While Chris Rock’s movie from late last year brought awareness to an important question in the black community , which is ‘what is good hair,’ it did not start a movement for women to go au natural. Black women have been going natural on their own terms in recent years and the web is helping them do so.
Social networking sites, youtube, and forums are just a few of the places online that provide invaluable information and support to women, who are preparing to do the big chop. This new online support system provides an avenue for women to cultivate the strength to grow their hair root to tip in its natural state. This article will also provide helpful tips to guide women preparing to take this journey.
What to Know about Natural Hair
Many people do not have the slightest idea how their hair looks in its natural state due to relaxers put in at early ages. However, when searching the internet they will find that there are many different textures: 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c. Some black women also may fit in the 2 category, which is wavy, but for the most part they are in the curly category represented by 3 and 4.
The difference between these two types is the 3 textures are more springy and have a looser curl pattern than the 4, which is more wiry with a zig zag pattern. In the end its important to remember that products are what really determine how manageable the hair will be, not really the hair type itself.
So when trying to determine what products might work, women should not necessarily look at what products have worked for people with their hair type. The effect of products on hair is usually determined by the individual not the hair type. So when it comes down to it, there is a lot of experimentation to find the best hair products for each individual’s hair.
Also don’t believe the myth that black women can’t grow long hair. While the length of hair is determined somewhat by genes, many of the times maltreatment of the hair, like relaxers, causes it not to grow. Also growing hair takes an enormous amount of time. It takes about a month to grow a half an inch of hair, not counting trimming split or relaxed ends. Have a healthy diet, take vitamins and be patient.
Natural Hair Care
This is all anyone needs to know about taking care of natural hair. The first is no more chemicals after going natural. That means no relaxers, texturizers, s curl or jheri curl potions. Replace that with the essentials of good hair care: a sulfate free shampoo, silicone free instant and deep conditioner, daily moisturizer or grease with no mineral oil or petrolatum, daily leave in conditioner, good natural oils, and silicone based heat protectants.
Doing research to find out what products fit this criteria will help in the search for good hair products. The website growblackhair.net is a reliable source with products that fit this criteria. Also reading the ingredients listed for products at the local beauty supply store or drugstore and watching product reviews from other women will help determine which products have helpful ingredients as opposed to harmful.
When taking care of natural hair, treat it like silk. Buy a plastic wide tooth comb, a denman brush or boar bristle brush (some would advise no brushes of any kind), hair clips that are hair stress free, metal free elastic bands, and a satin or silk scarf, pillow cover, or bonnet. Also make sure hats are made of material that will not pull hair. This will eliminate stressing out the hair.
Versatility of Natural Hair
When going natural remember how versatile natural hair really is. Without relaxers, black hair, no matter what texture it is, can be straightened, twisted, braided, coiled, curled, etc. Most of these things are impossible with chemicals in it. Most importantly the hair can be healthy and grow.
At first taking care of natural hair will seem difficult especially if the newly natural have a busy schedule with work or school. Check out Black Hair: Natural Hairstyles and Caring for relaxed or natural black hair in college for tips on managing hair quickly and effectively. However there are many women online, who are equally as busy and successfully managing their natural hair.
Online there is a support system especially if there is no help from home. Women going through the same journey will have answers to questions, listen to frustrations and rejoice in triumphs. This is an experience that black women and women with curly hair or multiracial children can share together. Remember to have fun and relish in this adventure of self discovery.
Jasmine Danzy - :-)
