How to Straighten African-American Hair

Did you know that you don't have to have a relaxer to straighten your hair? Your hair, natural and free from chemicals, can be bone straight. It doesn't matter how coarse your hair is, it is possible to straighten it without any chemicals! How do I know this? I have not had a relaxer for over 5 years, I wear my hair straight, and my hair is stronger and healthier than it has ever been. If you have really curly or thick, kinky hair, and you can't straighten it or have a hard time straightening your hair, I can help. I have very thick and very wavy hair and I like to wear it straight. The first thing you need to do is buy a good blow dryer. The strength of your blow dryer is essential to achieving a smooth, silky look. The next thing you need is a comb attachment for your blow dryer which can be purchased at any beauty supply store. You will need some sort of heat protector spray to protect your hair, and hair oil...I prefer kemi oil...also found at any beauty supply store. The last thing you will need is a good, ceramic flat iron. This kind of flat iron is much less damaging to your hair than a curling iron.

OK, now that you have all of the necessary supplies, it is time to get to work! First, make sure you wash your hair and comb it very gently. Remember that African-American Hair is very fragile and can break easily, especially if you have chemically treated hair. Be sure to comb the hair from the bottom to the top to avoid breakage. Next, divide your hair into four equal sections. Use a hair band (never a rubber band!) or clip to secure 3 of the sections leaving the fourth section out. You should attach the comb attachment to the blow dryer and it should fit easily with a firm push. Spray this section with the heat protector spray. Now you want to blow dry this first section of hair with the blow dryer and comb attachment until your hair is dry and as straight as you can get it. Repeat this step for the remaining 3 sections of hair, spraying each with heat protector spray. After you do this, run the blow dryer with comb attachment through all of you hair as if you are combing your hair. Take a quarter size amount of kemi oil and rub it through your hair and be sure to use a little extra on your ends. Then use the blow dryer again to evenly distribute the oil.

Now it is time to use the flat iron. Use the kemi oil sparingly as you flat iron your hair, concentrating on the ends. Be sure to set it to right temperature for your hair type. Start at the base of your neck and make a horizontal part about one-fourth of an inch thick. You will be parting your hair this way until you reach your front hairline. Next, starting at the end of the row, take a section of hair about an inch wide. Use the flat iron starting near the scalp and slide it slowly down that section of hair. If necessary, repeat this step. Continue to do this until you are done with all of your hair. Your hair is straight, smooth and silky!

By Eden Sheridan

Hair We Go Again! - the African-American Woman's Hair Raising Issue of Hair Vs. Health

The hair issue seems to be raising its ugly head again. With the recent release of the new Chris Rock film: "Good Hair" the conversation again turns towards the importance that black women place on their crowning glories. The amount of money that women, black women in particular, spend on their hair according to the film is staggering. We spend billions to have our hair "fried, dyed and laid to the side" as they used to say, and because of that, we are NOT going to mess it up. I know women who have claimed to develop awkward sleeping positions, like propping pillows up behind them, so that they could sleep sitting up. Or one young lady I know who claims to sleep with her head hanging off the bed so that she doesn't "smoosh" her do. I for one like a good night's sleep, so I'm not about to allow a style to get in the way of my dreamtime, so the most that I will do is to sleep on a pillow with a satin cover or pull it up at night with a satin scrunchie. Yes fashionistas, I did say scrunchie, and mind you, it's only for sleeping and doesn't go outside of the house.

In that same vein, a hairstyle has never kept me from the gym or my regular workouts. My personal stylist is very used to me saying to her, make it cute enough to last me a day, because it won't make it past the week-end. And many of my colleagues who see me with a straightened style know not to get used to it 'cause it won't look like this tomorrow.

