Black Hair
Black hair- one of the world's three basic hair types.
Country of origin - Africa
Hair Characteristics:
Natural colour - black with multiple helices.
Hair shaft cross-section examination reveals the characteristic oval configuration.
Hair shafts are usually dry woolly and vulnerable to breakage:
Disorders/Diseases affecting Black Hair scalps
Hair Dandruff (pityriasis simplex capitis)
A scaly scalp often mistakenly considered to be a dry scalp.
The scalp like skin, undergoes cyclical renewal and dead hair cells are constantly
being shed.
In cases of plaited hairstyles, extensions, weave-ons, locks, twists, these epidermal cells accumulate on the scalp and with regular applications of oils and greases together with trapped perspiration, may initiate a scalp irritation eventually resulting in a dermatitis.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
An itchy scalp condition caused by an allergic reaction to material in contact
with the scalp. It can be attributed to a number of external factors, most commonly
to improperly applied chemical relaxers, build ups of heavy cosmetic products,
glues used in weaving techniques and generally unhealthy scalp conditions. Subsequent
applications of pomades and oils on an itchy scalp will result in folliculitis
manifested by pustules surrounding the hair follicles. The inflammatory cells
accumulate in response to bacteria that are able to proliferate within the partially
occluded follicles. Secondary infected dermatitis causes the hair follicles
to become damaged resulting in various degrees of hair loss and possibly the
formation of disseminated keloidal scarring due to continual scratching.
Contact dermatitis needs early treatment in order to alleviate further possible
sensitisation and to avoid irreversible damage to hair and scalp.
Acne Cheloidalis Nuchae
A skin condition affecting the nape of the neck which may persist for years.
Initially small round itchy bumps appear within the hair-bearing area at the
occipital region of the scalp. Pustules may form around the hair follicles.
The bumps become small scars which eventually will enlarge to form Keloids.
Causes: buried in-growing hairs often following dry razoring or close clipping.
Treatment: topical antibiotics for low grade infection
oral antibiotics for secondary infection.
topical steroids
avoidance of trauma to the area, eg: sustained friction from clothing
removal of in-growing hairs by tweezers.
Keloid
A benign condition resulting from excess collagen formation, presenting as smooth
hard growth of raised scar tissue. Once formed, they do not regress but tend
to join together and although they generally grow slowly they may become large.
Cause : usually a response to injuries (major or minor) including insect bites.
Treatment :
The treatment of choice appears to be a course of local injections of corticosteroids.
The patients are usually seen at monthly intervals and the course of the treatment
may be quite lengthy, many times over a year.
Radiotherapy, excision and cryosurgery are not recommended on Black skins as
these methods could produce further scarring.
Neurodermatitis
Cause: tight plaiting over a long period of time.
A localised area of the scalp, most often the crown and temporals, may feel
very sore for months after the plaits have been removed.
Kerion
A dermatophytosis (ringworm infection) presenting as boggy, oozing inflammatory
lesions of the scalp caused by trichophytum tonsurans. Temporary hair loss is
usual although scarring may occur in severe cases.
Treatment: prescription medicines e.g. (Grifulvin V® ) and oral steroids
in severe cases. Your doctor may require blood tests.
Black hair maintenance
The hair texture may be coarse, but Afro-hair due to its particular configuration
is fragile.
Every twist and turn is a weakness, a breaking point.
Climatic conditions and environmental factors e.g. central heating, Ultra Violet
rays, cold weather etc may compound the hair's existing dry condition.
Afro-Caribbean hair can look healthy shiny and retain reasonable length , whether
in its virgin or chemically processed state if given the proper care and attention
at all times.
Black hair requires careful management on a daily basis to restore any loss
of tensile strength and maintain a natural balance of moisture.
Critical Black Hair Guidelines
Chemical processing must be carried out by a professional.
Do not relax your hair more than once every 10-12 weeks.
Do not press, blow dry, hot tong, or use heated rollers.( they strip the hair
of its moisture thus causing irreversible damage to hair structure resulting
in on-going hair breakage and disastrous cosmetic effects Wet set hair and dry
under hooded hairdryer.
After shampooing do not rub the hair with the towel but gently blot the water
off (sustained localised friction will cause hair breakage)
Do not massage the scalp (massaging the scalp has no beneficial effect on the
hair and is not effective in promoting hair-growth. It may cause hair breakage)
Avoid the use of glues in weaving techniques.
Ensure that braiding, plaiting and weave-ons do not pull your hair at the scalp
level as this may result in permanent hairloss as is often seen at the sides
and frontal areas of the scalp.
Remove braids, plaits, weave-ons after a maximum of 3 months and do not redo
this for at least 6 months.
Do not apply oils on an itchy scalp.
© 2002-Renee Lagrange LTTS
