Maintaining healthy natural hair does not have to be a mystery. Unfortunately, however, many people don’t make the switch to go natural because they lack the proper education. Here are some myths about natural hair and locs. Learn the truth behind these natural hair myths, then make the decision for yourself.
Debunking Myths about Natural Hair and Locs
MYTH: Determining your curl pattern is the secret to caring for your hair
Many people believe the key to natural hair care lies in their hair pattern alone. Although there are stark differences between 4c, 3b, and other curl patterns, the truth is that your hair regimen should be based on a lot more factors.
For starters, many people often have a combination of different curl patterns. Also, other aspects like hair density, hair porosity, and strand size will all affect how you care for your hair. In addition to this, certain aspects of your life will require you to treat your hair in different ways, like:
- The climate and humidity of the city you live in
- How often you exercise and sweat
- How often you wear high-tension styles
- Your hair history and which chemical treatments you’ve gotten in the past
Discuss these things with your natural hair stylist at Raw Remedies. We’ll consult with you and determine the best route for hair care specific to your crown and lifestyle.
MYTH: Going natural will make your hair grow longer and thicker right away
While eliminating certain troublesome products can make your hair healthier, there’s much more to keeping your hair healthy and retaining length. For instance, genetics plays a major role in your hair thickness and strength. If you’re on the journey to maintain hair health and retain length, you need a consistent hair care regimen that works for your hair specifically.
MYTH: You don’t have to wash natural hair
This is one of the most common and most untrue misconceptions about natural hair. Our hair actually loves and needs water! Because kinkier hair does not retain moisture as easily as other hair types, we need to build a regimen that regularly cleanses and moisturizes the hair. If you don’t wash your hair, over time it can dry out.
When oil, dirt, and other products build up on your scalp, you can potentially block the moisture your hair needs. It’s best to regularly wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo that clears buildup.
MYTH: Hair must be dirty and kept unwashed to lock
On the same vein, this is one of the most common myths about locs. Many people believe you must have dirty hair in order to grow locs. When your hair is locked, it needs to be washed regularly just like loose natural hair. Similar to how you wash a sponge, wash locs by massaging the shampoo or soap into the hair follicles, then squeeze and rinse until you get all the product out.
Clean hair can actually lock up faster than dirty or oily hair. It is often thought that because nearly every soap and shampoo on the market contains residues, clean hair does not lock quickly. However, it’s in fact the residues (conditioners, moisturizers, and fragrance holders) in the soaps that prevent hair from locking up. This is why we recommend washing your locks with only residue-free soaps and shampoos.
MYTH: Simply not combing your hair is the only way to get nice locs
Often called the “Neglect” method, this is not the only way to achieve beautiful, strong locs. Under some circumstances, simply not combing your hair will make it lock. The best example of this is African-textured hair. When left alone, African hair will eventually lock. The results, although technically called dreads, are often unpredictable, leaving you with different-sized dreads and loose roots.
Loose textured hair, if it’s curly enough, can also dread by neglect. However, it can take a few years for the hair to lock fully. The hair forms giant matts at random all over the head; some people may see this process as unkempt. When starting locs at Raw Remedies, we make sure to maintain hair cleanliness, and we create even parting so that the locs are all the same size and thickness as they progress.
MYTH: Only black people can have nice locks
While it is easier for black people to have nice smooth locks, it is completely possible for people with other hair textures to lock tightly and smoothly. Locs can be difficult to start; the first months are often a pain. However, as they tighten and mature, they become virtually maintenance-free. They look great all the time, all you have to do is keep them clean.
FACTS: Raw Remedies Is the Best Place for Natural Hair Care in Vegas
The truth about natural hair is that everyone needs something different. At Raw Remedies, we have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to maintain healthy, natural hair. Whether you’re starting locs or starting your natural hair journey, we’re here for you. Visit our natural beauty salon in Las Vegas today.