► Grease is an absolute must for hair and scalp – I was like a fish out of water without my grease. I just felt as though my hair wasn’t “nourished” unless I coated it with some heavy grease (most likely something with mineral oil* or petroleum).
This stemmed from the fact that we equate health with sheen so if you had a shiny mane then you had healthy strands.
In essence, we thought the moisture our hair needed came from oils* and grease especially since we knew our scalps produced precious little of its own oil.
So in our enthusiasm to help things along we would serve up a generous helping of grease, but the thing about it is that the removal of buildup from the grease usually requires the use of sulfates and damaging surfactants, which can cause damage to the follicles and the strands.
In essence, it’s not so much the substance that is harmful, but because of the process to remove it, now that’s the deal breaker.
► Your texture and curl pattern are set in stone – It appears that in this point many of us have not come to the realization that this is also myth.
As time passes your hair does change. There are quite a few things that can effect a change in the texture and curl pattern of your hair. Some factors which affect changes in the color, density and thickness of your hair are your diet, age and products which have the propensity to be adsorbed into the cortex.
So in the time since I rejected these myths have I retained length? You better believe it! I’m not good about walking around with a tape measure but a picture is worth a thousand words.
Myths are created when there is uncertainty and when a majority of the facts get lost in translation. When it comes to your hair goals, myths can put a dent into those lofty aspirations.
Seek out the facts so that you do not get side-tracked for this is a case of, the more you know, the more you’ll grow.
Learned something new
That’s great news Sheree.
Love tha hair!!
Thanks much Linda :
Beautiful hair
Thank you Donna :
Great points!
Thanks Miss Elisa K.
jolie
that hair is amazing
Right on the money! Is hard believing that I once that all this was true. So many black women hold this myths near and dear to their hearts. My sister, who’s natural, and my aunt, who’s relaxed, both went to cosmetology school, and know so little about caring for their own (black) hair. It doesn’t occur to them that if it’s not working, then it’s time for change. Nobody was a bigger novice when it came to care then me. When I went natural 3 years ago, I didn’t know that I was “going natural,” I just realized that I had the option of no longerrelaxing my air. In fact, I was completely unaware that there were other women doing the same thing. And I didn’t know how to properly care for my hair, so I had some unrealistic expectations under the circumstances. It took me 2 years to realize this. Finally, after my 2nd big chop last year, I opted to change my practices. I rested to some old textbook knowledge of black hair care 101 to learn the basics, and what do you know? My hair started to thrive. So hopefully, the information gets out there quickly that black girls can have long, healthy hair with proper care. The re-knowledge just has to get out there.
That’s so true KJ. The process of re-teaching must continue so that these myths do not continue for another ten generations.
You’re so right. Many of use believed all the above myth. I can’t believe we used blue magic & sulfate shampoo to clean the build up grease. Unbileavable!
Thanks for sharing.
You have to do what works for your own hair ! After almost two years of job stress that caused my hair to thin & at nape & temples,plus the fact I’m post menopausal, i decided to go back to old school grease & water this winter. Mom used it on my hair as a kid & it grew long & thick & was never dry in winter. I had had nice growth last summer with KinkyCurly all summer & had been using Qhemet,Curls or Shea Moisture in past winters. I saw a derm january 2012-June & then started using an essential oil mix. But in late November, when it got colder & drier than usual I started getting dryness, breakage & shedding. So I got some Dax & Blue Magic like some other naturals had recommended for the same issues. I hadn’t used either of those products before because I had a curly perm for years or any grease at all since wearing an afro in the 70s. Back then ,no heavy grease, just Vitapointe, Afro Sheen, Perm Repair & Alberto VO5. So far I found that Blue Magic & Dax are the bomb. Not on the scalp,just on my hair with a light hand. An excellent mix is Dax Pomade with some raw shea butter sitirred into it. My hair has stayed soft & moisturized for days & is retaining length like mad. Almost no breakage & split ends. Even tho I hadn’t used grease for decades, I never really bought into that idea that grease is terrible idea. I think that’s a myth,too. Just use it on damp hair as a sealant & not on your scalp. I had grown up on Sulphur 8,Posner Bergamot, & Dixie Peach as well as olive oil. Mom used them with a light hand & my hair stayed healthy. She did oil my scalp when it got dry. Anyhow, grease will now be part of my winter regimen & the expensive Qhemet for spring & fall.