You may find yourself asking just what is different about my African-American hair? Why is that black, bi-racial or other ethnic people need different products and regimens than their Caucasian neighbors. The answer to this question lies in how our African-American hair is put together or structured. Essentially, all hair types are made of the same "stuff". The difference, which as you know can be significant, come from the way those components of the hair are assembled to make the hair shaft itself. The way curly or kinky hair is put together makes it more likely to be dry and/or to break. Because of this difference black hair needs are different than the needs of other types of hair. African- American hair can have up to two times the amount of cuticle, the scientific word for the outer layer of the hair. The fact that African-American hair is kinkier makes it physically more difficult for the natural oil (known as sebum) secreted from our scalp to travel from the scalp along the length of the hair shaft.
Because African-American hair tends to be more coarse and to be thicker you might be tempted to think it's "tougher" than Caucasian hair and can handle more stress or abuse. It might surprise you to learn that in reality African hair (especially if treated like European hair) is usually more fragile than Caucasian hair. It usually lacks the elasticity of Caucasian hair and therefore breaks more easily. If the hair is washed too often and with the wrong products, the natural oils will be diminished. Because of the kinkiness of the hair, combs and brushes can get caught in the hair, breaking it at all of those twists and turns. For these reasons, we suggest using products made with essential oils that will penetrate the hair without being to heavy or too greasy on the hair.
