Hair
African American Hair Structure
What’s different about our hair? Why do we need different products and routines? African hair is made of the same “stuff” as non-African hair. The difference lies in the way those components are put together or the structure of our hair. The structure of our hair can cause it to be more prone to breakage and dryness. Because of this, black hair care needs are different from those for other types of hair. Our hair can have up to twice the amount of “cuticle” or outer layer. Our hair is kinkier which makes it more difficult for the oil secreted from our scalps to reach the ends of the hair. But, keep in mind there is a continuum of hair types. Especially since most of us are of mixed heritage, African American hair and bi-racial people’s hair can vary widely. Even within a single head of hair, there are different hair types. So, there is no one solution for the care of all African American hair. However, it is helpful to know, generally, what type of hair you have. This link http://www.ourhair.net will take you to a site where you can determine your hair type. Intuitively, you might think African hair is “tougher” than Caucasian hair and can handle more stress or abuse. After all, it is coarser and thicker. Actually, African hair (especially if treated like European hair) is more fragile than Caucasian hair. For this reason, we suggest using products made especially for our hair, whenever possible. Today, there is a wide range of excellent products made specifically for the needs of African American or Textured hair.
Vitamins For Healthy Hair
Good nutrition is vital to healthy hair growth, just as it’s essential to overall good health. Although your body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain proper body functions, there are several that are specific to hair growth and health.
When starting a new vitamin regime, it usually takes from 2 to 3 months to see results in your hair’s condition. That means that patience and consistency is very important. It’s also important to check with your doctor before starting a vitamin program, especially if you have health concerns.
Healthy Hair Vitamins
- Vitamin A – Antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. Food sources: Fish liver oil, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, apricots and peaches. Daily Dose: 5,000 IU. Warnings: More than 25,000 IU daily is toxic and can cause hair loss and other serious health problems.
- Vitamin C – Antioxidant that helps maintain skin & hair health. Food sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. Daily Dose: 60 mg.
- Vitamin E – Antioxidant that enhances scalp circulation. Food sources: Cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Daily dose: Up to 400 IU. Warnings: Can raise blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants should check with their doctors before taking Vitamin E supplements.
- Biotin – Helps produce keratin, may prevent graying and hair loss. Food sources: Brewer’s yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk. Daily dose: 150-300 mcg.
- Inositol – Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level. Food sources: Whole grains, brewer’s yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Daily Dose: Up to 600 mg.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3) – Promotes scalp circulation. Food sources: Brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat. Daily dose: 15 mg. Warnings: Taking more than 25 mg a day can result in “niacin flush” – a temporary heat sensation due to blood cell dialiation.
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) – Prevents graying and hair loss. Food sources: Whole grain cereals, brewer’s yeast, organ meats and egg yolks. Daily dose: 4-7 mg.
- Vitamin B6 – Prevents hair loss, helps create melanin, which gives hair its color. Food sources: Brewer’s yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. Daily dose: 1.6 mg. Warnings: High doses can cause numbness in hands and feet.
- Vitamin B12 – Prevents hair loss. Food sources: Chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Daily dose: 2 mg.
What causes hair to turn gray?
Gray hair is typically a result of natural aging. Pigment in the hair shaft comes from special cells at the root (base) of the hair. These cells are genetically programmed to make a certain amount of pigment (melanin) at specific ages. At some point in the aging process, these cells make less and less pigment until the hair has very little pigment. White hair has no pigment, and gray hair has some but not as much as a red, black or brown hair.
Not all hairs respond in the same way or at the same time. So the graying process usually is gradual. You can’t prevent graying. Some people start graying in their 30s, and some not until their 60s. Genetics likely play a strong role in graying.
People rarely go gray overnight. If they do, it’s typically due to alopecia areata. This condition causes the thicker, darker hairs to stop growing before it affects the growth of gray hairs – giving the impression of graying overnight. Alopecia areata eventually causes roundish patches of hair loss or complete loss of hair on the head or body. Its cause isn’t known.
Stress and hair loss: Are they related?
Can stress cause hair loss?
Yes, extreme emotional or physical stress can trigger two types of hair loss.
The most common type of stress-induced hair loss is telogen effluvium. In this condition, severe stress – such as due to illness, injury or surgery – causes large numbers of hairs to stop their growing phase and shift into a resting phase. Two to three months later, the resting hairs suddenly start falling out. In such cases, your hair eventually grows back within six to nine months.
