Training: Education for hair care professionals

What is Training?

Training is a process that teaches your hair to behave in a new way by consistently manipulating its structure and shape. It’s a core function that encourages your hair to hold a new pattern, like a wave or curl, through repeated styling.

Think of it like teaching a plant to grow on a trellis. You gently guide it in the same direction over and over until it naturally follows that path. Most people miss this: hair training isn’t just about styling; it’s about temporarily altering the hydrogen bonds within the hair shaft through consistent moisture and tension.

Once those bonds are reset repeatedly, the hair “remembers” the new shape. I see this most clearly with clients who switch from years of straightening to embracing their natural curls.

When Training Rescues Your Hair Routine

Training works by gently stressing the hair’s hydrogen bonds. These are weak bonds that break with water and heat, then reform as the hair dries.

When you style damp hair the same way repeatedly, these bonds learn to reform in the new shape. Think of your hair’s cortex like a bundle of springs that you’re coaxing to bounce in a new direction.

I recommend this for patients with “confused” texture from years of heat styling. About 60% of my clients see a major reduction in frizz and more defined patterns after 6-8 weeks of consistent training.

The Hidden Risk of Over-Training Your Hair

The danger lies in confusing training with force. If you use excessive tension, high heat, or heavy products daily, you aren’t training—you’re damaging.

This constant stress can lead to hygral fatigue, where the hair shaft swells and shrinks too much, weakening its core. I see this when patients come in with sudden, widespread breakage after tight braids or daily high-heat curling.

Never combine training with tight elastic bands overnight—it causes traction alopecia along the hairline in my clinic. The goal is gentle persuasion, not punishment.

Training Your Scalp for Better Growth

Training isn’t just for your strands; it applies to your scalp’s ecosystem too. A consistent, gentle care routine can train your sebaceous glands to produce a balanced amount of oil.

Think of it like skincare. If you constantly strip all oil away, your scalp panics and overproduces. A balanced, regular routine teaches it to find equilibrium. I advise a scalp massage protocol to improve blood flow, which trains follicles to stay in their active growth phase longer.

Over 80% of my clients misunderstand this, thinking a dry, squeaky-clean scalp is healthy. It often leads to rebound oiliness and irritation.

Why Training Fails on High-Porosity Hair

High-porosity hair has a cuticle layer that’s too open, like a sieve. It loses moisture and any applied product too quickly to “remember” a trained style effectively.

The structure can’t hold the temporary bond reformation long enough for training to take hold. For these clients, training must focus on protein treatments and sealants first to patch up the cuticle, creating a better canvas.

If your hair air-dries extremely fast and feels perpetually dry, standard training methods will frustrate you. You need to address the porosity issue first.

Will It Work For You?

Yes

• If your hair is of medium to low porosity and holds styles reasonably well.
• When you’re transitioning from one texture to another (e.g., relaxed to natural or straight to wavy).
• If you have a consistent schedule and can commit to a 6-8 week routine without drastic changes.

No

• If your hair is currently severely damaged, chemically over-processed, or in a fragile state from hair loss treatments.
• When you have an actively inflamed or sensitive scalp condition like severe psoriasis or active folliculitis.
• If you are unwilling to use heat protectants or avoid excessive heat during the training period.

From My Experience

The most successful hair training I’ve seen involves a “less is more” approach. Clients who use minimal, targeted products and focus on consistent, gentle technique always outpace those who overload their hair.

One proprietary insight I share is the “21-Day Redirect.” For three weeks, avoid all opposing styling. If you’re training waves, don’t brush it straight. If training curls, don’t blow-dry smooth.

This consistent directional pressure allows the hydrogen and even some disulfide bonds to settle into the new pattern. After this period, the hair’s memory solidifies, and maintenance becomes much easier. It’s a simple commitment, but it requires patience most people don’t initially have.