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Black women typically chemically alter their hair for a myriad of reasons. Some do it for the look, some do it for social reasons, and others do it for professional reasons. Here are the reasons black women should wear their hair in its natural state.
10. It grows in that way. If your creator meant for you to have straight hair it would be straight.
9. You can do fun and versatile things with black hair. Unlike straight hair, black hair (naturally kinky) can stand straight up, can be braided into complex designs, can be temporarily straightened without chemicals, and worn in its natural state again the next day.
8. It is in style. Natural black hair is more and more acceptable every day. It is just another fashion choice; therefore, there is really no reason to go through great pains to change it.
7. Straightening chemicals are dangerous. If not applied correctly, it can cause burns, hair damage, and temporary to permanent hair loss.
6. Hair chemicals are really, dangerous. The food and drug administration says, “Hair relaxers and hair dyes are among its top consumer complaint areas. Complaints range from hair breakage to symptoms warranting an emergency room visit”. Also” In February 1994, FDA and the American Cancer Society released an epidemiologic study involving 573,000 women. Researchers found that women who had never used permanent hair dyes showed decreased risk of all fatal cancers combined and of urinary system cancers.
5. You never know when it might go wrong. Just like food, allergies show up over time, so do hair chemical allergies. What worked fine two years ago, might cause a bald spot in two years.
4. If it went wrong before, it will very likely happen again. If you had a bad reaction to a perm, do not do it again. Nine times out of 10, the chemicals are just as much to blame as the stylist.
3. Pride: Your hair is an identifying symbol of your race. If you are proud of your race, you should also be proud of your hair.
2. The work place cannot discriminate against your hair. There was a time when wearing an Afro, dreadlocks or braids, your job could say you were going against the dress code. This is illegal. Do not tolerate it.
1. Time savings: Over time, you will learn to shower, wash your hair and get dressed just like people with straight hair. It is just a matter of time until you find a natural style that works well for you.
Filed under: Health | Tagged: afro, Black Women, braids, Christian health, hair, Health, Natural Hair, Natural Health, perms
Thank you for the information related to ten reasons for Black women to wear natural hair:
I wear my hair naturally and at a very early age I discovered the versatility of Afro hair – as a creative people we do experiment, however in the experiment a convenience (or inconvenience had slid in by the way of chemical relaxing). It would be interesting to find out and through similar studies that you have featured if the chemical reaction affects brain growth in young Black children and or dementia in us! A scary fact I know, consider this isn’t prevention better than cure – peace Ayo
Ayo, I also wonder if there are any studies that show the affects of these chemicals on our brain. When a woman is pregnant the doctor tells her not to straighten her hair because the chemicals will harm the unborn child. If these chemicals can harm a child still in the womb, then I’m sure putting them in our hair, which are next to our brain is not safe. I often hear the argument that women straighten there hair for convenience. Just because some thing is convenient does not make it a good idea. In fact most of the time, the easy way out is the worst way out! Thank you for your comment my sista and may GOD continue to bless you
Thank you for this list! I really like #1. Our hair is the way God made it. And God doesn’t make mistakes.
Also, thank you for the pictures of pretty natural styles. I was straightening my hair up until a few months ago. I am allowing the perm to grow out and will get braided extensions to transition once and for all to my natural hair.
I was feeling like every time I staightened my hair I was acknowledging that woman with straight hair are more beautiful than I. That there was something fundamentally the matter with me that had to be fixed with harsh, cancer-causing chemicals.
Thank you for reminding me that as a woman of African ancestry I am beautiful just the way God made me!
I just want to say that I have been natural for 4 years now. I went back and forth cutting my hair and then letting it grow out. I have learned to deal with it I can wear sew-ins, wigs and pony tails that help with the transition of having the same image all the time. I would never get a relaxer in my hair again.
I so happy for you sister. I really wish more of our sisters would realize they don’t have to destroy their hair to look good
I would really like some pictures of natural hairstyles that will work in a corporate office setting.
Thank you Jeanne, I going to add a post with pictures just for you!
This is just a follow up from earlier in the year of ten good reasons why Black women (and men) should continue to have natural hair – when I discussed this with all of you out there, I had been sporting my pepper corns in a style of twists and plaits. I haven’t left the camp of the Afro die hard, but instead opted for extenstions…I know what you thinking, you cop out, you know that you should be in solidarity sis …but I am… I just wanted a change (you hear my conscious cry out) when all the jimminy crickets are all said and done this was my choice I didn’t have to tell anyone about my new look, I could have escaped the taunts of straight gal hair, I actually feel good about it. It’s what I needed and I might even change my hair style again to a ball head ( that won’t be until summer time (going on holiday to a sunnier clime than dear old blighty). The wonderful thing about being creative is that you can change, ya see it’s in the genes, a little like the chameleon – but a little less painful looking. There’s nothing wrong with that realization as long as you now who you are, and in fact it is good to have a complete change. It’s really funny when I meet people that I haven’t met in a long time – the shock on their faces says it all really. People who know me, know me. People who want to know me, will eventually know me. I think what I’m saying is sometimes you need to come out of your comfort zone, this is the only way you will grow – it’s like when you travel to different places in the world, you become enlightened and understand that difference is actually key to human survival. When you think about it people and particularly in Africa have been wearing elaborate adornment for years – is that not we are doing in this era. As far as I’m aware its a penance to wear your hair in the same style for decades. As your getting older you need to do something different. As I am writing this analogy I’m thinking perhaps this is not the best example: remember how Stella got her (hair) groove back, that’s the way that I’m feeling right now with my new hair style, and no I haven’t met any guy as yet – still looking, and anyway and in the Stella recognition of it all the groove turned to stale gravy and smelly cabbage water. My love and coconut oil ( and shea butter )fgoes out to all of you and yours that are starting on a journey of discovery via the root of your hair, it’s an extension that necessitates a life journey, a little different but perhaps on the same axis (ooh I hope I haven’t caught my extension in the laptop as I am closing the lid! (smile)
Alafia
Ayo
Thanks for keep us up on whats going on with you and you hair sister. I really feel there is nothing more beautiful then a natural look. I really wish more of our sisters embraced it like you did. I feel its GODs desire for us to be natural. I really encourage you to keep it up.