Black Hairstyles and Hair
Black hair is beautiful yet it is, in most cases exceptionally fragile and
delicate, every bend and coil of black hair is a weak link that is likely
to break even before it's been touched, let alone styled. It is prone to breakage
and damage, especially when twisted into braids or when hot irons or straightening
products are used to permanently generate smooth and shiny locks.
African-American women, who make up 15% of the American population buy more
than 37% of all hair care products - an amazing statistic, especially when
the average African-American women washes her hair once in a 7 day period
(compared to 4-5 times a week for the average Caucasian and Asian).
Why the statistics?
Well with all that buying power you would expect there to be a great many
black hairstyles and hair options to choose from, but in
reality nothing could be further from the truth, at least in terms of healthy
black hair options. As you may or may not know many of the hair product designed
for black hair are totally unsuitable for that hair type, products such as
hair straighteners can be severely damaging to more resilient hair types -
let alone black hair, in many cases black hair can barely survive brushing.
Yet the ads in magazines aimed at African-American women suggest that all
it takes is a change of shampoo, conditioner, perm, or relaxer for the hair
to appear resilient and bouncy, without any negative side effects.
This is a complete lie and physiologically impossible. In
truth, the options are limited - there are no perms or relaxers that can make
fragile black hair smooth without causing serious damage To top it all off,
a great number of the products designed to correct or at least alleviate the
damage caused by hair straightening, such as greases and oils can create even
more problems.
Somewhere along the way, the cultural myth that greased-up, oiled, slicked
down hair was healthier hair became the norm for many black women. Too often
product after product for black hair is just another version of grease or
oil. Yet all the grease, oil, and emollients in the world won't produce longer,
thicker, or healthier hair. It simply is not possible. If anything, just the
opposite is true. Grease and oil can clog hair follicles. What happens when
follicles get blocked? The circulation is literally choked off and, as a result,
the natural hair growth can become stunted. The products used most frequently
by black women to handle the consequences of hair straightening or hot combing
are the very ones that can hamper hair growth, causing the hair to eventually
become more fragile, weak, brittle, and damaged.
So why the reality check?
Here at Hairstyles and Hair we would rather be part of the solution than the
problem, we aim to provide honest and impartial advice and the best black
hair and hairstyles information and articles available.
Black Hairstyles Articles
Black Hair Rescue:
Stratergies to keep your hair beautiful
Black Hair Science:
Learn all about your hair
The expansion in
black Hair products 1, part 2
Black Hairstyles Resources
Black hairstylesA site featuring links and articles all about black hair.
