So you are
currently transitioning or have been thinking of going natural
because you are tired of carrying your unhealthy hair around and would
like a healthy head of hair instead. Perhaps you feel now is the time to
take the leap and join other women who wear their hair in its
Afro-textured form. May be you've seen your friend, co-worker or
relative
grow her hair down her back within a few short years. Perhaps you admire the
variety of styles
curly/coily haired girls wear their hair in and wish you could wear few
of those styles, but can't due to the current nature of your hair?
If
you identify with any of the statements and questions mentioned above,
please sit back and take your time to read through this (lengthy)
article before joining us (Natural Haired Women) on the other side.
 |
| Rastafarians in Havana, Cuba |
"Alright, so before we get started, I'd like to establish the fact that Keeping Afro hair is not a hairstyle which many women and girls have chosen to wear their hair in, but it is a lifestyle which they chose to live in."
Black
women and men, have always worn their hair in an elaborate or
conservative style since the history of Black people. As a result of
this, most of us were brought up thinking that our hair has to be worn
in a particular style in order for it to be presentable. Also, I've
read comments made by Natural haired women who claim their hair is just a
hairstyle and nothing else. It is false statements and misconceptions
like these that have resulted in newly naturals to go back to relaxers,
wear extensions exclusively or just keep their hair cropped.
So, how is Natural hair a lifestyle and not a hairstyle?
Afrohair isn't a style that comes and goes with a trend, neither is it a style for a particular group of people
1.
Though Afro textured hair have existed ever since Black people have
existed, an unfortunate reality is that many women with Afro hair are
still facing discrimination in their community as a result of the way
they've chosen to wear their hair. This discrimination is particularly
ubiquitous in Africa, which is suppose to be the birth place of Afro
hair. Many still think of Afro hair as a
"hairstyle" of the past which should have faded off with increased civilization and technological innovation.
2.
The discrimination many of us face is often in the form of unwelcome
remarks and resistance from family members, peers, colleagues and other
members of our society.
Lifestyle changes required for Afro hair
3. To have healthy hair, many women have had to
change their overall health and fitness level.
Lifestyle changes could involve changing one's diet to incorporate
healthier food choices such as increased fruit and vegetables intake,
drinking more water and watching the type and amounts of foods we eat.
Some of us even go as far as exercising few times a week.
4. Another lifestyle change some of us have made was to
replace our previous hairstylist to
a stylist who is knowledgeable about natural haircare (not just hair
styling), and when we can't find one, we will then decide to be our own
hair stylist.
5. Keeping in line with lifestyle changes, many of us have had to
change our hair products to
"Afro Friendly" hair products which has minimal or no harsh chemicals
which can be detrimental to the overall health of our hair. Instead, we
opt for products with ingredients we can actually pronounce and might be
familiar with. Some of us even go as far as making our own hair care
products.
6. Another lifestyle change we make is by
increasing the length of time we spend on our hair. As we know, Afro hair is a
unique hair type
which requires us to spend a bit more time tending to its needs. The
extra time includes time spent prepping the hair for a wash, detangling,
washing, deep conditioning and styling. Extra time may also be spent
whipping up our own DIY hair products. Some of us will also spend some
time
educating ourselves and others about Afro Hair.
The extra time spent on Afro hair doesn't require you to spend all day on your hair everyday as the time you spend
handling your Afro hair will be dependent on your natural hair texture. But I can guarantee that it will take you
longer to handle your afro hair than it takes with your relaxed hair or any extension hairstyle.
 |
| Olive oil and Honey Prepoo Treatment |
7. Because Afro hair is not a hairstyle,
some of
us have come to realize that our hair will NOT achieve a particular
style we see other girls pull off on Youtube or in the Natural hair
community, regardless of the product and technique we use. Some of us
have also come to embrace the physical characteristics of our hair as we
allow it to do it's own thing, rather than conforming it into a
particular style.
8. And lastly, like any lifestyle
changes that we sometimes have to go through in life, the level of
success we achieve will be dependent on the reality of the goals we set
and how persistent we are.
The main reason why I have written this
lengthy article is because many women often join the bandwagon without
educating themselves about what they're getting themselves into, only to
jump out of the wagon when the journey starts to get rough.
Understanding that you will need to make certain lifestyle changes to
make your journey smooth is the key to keeping Afro hair and eventually
growing it long.
So, after reading these 8 points
about Afro hair being a lifestyle, do you think you're ready to make
some of these lifestyle changes? Remember you don't have to change
overnight, you can take as long as you want.
If there is any point I've left out, please feel free to add yours in the comment box.
The Mane Captain
