Quote of the Day: On Hair Typing
22 Jan 2012 21 Comments
in Hair, Question of the Day, Random Stuff Tags: curly, Hair, hair typing, natural hair, regimen
Earlier today, I was on my Facebook page, throwing some shade at hair typing. Yes, yes I was. Now, before you get all hurt, let me be clear, I was not throwing shade at the people who follow hair typing. Here’s what I said:
Here’s a thought: If hair type is so objective and important, you should be able to look at the pics and figure out your (or someone else’s) type easy as pie. Yet…hair forums are inundated with threads with folks asking their hair type. Okaaaaay…
As a whole, I give the system a side eye because it basically implies that you can find out everything your hair needs simply by the shape of your curl. This is laughable to me. Also, I don’t see how something that is supposed to be helpful has women making hair forum threads by the hour asking people to diagnose them. I refuse to believe there are that many women who just need people to tell them they aren’t a Type 4 (if you read hair forums – you know what I’m talking about – a common rationalization for asking about hair type is so people can reassure the poster that they lucked out and dodged being a 4). Point blank. Moving on. Anyway, one of the comments from my pals had me fist pumping and cuttin’ some steps like the spirit had caught me, so I felt the need to share it with you all.
This is exactly why I dont subscribe to the hair typing. Like Lavern I have at least 4 different textures…when ppl ask what my hair type is…I say just MY type. The key to growing healthy hair is learning your own hair period…watching YT reading blogs is helpful but in my opinion (32 years relaxer free total, last relaxer 12/95) there is no better way to understand what works for your hair and what doesnt then taking the time to learn your own hair. Asking someone what product they use is senseless….what matters is what YOUR hair likes. Trial and error baby…there is no way around it. At the end of the day there are only four types, straight, wavy, curly and kinky…those sub-types were supposed to help but as a stylist who’s clientele base is either transitioning or chemical free, it is highly confusing to 90% of the women I speak to. Take the time to learn your own hair and forget about typing. You empower yourself when you are able to assess your hairs needs by touch, sight, and smell, to know what it needs…only time and effort you put into caring for it will allow you to do that. It will also help assure you’re not a victim in the salon because you don’t know your hair needs or what products agree with it better than someone you just met.
- Amber
When I read this comment, all I could say was, “YES.” Often, people come on my blog, YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook and ask me what they should use or what they should to to their hair. 99% of the time, my answer is vague or I refer to my HG List and/or Regimen as a starting point. I’m pretty sure there are some ladies out there thinking, “This heffa…” But the thing is, I’m not a liar. It’s simply impossible for me to tell you what is best for you to do to your hair. I can offer knowledge, and share my experience as an example, but at the end of the day, I simply cannot express how important it is for people to do their own research and learn their own hair. If I’ve never touched and styled your hair or examined a hair strand, I can’t tell you what your porosity/texture/density is with certainty, no matter how thoroughly you try to explain it to me. I can’t tell you what combination of products will give you moisturized, perfect hair. And honestly, if you don’t feel the need to learn about your own hair, neither do I.
As for Amber…well…I don’t even know why she’s on my blog anyway…because she’s clearly got it down pat. Hittin’ the nail all kinds of on the head. Giving me warm fuzzies and stuff.
xoxo
P.S. If you haven’t liked my page on Facebook yet, here’s the link - https://www.facebook.com/QFTPC. We have some great discussions on there, and the more, the merrier! Warning. Do not come if you do not like PJ temptation.
In Review: Is WEN Wenning?
21 Jan 2012 7 Comments
in Hair, Products Tags: curly hair, Hair, natural hair, product review, wen
Deets below!
Elle’s Favorite Protein Conditioners for Natural Hair
19 Jan 2012 6 Comments
in Hair, Products, Treatments Tags: conditioners, curly, Hair, natural hair, protein, treatment
Deets after the jump!
