Black Hair Care Basics: American Academy of Dermatology Weighs In

It looks like a long fight to the finish in the battle over black hair. But while the natural versus relaxed debate rages on, experts are turning attention to how black women care for their hair, and practices that they say can lead to serious hair and scalp diseases for some people.

Beyond personal preference, proper hair care is the key to warding off diseases like seborrheic dermatitis and alopecia, says Henry Ford Hospital dermatologist Diane Jackson-Richards, M.D., who presented research on black hair at the the annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) conference in San Diego, News Medical reports.

While dermatologists are often the first line of defense in helping African-American women with hair problems, hair loss or balding being the fourth most common reason for trips to the doctor, Jackson-Richards says dermatologists are ill prepared to treat it. "Many women who have a hair or scalp disease do not feel their physician takes them seriously. Physicians should become more familiar with the culturally accepted treatments for these diseases," she said.

Dr. Jackson-Richards and the AAD recommend these best practices for hot (and healthy) black hair.

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Comments

[argument]

07:27 PM on 03/29/2012

the only times that my hair has ever been ruined was when i went to a "professional." it's hard to find one you trust, and i gave up on the search because frankly, i don't have enough hair to waste on bad stylists. i learned to do it myself and did it that was for 12 years.

[arachne646]

03:23 PM on 03/28/2012

There is no way a relaxer or perm done in a salon would be less damaging than one done at home; the products are no different. Of course, there are pluses to having all the mess and smells somewhere else, but if you and a friend want to do each other's hair, you will have the benefit of being able to see and reach much better. You'll be less likely to drip product on skin or scalp, which could scar hair follicles. Touch-ups are less damaging if only the new growth is processed, and this is much easier to do if you are looking down on someone else's hair than trying to do your own.


You can do all the things that prevent damage when straightening or heat styling or coloring hair, but the truth is, these all damage hair permanently, and the more of them you do, the more damaged your hair will be. There is absolutely nothing that will repair hair. You can use products to make it look and feel better, but the claims of products to "repair hair" are lies. They can only make claims like that in ads for cosmetics products. Try to damage your hair as little as possible, and cut it off when it gets too bad. That's the only permanent way to treat damaged hair.

[Victoria4319]

02:44 PM on 03/27/2012

Good tips that are very helpful. Thanks.

[kymber23]

12:40 PM on 03/24/2012

Perms, braids, weaves, bleaching, lack of trimming and heat styling weekly is bad for black hair. PERIOD. I'm 42 years old and have not permed my hair since I was 17, I've never used permanent hair color, I use heat styling maybe once a month and I trim my ends every month. My hair is crazy thick and hangs down my back when I do press it. The key to black hair is to leave it alone and keep it clean and moisturized. COMMON SENSE.

[imanormalalien]

09:30 PM on 03/23/2012

why is hair so complicated

[treacle234]

09:12 PM on 03/23/2012

Some of these tips are whack.

[Ivoire]

09:05 AM on 03/23/2012

I use shea butter 100% pure once a month. I wash my hair twice a week with a very smooth shampoo. And swallow brewer's yeast every day. That's all!

[Nisha Robinson]

06:24 PM on 03/23/2012

What are the benefits of using brewer's yeast? I've never heard of it before.

[Ivoire]

05:04 AM on 03/25/2012

It's good for hair growth. It helps to have brighter and stronger hair. It is also good for the skin and nails.

[KingGlorious]

03:29 PM on 03/22/2012

I am struck by the sight of so many black folks ignoring their hair. It seems that 5 out ot 10 black men are bald and about 5 out of ten black females wear fake hair. Embarrassing.

Famous saying:

What is important is not what is on your head but what is inside your head.

[sexynumber55]

06:18 PM on 03/22/2012

"Famous saying:
What is important is not what is on your head but what is inside your head."

Right, so how is what other people choose to do with their hair an embarrassment to you and who exactly are you embarrassed in front of?

[Lechiffre]

06:09 AM on 03/23/2012

That quote is as silly as saying it doesn't matter if someone doesn't take basic hygiene rules seriously as long as they have Einstein's brain. what world do you guys live in. I don't want to see strands of a weave on my way to the cantine . This is disgusting .

[KingGlorious]

12:49 PM on 03/23/2012

Sexymumber55-

If black people want to wear fake hair or use blue contact lenses to make their eyes look blue or wear white face, it's their life. From my view, looks embarrassing....

[MizzAfrodite]

07:20 PM on 03/21/2012

What are some good heat protectants? I'd love suggestions.

[crystal clear 919]

08:58 PM on 03/21/2012

I'm looking for a good, deep, at home conditioner.

[sexynumber55]

12:04 AM on 03/22/2012

Try mayonnaise and a raw egg yoke. The cholesterol is what you want. For added moisture, add a little virgin olive oil in the mixture. Then after you rinse out the deep conditioner add a little more olive oil to your hair. If that is too much work, you can always get a cholesterol and olive oil mixture at your local beauty supply. I think that the homemade version is by far the best though.

[LeftRightCenter]

12:49 AM on 03/22/2012

mayo & heat

[icey27]

01:44 AM on 03/23/2012

Either way if you use heat to often even with protectant's the heat is bad for your hair! Don't know what your hair type is but stay away from heat as much as possible!

[MizzAfrodite]

08:47 AM on 03/23/2012

I don't use heat very often at all. In fact, I used heat to straighten for the first time in about a year just the other day, but I know I didn't have a good heat protectant so that’s why I’m asking. I'm wearing my hair curly now, but the next time I straighten, I do want to make sure my hair is as protected as possible.