WHY AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE SUCH A DISPROPORTIONATE USER OF ADD ON HAIR PRODUCTS?

General Posts
\nBy\nDr. Edward Tony Lloneau\n

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, sickness  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.   Due to the fact that Afro hair is naturally curly, and the tighter the curl the harder it is to manage, control, style and groom because of the use of Relaxers, Curly Perms, Flat Iron, Press & Curl or excessive brushing and combing in an attempt to undo tangles and to smooth out the strands.  All of which results in loss hair from the middle shaft and the ends.  If this type hair was left in its natural state, or braided, twisted or dreaded then you will be able to realize and observe the unobstructed growth.  It may not appear to be as long as naturally straight hair, this is because Afro hair draws up due to its curliness.  Most Afro Centric woman do not realize that their hair is indeed growing until after it is relaxed or permanent color, and a few weeks later when the new growth becomes apparent.  They can then see the new growth.  Sometimes the women think that the relaxer accelerated the hair growth, but in reality they can now physically see the hair growth.  However, if they measure the length of  the hair, they will be surprised to discover that the hair is no longer then it was previously because the cause of breakage was not correct and the hair is weaker from the process.

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However the majority of female Afro people prefer to wear their hair in the traditional straight or controlled curly styles.  For many of them the best way to achieve this affect is with the use of Relaxers, Press & Curl Flat Irons or Curly Perms.  However as previously stated these methods take there toll on the hair resulting in severe lost of hair.  This leaves the hair shorter and thinner then desired for the styles they want.  So weaves, extensions, braids and wigs solve this problem.  In fact 75% of all hair sold and used in America is by Afro Americans for the reasons illustrated here.  Also the added hair is easier to manage, groom, style and maintain then their natural hair, plus the style can be changed by adding or deleting hair at will.  People of other cultures also use added hair to a lesser degree mostly by adding to their natural hair (called Extensions) for the purpose of adding length and/or fullness to their natural hair appearance.  Afro people also use it  for this purpose in addition to the reasons previously mentioned.

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The popularity of commercial  hair among Afro woman is the main impetus as to why so many Korean Beauty Supply stores are located in predominately Afro neighborhoods.  The Koreans are the major importers and distributors of commercial hair, and Afro woman are the major consumers. Commercial hair represents about 60% of sales in these stores.

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