I joke about that aspect, but it's true and very real. If you talk to most Fitness Professionals, especially those who have experience working with black women, the number one reason that they give for not working out is "they don't want to mess up their hair". To that I say, get over it! Maybe at one time that may have been a weak but valid excuse, but nowadays women have so much freedom to play with different styles. With the teaching schedule that I maintain, I work out regularly and still maintain a great appearance from head to toe. The trick is experimenting and finding hairstyles that work well with your lifestyle. You can braid it, get a weave or extensions, buy a ponytail, a wig, wear it natural as a fro, locks, twists. There are so many options, but just don't let the hair issue get in the way of your health. At the rate many of us are going we will be good looking corpses faster than you know it. Imagine the conversations at the funeral, "she was so young...but her hair was always fierce". Some how I just don't think that's how it will play out. At that final stage, who will care about your hair? Your fly and fierce hairstyles won't make a difference when you're not there to enjoy life with your loved ones, especially for reasons that are preventable! For those ladies who get it, I applaud you. I've seen some of these ladies get really creative. Before class they go into the locker room and carefully wrap their hair, and some have even rolled it up in curlers and covered it up with a scarf to keep it in style. When I see them after class or their workouts, they'll smile at me and say, "I love looking good, but I need to work it out and that's more important." What's even better about this whole scenario is that the guys at the gym who see this actually don't mind. Their response is, "I can't get mad at a woman who puts her health before beauty and a hairdo". Did you hear that ladies? They're more impressed that you're working it out. This summer I taught at a fitness event outdoors and it poured cats and dogs. I waited for the director of the event to tell me to stop the workout, but he said keep it going and so we did. Although we lost a few women to the elements, the majority stayed until the very end. And when the rain cleared I said, "Well, that eliminates excuse number one...the HAIR ISSUE. If you ladies can work it out in the rain, you have no more reasons to EVER use hair as a reason to forgo you workout again." They all laughed, but they knew it was true.

So why is this so much of an issue? According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), *80.5% of black women in the United Sates are considered overweight while 54.3% are clinically obese having a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30.

At these raised levels, that means that 80.5% of black women are at a higher risk for weight-related illnesses or chronic conditions that are exacerbated by higher weight levels such as Diabetes, Hyper-tension, Heart disease, Cancer and Stroke. Have the freedom to wear your hair in whatever fashion you choose, but please ladies, do not let it get in the way of your life! As the old saying goes "over my dead body..." if a change in habits does not occur today, that may be sooner than you think.

by Allegra Feamster

*Statistics source: CDC/National Center for Health Statistics; Health U.S., 2008, Table 75

Hair Loss in African American Women - Hair Growth Tips For Black Women to Prevent Baldness!

Hair loss in African American women is quite a common problem. There are various reasons for this issue. One of the causes is the poor diet and wrong food. The others include some illness, medication, emotional stress, thyroid disease, etc. Women often search for measures to get rid of this problem.

Here are some ways to prevent hair loss in African American women:
· Use Natural Oils: Try some natural herbs and oils. It promotes the hair growth for black women. You may use the coconut oil or the oils that contain Vitamin E to massage into the scalp every day.

· Proper Diet: You must include the healthy fatty acids (Omega 3 & omega 6) in your diet. You must also start drinking the protein shakes and increase your daily water intake as well. Take as much green vegetables as possible. They would help you get the vitamin B.

· Certain Useful Tips: Do not put on wigs, baseball caps and weaves daily and let the scalp breathe. You may use glue for the hair weaves. Use the wide toothed comb in case you have curly hair.

· Hair Care: Avoid the hair styling techniques which pull them tight. Twisting and pulling may lead to hair loss. Use the products that are non greasy. You must also avoid the chemical products, as they damage the roots of your hair. In stead, you should use natural & organic products. The best choice in this regard would be Smart.

· Good Lifestyle: Try to make some changes in your lifestyle. Do not take too much stress as it is one of the main reasons for baldness.

· Consult Dermatologist: Consult your dermatologist in order to get the right idea about the cause of your baldness.

By Martha Wilson

Full Lace Wigs, the African American Wigs of Choice!

I can remember several years back when African American wigs where simply boring and old fashioned looking. It was not like you had great selections and options back then, though they were available but just not in a wide range of styles and colors. But now, thanks to the world wide web and today's innovators, all that has changed for the better.

The Newest Style Wigs for Black Women

Thankfully, today's african american wigs come in a variety of styles, lengths and colors, including a more superb level of quality. The wigs I am speaking of look natural to the naked eye when worn on your head! If you have not guessed it by now, I'm talking about full lace wigs that can be customized specifically for your needs for both women and men.

