The African Woman, Curly and Beautiful
The African American hair is the same as any other. Its components
are the same. They are simply put together in a different way, creating
a unique and wonderful canvas in which to work magic. Because of the
structure, the hair is delicate and fragile. This should always be your
first priority in working with your hair care. Understanding the texture
and its makeup is knowledge you can use throughout your life. There are
5 parts to hair.
- Cuticle: This is the layer of outer hair. Consisting of layered
scales, it interlocks with cells of the hair’s sheath covering the
inner root that is anchored inside the follicle. Black hair cuticle
can be twice as thick as any others.
- Cortex: This is the center layer and consists of cells that are
wrapped tightly around each other. These bands supply elasticity to
your hair. They also provide strength, and respond to chemical
process quite well.
- Melanin: This is located in the cortex. It decides the color of
the hair. More Melanin means your hair and skin will be darker.
- Follicles: This is what hair emerging from the scalp is called.
A healthy follicle will produce a healthier set of hair.
- Sebaceous/Sudoniferous Glands: These are attached to the hair
follicles. The Sebaceous (oil) gland and the Sudoniferous (sweat)
gland do their respective jobs. As those that have worn locks can
tell you, in the beginning stages, it’s the buildup of these 2
substances that can cause an itch and dandruff as the hair is not
being cleaned.
There are a variety of styling products that will allow you to
work with your curls to create your signature look. One of the most
important decisions to make is whether or not you shall use a
relaxer in your hair. A very popular method of working with your
curl, the possibility of damage to the hair is huge. Relaxers are
effective because they separate those bonds that give your hair
strength, allowing your curl to loosen, thus allowing one to think
that your relaxed hair is weaker than your natural hair. Point
aside, if you use the best products and the application of those
products are done by someone experienced and qualified, the results
may be such that you can justify using a relaxer in order to achieve
your look. The health of your hair is dependent on you.
Hopefully, by now you understand that a licensed professional
should be the person applying a relaxer, using salon quality
products. Relaxers that have no lye in them are thought to be kinder
and gentler although there is no real proof of this. In fact, there
are just as many complaints about non lye products causing scalp
irritation as any other relaxers. There also are those that believe
that the non-lye relaxer leaves the hair void of luster.
The natural relaxer is an herbal formula that is more of an
herbal texturizer. It is not a straightener, so some would not
consider it an actual relaxer. Still, they cannot dispute that it
does not work! A healthy alternative for you to try, if your hair is
damaged, this is a way to bring back to good health while wearing
your hair as you please. It is not possible to remove a relaxer from
your hair. The treatment, and what it accomplishes, is permanent: a
lifelong commitment to caring for what results. Do your research
carefully. Ask your family or friends. More importantly, check out
their hair!
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