The ability to love and embrace our Natural Afro Hair in the face of internal, social and work place objections has been a contentious issue throughout history.
The beauty of having think luxurious afro hair comes with great responsibility. Complimented by a unique texture, with an array of curl patterns, and thickness. Meaning the ability to maintain healthy afro hair, requires special knowledge of how to care, style and manage. The wide range of characteristics relating to afro hair calls for different products and styling techniques when compared to straight hair.
With movements like the natural hair community popularising hashtags like #blackgirlmagic, #naturalhairmovement, #NaturalHair and #afrohair encouraging an appreciation and love of afro hair. There has been a significant increase in women world-wide embracing their natural afro hair. Expanding the need to understand our hair, to ensure we adopt the best products and care routines to promote a healthy scalp, growth and length retention.
So, what is Afro hair?
The label Afro hair or Black hair is a term attributed to a texture of hair, mainly found in people of African descent. A unique hair type, texture curl pattern and group of styles attributed to African hair culture.
Historically used to define roles, hierarchy, marital status, religion and status within a tribal community. Showcased through braids, beads, locs and other hairstyles. The afro has been seen as an expression of pride and identify or as a symbol of power, survival, resistance and celebration for centuries.
Sacred to many and seen as a conduit for our spiritual integration with God. The significance of Afro hair has a long contentious history for those, whose crown it adorns, to others with straight hair, who find offence in its differences.
Classified as Type 4, Tightly Coiled under The Andre Walker 1990 Hair Chart , and sub-divided into types 4a, 4b and 4c sub-categories based on the following characteristics;
4A – High density, often fine and wiry with a visible spiral curl pattern, can be quite fragile and prone to breakage.
4B – This hair type has undefined curls with tightly packed coils, can be prone to shrinkage, drying out and breakage with a Z shaped angular coil pattern
4C – Thick and coarse with a delicate unidentifiable Z shaped curl pattern of densely packed interlocked tiny coils, requiring lots of moisture as prone to dryness.
The ability to identify your hair type is crucial to understanding your hairs characteristics. So, you can apply the best routine to help maintain strong healthy well-nourished hair and to assist in the selection of the correct products to manage your specific hair type. The easiest way to determine your hair type is by assessing your hair in its natural state minus any products. However, it should be noted that no 2 hair patterns are the same and many women often have multiple curl patterns or hair types.
Unique when compared to other hair types, Black/Afro hair has a distinct structure that ranges from tight, coarse thick curls to soft loosely defined curls. That requires multipurpose products to deal with common characteristics and problems specific to having afro hair such as.
Tight Curl Pattern
Texture
Density
Volume
Porosity
Dryness
Breakage
Whilst often viewed as less desirable, brittle, drier and susceptible to damage due its curl configuration, afro/black hair does have some advantages. Acting as a natural barrier against the sun, afro hair creates natural ventilation allowing air to circulate and cool, working as part of the body’s thermoregulatory mechanism. Whilst reducing water loss to further regulate the body’s temperature.
Because of its special texture, different curl and growth pattern afro hair requires a more intense maintenance regime to ensure it remains strong and healthy.
Sulphate Free Products
Regular Moisturising
Heat Avoidance
Hair Pick
Wide Tooth Combs
Protecting hair whilst sleeping
Protective hair styles
Regular Trims
Avoidance of relaxers and other harsh chemicals.