Healthy Strands

Natural hair at its best

Natural, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality, affectation, or constraint, moreover, living in or as a state of nature untouched by the influences of civilization and society.  Why then has natural black hair been deemed as unsatisfactory? Is it because it is different, not silky or “bone straight” like other hair types? Or is simply because many do not know how to manage kinky curly hair?  There are myths about natural black hair that make it undesirable to many. I am here to disprove these myths today and give natural kinky, curly hair a new light.

 1.  Natural kinky, curly hair will not grow, or grows very slowly.

Many believe that black women in general cannot grow their hair long. This is incorrect. With the proper hair regime for your hair type you can obtain long hair growth. Click here to learn how to grow kinky, curly hair long The hair growth rate of individuals varies, but on average is about half an inch per month. This rate can easily be increased with growth aids or a well balanced diet.  

 2. Hair grease is good for your hair

Many black women have grown up in a household where greasing the scalp was a weekly ritual. It was believed that our scalps needed to be greased in order to grow healthy hair. This is also a myth. In fact, many of the ingredients found in hair grease are bad for natural, kinky curly hair. Ingredients like petroleum and mineral oil actually clog hair follicles, slowing down hair growth. These products just sit on top of the hair shaft preventing the absorption of moisture.  However, choosing a scalp oil or conditioner that contains nourishing and penetrating ingredients like essential oils can be beneficial.

3. Natural kinky, curly hair is unmanageable

This is another myth due to ignorance. Without the proper knowledge on how to handle natural kinky, curly hair, it can seem unmanageable. Detangle hair starting from the ends and going towards the scalp. This will loosen tangles with less breakage and painful tugging. Blowing the hair out or drying the hair in braids or twists will also loosen the curls creating easier manageability. Kinky curly hair can also be easily managed with wide tooth combs and simply your fingers.

4. Natural kinky, curly hair is strong

Kinky curly hair has the appearance of being tough and strong. However, natural hair is very fragile. It is very fine and wiry like. Much care has to be given to natural hair in order to prevent breakage. This can easily be solved with keeping your hair moisturized, protecting it from damaging hot tools, and handling it gently.  Prevent hair breakage caused by friction when you sleep by using satin bonnets and pillowcases.


 5. Relaxers make hair grow

Hair relaxers are simply a hair chemical treatment that breaks the protein bonds in a strand, causing the hair to loose its curl pattern. Taking the hair from its natural state is in no way beneficial. Relaxers only allow you to better see the length of hair, while natural kinky curly hair shrinks giving it the appearance that it doesn’t grow.  Relaxed hair actually needs extra gentle and nourishing care. It is possible to achieve long hair growth with relaxers; however, when you compare natural hair to relaxed hair it is evident which looks more healthy and full of body.