Afro Hair Myths and Lies We Grow Up With

There are fairy tales about natural hair that stick around stubbornly and get passed down from generation to generation. We grow up with them and often take them on without realising it. Language is powerful, and the more often we hear as children that our hair is difficult or can't be combed, the more it sticks and shapes us.

The more I learned about caring for afro hair, the more I questioned the fairy tales about caring for natural hair and curls.

I still remember how my mum did my hair for school, I was always perfectly styled. My hairstyles always stood out, especially with the bright, colourful hair bands. As a child I noticed that my hairstyles were different from my classmates'. The eye catching, colourful hair bands made it even more obvious. Sometimes my teachers touched my hair and commented (admiringly) on how complex it was. I was very lucky that my parents always explained in a positive way why I looked different, as the only Black child in the class. Today I know how valuable that was, because not everyone is that lucky.

Let's uncover a few of the lies and myths about afro hair:

1. "Natural hair doesn't grow long" I used to believe that! When I started caring for my natural hair, I was pretty clueless. I actually washed my hair with soap, sounds crazy, I know! No wonder it didn't grow, it was as dry as straw. The dryness was a real struggle and I only thought about length much later. But the fact is: afro hair really can grow. Avoiding breakage plays a part. Comb your hair while it's damp, use a satin cap or satin bedding at night, and gentle styles and regular trims are key. Natural, strengthening care like the Afrolocke Shampoo can be a game changer for a clean, healthy scalp.

2. "Oil adds moisture" Lots of people think so, but pure oil is actually there to seal in moisture. You use it after something moisturising (like water or a leave-in) to lock in moisture and for your glow. You can use the Afrolocke Leave-In Conditioner to give your hair the moisture it needs and then the Afrolocke Oil, to seal it in. It keeps moisture in your hair for longer. So, once more for everyone: water adds moisture, oil seals it in.

3. "The more products, the better" At our last team meeting, Anna, Nadine and I realised we used to think that too. I used to put on tons of product hoping my very fine hair would get stronger overnight. What it actually did was weigh down my low porosity hair and cause product buildup that clogged my pores and held back hair growth. Depending on the product, porosity and hair characteristics, this can vary a lot. Remember: use the amount that suits your needs and your hair type, and sometimes less is simply more.

So, those were a few hair myths we busted for you! Stay curious and keep experimenting, but don't forget: every head of hair is unique and deserves its own individual hair routine.

Your Nana