We have heard a lot of myths about curly hair and some of them are downright funny. However, some actually make us wonder if they are true, and if they are not, we wonder where they came from and if there is a truth behind them. But more than anything, of course we want to know how we should adjust our care regimen based them in case they are true right? Well, here are our top 4 myths. Do add the ones you know right down there at the comments section so we can trade secrets okay?
CONSTANT WASHING DRIES OUT CURLY HAIR.
Fact: Washing 1-3 times a week is actually good for curly hair. It is the added chemicals (e.g. sulfate) in shampoo that can cause damage or dryness. In fact, you should wash regularly to keep your hair from becoming brittle and dry. Why?
First, washing clears your scalp and hair of product residue that can stunt growth and cause damage. This is especially true if you use products that contain mineral oil, petroleum, or alcohol.
Second, a clean scalp keeps your natural oils (or sebum) on the flow; these oils work as natural hair moisturizer that prevent brittle and dry.
So yes, water is good for curly hair; but steer clear of harsh chemicals from certain shampoos!
TWISTS, BRAIDS AND WEAVES CAUSE ALOPECIA OR HAIR LOSS
Fact: Ironically, many use these hairstyles as protective styling; not to mention, they look fab and trendy. But yes, they may indirectly cause hair loss. How? If your braids are too tight and are worn too long, hair pulling can obviously cause stress and damage to your hair. But no, the hairstyles in themselves do not cause alopecia.
Want to keep your Havana Twists without losing precious hair? Don't do them too tight (or tell your stylist not to). Give your hair breaks every few weeks as well by alternating loose hairstyles with braided ones.
So yes, water is good for curly hair; but steer clear of harsh chemicals from certain shampoos!
CURLY HAIR GROWS SLOWER COMPARED TO STRAIGHT OR WAVY HAIR
Fact: Race has nothing to do with how fast a person's hair grows. We can expect it to grow at ¼ to ½ inch per month but since curly hair does not grow straight down-but in curls-so it seems to grow slower than straight hair.
One other common problem is when not properly cared for, kinky hair is more prone to drying and damage. So if you want to it grow longer that is free from split ends and damage, proper care is important.
CURLY HAIR IS HARDER TO MANAGE COMPARED TO RELAXED HAIR
Fact: This feels especially true if you are transitioning from relaxed hair to natural-because you've gotten used to straight hair. Curly hair seems to require unique attention since it is prone to frizz and damage but think about it-so does thin straight or colored hair! Managing curls is not hard; it is just different. Simply begin by practicing the basics of caring for naturally curly hair, and it soon becomes as easy as habit.
The deception with relaxed hair is that it may feel easy to comb and style but then the chemical treatment also make it more fragile, damage prone, and challenging to maintain.
