As many of you are aware, Chris Rock is coming out with a new movie, Good Hair, which I cannot not wait to see. He is presenting a light-hearted documentary about the treatment and perception of black hair. The trailer looks quite funny but there is truth in every joke.
Whether you call it a relaxer, a process, or a conk, a chemical hair straightener has been used by black women (and some men) for decades. It consists of strong chemical ingredients designed to take the natural curl out of hair. I have used a relaxer for years. At different times in my adult life, I have considered "going natural" and for one reason or another have talked myself out of it. The excuses are many..."I don't have time to deal with my natural hair...", "Natural hair is too hard to maintain..." etc. Perhaps the truth of it all is that I am not comfortable with my natural hair. I am rather ashamed to admit that I don't remember what my natural hair looks like. I have had a chemical relaxer in my hair since childhood. My mother took me to the hair salon for a relaxer when I was in elementary school because I think with three active kids it was just easier for her to deal with my hair if it was relaxed. She always taught me to take good care of my hair and I have followed that example. I have always gone to the hair salon pretty regularly. I spend the money on good products. I get it trimmed regularly. Despite the care I give my hair, perhaps the best thing to do for my hair would be to just stop relaxing it and just let it be what God gave me. There are a zillion ways to wear natural hair.
For umpteen years, black women have been told that their beauty, including hair, skin, physique and features, is less than and that the standard of beauty does not include us, so we shuffle and hustle trying to obtain what beauty dictates. Unfortunately, many of us have bought into that over the span of these many decades. I admire those women who do not internalize that madness. I need to be one of them. At the end of the day, you alone are responsible for how you perceive yourself. A young lady in the movie trailer said that she is addicted to the "creamy crack." I couldn't help but think that "damn that's me". Every three to four months like clockwork I walk into the salon and endure the smell and burn while the stylist "touches up my roots". Common sense should tell you that if if stinks and burns then you should not be using it. Another segment of the movie trailer shows an Asian wig vendor who is appauled by the thought of selling black hair. Chris Rock then replies, "So my nappy hair is not worth anything?" I suppose the lesson here is that if we do not treasure our hair (ourselves) why would anyone else.
Aside from the obvious implications on perceptions of beauty, relaxers contain chemicals that may have health ramifications. While a recent study said that breast cancer is not linked to chemical relaxers, the FDA does not fully monitor relaxer products and manufactures are not required to list all ingredients. (See Hair Relaxers: No Link to Breast Cancer by Jennifer Warner, WebMd Health News) So, who the hell knows what else is being used. This alone should be enough for you to give your natural hair the consideration it deserves.
Are you thinking of going natural? Here are a few things to consider...
1. Consider slowing growing out the relaxer by decreasing the strength of the relaxer. For example, if you use a regular strength relaxer consider going to a mild or a texturizer while you adjust to a more natural look.
2. Find a hair stylist that specializes in natural hair.
3. Consider the look you think best fits you etc. dreads, short fro, or simply blowing your hair out.
4. Trim your hair regularly.
5. Use quality products
Blushing Ladies Speak: What are your beauty or hair issues/insecurities/revelations? Have you gone natural? Are you thinking about going natural?
