SmartStyling

Frothing

FROTHING

 

My insight:

Frothing with a dairy frother, infusion machine, hand blender, wand or stick processor- introduces air into the product you’re mixing.

These mixers of various design are also called emulsifiers, that add air to an ingredient or product via emulsion- whipping action and centrifugal force (physics!)

This is incredibly helpful if you are creating your own skin & coat conditioners or emollient type masques. 

It is also very similar to the process that happens by using a shampoo proportioner that mixes shampoo concentrate, water, and air. 😉

That said:

*Shampoo and higher quality conditioners already contains emulsifiers*. 

These are introduced into the ingredient formulation so that the product stays mixed and does not settle or separate.

Depending on the product brand and their specific recommendations frothing doesn’t necessarily benefit nor is it necessary to be used as a process for many products including shampoos.

 

Why froth?

Frothing for coat & skin care applications such as a moisturizing masque or a high oil content conditioning treatment helps to make that product go farther and use less. 

It also helps it to stick easily to the hair & skin so that you don’t waste it. 

As well, it makes it easier to see where you have applied the product and where you have not.

 

I’m an advocate for frothing, but I will tell you that in most cases it does not make any sense to be doing it for a shampoo. 

In fact, it makes more work during your bathing process. Especially if you’re already using any type of a shampoo application machine or recirculator.

 

Just my two cents.

 

If you are buying product from a company that specifically tells you to apply the shampoo that way *in order for it to work*, then they may have something going on specific to their formulation that defies chemistry and physics, but I find that highly unlikely.

 

**Equally important: be sure that if you are frothing up diluted shampoo or conditioner or *any topical hair application, that you do not save it. Doing so once you dilute the product you also dilute the preservative and you are putting yourself at higher risk for secondary bacteria growth in the product.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

**I will be releasing a video shortly showing a technique of frothing for conditioning masks and oil moisturizing wraps**

Acidifiers On Hair

 

This is a microscopic view of the hair shaft before & after ACV was applied.

 

This is why applying vinegar (distilled white vinegar has a higher pH & works well for drying and crispening, ACV has a lower pH is also best for addressing skin issues), Results Rinse or another acidifying rinse helps the hair with slip, anti-stat, crispness for scissoring, and helps shorten drying time.

 

 

This is also the similar effect behind the important part that conditioners (which are also acidic in nature) play to effect the integrity of coat and it’s most optimal function after repeated grooming.

 

A sealed and healthy hair shaft cuticle helps hair with strength, increases crisp texture, increases color quality by reflecting light off the cuticle lens, helps repel static buildup in the coat, helps avoid tangling which leads to mats, helps with slip of the hair for ease in shedding and combing out, and provides the thermoregulation benefits that only healthy and maintained hair can.

 

In our profession, by using specific pet care products because we understand what they do to hair and skin, and why, best accomplishes our function and goal to be care providers. It also helps our businesses to be a truly beneficial and necessary aspect for the healthy lives of all pets. 

A cornerstone to career success and integrity. 

 

 

As groomers educated on how hair functions, we can better provide services that support coat and skin health. By using our tools carefully and choosing quality bathing and drying products and methods, we can help pet hair to do the job it was designed to do.

 

 **NOTE: while the effects of an acidifier upon the hair are immediate, the duration of this affect is likely quite minimal. 

But it does still aid us in the grooming process during the course of the pet’s visit.**

 

Don’t pick a job, Pick a boss

 

This is incredibly true.

 

And ESPECIALLY if you are your own boss!!!

 

If you distrust your private self, if you discredit your professional self, if you doubt or devalue your career talent and unique skill...

Others will as well.

Trust your ability and trust it to guide you.

Don’t. Let. Your. Opportunity. Become. A. Restraint.

Grooming Mindfully

Listening to Mary Oquendo’s Women Petpreneurs podcast with Barb Hoover- great interview!

Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-petpreneurs/id1450739120?i=1000437277510

 

Barb is another woman at the forefront of Mindful Grooming, and creating the best possible experience for the pets that come to her for care. 

 

Be sure to check out her Grooming the Difficult Dog book, and keep an eye out for the up-and-coming 2nd edition!

(My blog review which contains an ordering link!)

https://groomwise.typepad.com/smartstyling/2018/06/from-time-to-time-a-wonderful-piece-of-work-and-an-important-learning-opportunity-will-come-across-my-desk-and-it-just.html

 

And another great blog listing more common canine diseases and ailments that can affect the grooming process:

https://groomwise.typepad.com/smartstyling/2010/12/working-with-canine-diseases.html

 

 

#mindfulgrooming

Women Petpreneurs Podcast!

Did you know that our industry has a new podcast available for our listening pleasure?

Each episode Mary Oquendo invites a hard working woman from our vast array of pet care professions who works for the betterment of our industry as a whole, to share their stories and insight.

 If you like listening to lighthearted conversations from women who have been there and done that and who might be able to help you out, I encourage you to find this podcast online and have a listen! 

 Here is the episode where Mary interviewed yours truly:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-petpreneurs/id1450739120?i=1000436845842

Cat Hair!

 

Did you know that cats have a different type of hair than dogs? 

While dogs have an imbricate (smooth) hair shaft like humans, cats actually have a spinuous or barbed hair shaft similar to that of a rose stem. This is why cat hair is so good at catching on things and why cats can groom so efficiently with their barbed tongues against the rough hair cuticle.