A Natural Hair Tale of Caution :)
16 Jan 2012 15 Comments
in Hair, Treatments Tags: color, conditioning, dye, Hair, natural hair
xoxo
Your Health, Your Hair: Lupus and Hair Loss
16 Jan 2012 10 Comments
in Hair, Your Health Your Hair Tags: Hair, hair loss, health, lupus, natural hair
Hey guys -
So, we’ve been chatting on Facebook quite a bit about hair loss, thinning hair, hair vitamins, etc. Did you know that lupus, which is a long-term autoimmune disorder, can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs? Well, if it can affect skin, that means it can also affect – you guessed it – your hair. My father recently sent me an article on lupus and hair loss, and I wanted to share it with you all:
Most people don’t even notice the 50 to 100 strands of hair that they usually lose every day. With systemic lupus, the situation can be very different, with the loss of hair much more dramatic and noticeable.
Lupus hair loss can be caused by the disease itself, as the immune system destroys hair follicles, or by medicines such as prednisone and immune system-suppressants-in which case hair loss often stops once the medicine is stopped.
Hair may fall out in strands, or in clumps with the slightest pull, and sometimes it just thins out and gets very fragile and breakable.
If you are among the half of all people with systemic lupus who struggles with this problem, here are some ideas about what you can do about it:
Action steps
Losing hair can be scary, but it’s usually treatable and often can becovered up. It may take a while for hair to grow back-sometimes 6 months ormore-but eventually it usually does unless it’s caused by skin (“cutaneous”)lupus that leads to a “discoid rash.” (Patches of thick and scaly red“discoid” rash can scar hair follicles and cause lasting hair loss, so besure to talk to your doctor about your options if these develop. “Alopecia”is the medical term for hair loss.)
For most hair loss, you aren’t powerless! Here are some strategies to try:
- Refresh your hair style. Ask a hairdresser for ideas to cover up bald spots. To make hair look thicker, try a cut that layers. When blow drying, try lifting hair up and away from the head. Or ask about dying hair to cover up bare scalp that otherwise might show through.
- Consider hair extensions. If you still have some healthy hair and are just missing some patches on the sides (not the top)-and aren’t actively losing hair-consider hair extensions. Pre-made and custom-made extensions are available, and different ways to attach them (sewing, knotting, or adding in through tiny links are often best to avoid contact with chemicals, adhesives glues) and heat. (Elle says: Yes, PLEASE stay away from glue in weaves! These are horrible for your hair anyway, and may make your condition worse.)
- Try a wig. These days wigs are so well-made that most people can’t tell you have one on. To start take a friend to just look around. You may well feel a lot better when you see what options there are! (Elle says: Sometimes, I take issue with buying a $300 wig “for fun,” but in this case, I recommend getting a wig with high quality lace. Cheaper wigs can have very hard/tough lace, and can be hell on your edges in addition to irritating your scalp.)
- Experiment with hair wraps, scarves, bandanas, accessories-tips are on the Internet! Enter “hair loss” along with the term “wrap,” or “scarf” in Youtube.com and you’ll get more free video demonstrations and ideas than you can handle! (Elle says: TURBAN! There are also several ways you can tie scarves to look stylist and chic. Check out YouTube for tutorials.)
- Last resort: cosmetic surgery. For extreme and permanent hair loss, stretching the remaining hair to cover what’s been lost may be an option, or even transplanting hair from another part of the scalp.
If you have lupus and are losing hair, do NOT experiment with over-the-counter hair loss treatments (Elle says: You know what that means…no Megatek or coochie cream!). Talk to your doctor about treatment options.
What’s NOT to blame for lupus hair loss?
While it’s only common sense to avoid harsh chemicals or even very tight braids that pull on your scalp, you can’t really blame serious hair loss on a lack of vitamins, washing your hair a lot, or using hair colorings or other common hair products. Some hair loss follows the pattern that your mother or father experienced as well, and is totally normal.
I sincerely hope this never happens to any of you, but I did want to share. Hair loss for a woman is very difficult, and there are several techniques talked about on the hair forums, but if you have a medical condition…go to your doctor! Do not start a thread on Naturally Curly or Long Hair Care Forum. GO!
xoxo
