Friday, 11 June 2010

Caring for Your African American or Biracial Child's Hair

From http://adoption.about.com

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Loving Black Hair Care

It Is Important for Foster and Adoptive Parents to Learn Basic Black Hair Care

It is important for foster and adoptive parents to learn basic black hair care.

Nancy R. Cohen / Getty Images

Caring for your child's hair can be a daunting experience, but it doesn't have to be. Armed with the proper education, the right technique, and, most importantly, the right products; you can master the art of caring for ethnic hair.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with hair. Because my hair was easy to manage, I began styling my own hair at an early age. Using my long locks, I taught myself how to French braid and soon became a styling expert (or so I thought). As I matured, my interest in healthy Black hair peaked. I learned which hair care ingredients were good for my hair type and which ingredients were not. I learned how to shampoo, condition, and properly handle my hair. Most importantly, I learned to love my hair. With the proper care, your child will love his/her hair too!

Over the years I've read, seen, and experienced unbelievable acts of ignorance regarding ethnic hair care. It is my attempt to provide a few basic tips and tricks so you will avoid common pitfalls.

I hope these brief tips will encourage you to invest in the health of your child's hair.

Sunday, 10 January 2010

Whats Your Phone?

Blackpresence forums topic.

Come and tell us

Whats Your Phone?

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Look after Dreadlocks


What are dreadlocks?

Dreadlocks are matted hair.

How long does my hair have to be to make dreadlocks?

Your hair should be at least three inches long to start dreadlocks.

Will my hair grow when I have dreadlocks?


Your hair will grow when you have dreadlocks, " it will seem like your hair is growing slower, but it isn't. The reason it seems like your hair is growing slower is because the hair is growing zig zag and dreadlocking. dreadlocks

What do I do when my hair grows? How do I dreadlock it?


You can use the clockwise rubbing method on the DreadHeadHQ site to make your roots dreadlock.

If I get dreadlocks and I don't like them will I have to shave my hair?

You do not have to shave your head when you want to t o out the dreadlocks you don't even have to cut your hair. Here are the ways to take dreadlocks out:

1. You can cut or shave your head if you don't care about your hair, this is the
fastest way to remove the dreadlocks.
2. Cut the deadlocks until they are about 3 inches long and then soak the rest of
the dreadlocks in VO5 conditioner and comb them out. This will leave you
with about 4 or 5 inches of hair.
3. You love your hair and want to keep it. Just soak the dreadlocks in VO5
conditioner and comb them out, it may take a couple hours but you will get to
keep your hair. Don't worry if you lose a lot of hair while you are combing
the dreadlocks out, this is hair that would have fallen out in the day-to-day hair
removal cycle. The only reason you still have it is because you had dreadlocks
and dreadlocks keep the hair all knotted together.
Can I dreadlock my hair myself?

You can dreadlock your hair yourself using the backcombing, twist & rip, twist & pin, twisting, brush rubbing, dread braiding, and neglect methods.
What are natural dreadlocks?

Natural dreadlocks are dreadlocks made without the use of harsh chemicals.
What are the different methods you can make natural dreadlocks?

Backcombing
Twist and Rip
Twist and Pin
Twisting
Brush Rubbing
Dread Braiding
Neglect

How long until the dreadlocks look like dreadlocks?

The dreads will look like dreadlocks after you make them if you use the backcombing, twist and rip, twist and pin, twisting, or brush rubbing method. It will take about 3-6 months for the dreads to lock up completely with these methods. The dreads will look like dreads in about a year with the dread braiding and neglect method, and they will lock up at about the same time.

Can I wash my dreadlocks?

Yes, you can wash your dreadlocks. You should wash your dreadlocks at least once a week, but most people wash every three days. Make sure you use a residue free shampoo when you wash your dreads, it's the most important product you can use on your dreads. I recommend DreadHead residue free shampoo.

How often should I wash my dreadlocks?

You should get in the habit of washing your dreadlocks every three days, your dreadlocks will lock up fast and they will look and smell good at the same time. As long as you wash your dreads once a week you should be fine.

Do I have to stop washing my hair for a long time before I make dreadlocks?

No, actually you should wash your hair with residue free shampoo right before you make the dreadlocks and let you hair air dry.
Do I have to use a different shampoo when I have dreadlocks?

Yes, you need to use a shampoo that leaves no residues behind in your hair and removes residues that are in your hair. The reason using this kind of shampoo is so important when you have dreadlocks is because dreadlocks like to hold stuff. When you have normal hair the residues are free to fall out and fall out while you are brushing your hair, but when you have dreadlocks you don't brush your hair, and the hair isn't free to let the residues fall out. So the residues begin to build up, and after a while they can cause the dreadlocks to mold. The residues also lubricate the hair, so the knots can't tighten as much as they could if there were no residues there. I recommend DreadHead residue free shampoo.

