I had a conversation with someone about their hair this weekend that just frustrated the HELL outta me. I walked away shaking my head but then realizing that I too had some of the same misconceptions about my hair before I got wisened up. That said...I figured maybe I should put it here so that others who stumble on this site can think on it too.
Most black hair is the exact opposite of caucasion hair. Our hair is naturally dry, their hair is naturally oily. Couple our already naturally dry hair with chemicals such as relaxers and colors, etc. and it makes it even more dry.
Because of this (ph level) the products that work on caucasion hair is not the best for our hair. Why? Most of the shampoos for caucasion hair is made to REMOVE oils from the hair...which we, as black people DEFINITELY don't need. We need products that ADD moisture to our hair.
If you have been perming your hair every four weeks and sometimes pulling that relaxer to the ends of your hair...your hair is overprocessed. That dry, brittle feeling you have will NEVER, EVER GET BETTER UNTIL YOU CUT THAT MESS OFF! Now yes...I agree that you can manage it better by using protective styles while you grow it out and cut gradually...but the end result is that the overprocessed hair is never going to get better and needs to go eventually.
I know you watch those commercials where the woman is in the shower with a super lather going in her hair right? NOT NECESSARY FOR OUR HAIR! Wet your hair, put a quarter size amount of a good moisturizing shampoo in your hands and work through gently massaging your scalp and smoothing out to the ends of your hair. THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO DO AND YOU ONLY NEED TO DO IT ONCE! I PROMISE!
When your hair is dry...it breaks off very easily. This breakage alone is what is causing you to see little to no result regarding hair growth BECAUSE YOUR HAIR IS GROWING! IF IT WASN'T...YOU WOULDN'T NEED A TOUCH UP FOR THE NEW GROWTH! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.
How to NOT get overprocessed hair?
1. Do not touch-up your hair more frequently than every 8 weeks. (I know someone who does every six weeks, however, and is doing just fine but I go 8 weeks.)
2. Pay attention to product ingredients. If you can't pronounce it...it's prolly not the best thing for your hair. I know I say this often...but I can't say enough how excellent the Phytospecific products are for our hair. I know they are expensive but if you stop going to that stylist with the gallon of Pink Oil Moisturizer (do you know this crap is the NUMBER ONE SELLING BLACK HAIR MOISTUIZER IN THE WORLD????? AND IT'S PURE D CRAPOLA! I WOULDN'T PUT THAT MESS ON MY HAIR IF IT WERE THE END OF DAYS!) and start maintaining your own hair using these products...you'll be able to afford it and see a marked difference in your hair in three months time (providing you're starting off with healthy hair that is).
3. When you are in the middle of transitioning your hair to healthier hair...it is necessary to incorporate protective styling into your weekly regimen. This just HAS to be done ladies. Sorry. So take your time and find one that looks good on you and is easy to do. I have two that I use regularly. My old trusty bun and parting my hair down the middle, making two ponytails, plaiting and then wrapping the plaits bantu style and pinning down using old fashioned wig pins...not bobby pins. I love this because it allows me to put as much moisturizer and oil on my hair as I want to and it can be done while the hair is wet. Also...please do not think you are cute with that overprocessed mess hanging down in scraggly strings rubbing against your cotton shirts. IT DOES NOT LOOK CUTE. I REPEAT...IT DOES NOT LOOK CUTE. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. That said...pull it up into a protective style that will allow you to take better care of your hair.
One of the great freedoms I have now is I don't worry about my hair getting wet. Maaaaaaaaaaan...I used to be a water dodging FOOL! I noted this morning as I was taking my dogs out in the rain with my hair in my two twists that I wasn't worried at ALL about my hair getting wet. That's a MAJOR amount of freedom and it's very liberating as well. When I told someone close to me over the phone how I was wearing my hair one day last week she was like..."Why are you wearing your hair like that? It's not like you have to you have nice hair." Well...I kinda snapped and was like...why are you questioning what I'M doing with MY hair on MY head...but then I thought about it and was like...well...that attitude she had was because, like most black women, she is a slave to her hair. Me...uh...not so much anymore. Yes...I like being cute as you all know by now...BUT IT'S HAIR! IT GROWS! LOL!
Okay...I've ranted enough for today. Holla back if ya wanna. As always...I'll answer every question. Oh...and don't forget to visit me and my FABULOUS friends at www.FabulousLifeForum.com.
Smooches beautiful people!
