Just Because Your Hair Is Natural, Doesn’t Automatically Mean It’s Healthy
I don’t put too much effort into my hair, unless I’m doing a rollerset. Typically, I’m a wash & go type of woman, and it only takes about two minutes to slap some conditioner and a moisturizer in my hair. Since I’ve been natural for most of my adult life, I can’t see myself going back to a relaxer, but I still color it occasionally. Just as I was a stickler for maintaining my relaxed hair, I’m the same way with my natural hair. I don’t judge people on what they choose to do with their own hair. If you choose to relax it, or go natural, that’s all on you, but maintenance and keeping it healthy should be a priority.
I will say this to those with natural hair, never, ever should you walk around with your hair looking like the ass of a dog with mange. Just because your hair is natural, doesn’t automatically mean it’s healthy. Sure, you’ve just done a big chop, or have spent months growing out your hair with braids or weaves, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother maintaining it and making sure it doesn’t look like tumbleweed.
Recently I’ve noticed some of the most dry, brittle and damaged fros and wash & go styles on the streets of D.C. In the D.C. area, it’s not uncommon to walk past a group of women with natural hair. If D.C. isn’t the mecca of natural haired women, I’m not sure what is. But, there are those women who haven’t been able to grasp the concept of maintaining it. With the plethora of YouTube tutorials and websites dedicated to natural hair, there’s no excuse to walk around with a damaged do.
Just because one product works a certain way on one person’s hair, doesn’t mean you’ll reap the same benefits. For example, years ago I discovered that I was allergic to Shea Butter and Lemongrass and any product with either of those ingredients dried my hair out and caused shedding. My hair wasn’t having it. It was trial and error to figure out which products worked best, and sometimes left my hair looking a hot ass mess.
Just like relaxed hair, natural hair can suffer from brittle and split ends, dryness, breakage, shedding and not to mention scalp issues, especially if you find yourself allergic to some of these so-called natural products. Hair is work, period. Whether it’s natural or relaxed. One isn’t easier than the other, but the important part is making sure it’s healthy and maintained properly. Also remember, no product will turn your 4b hair, into 3c hair.
Y’all are always talking about these naturals who try to make non naturals feel bad. Where are they I feel this is an urban legend? Because I see it as being the opposite those that are not natural seem to make it their mission to dictate how naturals or transitioners should wear or do their hair. Maybe it’s small town living, I live in Chattanooga.
this is so true…relaxed black women feel free to touch my hair(with a disgusted look on their faces no less) and tell me ” i would never keep my hair like that” (who asked you to do so booboo?) and so on and so forth…smh
We just love to hate on each other for the way our hair looks don’t we? First Gabby Douglas, now this? How about, we stop spending so much time worrying about the way other sisters choose to wear their hair?
Some people have more important things going on in their lives than their hair. Not everyone wants to spend time, energy, and money on making sure their hair looks perfect all the time.
Black women are already taught to internalize a fair amount of self-loathing because of their hair. If a few women have decided to “do them” and not get caught up in all that, I say good for them. Why don’t we focus on positivity, not tearing other black women down because you’re personally not into their hair?
Amen! The whole time I was reading this article I was just thinking, “Who the hell is this woman to judge whether someone else’s hair is ‘wearable’ or not?” Women need to mind their own damn business. Nobody has autonomy over another’s hair. Isn’t it on that person if they come out with a “damaged ‘do”? I’m not understanding how this could personally affect someone so much that they’d write an article about it…
wao, but you do have a point here
Can we get a break from the natural hair topic. Does it matter if hair is natural or processed, dreaded, weave. That what beautiful about black hair we can do many things with our hair. But can we please talk about something else.
“Also remember, no product will turn your 4b hair, into 3c hair.”
… and nor should we want it to.