No matter how bad the economy plummets, one thing that won’t hit rock bottom is the maintenance of a black woman’s hair. It’s almost an obsession to grow, color, or change our hair to complement our moods.
Most of us have conducted our own research, consulted our stylists, and even trusted some of our girlfriends. Still, there are many myths to be debunked when it comes to black hair care. Here are eight issues that most of us want to know about our hair.
1. Is Natural Hair Healthier Than Relaxed Hair?
While natural hair tends to be healthier than relaxed hair because of the lack of chemicals, a common myth is that natural hair translates to problem free hair. This is totally inaccurate. Hair needs to be conditioned and treated both in a relaxed and natural state. So even if you ditch the chemicals but forget to condition your natural hair, breakage and an unhealthy mane may be a result.
2. Is The Brazilian Keratin Treatment As Good As Its’ Claims?
The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a way to make your frizzy hair straight. So how does this powerful treatment work?
Brazilian Keratin Treatment has Keratin in it which coats the hair and seals in shine. It keeps out moisture, thus preventing frizzy hair. It only makes hair that is damaged appear in good health. However, the downside is that you can’t wash your hair for about 4 days and never use products that contain Sodium Chloride because it will eat through the Keratin coating.
While Brazilian straightening treatments don’t have the tried-and-true chemicals you’ll find in typical black hair relaxers, such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, or chemicals you’ll find in curling perms like ammonium thioglycolate, they may still be harsh to black hair.
The Federal Drug Administration is currently investigating claims that the formaldehyde and other chemicals found in “Brazilian Blowout” haircare products have caused health issues for stylists and clients, including breathing problems and headaches.
Fans of the treatment claim that it actually strengthens the hair since keratin is so similar to hair’s natural protein.
3. Is It Really Okay To Relax A Child’s Hair?
Despite the claims of manufacturers, experts warn that any type of relaxer can damage the hair and scalp. This is probably the reason parents are divided on when or if they should relax their childs’ hair. While some are concerned about the harsh chemicals on a child’s tender scalp, others are more concerned with the damage that hair straightening could have on a child’s self-image.
Still the fact remains that relaxers contain harmful chemicals and using them on a child at an early age may have long term effects on the health of their hair.
4. Do Hair Vitamins Really Work?
Some people take hair vitamins in hopes of grow luscious locs in a short period of time. The truth is there is no magic pill to give you the outcome you’re looking for in a short period of time. Does this mean hair vitamins are useless? No not at all. In fact, if you aren’t getting all the nutrients you need from food, which may promote healthy hair, these vitamins provide as a supplement.
Some individuals don’t receive enough of a particular vitamin from the foods they eat. Others don’t make enough of the needed minerals or vitamins in order to grow healthy, strong hair. By taking vitamins, individuals provide their bodies with the nutrients and vitamins they need in order to grow strong, healthy hair.
5. Relaxer + Color= Healthy Hair Suicide?
While many women with relaxers still experiment with color, most hair care professionals are against it; but they do offer one major tip if you decide to merge the two: Condition.Condition.Condition.
6. Is The ‘Big Chop’ Really Necessary?
Yes the big chop is necessary if you’re looking to get rid of your relaxed hair fast; but if you can wait for an extended period of time to become a bona fide ‘natural’ you can opt for occasional trims instead of the ‘Big Chop’. So is it necessary? Well it definitely has its pros and cons.
One of the biggest pros of undergoing the big chop is the advantage of dealing with one texture. Still one of the downsides of undergoing the big chop is a drastic change; and if short hair isn’t your thing, it may be a major adjustment.
7. The Truth About A Greasy Scalp
Before the variety of hair care brands, there were only a couple ways to add sheen to black hair. Whle grease is what some of us grew up on to saturate our scalp, the truth is it can clog up your pores an follicles and prevent them from performing their natural functions which can result in a scalp disorder.
So before you attempt to ‘grease’ your scalp, ensure that a wash is coming soon after.
8. No Lye vs. Lye Relaxers
Because no-lye relaxers have less sodium hydroxide, essentially they are a slightly better than those with lye. Basically, the less sodium in a relaxer results in a weaker formula, but no matter which type of relaxer you use it’s still a chemical treatment and should be used with proper care.
