The natural hair movement is quickly sweeping the nation, but many African American women are still on the fence as to whether or not they should chop off their relaxed ends and start sporting their afro-textured locs. If you’re undecided, here are five reasons that natural hair might be for you.
With natural hair you can embrace the elements
I remember very clearly having to duck and dodge the weather when my hair was relaxed. Heat causes relaxers to sweat reverting hair to a kinky, unmanageable state, and the same holds true for the rain. Water can ruin a relaxer, and lets face it, that’s an awful lot of money to spend on your hair only to have it undone because mother nature decided to be unpredictable. With natural hair there are no chemicals to be undone so it will look the same regardless of mother nature’s mood swings.
Natural hair allows you to be more active
For the same reasons listed above, many black women avoid activities like swimming or working out like the plague. With natural hair rather than standing on the sidelines trying to avoid messing up your do, you can dive right into the action and enjoy the fun without having to worry about touching up your roots in the morning.
The negative effects of lye
Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is the main ingredient in most relaxers. It’s the chemical that causes coily hair to become straight. Lye is known for having a drying, damaging effect on hair that can cause breakage. It is also known for frequently resulting in scalp burns and abrasions. In addition to the negative effects that sodium hydroxide can have on the hair and scalp, recent studies have shown a possible link between the chemical lye and certain types of cancer. At the end of the day one has to ask the question, how much am I really willing to pay for beauty?
Your natural hair was designed for you
No two people are identical, and that’s part of what makes human beings so special. Each of us was born with a very unique hair texture designed specifically for us. To embrace that natural texture is to embrace your individuality.
Natural hair is empowering
Negative views regarding afro-textured hair stem back as far as slavery. For centuries black women have been taught that thick cottony hair like ours is unacceptable and unattractive. It’s a mindset that’s difficult to break free of. To embrace your natural hair is to embrace a huge part of your African American heritage. It’s to go against the grain and do something for yourself even when the majority of society has yet to fully accept it.
There are hundreds of reasons to embrace natural hair besides the ones listed above. Going natural is a personal choice, but whatever you decide, remember that your hair is simply an extension of you, there are many other things that define you.
