Black hair is prone to breakage. Some amount of hair loss is natural, but most hair loss in black women stems from mistreatment or a disproportionate amount of moisture or protein. Many stylists who focus on healthy black hair will tell you that your hair demands a balance of moisture and protein. Nothing else that you do to obtain a head of healthy black hair will matter if you that balance is thrown off.
Follow These Steps:
1) Wet your hair. It is best to do this test after you have shampooed your hair. While it is still wet, grip about an inch of your hair between your fingers.
2) Stretch the wet strands of hair, and run a comb through them. Make sure your hair is not tangled when you do this -- you don't want to harm your hair. And remember, it is always best to use a wide-tooth comb in black hair.
3) Pay close attention to the way that the hair strands react after they have been combed. Healthy black hair strands will stretch, but they will not break unless they are under an extreme amount of stress. Again, what you are looking for in this step is to see how your hair reacts to the wet stretch.
4) Based on how your hair reacted to stretching, determine whether your hair needs moisture or protein. You hair needs moisture if it doesn't stretch at all and then breaks, or if it feels extremely rough and brittle. You hair needs protein if it stretches a long way and then breaks (or doesn't break at all), or if it is limp and feels gummy. If your hair stretches just a little, then returns to its normal length without breaking, the amount of protein and moisture in your hair is well balanced.
Some Extra Tips & Tricks:
-Black hair needs a great deal of moisture because it is very porous. If this test shows that your hair needs moisture, use a moisturizing conditioner or cream, then make sure to seal in the moisture with a light oil sheen.
-There are many protein treatments for black hair. You can also get a protein-based, leave-in conditioner as well.
-Overall you want to make ABSOLUTE sure your hair is in need of a protein treatment. If your does NOT need protein, your hair will tell you by feeling hard during and after the protein treatment. I made the mistake of wondering and ended up having to BC(big chop) again. If your hair does need the treatment, afterwards it will thank you for it by feeling soft and moisturized. Listen to your hair it will not steer you wrong.
-Eggs ARR protein. Mayonnaise HAS protein in it.
-Remember that Mayo is great for hair. It's a combination of EGGS & OIL.
RECIPES: (These are NATURAL protein treatments that don't cost much due to us having these ingredients in our fridge. You can go out and buy a protein treatment as well, like Aphogee.)
1 avocado
1 can coconut milk
1 tablespoon of olive oil
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1 avocado - protein
EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) - for slip
Raw honey - for shine
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1 avocado
1 cup real mayo
3 tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
3 tablespoons Coconut Oil
**Choose one of these 3 recipes for a Protein treatment and I guarantee your hair will love you! I've tried all three of these and they are, BY FAR, the best treatments for hair protein wise. With that said you need to use a hand mixer or some sort of mixer to incorporate all ingredients well. Put a baggie on your head for about 30-45 minutes and rinse with Luke warm water. Then proceed your styling, etc.**
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help!
