Publications
Partners
Research shows that it is perfectly normal for women to lose around 50 to 100 hair strands a day – hair that usually ends up in brushes, combs or in the sink. Sometimes though, it looks like we are losing more than 100 strands a day – especially when harsh chemicals are involved.
Because some women are seldom satisfied with the texture or length of their hair, they end up spending time browsing through fashion magazines trying to pick a style that will suit them. We all choose our hairstyles to make a personal statement but it's easy to slip into the following trends without considering the health of our hair.
Here’s the lowdown on some of the most common hairstyles black women go for, and the potential damage it may cause:
Chill… and relax
Guaranteed to give you sleek, straight hair, relaxer chemicals are applied in layers to break down the hair shaft. It's all good and well if you stick to the guidelines, but if left on for too long, these chemicals could eat right through the hair causing it to fall out in clumps.
Did you know, the combination of calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate forms guanidine hydroxide – which could easily clean a sink! Repeated use of such products can cause hair loss so if these chemicals cause scarring on your scalp, try another hairstyle.
Tip: Apply oil moisturiser at least once a day to avoid having a dry scalp which will result in flakes.
Fake it
Depending on the type of hair you have, it’s not necessary to relax (straighten) your hair if you want it braided. There’s a variety of extensions which cost an arm and a leg but are well worth the effort.
Taking care of African hair is a long and tiring process. The person being styled has to buy the fiber (braids/weave), a packet of braids ranges from R5 to R15 depending where you buy it and which texture the fiber is. Human hair weaves cost up to R250 a pack though… Then you still have to pay your stylist and buy a product that will keep your scalp moist and your hair healthy for maintenance. Oh, and set aside at least four hours to have it weaved or braided in.
Hair extensions need to be washed (preferably at a salon) to keep it in good shape for those who like to keep it in for longer periods.
Tip: Start saving up.
All natural
Known as "natural" hair, dreads have become increasingly popular lately. People go for these styles for different reasons, one being the fear of chemicals on their scalp. But some people assume that just because you have dreads, you're a Rasta.
Dreadlocks can and must be washed, otherwise they will smell bad after a while, like any other dirty hair. The best process to use to wash dreadlocks is to use a residue-free shampoo. Most commercially-made shampoos leave scum and can cause hair not to lock – but the rumour that hair has to be dirty to form dreadlocks isn't true. Clean hair actually locks much better than dirty hair.
Tip: For best results one should use a fragrance-free, conditioner-free shampoo. Dreadlocks don't react well to oily and greasy substances.
An afro is by far the most difficult style to maintain. You have to plait your hair every evening before going to bed to avoid struggling with tangled hair in the morning. You could also style it in funky plaits to avoid the knots. Since having an afro doesn’t involve chemicals, some women resort to inserting weaves or braids to suit the preferred style.
Tip: Put on leave-in conditioner once a week in the evening, to make hair easier to comb.
So for those who didn’t know this, “wash and wear” doesn’t always apply to African hair.
Got kinky hair? Share your style tips with us below…
Because some women are seldom satisfied with the texture or length of their hair, they end up spending time browsing through fashion magazines trying to pick a style that will suit them. We all choose our hairstyles to make a personal statement but it's easy to slip into the following trends without considering the health of our hair.
Here’s the lowdown on some of the most common hairstyles black women go for, and the potential damage it may cause:
Chill… and relax
Guaranteed to give you sleek, straight hair, relaxer chemicals are applied in layers to break down the hair shaft. It's all good and well if you stick to the guidelines, but if left on for too long, these chemicals could eat right through the hair causing it to fall out in clumps.
Did you know, the combination of calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate forms guanidine hydroxide – which could easily clean a sink! Repeated use of such products can cause hair loss so if these chemicals cause scarring on your scalp, try another hairstyle.
Tip: Apply oil moisturiser at least once a day to avoid having a dry scalp which will result in flakes.
Fake it
Depending on the type of hair you have, it’s not necessary to relax (straighten) your hair if you want it braided. There’s a variety of extensions which cost an arm and a leg but are well worth the effort.
Taking care of African hair is a long and tiring process. The person being styled has to buy the fiber (braids/weave), a packet of braids ranges from R5 to R15 depending where you buy it and which texture the fiber is. Human hair weaves cost up to R250 a pack though… Then you still have to pay your stylist and buy a product that will keep your scalp moist and your hair healthy for maintenance. Oh, and set aside at least four hours to have it weaved or braided in.
Hair extensions need to be washed (preferably at a salon) to keep it in good shape for those who like to keep it in for longer periods.
Tip: Start saving up.
All natural
Known as "natural" hair, dreads have become increasingly popular lately. People go for these styles for different reasons, one being the fear of chemicals on their scalp. But some people assume that just because you have dreads, you're a Rasta.
Dreadlocks can and must be washed, otherwise they will smell bad after a while, like any other dirty hair. The best process to use to wash dreadlocks is to use a residue-free shampoo. Most commercially-made shampoos leave scum and can cause hair not to lock – but the rumour that hair has to be dirty to form dreadlocks isn't true. Clean hair actually locks much better than dirty hair.
Tip: For best results one should use a fragrance-free, conditioner-free shampoo. Dreadlocks don't react well to oily and greasy substances.
An afro is by far the most difficult style to maintain. You have to plait your hair every evening before going to bed to avoid struggling with tangled hair in the morning. You could also style it in funky plaits to avoid the knots. Since having an afro doesn’t involve chemicals, some women resort to inserting weaves or braids to suit the preferred style.
Tip: Put on leave-in conditioner once a week in the evening, to make hair easier to comb.
So for those who didn’t know this, “wash and wear” doesn’t always apply to African hair.
Got kinky hair? Share your style tips with us below…
