hair!
Tags: Hair Products, Haircare, Haircare Products, Protein for hair
Which of the three oils (hemp, wheat germ,or sunflower) constains the most ceramide?
Thank you
Suave has created Damage Care shampoo & Conditioner with proteins and Cermides in it. The Damage Care shampoo & conditioner are an imitation to the Redkin Extreme. Suave is only $2.00 each.
Update on the list that mentions some products that contain ceramide ~ Carson Soft Sheen’s BreakThru has unfortunately been discontined. That product worked wonders on my hair and I contacted the company who gave me their newest product which was awful (trash can). So if anyone finds something comparable to that BreakThru product pls. let me know as I’m still looking…thx, Andrea
Aubrey’s organics has a conditioner called GPB that contains wheat germ oil!!