Post by olokun on Oct 25, 2006 22:47:38 GMT 1
I think it's really time that Black women everywhere realised how harmful relaxing your hair is. It totally damages your hair and can even bruise your scalp (used to happen to me all the time!) I stopped relaxing my hair 5 years ago, and have not looked back since. Here are some hair care tips which help you maintain your natural texture:
*thick solid grease, like petroleum, clogs hair follicles preventing normal hair growth.
*straight perms can damage the hair and should be applied by a professional with a regular routine to avoid breakage between the new growth and the relaxed hair.
*don't use products that contain alcohol because it is very drying.
(this does not include cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, or stearyl alcohol. These are not alcohols as you know it and are creamy emollients)
*natural oils are much better for the hair, as they contain nutrients that synthetic oils don't. Mineral oil is a crude oil like the kind you use in your car.
*only comb natural hair when it is wet with conditioner or product in it to avoid breakage, unless you are blow-drying it straight.
*(for difficult hair to comb) if you don't have time to condition the hair to comb it just spray it with a bit of water or liquid conditioner and smooth it out with your fingers.
*it is okay to wet the hair or condition the hair everyday.
*try to keep shampooing down to twice a week and feel free to use conditioner everyday to comb the hair. It is okay to wet the hair every day.
*always use a leave-in conditioner or cream.
*if the hair tends to poof when it is down, and you want it down, let it get 3/4s dry in twists or braids. Then smooth out the hair with your fingers.
Or allow the hair to set in a plastic cap for about 20 minutes after applying your leave-in product, to allow the curls to form together. Squeeze out excess water before applying the leave-in cream. If the hair poofs at the bottom and lays flat on the scalp, use less cream close to the scalp. You can even comb the hair up side down to gain fullness at the scalp. You can also use a diffuser at the scalp.
*hot oil treatments are wonderful for the hair and manageability.
*don't blow dry the hair unless you are trying to straighten it or you are using a diffuser at the roots.
*use a pick or a wide tooth comb instead of a brush, to get out tangles.
*start combing from the ends down and work your way up, closer and closer to the roots, combing down. Never start combing from the roots down if the hair has knots. Comb the hair in sections to avoid breakage even when conditioner is in the hair.
(source)
If you really want to straighten your hair, you should do it temporarily with the help of hair straighteners, and only once in a while.
That should help your hair grow long! ;D
*thick solid grease, like petroleum, clogs hair follicles preventing normal hair growth.
*straight perms can damage the hair and should be applied by a professional with a regular routine to avoid breakage between the new growth and the relaxed hair.
*don't use products that contain alcohol because it is very drying.
(this does not include cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, or stearyl alcohol. These are not alcohols as you know it and are creamy emollients)
*natural oils are much better for the hair, as they contain nutrients that synthetic oils don't. Mineral oil is a crude oil like the kind you use in your car.
*only comb natural hair when it is wet with conditioner or product in it to avoid breakage, unless you are blow-drying it straight.
*(for difficult hair to comb) if you don't have time to condition the hair to comb it just spray it with a bit of water or liquid conditioner and smooth it out with your fingers.
*it is okay to wet the hair or condition the hair everyday.
*try to keep shampooing down to twice a week and feel free to use conditioner everyday to comb the hair. It is okay to wet the hair every day.
*always use a leave-in conditioner or cream.
*if the hair tends to poof when it is down, and you want it down, let it get 3/4s dry in twists or braids. Then smooth out the hair with your fingers.
Or allow the hair to set in a plastic cap for about 20 minutes after applying your leave-in product, to allow the curls to form together. Squeeze out excess water before applying the leave-in cream. If the hair poofs at the bottom and lays flat on the scalp, use less cream close to the scalp. You can even comb the hair up side down to gain fullness at the scalp. You can also use a diffuser at the scalp.
*hot oil treatments are wonderful for the hair and manageability.
*don't blow dry the hair unless you are trying to straighten it or you are using a diffuser at the roots.
*use a pick or a wide tooth comb instead of a brush, to get out tangles.
*start combing from the ends down and work your way up, closer and closer to the roots, combing down. Never start combing from the roots down if the hair has knots. Comb the hair in sections to avoid breakage even when conditioner is in the hair.
(source)
If you really want to straighten your hair, you should do it temporarily with the help of hair straighteners, and only once in a while.
That should help your hair grow long! ;D
