Natural Hair: Round 2 (ding!)

by Kim
(Cleveland, OH, USA)

Dear Nina,

I have 4a/4b African American textured hair. I went natural for about one year, didn't know how to do my hair and ended up doing a relaxer.

My method: I attempted to grow out the relaxed hair. I just couldn't bear the thought of shaving my head. Deep conditioned, washed weekly, took hair vitamins.

The problems: several different natural textures + relaxed ends = yikes, dry itchy scalp, increase in dandruff, severe dryness, couldn't comb through it, and few hairstyles. Also, I just plain chickened out.

Questions:

1) What kind of flat iron/tool is best for pressing this kind of hair once completely natural?

2) I would love to wear my actual texture. What should I use to define/keep curl?

3) Is it possible to comb through natural hair everyday without the need to wet it? If so, what do I do?

I've seen too many smiling black women with thick, dark, natural hair to resist and I want to try again. Please help.

Regards

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Nina's Response

Hi Kim,

Answer to #1 - Always use a ceramic flat iron to straighten natural hair. It will keep the damage at a minimum and add tremendous shine. Of course, technique is also extremely important. Do a search on my site to find several pages on how to flat iron hair correctly.

Answer to #2 - To define and keep curl, you'll probably have to try several curl enhancing products to see which ones work for you. I would recommend trying products from Sally Beauty Supply where you can return the products if they do not work. You can also simply try leaving in a thick conditioner (like Pantene) to define your curls and leave them soft. Some people also like using gel though gel may leave your hair hard and stiff. If you use a gel, I'd suggest using ORS Twist and Lock gel since it contains moisturizers and no alcohol.

Answer to #3 - It would depend upon the texture of your hair and whether or not it is dry or moisturized. I would recommend on combing through your hair texture if it were wet with conditioner using a shower comb.

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Nina Dyoran, Editor, Long-Healthy-Hair-Advisor.com