Black Hair Care Myths
1. Black hair can’t grow long I laugh every time I hear this. This is definitely not true. Hair growth goes through three different phases and race is not a factor. With the right products, maintenance and a healthy diet, you can retain your hair.
· Anagen Phase- this is the growing phase. During this phase, hair grows for two to eight years. The length of this phase is determined genetically and also determines how long your hair will grow.
· Catagen Phase- This is the resting stage. During this two to four week period, the hair does not grow during this time but it get ready to detach
· Telogen Phase- During this phase, the old hair is pushed out by the new hair. This is the hair that comes out when you brush or wash. The phase can last between two to four months
2. Braids makes your hair grow
· “Braids Does Not Make Your Hair Grow”, braids can help to protect your hair from breakage. Braids helps to keep the hair strands packed together therefore minimizing the exposure that your hair strands get from heat, wind and environmental damage. Don’t forget that even when you hair is in braids, it still needs some T.L.C.
3. It’s good to grease your scalp when its dry
· What happens when you put grease on dry hair? You hair stays dry. It’s greasy but it’s dry.
A lot of hair grease has petroleum, mineral oil and lanolin in them. These products do not contain moisture in them so there is no way they will add moisture to your hair. Matter of fact, they prevent moisture from getting into the hair. Let me paint a picture for you:
a. Have you tried washing oil off your hands with water and no soap? Your hands remain oily because water cannot penetrate oil and it prevents the water from touching your hands. That’s what happens when you put oil on your hair that is already dry.
b. The best way to use grease is as a sealant. You can apply it to your hair after you have applied a water based moisturizer. I found a list of water based moisturizer that can be purchased at F&G Beauty supply, Sunny’s Hair and Wigs, and Walgreens
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch Leave-in
Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oi
Profectiv Mega Growth
Elasta QP Mango Butter
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in
You can also try applying your oil moisturizer after rinsing the moisture treatment out to combat dryness.
Use a light oil moisturizer following the application of these water based moisturizer to seal moisture in the shaft
Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oi
Profectiv Mega Growth
Elasta QP Mango Butter
Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in
You can also try applying your oil moisturizer after rinsing the moisture treatment out to combat dryness.
Use a light oil moisturizer following the application of these water based moisturizer to seal moisture in the shaft
