Is Natural Hair Really The Answer to Healthy, Strong, Drama-free Hair?
Lets face it, its kind of cool to see more of us rocking the natural do. A lot of women are now willing to make it work! And it can be liberating to re-discover your hair and build a relationship without any cover-ups or disguises. But be warned, this is not necessarily the answer to all your prayers or the end of all your hair woes. The battle rages on. Only this time the elements are somewhat threatening since for some of us, getting acquainted with our natural texture is like walking into unfamiliar territory.
Texture is the key word. We all have variations of that word so depending on what you are working with you could have an easy transition or you could find yourself working harder than ever to make the good hair days outnumber the bad ones.
Natural hair especially the kinky tightly coiled type tends to be extremely dry and constantly craving moisture so the myth about perms and colors being the main reason why our hair dries out is out the window. Even your natural hair can absolutely rebel against you if its not well conditioned and moisturized. The tighter the curls, the more sensitive and surprisingly weak the hair tresses tend to be so the other popular belief that natural hair is so strong that it can take almost any kind of abuse including permanent color is not quite true. I can personally attest to that!
The process of going natural is one that can make or break you. It literally turns into this turbulent love affair. The good days are absolutely fantastic and the bad days are frustratingly bad. You will have moments of undeniable bliss and moments of pure hell. Bad hair days that involve natural hair can easily make you almost call out of work or cancel a date whereas relaxed hair for the most part can be somewhat tamed. But through it all it’s important that you realize that natural hair vs. processed hair is another mythical battle. The truth is that going natural is by no means better or healthier than having a relaxer or a texturizer. And sorry to bust the bubble out there but texturizers actually process the texture of your hair to some degree so your hair is not really in its “natural state”. Natural hair is hair that is devoid of any chemicals that can potentially alter your curl pattern.
The point is that no matter what lane you choose to cruise on, you can still accomplish the same goal of nice, long, strong luxurious hair as long as you give your head of hair the attention and care it deserves and needs. Having natural hair can be fun and rewarding but be prepared for what comes with dealing with your particular hair type and don’t beat yourself up if you decide that its not for you. Hair is an accessory so you have permission to change it up and settle on a style that works for you. Either way looking FAB is the objective! Be it ‘fro or sleek.
is it the answer to healthy,strong hair? sure…but the answer to drama free hair? hell no.. at least not for me, for people who have certain types of hair that isn’t dry,brittle and actually grows it can be a beautiful thing to experience…but for people with my hair type which i will not name to avoid conflict, it can be a nightmare. i was natural as a kid and it was war and it will be war if i do it again. i do not have the time,patience, or self esteem to put myself through that again because i know what will happen to me and the hair so i will never go natural and no one can make me think differently
In answering your question, having a natural IS healthier than all of those chemicals being routinely added to your hair and scalp. These chemicals are dangerous but I am not really going to go into that. As far as strength and drama free I believe that is a personal matter. But another thing that the article fails to mention about having healthy hair is diet. All external health (hair, skin and nails) depend on what we put into our bodies. If we are natural and yet constantly putting processed pseudo-foods into our temple then it really defeats the whole purpose. From experience it is imperative that we start with what we put into our bodies and then the external will reflect. Anywhoooo, I am an advocate for to each his/her own as far as natural or unnatural…but I love my natural!!!
My hair is natural. it has been for about 5 yrs. i’ve had breakage while natural, i’ve allowed my hair to get matted, i’ve accidentally cut it to much.. all kinds of non-sense.. it’s a challenge..i’m not used to caring for my natural hair. it’s been permed all my life.. i’ve been experimenting w/products and i’ve found some that make my hair sooooo soft and manageable w/out to much tangle.. i haven’t worn my hair out yet.. it’s grown so much it’s healthier than b4.. not willing to perm it again. i’m not there yet to wear it out.. so i continue to keep it cornrowed under my wigs and weaves.. soon i’ll get there.. but i do hate having to defend why i won’t perm my hair to ppl..
“The truth is that going natural is by no means better or healthier than having a relaxer or a texturizer.”
I disagree in part with that statement. Chemical relaxers that go on the hair and scalp have been proven to have adverse effects on health. For example, back in April OSHA released a statement to hair salons warning of harmful carcinogens in hair straighteners. So I have to say from the published research that’s out there, and from some bad personal experiences, being natural is generally healthier.
I do agree that bad natural hair days are THE WORST, but ironically that’s when I get the most hair compliments.
“The truth is that going natural is by no means better or healthier than having a relaxer or a texturizer. ”
Good article except for the above extracted statement. “Better” is subjective and left up to the individual sista but, no doubt, natural is healthier. No such thing as healthy chemically relaxed hair.
I went natural this year and the freedom from new growth checks, weak lifeless strands and costly salon visits is worth any drama that natural hair can throw at me. I can’t see myself going back to the relaxer. :)
LOL. My post was not meant to be a reply. But, anyway, I do agree with you.
Agreed! I missed that line b/c I was just scanning. But that is a lie from the pit of hell. lol That mentality keeps ppl in bondage with those perm burns and bald spots.
I hate my hair on MOST DAYS and i’ve been natural since ’09. sometimes i debate going back to relax, but quickly remember it was work, too.
i wish i were super rich and could afford to have someone comb my hair while i sleep…and even while i’m not sleep.
but life is what it is. i have good hair days and a lot of bad hair days. but my hair and i have to take care of it anyway.