Hair studio- Practical - Week 1 Washing and blasting...

In my first hair styling practical, we were welcomed into the room and got started straight away. The lesson was kicked off with a demonstration, the same way almost all the lessons will begin. We were learning how to sit our model down and whilst talking to them also give them a full hair consultation. This was from checking the condition of their hair, to any contraindications that may stop you from working on someone. After listening to Lottie explain different hair types and what we may or may not need to do or use dependent on the type of hair your model has, for example very dry hair is going to need extra conditioning and you may want to repeat the process, you also need to be aware that dry hair is more likely to be damaged much more easily and therefore when blasting the hair you must ensure you use a lower heat setting.
When I sat my model down I had a sheet with my consultation notes on, these had 5 steps I had to consider when observing the hair I was about to work on. These 5 steps consisted of:

Name
Age
Hair length/colour damage/type/condition
Allergies/medication
Contraindications

As well as considering these 5 steps its also then important to observe the condition of the scalp and be aware of any diseases such as psoriasis that may effect the way you work on someone or the products you need to use. You must also ensure that you are aware of any contraindications that may result in you needing to change the way you planned to work i.e psoriasis as mentioned above, or head lice that can be spotted behind the ears and around the neck in the warmest areas of the head, a contraindication such as head lice would prevent you from going any further and you would need to inform your model of this as it is unhygienic for you to continue.

Once all of this is clear your ready to wash the hair.

Step 1: GOWN UP: I took my model over to the basin area and placed a gown on her with the open part on her back, and then a town around her neck underneath the hair. Then sit the model in the chair with all hair in the basin and adjust the seat according to their comfort

Step 2: WET: You must ensure the heat is of a sufficient temperature before putting the water through the models hair, you may also want to check the water now and again throughout the washing process on your wrist/bottom of forearm as your hands can get used to a temperature very quickly and you may not be aware of how hot/cold the water is running. Once the water has got through the hair to the models scalp, check with them that the temperatures to their liking, some like it hotter/colder than others.

Step 3: SHAMPOO: You now need to shampoo the hair. TWICE. you apply the shampoo mainly to the root area. This is where you need to massage in the shampoo to the scalp using both hands and circular motions with your finger, ensuring you get all around the ears, neck and crown area. You can do this for as long as you like dependent on how much you like someone, once the massaging process has finished you must ensure you thoroughly rinse otherwise its back to the basin later, once your happy its all out, REPEAT. After 2 shampoos you should hear a slight squeak when you run your finger on the hair (against the head with a little pressure).

Step 4: CONDITION AND BRUSH: Next you need to apply the conditioner to the head concentrating mainly on the mid to full length parts of the hair. The amount of conditioner depends on the length, type and condition of the hair, all of which you should be aware of from your consultation. Once your conditioner is all in this is when you take either your wide toothed comb or your afro comb and carefully comb through the hair to get rid of any tangle, be slow and careful not to rip their hair out, always place your hand about an inch above where you need to brush out a knot and ensure there is a lot of give and your not pulling the hair tight with your fingers, this will prevent pain. When you finished with the brushing, you rinse. THOROUGHLY. Tip: if there is any conditioner left, when you comb through you will get a milky residue on your comb, get it all out now otherwise you will be back washing it again, if its not out your fighting a losing battle with regards to styling. 

Step 5: BLAST: Sit your model up and wrap the towel from there neck around their head (as long as its not soaking). Then take your model over to the chair and pat it dry with the towel but don't rub the hair, this damages it more. Then you need to comb through again just to check for any further knots, use the same comb you used at the basin just ensure its clean of any conditioner. Once this is done you need to get the hair dryer and 'blast' the hair, must ensure the heat of your dryer on the back of your hand first and also ensure that you set the heat according to the condition of the hair. You must ensure you move the dyer around the head so you don't burn once part of the scalp and use your fingers or comb to separate the hair to ensure you are getting all the water out. Continue this process until dry.

Health and safety tip: Keep the end of the hair dryer away from the models hair and ensure the filter on the back is clean and all in place as this will suck the hair in and the only result of this is a chunk of hair being cut and a very unhappy client/model.

DONE!