Proper Hair Care

Since I just did my hair on Saturday in my standard set of 2-strand twists, I have noticed that my hair is extremely heat damaged! I have been nursing the front left side of my hair to its original curly state (when I was a little 6th grader). I remember the braids that I used to have and I miss that texture of my hair even though I don't necessarily miss the huge braids all over my head.

Even after all of these years, I can say that I am glad that my mom never ever relaxed my hair. I have been natural for all my life (thank goodness) but for the sake of versatility and acting roles, my hair is easier to tame in a straightened state. I am making the transition back to my natural hair state, but it is difficult. I have so much trouble trying to figure out how to style it. To be honest, I first started going back to natural for ease of my daily routine. School and work and shows were taking over my life from October 2009-June 2010.

I have been watching youtube videos since the dawn of time on natural hair trying to get the looks in the videos and maintaining the volume and length and care of my natural hair. Even though I did my hair on Saturday (and today's Thursday), it's already flaky and itchy and it might be because of the shampoo.

Now getting on to shampoo. Because I was watching all of the videos on natural hair on youtube, I have been hearing so much about sulfate shampoos and the harm they cause. Me being the investigative person that I am, I went to do some research on the wide-encompassing internet. I learned that sulfate shampoos cause quite a bit of harm to your hair. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (or SLS as it is abbreviated) is used frequently in consumer products and is harsh enough to degrease car engines and clean oil. It's salt (SODIUM) which draws out moisture from everything, including the natural oils on our scalp that protects our hair follicles and causes split ends. We are putting that in our hair! I don't even want to know what kind of damage it's doing to my scalp (well, the dryness is prime example of the damage). It's close relative is Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).

After I use the rest of my Mane 'n' Tail (yes, you read right...it was originally meant for horses, but is in black beauty supply stores...besides, I'd like to think that it helps my hair grow, which it has to an extent), I will be switching to another shampoo and conditioner that is sulfate-free. It's going to be an experiment for me. I have quite some time before the Mane 'N' Tail is gone. If it turns out that I don't like the sulfate-free shampoo, I will be switching back to my Mane 'n' Tail. Hopefully not.