Change Your Style at The Flip of a Switch

That's right; you can literally change out your entire look when wearing full lace wigs. Gone are the days spending hundreds of dollars at your local salon or beauty shop. If you can learn to put one on yourself, you are looking at an exciting new way to looking different and stylish all the time and without spending hard earned dollars every week or two with a beautician.

Real Hair Wig - Timeless and Classy Looks

Of course most hair styles made for African American wigs come and go. You probably remember the old Jerry Curl hairstyle? Yep, they had this in a wig as well back in the 80's of course. Back then, Jerry Curls where the thing to have and wear as a hairstyle trend, especially for men. But thank goodness that trend has past and gone bye bye!

Oh My, Are the 80's Hairstyles Back?

Well technically, yes and no. Today's African American wigs are worn and created with the 'revolutionized' 80's look. The simple flip of the ends, front bangs etc...well it is more chic now when where lace wigs in this style. But remember, you can always 'change your style at the flip of a switch'! Though there are some full lace wigs made of curls (not technically Jerry Curl), there are however different curl patterns and textures that are current with today's hair trends and styles.

African American Wigs - The Movement & Making Strides

So now you know a little about full lace wigs for black women. The interchangeable wig, the wig you can change styles when you feel like switching out, the wig that is timeless and classy. I consider the full lace wig the 'Superwoman Wig', because when it comes to hair fashion and hairstyles, we like to be on point. One day you are Jane, the next day you could be 'Veronica the Vixen'!

By D. Grace

7 Myths About African American Hair

1.) You Must Touch Up Your Relaxer Every Six Weeks

In my own journey to grow long healthy hair, I've found this to not be true. In fact frequent touch ups for my fine strands produced dryness, thinness, excessive shedding, and breakage.

2.) Only Wash Once a Month To Avoid Dryness

Ok, this is definitely false! Water provides moisture to your locks!!! Washing your strands less frequently can actually cause dryness. Ethnic strands (because of the curl pattern) need moisture to promote growth. If you are experiencing dryness with frequent washes try adding jojoba oil as a pre-shampoo treatment, increase your water intake, and incorporate flaxseed oil into your diet.

3.) Ends Must be Cut Every Six Weeks for More Growth

This is not true!!! Your ends are dead, so cutting them every six weeks will not produced growth. It will provide a crisp look, but definitely not more growth. In fact, frequent trims is really snipping away at the growth you've already achieved. Actually growth comes from healthy eating and proper care. Try lightly dusting your ends or trimming only the split ends.

4.) Can't Use Products that are not for African Americans

For the past two years, I've used Aveda products! They are not specifically marketed for black hair, but Aveda completely changed the health of my fine strands. I love Aveda! I haven't used products geared toward black women in about two years. What's most important is finding products that are better suited, compliments, and meet your needs.

5.) No-Lye Relaxers are Safer than Lye Relaxers

Most no-lye relaxers do not contain sodium hydroxide and lye relaxers do. Although I use no-lye relaxers, it is because I have a sensitive scalp and I've found that they do not tingle as quickly. Both lye and no-lye contain chemicals that break down your strands, producing straightness. I will mention though that no-lye tends to cause more dryness due to the calcium build up. A way to avoid this is using a chelating shampoo maybe a week or two after a touch-up to get rid of it.

6.) Scalps Must Be Greased Frequently for Growth

Not true, grease (because of petroleum and mineral oil) can clog your pores and actually does not allow the scalp to breath. If you are experiencing scalp dryness try applying jojoba oil or sweet almond oil to your scalp.

7.) Can't Grow Long Hair

Again false, on average anyone experiences about 6 inches of growth per year (some a little more and some a little less).

I am an African American woman who started a website http://thinhaircangrow.com for the purpose of teaching women about healthy hair care practices for thin and fine hair. I have learned so much on my healthy hair journey and want to share it with as many women as possible.

Written by Antonina Geer

Looking for ways to wear your hair naturally?

One day while surfing the Internet, I came across a wonder ful site that celebrates being natural -- that is for African Americans who desire to wear their hair naturally. Basically, to those reading this that don't know what I'm talking about, it means being able to style the hair without chemical processes, weaves, extensions, and other ways that damage African American hair or hide the true curly texture of the hair. The following is a link to the site:

http://www.nappturality.com/