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