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African American fashion, dating, hair care and more. |
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Did you know? The average person will loose 50-100 strands of hair a day.
TakeawaysApplying hair oil or hair grease directly to the scalp can clog pores and retard hair growth.Hair is weakest when wet. Be careful not to tug and pull on hair after washing.On average, the hair of a person in good health will grow anywhere from ¼ to ½ inch per month.Contrary to popular belief, African-American hair care is in many ways just like any other type of hair care. African-American hair care is a hodgepodge of do’s and don’ts or will’s and won’ts. Like any hair type, African-American hair does require care, but it doesn’t necessarily require “special” care. There are some African-Americans that prefer ponytails and pigtails while others won’t consider wearing anything other than beads or braids. Some prefer straight styles, while others prefer natural styles. It just depends.
Believe it or not, African-American hair types are vast and varied. Because many African-Americans are a mixture of different races, it’s tough to apply one system to so many different types of hair. In the African-American community, you’ll find all types of hair ranging from short and curly to long and wavy or mid-length and straight to short and kinky or long and kinky. African-American hair care depends on the individual, her specific hair type, her preferences and her products. The point of African-American hair care is not to achieve the Crystal Gayle look (which, by the way, is nearly impossible for most women to achieve), but rather to achieve the healthiest hair you possibly can! To understand the growth process of hair, it’s important to understand exactly what hair is.
In simple terms, hair is protein. Technically speaking, hair is the mass of fine flexible protein strands that grow from follicles on the skin of a person or animal, especially on the head. Everything from genetics, diet, medication, stress and environment to chemicals, excessive heat, bad hair care products, hormones and misinformation can affect the health of African-American hair and the growth process.
On average, the hair of a person in good health will grow anywhere from ¼ to ½ inch per month. That’s a total maximum of six inches a year. In some cases hair will grow at a normal rate, but once it emerges from the scalp, it may be subjected to harsh chemicals such as relaxer systems and coloring or excessive heat such as flat irons, blow dryers, hot combs and curling irons. Excessive use of these chemicals and heated styling tools will cause the hair to fall out or appear less than healthy.
At the urging of many stylists and hair care professionals and because of the appeal of lower maintenance and natural beauty, today, more than ever before, African-American women are choosing natural styles over processed styles. Many African-American women have discovered that wearing a natural style offers more flexibility in styling than a relaxed style which only allows them to wear the hair one way—straight. One of the major advantages to wearing natural styles is that hair looks healthier and it grows better in the absence of straightening chemicals and tools.
While some may feel that chemical relaxers help manage African-American hair, they actually do more harm than good. Chemical relaxers cause damage to the hair that in some cases may take years to repair. Protein is essential for hair health and growth. Chemical relaxers change the structure of the hair by penetrating the hair shaft and rearranging the bonds in the hair that hold proteins in the hair. The harsh chemicals in relaxers actually destroy the protein that makes up hair. The Hair shaft is weakened and as a result, the hair breaks off, thins out and hair loss is increased. When it comes to African-American hair care, listen up ladies - -take the plunge, go natural! Explore the endless possibilities of hairstyles for natural hair! Natural hair is thicker, fuller and healthier.
Slow growth or no growth, in some cases, is also the result of poor diet, lack of vitamins and nutrients, mental stress, smoking, caffeine, medications and hormones. African-American hair, like all hair, needs specific vitamins and nutrients in order to grow. A diet rich in protein from nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables and vitamins such as A, B, C, E and Iron are all essential to hair health and growth. Now that we’ve covered how to keep hair healthy starting with the inside, let’s discuss a few additional tips that will keep your hair looking healthy on the outside.
Did you know that applying hair oil or hair grease directly to the scalp can clog pores and retard hair growth? Yet many African-Americans believe they have to “oil their scalps” to help stimulate hair growth or to make hair more manageable. According to many African-American hair care professionals, this is just not true. All hair has ups and downs. All hair types from all different backgrounds has its’ fair share of tangles, snags, “frizzies” and coarseness—that’s what softening products are for! There are many different hair polishers and softening products on the market, but the find the right one for you it will take some trial and error. A general rule of thumb is to avoid mineral and petroleum oils—they clog the pores.
A notable hair “oil” known for being a great conditioner, softener and growth stimulator for all hair types is Wild Growth Hair Oil. Numerous studies on this product have shown that it does actually promote hair growth and it softens and detangles even the coarsest hair almost instantly. Wild Growth Hair Oil contains olive, jojoba and coconut oils as well as calcium, iron and vitamin D. If you can’t find it at your local beauty supply store, you can purchase it online at: www.wildgrowth.com. A four ounce bottle costs $11.39 if you purchase online and it costs several dollars more at beauty supply stores.
Washing, combing and drying are also important aspects of African-American hair care. Depending on hair type, you may need to wash your hair daily, every other day or even weekly. Wash with shampoos that have little or no alcohol content, but are rich with vitamins and minerals. Alcohol dries the hair and it can make even naturally shiny hair look dull and brittle. Alcohol can even contribute to breakage. Leave in conditioners are always a good idea and if at all possible, air-dry hair instead of blow drying. Special occasions are ok for heat styling, but drying, curling and flat ironing every day will cause breakage and severe damage to the hair. Hair is weakest when wet, so be careful when combing it after a wash. Do not tug and pull on it. The average person will loose 50-100 strands of hair a day and this number can increase dramatically if you aren’t careful when combing and brushing your hair—wet or dry.
In short, African-American hair care can be simple and effective if you’re armed with proper knowledge and a little patience. If you eat right and rest, avoid stress and treat your hair with care when wet, you’re well on your way to establishing healthy hair habits and in turn, healthier hair. Add, or should I say “eliminate” harsh chemicals, opt for natural styles and avoid excessive heat and heavy oils and healthy hair is guaranteed!
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