Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional
If there is anything that I learned while in Darien, Connecticut recently visiting Zotos Professionals' headquarters, it's that the signs of aging are not just visible via your skin.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Marina Azizova, Director of Research and Development at Zotos Professional to talk about what happens to hair as we age and how their new AGEbeautiful home hair color and hair care collection helps to combat these signs of aging. Marina has been with Zotos for 15 years working with aerosol, hair color and as part of the hair care lead development of technology.
I asked Marina what the most exciting part of being a chemist at Zotos has been and she told me it was the technology of anti-aging hair care because it covers such a wide range of people. The biggest misconception, and it is often perpetuated by the beauty industry, is that anti-aging when it comes to hair, simply means combating gray hair. This isn't true.
Lipids in your hair is important (moisture, flexibility and shine) and as we age, we lose it. You may have noticed your hair getting drier, more brittle and of course, going gray. The reason your hair begins to gray is it loses melanin and without it, loses UV protection. Most of the signs of aging hair begins at age 30, however, in your 20's is when keratin production in your hair begins to decrease. By 40, sebum production decreases which lends to a dry scalp and dry hair and even visibly thinning hair. Now you may notice that your hair is dry, but your scalp is the opposite - super oily. This is because if your scalp was always normal to dry, it then becomes oily in your older years, but if your scalp was always oily, it becomes significantly drier as you age. Either way, the result is still the same despite your scalp being oily or dry in your 50's because hair becomes coarser as we age, making it virtually impossible for hair to absorb sebum and remain hydrated. Unfortunately, when hair is drier, it also doesn't move the same.
As I spoke with Marina, the lightbulb literally went off for me. I'm soon-to-be 40 and I've definitely noticed these things, yet NO ONE ever talks about this. I've never once seen a hair care commercial that addresses these issues and that's one of the main reasons I'm supportive of AGEbeautiful. AGEbeautiful hair color not only addresses wiry gray and gray hair, but dullness, dryness and thinning hair. It contains Melanin, Keratin Peptide, silk protein, and Vitamin E to replenish hair with the essential components that are lost with aging.
AGEbeautiful is available exclusively at Sally Beauty and is available in permanent and demi-permanent liquid hair color. They also have a full hair care line, as well.
What are some of the signs of aging you've noticed with your hair? Leave a comment and let me know!
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I use my flat iron A LOT, which means there are sections of my hair that are really damaged. I couldn't understand why until Andrew Caruthers, Director of Education for Sam Villa, offered these tips - and tip number 3? Has anyone else been doing it wrong this whole time like me??
After reading these tips, check out the video at the bottom which demonstrates them. I literally had an a-ha moment.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Flat Ironing
1. Product – Many products have too much moisture, which causes hair to actually cook, leaving hair sticky and damaged. Use a product specifically designed for use with thermal tools that has the correct amount of moisture, protects hair from heat and adds shine and smoothness. Try Redken iron shape 11 thermal holding spray.
First, bleaching noticeable hair is actually pretty simple. There's not too much involved and it can be accomplished in about 10 minutes and last for up to 4 weeks - so it is definitely something you can squeeze into your beauty routine without having to put aside a large amount of time or use a plethora of products for that matter.
Jolen, an at-home beauty staple for millions of women for the last 50 years, has an easy peasy Creme Bleach that not only lightens facial hair such as on your upper lip, cheeks, chin and even your brows, but it will also lighten arm and body hair, as well. Jolen Creme Bleach comes in an original formula as well as a sensitive formula with Aloe Vera, which is ideal for use on sensitive, more delicate skin.
How to Lighten Excess Facial Hair:
1. Wash the area to be bleached with soap and cold water, then pat dry.
2. Measure one quarter teaspoon (with the spatula provided) of the Accelerator powder and place it into the cup (also provided.)
3. Rinse off the spatula and re-use it to measure one half teaspoon Creme Bleach into the cup and blend with the powder.
4. Looking in a magnifying mirror, such as the Conair Illuminated LED Mirror, apply the mixture with the spatula to the area to be bleached, covering all of the hair completely.
5. Wait 10 minutes, then remove the paste with the spatula and wash the area with cold water.
That's it! The bleach is gentle to skin and leaves it soft and smooth and the whole process is practically effortless. Since bleaching can last up to 4 weeks, this is a process you only have to do once a month. It's less painful than waxing (doesn't hurt at all) and less messy/irritating than depilatory creams.
Where's your trouble spot for noticeable hair -- lip, cheeks, arms, elsewhere?
Jolen Creme Bleach formulas can be found in stores nationwide, including CVS, Harmon, Rite Aid, ULTA, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as online. They are also cruelty free.
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