Why the Reluctance?
Why haven’t I joined the MHM train? Well I’ve chalked it up to my being a reluctant gambler. To date, I haven’t seen anyone who has stuck to the principles come out with any bad experience or remarks that might dissuade others from trying it (although I did see one follower say her hair was resistant after 18 days on it and the baking soda had started to burn her); but, what I have seen is people questioning the long term effects of using baking soda on the hair for a sustained period.
So yeah, I think most of my reluctance stems from that place. Baking soda is used as a cleanser but it was Kimmaytube who had raised concerns – long before the advent of the MHM- that baking soda causes the hair shaft to expand. Could this expansion be harmful over time to the point where it causes the hair to become weak? Also, moisture is good but isn’t there such a thing as over moisturizing?
We are still learning black hair; still debunking myths and rubbishing misconceptions that have governed the way we view and treat our hair. Basically most of the who’s whos in the hair industry haven’t been putting in the kind of research needed to help us learn about it, they are mostly interested in making it rain from our pockets into their accounts; you’ve seen those products directed at us with the crafty marketing strategies, some of which we’ve used for decades only to later find out that they were packed with stuff that can send us to an early grave.
In recent times we’ve seen more of our own kind with a vested interest in black haircare, take on the challenge of conducting their own little experiments and make discoveries on their own (Kimmaytube of luvnaturals anyone?). That is refreshing and I salute people like Pinkcube and all the other naturals who are trying to contribute to the pool of limited information we have. It’s just that I feel that research includes observation which is something that requires time.
Sure there are people who have been using baking soda in their hair for a long time as a ‘natural cleanser’ with no negative effects; but isn’t it just the other day that a fellow naturalista conducted an experiment that showed that baking soda was ineffective as a cleanser?
Also, let us not forget that when it comes to hair it’s not a one size fits all, for what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander. I suppose there is a risk with just about anything, but the skeptic in me won’t let me shrug off the what ifs floating in my mind.
So basically, until some time has elapsed for me to feel reasonably comfortable that the Maximum Hydration Method isn’t going to do a number on my hard work, I’m sitting on the fence and keeping my fingers crossed that I’m making much ado about nothing. How about you, are you down with the MHM? Share your views with us.
Phoenix McGee says
There is a new thing coming out every day seems like. More power to those who are willing to try it all; I’m over here fine with what I know works for me
Carmella McCoy says
I found out about it in summer 2014 and I love it. Will probably try it in summer 2016.
Mary Howard says
There are so many Naturalists who are sharing info on what they think is good for all hair. For me, I never accept the premise that so many of the products are good for my natural hair. A lot of the info is so way out there. I read the info, then decide for me if I want to use certain items that “may” be good for my hair. I am not a follower, but for the most part, some of the info is too so far out there. I take the info as suggestions only.