When it comes to taking care of natural hair, there are a lot of myths that can make your journey complicated. If you transitioned to natural hair, then I’m sure you had those moments when you thought about going back because you didn’t want to deal with these challenges people talked about.
Although there is a lot of information out there about natural hair, there are misconceptions that you shouldn’t pay any mind to.
In this post, we’ll debunk 5 common natural hair myths. You want to embrace your hair with confidence and not allow these opinions to steer you down the wrong path.
Natural Hair is Difficult to Manage
One of the first myths is that natural hair can be difficult to take care of. If you’re transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, then you may notice some challenges because you’re dealing with two textures, however, that doesn’t mean it’s too hard to manage.
We all have to learn what our hair likes and dislikes if we want to properly care for it. You have to try different products and techniques to find what works best for you. Our natural hair is unique and what works for someone else may not work for you. It’s all about trial and error — this is a personal journey.
As you continue on this journey, you’ll realize it’s not difficult to manage at all. You have to be patient and not compare your hair to anyone else’s. Build your regimen and focus on getting to know your texture so you can work with it properly.
Don’t Shampoo Regularly
I’m sure you’ve heard of co-washing, a cleansing conditioner that can be used to replace your shampoo. It can add moisture to dry hair and make your hair feel soft and manageable.
It’s okay to co-wash now and then, however, it shouldn’t become a regular thing. You have to use shampoo to remove product build-up if you want to get a thorough cleanse.
Many say that using shampoos is bad because it can leave your hair stripped, but that’s not always the case! There are steps you can do in your regimen to prevent this from happening:
- Use our Fenugreek Detangling Pre-Poo to remove tangles and add moisture to your hair
- Follow up with our Cucumber Nourishing Shampoo. If you have a lot of build-up, use our Lemon & Rosemary Clarifying Shampoo to give your hair a fresh start
- Deep condition afterward. If you need moisture, check out our Rose Hydrating Conditioner. For protein: Milk Strengthening Deep Conditioner
Co-washing can be done as a midweek refresher if you need extra moisture, however, it shouldn’t completely replace shampoo.
Hair Type is Important
There are many naturals on social media that you may look up to for inspiration. Some people call them their ‘hair twin’ because it seems as if they have the same curl pattern. The problem with this is, just because you have the same hair type as someone doesn’t mean what they use will work for you.
You can follow the same regimen as someone and still achieve different results. People can also give you all of the advice in the world, however, you have to understand what your hair needs if you want to see your desired results.
The hair typing system isn’t important and shouldn’t be used when you’re looking for products and techniques to use. You want to focus on the porosity of your natural hair and density to figure out a regimen that will work best for you.
You Can Repair Damaged Hair
Many products claim to reverse damaged hair or repair split-ends, however, there are no magical products you can use to fix those concerns.
Although some products may provide a temporary fix, the only thing you’re able to do to fully repair your natural hair is cut it off.
I understand that some don’t want to start their journey over, especially if they have the length they’ve always wanted. But, I’m here to tell you that the health of your hair matters more than how long it is.
You can either cut all of the damage at once or transition until you trim it off completely. Trust me, your hair will flourish when you make the health of it a priority.
Learn from your mistakes, it’s called a journey for a reason!
The Float Test is Accurate
As we stated earlier, knowing your porosity is more important than hair type. There’s something called a Float Test where you take a strand of hair and place it in a glass of water. If it floats, that means you have low porosity hair. If it sinks, it points to high porosity.
The only problem with this method is, it’s not an accurate way to determine your true porosity. Most hair will end up floating in water because it’s less dense.
It’s important to pay attention to the characteristics of your hair if you want to figure out which category you fall into. Check out this post “How to Determine Your Hair Porosity the Right Way” on NaturallyMadisen.com for more information!
Extra: You Should Never Use Heat
I know this post says 5 myths, but here’s an extra one to keep in mind. Did you know that it’s okay to use heat on your hair? Yes, heat damage is real, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever straighten your hair.
It’s important to not use it too often and you also want to prep your hair correctly to avoid heat damage. There are heat protectants you can use to form a protective barrier on the hair. You also want to ensure that you monitor the temperature you’re using. Of course, the higher the temp, the more prone you are to heat damage.
To stay on the safe side, try to use the lowest heat setting possible and make sure that you’re following healthy hair care practices regularly in your routine.
It’s easy to believe some natural hair myths because you hear them frequently, however, I hope this post helped you realize that you should focus on what works best for you.
We’re all on a personal journey to achieve healthy hair and our experiences won’t look the same. That doesn’t mean what you’re doing is wrong though!
Embrace what grows from your scalp with confidence and learn how to properly take care of your beautiful crown!
Blog Post Contributor: @naturally_madisen
Website: NaturallyMadisen.com