| The typical hair and hair follicles of those of African | | | | manageable. There is yet another product on the |
| descent are tightly curled, thus producing hair that | | | | market that is reported to be 92-96% natural which is |
| spirals. Black hair also typically has a larger diameter | | | | called Naturalaxer Kit In A Jar™ that |
| than Caucasian hair and retains less water, thus its | | | | does not require the applicant to comb through the hair |
| relative "kinkiness." The many styling methods utilized | | | | during the application, which results in a lot less |
| on Black hair cause concern with hair loss. Black hair is | | | | damage. |
| very strong, fortunately so because Black hair styles | | | | Of course the bottom line is once again, if you can |
| cause a great deal of Stress on the hair and scalp. | | | | leave your hair in its natural state then you will |
| For example, using a hair pick to pick the hair up to a | | | | experience less stress and damage to the hair and |
| bushy style is a very damaging process due to the | | | | thus prevent at least one cause of hair loss. There is a |
| constant pulling causing stress on the hair shaft as well | | | | growing segment of the Black population that is |
| as the follicle. In fact, combing Black hair in general can | | | | becoming comfortable with wearing their hair in natural |
| create high stress on Black hair and cause breakage, | | | | styles. One such style is dreadlocks. There are many |
| which perpetuates dryness. Conrowing and braiding | | | | rumors and myths concerning dreadlocks, as there is |
| are methods of hairstyling that pull the hair tight, and | | | | little proper information available concerning this style, |
| this can cause a great deal of stress on the hair and | | | | and as with anything that is misunderstood many |
| scalp resulting in hair loss. Braiding that results in the hair | | | | myths arise around it. Dreadlocks can and must be |
| being pulled very tight can cause traumatic alopecia, a | | | | washed; otherwise they will smell badly like any other |
| hair loss that is caused by trauma to the hair and scalp. | | | | dirty hair. The best process to use to wash dreadlocks |
| Traumatic alopecia is usually reversible with proper hair | | | | is to use a residue-free shampoo. Most commercially |
| care. | | | | made shampoos leave residue and can cause hair not |
| Hot combs and relaxers used to straighten hair can | | | | to lock, lending fuel to the rumor that hair had to be |
| cause a great deal of heat and chemical damage to | | | | dirty to form dreadlocks. Clean hair actually locks much |
| hair and scalp, which can also cause traumatic | | | | better than dirty hair, as dirt is a residue in itself that will |
| alopecia, and over time can cause permanent hair loss. | | | | inhibit hair from locking. For best results one should use |
| This becomes especially true when the heat or | | | | a fragrance free, conditioner free shampoo. |
| chemically processed hair is pulled tight by rollers or a | | | | Dreadlocks do not react well to oily and greasy |
| hot curling iron. | | | | substances, yet there are many good substances that |
| Hot oil conditioners are excellent for Black hair, as hot | | | | are on the market today that will assist you in forming |
| oil treatments contain proteins and polymers vital to | | | | dreadlocks. |
| repairing the hair cuticles. Hot oil treatments involve | | | | Dreadlocks are formed through a process, not simply |
| heating the oil and putting it into the hair and scalp, then | | | | by not combing or brushing the hair. Generally, one |
| covering the hair with a plastic cap to allow the oil to | | | | should start with hair about two inches in length, and |
| soak in. Follow the recommendations on the treatment | | | | the hair should be separated into even squares of hair |
| you are using for the amount of time you should leave | | | | and twisted gently together using a bonding or gel |
| the treatment on the hair. This process can heal | | | | substance. Many use natural beeswax containing no |
| breakages and shinier stronger hair will be the result. | | | | petroleum, while others use loc and twist gels |
| Consider that hair relaxers commonly used on Black | | | | specifically formulated for locks. Once the hair is |
| hair contain lye or similar chemicals that break down | | | | separated and twisted into small locks, it is important |
| the hair shaft. Left on beyond the recommended time, | | | | that they are left alone and allowed to bond naturally. |
| these chemicals would eat right through the hair and | | | | The length of time it will take to lock will depend on the |
| cause it to fall out in clumps. This is why these same | | | | coarseness of your hair, but one can normally expect |
| products are used in products like DranoÂ(R) to | | | | to wait several months before locks begin to form. |
| clean clogged drains which often are clogged by hair. | | | | While the hair is locking, it will need to be washed. Here |
| No-lye relaxers are very popular today, mainly | | | | is where washing should be extended for a while if |
| because it leads people to believe that the product is | | | | possible, so that the hair can be allowed to lock for |
| not caustic. This is far from the truth. The combination | | | | two weeks to about a month without manipulation. |
| of calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate are | | | | When you do wash your hair, use a stocking cap or |
| combined to form guanidine hydroxide, which could just | | | | "do-rag", and low-pressure water to make sure that |
| as easily clean a sink. Repeated use of such products | | | | the newly forming locks do not come loose. It will be |
| can cause some degree of hair loss, and if scarring | | | | necessary to rinse for a much longer time than you |
| occurs while using these chemicals, the hair loss can | | | | normally do, because of the lower pressure of the |
| be permanent in that area of the scalp. One must ask | | | | water and the lack of direct manipulation of your hair |
| themselves is it wise to place such caustic chemicals | | | | with your hands. The water is good for your hair and |
| in the hair on a regular basis for the sake of desired | | | | locking process, so this is not a problem. It is also |
| appearance? The question must be answered by | | | | imperative as indicated before that you use a |
| each individual, however the facts should be known. | | | | shampoo that does not contain a conditioner and |
| There is little that can be done to alleviate this | | | | leaves as little residue as possible. A little research on |
| syndrome without changing the typical hairstyles of | | | | your part will be necessary here; your health food |
| African Americans. There is a catch-22 concerning | | | | store should contain a variety of natural shampoos. |
| relaxing Black hair, since combing natural Black hair | | | | Have a skilled professional or a friend re-twist the hair |
| causes so much stress and breakage of hair, while | | | | gently, reapplying the twist gel or beeswax that you |
| chemicals cause so much harm to the hair and scalp | | | | used previously. Repeat this process every two |
| as well. There are a few hair-relaxing products on the | | | | weeks to a month, the longer you are able to wait the |
| market that use chemicals and are somewhat less | | | | better, and within a few months your hair will begin to |
| harsh than sodium hydroxide (lye) or its popular | | | | lock. |
| equivalent in "no-lye" relaxers: calcium hydroxide | | | | Again, if you have a fine grade of hair rather than a |
| (quicklime) mixed with guanidine carbonate. One such | | | | kinky grade of hair, a beautician skilled at forming locks |
| product is called Natural-LaxerÂ(R) and Sahara | | | | ("locktitian") or a friend who is very familiar with the |
| ClayÂ(R) by Baka ProductsTM that has been on | | | | hairstyle should be consulted. Even though dreadlocks |
| the market since 1990. This product is all natural and | | | | are mainly a hairstyle for Blacks, there are other races |
| because it does not contain many of the harsh | | | | that have people that enjoy the hairstyle. In general, it |
| chemicals of commercial relaxers and actually contains | | | | tends to be a style of hair that in the long run will give |
| only a finely ground plant called Daphne Gnidium and | | | | the hair and scalp needed rest from the rigors of |
| clay from Africa it is figured to be relatively safe. Of | | | | chemical and heat treatments and rigorous combing |
| course this product does not straighten hair in most | | | | and brushing, and therefore can contribute to longer life |
| instances the same way as commercial relaxers, | | | | for your hair. |
| however it does tend to make Black hair more | | | | |