Monday, March 10, 2014

Common Myths About Moisturizing Natural Hair



Moisturizing natural hair can feel like a “complex art” at times, and moisture-related myths certainly do not help the situation. Here are a few of those myths that I want to debunk today:

 1. Protein conditioners are a no-no Protein conditioners can actually help damaged hair – or even just older ends of the hair – retain moisture. Here is how: Your cuticle layer acts as a protective layer for the inner cortex of your hair strand. When the cuticle layer is damaged – e.g., broken cuticle scales, missing cuticle scales, lifted cuticle scales, etc. – moisture retention becomes difficult. Protein conditioners can help by temporarily patching up this layer, thus helping to “seal” in moisture in a way.

 2. Moisturizing daily is a must Moisturizing daily is not an automatic requirement that comes with being natural. Believe it or not, there are some of us out here who can go anywhere from a few days to a week without re-moisturizing our hair. How long you can go between moisturizing sessions depends on several factors, especially the characteristics of your hair, the style you are wearing (protective vs. loose), AND the effectiveness of your products and method. Moisturizing daily is not a must for every natural.

 3. Hair without shine = dry hair Even though I want to say that this myth has already been debunked, there are still naturals who believe that hair that lacks shine equals dry hair. Truth be told, shine is a function of a few factors, including what products you use and how stretched or straight your hair is. When light reflects off of this “flat” surface, (i.e. the stretched/straight hair) it can cause the shine we see. Oils and other products can enhance this shine even more. Now naturals who have very tight coils and kinks may have sheen – a soft luster – when their hair is moisturized, but not necessarily a shine… and that is not a bad thing. So how can you tell if your hair is dry? Well one attribute of moisturized hair is pliability.

 4. Products that contain alcohol will dry out the hair  … it depends on what the alcohol is. I have heard some people adamantly say, “I refuse to buy a conditioner with alcohol in it,” believing that cetyl alcohol is a drying alcohol. The truth is cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, just to name a few, are “fatty alcohols.” Fatty alcohols are not at all drying like the rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) you would put on a wound. (Actually, many fatty alcohols are waxy.) The inclusion of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol on an ingredients label is usually due to use as one of the following:
 a) a thickener or thickening agent
 b) an emulsifier 
c) an emollient. And guess what? Emollients can help to soften the hair!

33 comments:

  1. Wow, didn't know about the first tip, Uchenna. Thanks ooooo

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  2. Interesting facts; I like the 3rd point about natural hair versus shine/sheen.

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  3. oh wow, thank you for this! I thought #3 a lot when I first started ... glad I realized that this wasn't true.

    awesome post!

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  4. Your posts always suck me right into it and i start to think hard about these facts. Protein? Who knew? The point on hair shine is also a really good point. Thanks for these awesome tips.

    http://www.thefashionstirfry.com

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  5. Amazing tips, Happy Monday babes..
    http://rock4less.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. I agree with you.
    www.fashionitazbybuiti.blogspot.com

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  7. I need to check your old posts if you've done a post on braids because I wanted to know if moisturizing natural hair with braids is the same as without braids?! Good to know about protein moisturizers being a no no. Great tips as usual dear!
    www.yvonnesloves.com

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  8. Never knew that Emollients can help also! Thnks for sharing.

    xx Lori
    http://fabeau-trends.blogspot.com

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  9. I go for days without moisturizng..lol my hair isn't that bad either.
    effortlesslady.blogspot.ca

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  10. Nice tips as usual

    Belledazzy.blogspot.com

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  11. Great post, hun! I moisturize everyday only when my hair is out. Over-moisturizing can also be a problem.

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  12. I TOTALLY agree with point 3. natural hair is not straight so it will scatter light rays that fall on it, hence it won't look as shiny as though the hair was straight. I know my hair is moisturized by just looking at it, by the softness and how it won't tangle.

    www.folasoasis.com

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  13. Hmmmmn, thanks for sharing uzo!

    xx
    www.mzcocoh.blogspot.ca

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  14. Good points here sis. Great post as always. :-)

    missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

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  15. I didn't know about the alcohol myth. It's good to know also that I don't have to moisturize my hair every day, although I don't think I can go more than 2 days without doing so.

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  16. Great tips as always! I am one of the few that refuses to buy conditioners with alcohol in it.

    fabulousperks.blogspot.com

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  17. Interesting facts that I didn't Know about.Thank you
    http://witnstyle.com

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  18. Imagine! I never check for alcohol when buying conditional.cool post

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  19. Nice post, I need this info considering the fact that I'm in teamnatural now. Im not the type to moisturize my hair especially since its all natural now. Still have a lot to learn, atleast I hope I can try and watch out for products with alcohol


    www.infashionrehab.com

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  20. A lot of great info here! Taking some notes.

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  21. Super helpful tips. I must admit I did fall for #2....I thought this was the truth!

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  22. Checking on you babes,have a fabulous day. Kisses..
    http://rock4less.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. Your hair is absolutely amazing!
    http://crystalcosmicchic.blogspot.co.uk

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  24. I have heard that about alcohol in products drying so I used to avoid them but good to know it depends! & my mum still mentions the shine thing haha great tips as usual!!
    www.yvonnesloves.com

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  25. Have a fabulous evening babes, muwah...
    http://rock4less.blogspot.co.uk/

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  26. Thanks for sharing hun. to be honest am a bit lazy about moisturizing most times.

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  27. Thanks girl for the sweet comments! I'm glad you debunked some of these myths! Oh the natural hair debates I''ve had over some of these!

    Sincerely Miss J
    www.sincerelymissj.blogspot.ca

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  28. thank you girl for the comments. XoXo.
    it is always refreshing reading your post. i will keep moisturizing, and dont worry about shine anymore

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  29. Yeah the moisturizing daily is definitely ridiculous. Who in this world had time to do that. I usually do a very thorough protein treatment and deep condition once every 2 months, and a thorough moisterizing twice a week. I need tips on achieving luster and shine though. Any tips for 4c hair?

    Lady G
    www.gabychronicles.blogspot.com
    XOXO

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