There are several reasons and conclusions that can lead to the answer to this question.  Afro American are 12% of the population in the U.S. but they are consumers of 75% of commercial hair i.e. wigs, weaves, extensions and all other forms of hair augmentations in the U.S. This is not to declare that people of other ethnicity do not use these products, but not to the extent that Afro Americans do.  Most consumers of add on hair are females, because it is used to a large extent for adornment and creative styling.  Afro Americans use it for this purpose also, but the majority of this group uses it to enhance or to replace hair loss or damaged hair from chemical and excessive thermal treatments.  Afro hair does not seemingly grow as long or at the same rate as do other cultures.  The fact is that it does, but it breaks off on the ends at the same rate that it is growing.  These people buy so called “Hair Growth” products in a misguided effort to accelerate hair growth from the scalp, not realizing the problem is not slow or (no hair growth) from the scalp, but breakage caused chiefly by misuse of hair grooming methods.   Read the rest of this entry »

Some People experience allergic reactions to the added hair that is sometimes blamed on bonding and/extension adhesives.  Some commercial hair is from animal sources, some are chemically treated to enhance the appearance or to eliminate some of the cuticles scales to prevent matting, and to smooth or relax the cuticles for easier control and styling.  This could be the sources for an allergic reaction.

Sometimes people experience breakage of their own natural hair the commercial hair is attached to.  This is caused by the natural hair being too weak to support the weight of the added hair.  Or, more hair was added then the natural hair could support.

I viewed the movie on two levels:

1. For entertainment
2. For information

As someone who earns his livelihood from the Cosmetology Industry I found the Documentary to be very entertaining for the most part but also misleading in some areas.  Chris Rock’s commentary was in keeping with his comedic reputation; there were some places that were out of context.

The movie zeroed in on Indian hair however, Indian Hair is only about 10% of the market for human hair.  The majority of hair comes from Asian countries, however Indian Hair is the most sought after because of the way it is harvested.  Most hair on the market is simply cut from the head leaving about two inches or more on the head.  Indian Hair as a part of a religious ceremony is shaved off from the scalp. Read the rest of this entry »

Unlike what most people believe, dealing with natural Afro centric hair is not a difficult task.  The most difficult task is dealing with misconceptions that we have regarded as facts for so long that they became an accepted reality for many of us.

NORM VERSUS NORMAL

Who is not familiar with the phrase “Your hair is nappy; it needs fixing?”  This means that it’s time for a touchup and implies that pure Afro centric hair is undesirable.  The worst aspect is that Afro hairs care routines and in many cases even Afro life is based upon and revolves around these kinds of notions.  The beliefs are so profound that, of course, it will take some time before people will be able to let these misconceptions go. Read the rest of this entry »

HOW TO PROMOTE AND STIMULATE NATURAL
HAIR GROWTH

It has not been proven that any product applied externally to the hair or scalp can promote, stimulate, or accelerate natural hair growth.  Most people who complain of little or no hair growth are blaming it on the wrong reason.  They think the problem is lack of natural growth form the scalp, when in reality; the problem is the hair is breaking off from the ends for a variety of reasons.  If hair growth stops, then baldness begins, and yet you have people complaining their hair has not grown at all over a period of years.  If the person has hair, then it is growing.  Once hair stops growing, it is eliminated by way of attrition.  In other words, as every hair shaft dies out due to the normal life span of the hair shaft (5 to 7 years), then it will not be replaced by another.  Therefore, permanent baldness becomes apparent.