Grow Black Hair Online » discussion

Harmful Ingredients in Natural Products

Samara — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:28:55 +0000

I’ve been observing how the natural haircare market has been growing and in my observations I have begun to take notice on how some of these larger companies are now trying to get on the “band wagon” for lack of a better term. It seems like they are trying to put the smaller owned businesses out of business by offering cheaper natural hair products that are readily available in local stores. I have noticed new products in Wholefoods, and other various stores by companies such as Alaffia, Queen Helen, Soft Sheen Carson, etc. With that said I embarked on researching the “natural ingredients” these companies were using and here’s some of the information that I found:

Remember, knowledge is power!

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Can Natural Hair be Trained?

Samara — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:32:46 +0000

I’ve heard of the so-called concept of “training” natural hair, meaning to have the hair respond a certain way to heat. “Untrained” natural hair would be more unrulely, so to speak. It wouldn’t become silky straight when a blow dryer and pressing comb, or flat iron is applied, but after using these appliances on the hair on a regular basis, the hair will respond “better” by becoming more silky, straight, smooth, and some what limp. The hair will be so “trained”, that even after cleansing and conditioning the hair it won’t even return to it’s natural state. Instead it will be slightly straighter than normal and the curl pattern will have loosened and/or diminshed completely.

Ladies, if you have hair like the hair described above and you have been using heat, please be advised that your hair is NOT trained. It is heat damaged! Natural hair CANNOT be trained to respond a certain way to heat. Natural hair that is healthy, is thick, curly, and full of life. If it is limp, without much curl and a bit dull, it is damaged.

The use of heat should be limited and/or excluded completely from use on natural hair. What’s the point of being natural if you continue to use heat to make it straight? You might as well go back to a chemical relaxer because you are still damaging your hair and in my opinion, if you choose to straighten your hair often, you have not accepted your natural texture.

Learning to deal with your hair in its natural state is part of being natural. Using heat to make it more “manageable” is not the answer. Keep in mind, no amount of deep conditioning will ever restore your natural curls once it’s heat damaged. You will have to cut off the damaged hair and start over.

In conclusion natural hair CANNOT be trained. There is no such thing. It can either be damaged or embraced. The choice is completely up to you.

Does your hair grow faster in the Summer?

Samara — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:30:38 +0000

Today’s article is open for discussion. Does your hair grow faster in the Summer? What do you think? Have you noticed a sudden growth spurt since the summer began? Do you think it’s due to the change in the weather, or is it because your hair isn’t breaking as much? What have you been doing differently since the Summer began? Share you opinions, tips, and comments in the comment section below!

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Protective Style Challenge – Month 2: December 09

Samara — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:52:03 +0000

It is December 1st and the weather is changing fast. The cold winter air moves in and the heaters are turned on emitting hot dry air into our homes. Our hair will suffer if it is not taken care of properly. Do you know how to protect your hair during the winter season? Have you already started the Protective Style Challenge? If so what styles do you plan on wearing this winter? This article is open for discussion on how to care for natural and relaxed hair during the fall and winter season.

Here are a few tips to improve your hair’s health during the cold months:

Purchase a humidifier and use it often
Wear you hair in protective styles always
Deep condition the hair often
Moisturize daily
Cover you hair with a hat before you go out in the elements
Wear a satin lined hat. If one isn’t available wear a satin scarf or bonnet prior to putting on the hat

If you have any helpful tips or questions about this subject, feel free to add them in the comments section.

If you haven’t begun the Protective Style Challenge just yet, today’s a great day to start. Enter the challenge today to add 3 inches of hair by April 2010.

Good Hair Movie Review

Samara — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:31:17 +0000

With all the planning of my wedding(which will be on the day this article is published) I was finally able to sneak out and see the “Good Hair” movie produced by Chris Rock where his daughter questioned him to why she didn’t have good hair. The movie was educational to women whom are ignorant to some of the effects of chemicals and how the black haircare industry is operating, but it wasn’t what I expected at all.

When I think of “Good Hair”, I was expecting to see a movie discussing how women strive to have the so-called “good curly hair”. I thought this movie was going to be about how black women teach their daughters that their hair is “bad” or “inferior” to other hair types. Instead this movie focused more on the use of hair relaxers and weaves.

I did learn some new information when it comes to where the human hair women sew, glue, and braid into their hair come from, and from what I learned, I won’t be purchasing human hair ever again. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t get braids and weaves. This is totally your choice, just like it’s my own personal choice not to wear human hair weave.

The movie did not explore the world of natural hair at all. There was one actor whom was natural, but little was really said about embracing your own natural texture. I was pretty disappointed by the lack of this knowledge in the movie.

The movie revolved around the Bronner Brothers Hair Show which to me served as mere entertainment instead of education. The grand finale of the movie so to speak.

Overall, it was a pretty good movie and it’s worth seeing if you haven’t already. I would recommend this movie to all black women, especially if you’re relaxed.