Ok, so I'm no "hairologist" (correct term being cosmetologist/beautician). I am, however, the average African-American girl who has made some pretty terrible mistakes when it comes to my hair. Unfortunately, we've grown up in a time where straight, long hair is considered beautiful, which is why we resort to weaves & wigs. Some of us are just now beginning to really embrace the natural textures of our hair.
Well, I'm not here to give you a history lesson on African-American hair. I just thought I'd share 3 of my biggest hair mistakes, that I'm sure many of you have experienced, and the lessons I've learned from them.
Heat Protectant
My main mistake was not using heat protectant, and honestly, growing up, I did not know these products existed outside of a hair salon. Sad, I know.
During my high school days, and even early college years, I used so much heat on my hair. After shampooing and towel drying, I'd blow dry then flat iron, to the highest degree, with no protectant. Although I didn't wash my hair everyday (I still don't), I definitely flat ironed it everyday & sometimes twice a day, depending on the occasion. I guess I thought my hair was invincible to breakage.
Boy was I wrong! It took for my hair to dangerously break off in 2010 for me to really take notice.
Lesson Learned: ALWAYS use heat protectant when drying and/or curling your hair, but the BEST heat protectant is NO HEAT at all. :)
Regular Cuts
I'm not talking about actual hair cuts where 5-6", or more, is chopped off, but you should get a hair trim regularly.
Before my hairstylist moved to another state, she would trim my hair every 2 months, which was actually way too often. Once she moved, I was unable to find a stylist that I liked, so I, or a close friend (with a license of course), would clip my ends. Problem is, this would only happen once a year. I believe this was an added problem to my breakage.
It's debatable of how often one should get a hair trim. A known fact is that your hair grows only half of an inch (0.5") to maybe one inch (1") a month. ONE WHOLE MONTH. Some of you may take supplements or have your own regimen for faster hair growth; I don't know. I do know that your hair naturally should grow only about one inch a month.
Lesson Learned: Get hair trims regularly, but also allow hair room to grow.
*Tip: If trimming/cutting your own hair, make sure you use hair scissors. Scissors used for paper will snag your hair, causing more damage.*
Moisture, Moisture, MOISTURE!
No matter what the texture of your hair may be, you should keep it moisturized. Again, my problem with this really began once my hairstylist moved. Having to do my hair on my own, I'd skip the whole moisturizing step (being lazy). FACT: dry hair causes breakage/damage.
In the past, I never really liked oils nor did I like grease (a product often used in the Black community) because it would weigh my hair down (I like when it's bouncing & behaving lol). When shampooing, I wouldn't deep condition nor put in a leave-in conditioner; I'd just put in a rinse-out conditioner & be done.
Lesson Learned: KEEP HAIR MOISTURIZED!
*Tip: you do not have to purchase a lot of synthetic hair products to obtain moisture. Although some synthetic products may be better, natural products work just as well & can be found in your local grocery store (& no, not the hair section).*
I'm so happy to have learned from these mistakes and to be on this journey back to healthy hair. Hopefully, my experiences have helped you, and if you'd like, share some of yours in the comments below. :)
XO, Deanna
LOVE IT sis!!! Keep schooling us on the latest #beautytips xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, darling :)
DeleteDee,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you! You have blossomed into this remarkable young lady with a lot of different talents! God Bless!
Love Ya,
Ne'
Thank you! Love you!
DeleteSuper proud Mom!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Delete