Dreadlocks Academy


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Stop Afro hair from Breaking

First you need to stop using shampoos that contain harsh sulfates.These harsh sulfates will cause hair to break and not grow.The following sulfates will strip hair of its natural oils:

Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
Tea laureth Sulfate
Tea Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Make sure that your shampoo does not contain those sulfates.
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Step 2

Now you need to get a hair trim.If you get a hair trim you will get a rid of split ends.Which will help your hair to grow.You can get a hair trim about every 6 months.
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Step 3

Now you need to start doing deep conditioning protein treatments and moisture treatments,make sure that protein is balanced with moisture.To make your own protein treatment just add an egg to your regular conditioner.Then you apply this ,mixture onto the hair(WHILE WEARING A PLASTIC CAP).Leave on for 1 hour(without heat)Then rinse out.The protein treatment should be done once a month.
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Step 4

Then you will need to do a moisture treatment.To make your own moisture treatment add honey and organic virgin coconut oil to your conditioner.Apply to hair,with heat.(While wearing a plastic cap).Then rinse out.A moisture treatment should be done following every shampoo.
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Step 5

Stay away from heat!Heat is a major no no if you are trying to grow your hair out and stop breakage. Because heat strips the hair of it's natural oils and makes it more frailness.Braids is an excellent style if you are trying to grow your hair and stop breakage.Just make sure that the braids are not done to tight.
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Step 6

You need to keep your scalp greased everyday so your hair will not break off. However, you do not want to grease your scalp too much or it will clog the pores and stop hair from growing.When using hair care products make sure that they don't contain the following:
Petraulatum,mineral oil,these oils will clog the pores and stop hair from growing.
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Step 7

Time to massage.To get blood circulation to the hair follicule it is a good idea to massage the scalp.This will encourage hair growth.Just massage the scalp with the balls of your fingers,starting at the back of the head and working your way up. Afro Twists
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Step 8

You also want to keep your hair brushed and combed daily.Use a widetooth comb.But be careful not to overbrush or overcomb the hair.You can also use detangler to help you comb the hair easier.


Step 9 >>>



Afro Curly
Afro Styles
Short Afro
Black Afro

Cutting black hair


It may be challenging to cut African American hair, based on its texture and porous nature. Black hair is also exceedingly fragile. In order to straighten some of the curls, to obtain an even cut, it is best to wash your hair before cutting it. Most salons won't cut African American hair before it's washed. Typically, black hair is cut while it is wet.

You will need sharp shears. Your shears should be easy to manipulate. If you are left-handed, consider purchasing shears that are especially made for left handed users. Shears that are designed for haircuts
can be purchased from a beauty supply store.

Begin by washing your hair is and parting it into the first section, using a wide-toothed comb
. The teeth for the comb should have rounded edges, to prevent snags and breakage. Gently comb through the section, being careful not to tug or roughly pull through snags. Your hair is most fragile while it is wet, and it is more prone to breakage at this point. You should then be able to use two fingers in a scissor formation, and easily slide them down the waft of hair from the root to the tips. When you reach the desired area to cut, hold your cutting shears in the opposite hand and cut the hair straight or at a slight angle. If you are simply clipping the ends of the hair, cut directly above damaged areas or split ends. To achieve an even cut, take a small part of hair from the previous cut and use it to measure the next cut.

Continue this process until the desired length is reached. Comb through the hair and make sure that the cuts are even. You may want to use a water bottle to re-hydrate dry areas. Use your two fingers, in a scissor formation, to re-evaluate the length in certain sections. Typically, you may want to have a longer hair in the back and shorter hair on the sides. Use a hand-held mirror to see the back of your hair. You may want ask a friend for help in reaching some areas. If you would like a blunt or an even-cut, it's best to sacrifice damaged hair by cutting it. Don't try to save hair that is damaged, simply to add length to your style. The damaged hair will eventually break off, ruining your efforts. Keep in mind, that your hair may appear shorter when it is dry. Therefore, if you are cutting healthy hair, you should cut it at a length that is just a bit longer than your intended length.

You can dry your hair by sitting under a hooded dryer, using a blow dryer
or letting it air dry. Hair that is relaxed will straighten further by using a hooded dryer or a blow dryer. In order to prevent breakage, take special care when blow drying your hair while combing through it. Check your hair periodically to make sure that all sections are dry. Once your hair is dry, you are ready to curl it or style in your new cut. Enjoy your new cut, and save money and time by cutting your own hair.

Cutblackhair.com

black Hair Care


The structure of Black hair prevents the hair’s natural oils from traveling easily down the hair shaft and also presents many breaking points. Every turn of the curl makes it weaker and this is why Black hair has to be handled with great care.
According to Renee, ‘Putting moisturisers and conditioners on virgin or natural Afro hair has a very limited effect. It’s a bit like water off a duck's back.’
It is possible for natural hair to reach a decent length. A regime of braiding and oiling the hair, keeps it soft and easier to manage. Also by using wide tooth combs to comb hair and avoiding excessive blowdrying, you can limit hair breakage.
Braiding can help grow hair especially if it isn’t too tight, as the hair has a chance to rest without the breakage caused by combing. Many women also find that their hair has grown after wearing a weave especially where the hair has been braided underneath. Unfortunately the length gained can be lost by not regularly conditioning afterwards and relaxing too soon. ‘Women are inclined to use heated appliances such as tongs, irons and hot combs to get their hair into shape.

This combined with chemical use, compounds the basic problem by adversely affecting the hair’s tensile strength, resulting in the hair structure being eroded, causing it to progressively break, ultimately affecting the hairline, overall density and length of hair....

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