Intense stress can also trigger a type of hair loss called alopecia areata. In this condition, white blood cells attack the hair follicle, which stops hair growth. Within weeks, the affected hair falls out. With alopecia areata, hair loss usually starts as a small round patch but may eventually spread to the whole scalp – and sometimes to body hair as well. Your hair may grow back. But treatment may be necessary.
If you have questions or concerns about hair loss, consult a dermatologist.
Dandruff
What is dandruff?
Dandruff is a sloughing of the skin on the scalp that leads to white flakes on the head, neck, and shoulders.
What causes dandruff?
Dandruff is thought to be caused by a form of a skin condition called eczema, which causes increased shedding of normal scalp skin cells. Hormonal or seasonal changes may make dandruff worse.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of dandruff include white, oily-looking flakes of dead skin in your hair and on your shoulders and an itchy, scaling scalp. Your scalp can be either excessively dry or oily.
How is it treated?
Home treatment is often effective in preventing and getting rid of the symptoms of dandruff.
- Use an antidandruff shampoo. A variety of shampoos are available, containing different ingredients. Trying several will help you find out which antidandruff shampoo is most effective for you.
- Shampoo daily to prevent your scalp from accumulating dead cells.
- If an antidandruff shampoo helps stop dandruff for a while but the dandruff problem returns, rotate shampoos.
- Consider alternating antidandruff shampoos with regular ones if you are concerned about the effects of antidandruff shampoos’ harsh chemicals on your hair.
- Rub your scalp. When you wash your hair, lather once, rinse, then lather a second time and rub your scalp vigorously as you shampoo. This will help dislodge excess cells. Be careful not to rub so energetically that you damage your scalp.
- Let it soak. After you lather the second time, let the medicated shampoo sit on your head for 5 minutes. This will give the antidandruff shampoo time to work.
- Rinse well. This will help get rid of all the cells you have loosened up during shampooing.
Hair Styles Gallery
Hair Styles http://beauty.ivillage.com/hair/cutsstyling/aa/hsfinder/results/0,,717l2ptv-2,00.html
short hair :
Keep up a layer cut bob like Catherine’s by wrapping hair in a silk scarf at night. In the morning, comb hair down and style with fingertips.
Have stylist cut hair into a short bob with long layers. If desired color hair or use highlights to define cut. At night, maintain this style by wrapping hair with a silk scarf and flat iron sections of hair in the morning. Remember to deep condition at every wash, so that hair stays healthy.
Tina’s short layered shag with color
To get Tina’s style have stylist cut hair in to short shag. If desired color hair but be sure to deep condition. Use flat iron to flip some pieces up and some down. Use light pomade to spike some pieces out. Spray with light sheen when finished.
medium hair :
To get hair like Beyoncé’s, wash your hair and set it in large rollers. Blow roots straight with blow-dryer, then part on the side. Brush hair from the part over to the opposite ear and then secure with a bobby pin behind the ear. Keep bobby pin from showing by pulling hair over the ear.
To get Jill’s style get hair professionally twisted every four weeks. Between appointments, wash hair once a month and be sure to deep condition hair. Also, use a hot oil treatment on the scalp. For best look, use a spray shampoo between washings to clean scalp and prevent itching.
Lynn’s relaxed, medium-length hair
To get Lynn’s style, wash and dry hair. Use a flat iron to straighten hair. Bend ends slightly toward the face. Use a light, greaseless pomade for shine.
Monique’s colorful, shoulder-length bob
To get Monique’s style, wash and blow-dry hair straight. Use a curling iron to curl hair under. To maintain a vibrant color, it’s important to treat and condition hair to avoid any breakage or damage.
To get Nancy’s look, have your stylist cut choppy layers into your relaxed hair. To style, use a flat iron and straighten small pieces of the hair. Apply a dollop of styling gel to fingertips and spike out hair with fingers. Style hair into place with fingers.
medium hair :
Tracey’s natural shoulder length bob
To get Tracey’s hair wash and set hair on large rods. When dry use fingers to coat hair with ultra light styling oil on each curl. Be sure not to break curls apart. Spray with sheen when finished.
Get Trina’s hair by having hair cut into a bob with bangs. After washing hair, blow dry straight. Use a flat iron to achieve extra straightness and style. When finished spray with light sheen.
long hair :
Amber’s long hair with spiky layers
To get Amber’s look have stylist cut short and long layers around the face only. Wash and condition hair and then set hair on large rollers. Use blow dryer to straighten hair flat. Use a light shine infused styling product on hair and then spray with light sheen.
