September's Product Pick

The Science of Graying Hair

How does gray hair happen?

Each hair on our heads is made up of a few basic parts:

* a shaft - the colored part we see growing out of our heads
* a root - the bottom part, which keeps the hair anchored under the scalp

The root of a strand of hair is surrounded by a tube of tissue under the skin that is called the hair follicle. Each hair follicle contains a certain number of pigment cells. These pigment cells continuously produce a chemical called melanin that gives the growing shaft of hair its color of brown, blonde, red, and anything else nature decides.
Melanin is the same stuff that makes our skin's color fair or darker. It also helps determine whether a person will burn or tan in the sun. The dark or light color of someone's hair depends on how much melanin each hair contains.
The closer the pigment cells are together, the darker the hair/skin color. If there are very few cells, you have a blonde. Many large cells packed closer together - dark brunette.

As we get age, the pigment cells gradually stop producing. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color - like gray, silver, or white - as it grows.
People can get gray hair at any age. Some people go gray at a young age - as early as when they are in high school or college - whereas others may be in their 30s or 40s before they see that first gray hair. How early we start to get gray hair is determined by a few factors - genes, stress, and health. Your maternal grandfather's hair is the one to access (especially for men worrying about hair loss).

Gray hair is also more noticeable in people with darker hair because it stands out, but people with naturally lighter hair are just as likely to go gray. From the time a person notices a few gray hairs, it may take more than 10 years for their entire hair to change.

Summer Damaged Your Hair - Now What?

It's August, in Oklahoma. What have you been doing this summer? I'm assuming not sitting inside in the A/C, and every single time you've gone outside you remembered your hat or UV sun protectant (both for face, skin, AND hair).

Next question - how does your hair FEEL? Swimming in a pool or in the lake leaves quite the residue to deal with, being out in the sun fades natural and salon hair color. Both leave the hair feeling dry and brittle; if you're like most people you want soft, touchable, and HEALTHY hair! (And I do too, because combing is SO much easier!)

So what now? Hopefully after swimming, every single time, you rinsed your hair out. Sometimes simply putting conditioner in your hair BEFORE you enter the water can help to protect your hair cuticle. To protect from the sun - wear a hat or make sure that one of the products you're using has a UV protectant in it (Prive's hairsprays and shine spray provide that). And everyone can always use a conditioning treatment to help add protein and moisture back into your hair.

I know that we all love the lighter colors that summer brings, from the sun or chemically, but you want to make sure that you're still thinking about the integrity of your hair.

Introducing Prive - The New Product Line

Eco-Friendly Socially Responsible Corporate Statement

Privé Products prides itself on being diligent about Eco-Friendly products and programs. Laurent D. and Jacqueline Applebaum, COB and CEO/CFO respectively, are staunch supporters of environmental responsibility, and have created programs and products to support their beliefs.


* Privé Products warehouse is clean and exceeds the EPA requirement for a safe and clean work environment.
* Privé Products manufacturing facility is licensed for: FDA, Cosmetic, Drug, Alcohol and is CARB Compliant.
* Privé Products shipping boxes are recyclable.
* Privé Products uses potato starch for packing purposes.
* Privé Products bottles and cans are reusable and recyclable.
* Privé Products and its suppliers do not test on animals.
* Privé Products aerosols are 55% V.O.C.
* Privé Products customer support materials are available on-line to reduce the use of paper.
* Privé Products is eliminating all unnecessary packaging.
* Privé Products created the "Mammogram Awareness/Early Detection Program" campaign, rewarding women who had a mammogram with a complimentary service offered by our partner salons.

* In 2009 Privé Products introduced the revolutionary eco-design of CONCEPT VERT, a product line that is planet friendly in every possible way. This product line does not contain sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, PABA, mineral oil, paraffin, DEA, TEA or artificial colors.

* CONCEPT VERT also introduced the High Yield cans, achieved through the use of patented air powered technology. A 6.7 oz. can provides the same amount of uses as a 13 oz. bottle of regular liquid shampoo or conditioner.
* CONCEPT VERT is certified as Environmentally Preferred Products (E.P.P.): Increases usage amount without resorting to concentrates; more than 50% of the ingredients are from replenishable materials, packaging designed to be refillable; products utilize 50% less preservatives.

* Privé Products developed the CAN REUSE PROGRAM. Through the use of our patented one-way valve system the cans be reused without contamination. Clients return their empty cans to the salon, the salon returns them to Privé, and Privé will sanitize the cans and reuse.