by If your hair is naturally kinky, coily, curly or wavy, you’ve probably heard your share of hair myths and half-truths. It comes with the territory! Most of us know that “100-strokes-a-day” is flat wrong and split ends can’t be permanently repaired, but there are others still floating around. Do you recognize any of these common myths?
Myth #1: Natural hair is strong.
Looks can be very deceiving. Although it appears to be quite strong and durable, natural hair is some of the most delicate hair on the planet. While naturally kinky, coily, and curly girls tend to have many more strands per square inch of scalp, the individual strands are actually smaller or finer than those with naturally straight and wavy hair. The good news? Despite its need for extra TLC, textured hair is still healthiest and strongest when left in its natural state.
Myth #2: Natural hair is unprofessional.
Who said that “professional” had to mean sticking to stick-straight locks? Serious employers are more concerned with what’s in your head than what’s on it. Natural hair is, and has always been, professional. So rock your ringlets and gravity-defying locks with pride! Professionalism in today’s workplace is more rightly correlated with actual skill, qualifications, and job performancenot the shape of the fiber growing from one’s scalp. The only unprofessional hair to be had is hair that is unhealthy, unclean, or styled in a manner that compromises or prevents the actual performance of a job.
Myth #3: Natural hair is political.
For tree-huggers and free spirits, vegans, those who like neo-soul, poetry, spoken word, and other earthy “natural” things. True for some, but not for all. While a carefully coifed afro may be a symbol of pride and strength for one Natural, it may be no more than a fleeting fashion trend for another. Natural-haired women are as diverse and varied as any other random group of people, and in many cases, the only similarities they share are at the scalp level. Natural hair speaks for some us, but for others it doesn’t say a word.
Read the rest of Natural Hair Myths on the Next Page
Sonya Wells says
October 30, 2014 at 12:55 pmIs it safe to press my all natural hair with the three penetrating oils (olive, avocado & coconut?
Tamara says
October 30, 2014 at 1:46 pmYes, you can. But your hair might be too oily or weighed down. Less is more if you do use them.
Sonya Wells says
October 30, 2014 at 3:29 pmThank you Tamara,
One more question. Is it better to use a flat iron or electronic pressing comb?
Tamara says
October 31, 2014 at 1:36 pmIt really depends on the quality flat iron or pressing comb. I really don’t recommend either unless its a good quality heat appliance & you are very skilled.
TWA4now says
October 6, 2013 at 12:20 amGood post!
Tiffany F. says
October 4, 2013 at 9:59 amGreat post, Audrey!