To get hair like Beyoncé’s, wash your hair and set it in large rollers. Blow roots straight with blow-dryer, then part on the side. Brush hair from the part over to the opposite ear and then secure with a bobby pin behind the ear. Keep bobby pin from showing by pulling hair over the ear.
To create Dawn’s look, wash and condition hair. Use an anti-frizz product on hair. Then use a styling lotion that promotes curl. Use a diffuser to dry hair. Make sure to scrunch hair while drying but don’t use a comb or brush on hair. Spray with a light sheen when dry to hydrate hair.
To create Karen’s look, wash and then dry hair using a diffuser. Use a de-frizz product before blowing dry. When dry, use fingers to brush hair up and back. When you have all of your hair in hands, twist hair towards your scalp. Use bobby pins to fasten hair. Then use a rat comb tail to loosen tucked hair from the front. Let these small pieces flow onto face. Don’t loosen anymore than two or three pieces.
Monique’s colorful, shoulder-length bob
To get Monique’s style, wash and blow-dry hair straight. Use a curling iron to curl hair under. To maintain a vibrant color, it’s important to treat and condition hair to avoid any breakage or damage.
long hair :
To create Sarah’s look, wash and condition hair. Blow dry hair straight. Use large barrel curling iron to make ringlets on small sections of hair. When finished do not comb. Put a nickel size amount of styling gel on hands. Rub hands together and then with fingers only apply gently to hair starting at the ends. Do not touch your scalp or roots with gel. Spray with a light oil spray to finish.
To get Stacey’s look, wash hair and blow-dry straight. Apply medium hold gel to hair and then brush hair back and up. Hold with an elastic band. Use a flat iron to slightly curl ends up. Spray with light oil sheen to finish.
Get Tamara’s hair by washing hair and then set with large rollers. Sit under a dryer for 45 minutes to an hour. When dry use a curling brush with hair-dryer to straighten the roots. Then wrap hair and tie with a satin scarf. In the morning, brush hair down and style.
Taylor’s relaxed, wavy long hair
Create Taylor’s look by washing hair and blowing it straight. Coat hair with a protective hair spray and then curl sections of hair with a medium-barrel curling iron. Spray with a light-hold finishing spray.
Black Men’s Hair Styles
From LoveToKnow Hair
Black men’s hair styles may at first seem bland and unimaginative, but there are actually many style variations available for personal expression and individuality that take into account the specific needs of African-American men.
About Black Hair
African-American hair is naturally very curly and the curls have the strength to last through many different styles. While this may be desirable for women’s styles, many men prefer short, discreet styles and tight curls may be a problem. Some men, on the other hand, embrace the natural vitality of their hair and proudly sport ethnic black styles that suit their personalities.
Types Black Men’s Hair Styles
There are many varieties of men’s hair styles that work well for African-American men, but the most popular styles include:
Buzz Cuts: A very short style typically shorn with clippers, these are easy to manage looks that can be maintained in seconds. Because black hair is so curly, the buzz cuts are typically far shorter than for other ethnic groups in order to control the curl. The edges of the cut along the hair line may be sharply defined or left with a natural definition.
Cornrows.
Choosing the Best Style
The best hair style is one that is suitable for the individual’s face shape and hair care preferences. For example, a long, round afro may not be the ideal choice for an individual with a round face, because it will only accentuate that shape. At the same time, someone with a very narrow face may seem disproportionate if they choose a large afro. Furthermore, afros and cornrows require rigorous care to keep looking their best, while shaved styles, shaved heads, and buzz cuts need frequent trims to be stylish.
Styles can be adapted to different men’s preferences, however. A smaller afro could have tapered sides to better suit particular face shapes, and a buzz cut could have a longer top to help elongate a face and reduce the frequency of trims.
Caring for Black Men’s Hair Styles
Because most African-American men’s styles are very short, they require regular touch-ups at the barber shop or salon to keep looking their best. In between professional treatments, it is important to use moisturizing products, including ethnic formulas if available, because very curly hair can become brittle and damaged very easily, increasing the risk of hair loss. With such short styles, men should also consider using shampoo and conditioner with UV protectants and sunscreen properties to help protect the scalp from sunburn and skin damage.
Black men’s hair styles can be as individualized and unique as the man sporting them. From long styles to short buzzes, there is an option suitable for every personal preference and lifestyle need.
