Natural Hair Vs Relaxed Hair

The researcher interview with African American women with natural hair and examination of social media. The researchers explain that in the natural hair community a curl texture is more attractive than kinky hair texture and lengthier hair more desirable than short hair; also having manageable hair is dynamic to African American women’s effective performances of Black femininity. This research expands the discourse in African American Studies that theorizes the experiences of African American women with natural hair compared to those of African American women with relaxed hair such as perms (Howard, 2015, p.

Relaxers weaken the hair because it breaks the bonds within the hair shaft and destroys the hair proteins in the process. Over time relaxers can weaken the hair significantly leading to breakage and hair loss. Relaxers may also burn the scalp resulting in immediate permanent damage or damage that occurs over time, also resulting in loss of hair and baldness. Relaxers may be a contributing factor and often times it is only a part of the problem as other practices are utilized in the styling of the already weakened relaxed hair to push it over the breaking point.

Natural hair on African Americans is not the easiest hair to deal with. One hairstyle that is used as a protective style, and helps you avoid doing your hair for a couple days, is doing individual twists. You first have to saturate your hair with water, oil of your choice (I prefer coconut oil), and a leave-in conditioner. Then, you should horizontally part your hair in the back (work your way up to the front) to prepare to twist. Then you part a small strand vertically and put a curling crème on the strand. Next, you should separate the strand in the middle, and then start twisting the strand. When you twist, you’re putting one strand on top of the other. Then you should repeat the instructions for each strand until you complete your whole

Hi, Jamie thank you for the response I appreciate your empathy. I too have experienced several hair mistakes. In the past, I went to a hairstylist that was untrained in multicultural hair. I am a woman of color with very fine hair. Assumingly the hairstylist conveyed that my hair type could adapt to a chemical relaxer and or texturizer. Unfortunately, the head hairstylist was mistaken; I experience a chemical burn on my scalp with scabs all over my head. Next, my hair turned a red shade and then fell out. Sadly to it took me over a year restore my hair. Over the years I experience several inexperience hairstylists. So it is rare to find a quality professional stylist. When this occurred, I never spoke to the hairstylist to convey my disappointment.

Natural hair, especially on African-American women, was once considered a shameful characteristic and was used persecute these individuals back in times of slavery and the later periods of segregation.

Your hair is one part of your body that shouldn't be taken for granted for any reason. Most of us don't think twice about all the tension braids, hair extensions and other strenuous styles put on our hair's edges. Repeated use of these types of styling practices will ultimately result in permanent damage. The damage that could have been prevented if we would have given more thought to our hair's health rather than just the beauty aspect of styling.

As history often always repeats itself, the natural hair movement has relaunched itself but this time it is no longer a trend but has become a lifestyle. This is resembling the rebirth of the Black Panther movement, radicalism, patriotism and loyalty to mother Africa. This is taking back our blackness by no longer subscribing to European like ideals of and beauty standards. This movement can be seen as a trend like in the late 60's where after some time many people returned to relaxing their hair but this movement is here to stay. The difference with natural hair this time around is it is not a rebellion as it was in the late 60's, this is an embracement of natural hair. The movement goes beyond simply allowing your hair to grow as is. This

Many people have compared natural hair and relaxed as both being healthy. I strongly agree that natural hair is healthy for various reasons. I agreed to that because you not using the chemicals that you use for relaxed hair. For natural hair all you need is water, wild growth and moisturizer. Relaxed hair make your hair look very thin also you using perms which has chemicals that's not healthy for your hair. Some women think relaxed hair is better than natural. Why is that ? It’s because they think when your hair natural it’s very unlikeable. Natural hair has all the components to grow healthy, long, and thick hair.

Using heat tools on a consistent basis is probably the worst way to damage your natural hair. There is nothing wrong with straightening your hair, just make sure your doing it in moderation and also use heat protectants!

Do you know the porosity of your hair? Porosity is believed by many, including myself, who believe that porosity is a much more important factor to take into account when developing a hair care regimen, than other factors such as curl pattern. If you are unsure about the porosity of your hair, there’s an easy test you can do to figure it out. This test basically involves you leaving a couple of your clean strands in a class of water for a few hours and then checking to see if they sink or stay afloat. Low porosity strands will stay afloat because low porosity hair resists water.

The process of determining your hair types is based on your ability to understand various qualities of hair, which includes the hair density, elasticity, texture, oiliness, porosity (ability to hold moisture) and curl pattern. With all this information at your fingertips, you will be able to choose products that are specifically meant for your hair type with ease.

For mothers who are Caucasian, their child's hair texture can be quite the challenge, and make for unfamiliar territory; but there are a few tips for moms who want to make sure their child's hair is strong, healthy and beautiful while maintaining the child's unique texture. Do Not Use Chemical Relaxers: Sure, by slapping "creamy crack" on your child's unruly hair, it will become more manageable, but there are consequences to using chemicals on your child's hair. For one thing, it breaks down the hair and causes hair to become more vulnerable to split ends and breakage. Chemicals such as hair relaxers contain an ingredient known as "lye" which can burn the child's scalp. Also, if a child is given a relaxer too young, the relaxer can damage the child's hair follicles indefinitely causing, hair loss. Wash Hair Once or Twice a Week: Most Caucasians wash their hair daily, however many biracial or multi-ethnic people of African decent do not. The reason why hair should be washed only once or twice a week is because biracial and multiethnic hair texture is prone to becoming dry and needs more moisture. The scalp produces natural oils so that it can nourish the hair and should not be washed out frequently. That being said, only wash your child's hair once or twice a week so that the natural oils can help nourish the hair. Use Botanical Oils: Never use petroleum products on your child's locks. Petroleum products will clog pores and make hair growth nearly impossible, also causing the hair and scalp to attract more dirt and build up. Use botanical oils such as: grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and/or olive oil daily to prevent breakage and promote healthy hair growth. These types of oils help nourish the hair by increasing sheen, strength, silkiness and moisture without a greasy build-up. With these simple

Women find themselves obsessing over their hair. They spend a tremendous amount of time and money trying to keep it looking good. It is absolutely amazing the number of hair products that are lining the shelves in the local drugstores, beauty stores, and shops. The fact is that this leads to a lot of frustration and confusion. Women simply do not know which product to try. Well, one woman decided that she was going to make it easier for women to select a great hair product by testing one on her own damaged hair. She selected the Wen Cleansing Conditioner. She shared her story on Bustle.

More so than not, we find ourselves watching "How To..." videos on YouTube, or looking up "Step by Step" pictures on Pinterest... Then after a 30 minute struggle trying to figure out how these hair experts make it look so easy, we end up with frizzy hair and have no choice, but to throw it into a messy bun, or like I do, throw a hat on and call it a day. However, I don’t know about you, but I am DEFINTIELY over it. After all, remember those good hair days I mentioned? Well it’s those that remind me that the “curly hair struggle” is worth it! Yes I did just say that! I mean think about it… Nothing beats a curly hair messy bun.

I love my kinky curly hair so much I wouldn't trade my hair for any other texture. Going natural at the age of 14 was very hard, but looking back, I would do it all over it. When I where my kinky curly fro I feel like I'm connecting with my ancestors, I feel empowered and most of all I feel beautiful!