Many women of color weren’t taught how to care for their afro-textured hair during their early years of life. Consequently, this causes many women to be lost later in life if they opt for their natural texture hair and decide to go natural.
Lady of Rage made the hook, “I rock rough and tough with my afro puffs,” very popular in 1990’s. However, contrary to popular belief, afro textured, kinky, coily hair isn’t very tough. My hair is very fragile and can be easily damaged from something as simple as combing. Many women of color weren’t taught how to care for their afro-textured hair during their early years of life.
“I rock rough and tough with my afro puffs…”
I was an aggressive comber in the beginning of my natural hair journey.
This aggressive combing lead to broken hair in the sink.
It was very difficult to retain any descent length of hair.
Consequently, this causes many women to be lost later in life if they opt for their natural texture hair and decide to go natural. I was an aggressive comber in the beginning of my natural hair journey. This aggressive combing lead to broken hair in the sink, an abundance of broken hair in my combs and it was very difficult to retain any descent length of hair. I learned that I could no longer comb my textured hair as I once did when I had a relaxer. Instead of combing from root to tip, I began combing from tip to root. Instead of combing my hair in a hurry, I learned to take my time and plan styles in advance.
I also created a perfect “go to style” that I can wear for any occasion. Detangling with my fingers and using a conditioner with slip when I comb has made it easier to detangle. Continued learning throughout my natural hair journey and the aforementioned tips have helped reduced breakage, split ends and helped me to retain my natural hair to new lengths.