History

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  Black hair products have a long history, starting in Africa. In ancient Egypt, men and women often shaved their heads, preferring to wear wigs. In some African cultures, women colored their hair with reddish dirt, and often stiffened the styles with cow dung. In recent times, Madam C. J. Walker is the woman responsible for introducing modern black hair products in the U.S. During the early 1900s, Walker developed many hair-care products, such as the Wonderful Hair Grower. She also created the hot comb, an invention that easily straightened the typically kinky hair type of black women and men. Building upon her inventions, different companies have contributed to black hair products. One notable company is Proline, which created the relaxer, a solution that permanently breaks down the kinky chemical bonds in the hair, making the shafts straight.
  
  

Significance

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  Black hair ranges from wavy to kinky curly. No matter where one falls in the range, black hair is noticeably drier than other hair types. The dryness is a result of the curliness of the strand. Oil distributes from the scalp to the hair, but if the follicles coil, it's difficult for the oil to reach the ends of the hair. This results in lackluster hair that is also easily breakable, because of the lack of lubrication. Using the right type of hair-care product alleviates the complications of dryness. Black hair products produce shiny, healthy-looking results, which boosts the appearance of an individual.
  
  

Types

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  The two most important hair products in the black community are moisturizing conditioners and relaxers. Not all black people use relaxers, but they all should use a moisturizing conditioner. Conditioners are important for black hair because they coat the individual hair strands and protect against heat damage or rough usage. Relaxers have been an important product in the black community since the early 1970s. A relaxer is a chemical that straightens curly hair. Although it permanently straightens hair that it's applied to, it does not affect new hair growth. It must be re-applied periodically to the newly grown, kinky hair.
  
  Traditionally, straight hair was the most sought-after style in the black community. In recent years, there's been a backlash against relaxers, with a movement toward natural hairstyles such as braids, dreads and twists. No matter which hairstyle is worn, conditioners remain vital to keeping healthy, damage-free hair.
  
  Another popular black hair product is the flat iron, which temporarily straightens hair by the use of heat. To maintain straight hair, many use a silk scarf or pillowcase. In contrast, cotton scarves or pillowcases rob the hair of any applied moisture. It also creates friction that leads to breakage. A scarf or silk bonnet is the best option for black hair, but a silk pillowcase is the next best thing. It allows the hair to glide across the pillow easier than cotton would.
  
  

Benefits of Washing Hair Daily

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  Although black hair is the driest hair type, it still needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Black hair can be rinsed daily with a conditioner, and shampooed one to two times a week. The type of shampoo used can greatly affect the results. Any shampoo that uses alcohol as its main ingredient will cause black hair to be even drier or more brittle. This is because the natural oil produced by the scalp cannot easily distribute down the length of a curly strand, making it naturally dry. Alcohol in shampoo is meant to strip the strands of the natural oil, but when used on hair that does not have oily strands, it creates brittle ends and damage.
  
  To avoid the drying effects of alcohol, some suggest using Apple Cider Vinegar as a clarifying shampoo. It removes dirt, and the odor of the vinegar does not linger after the rinse. Apple Cider Vinegar is a great complement to relaxers, because the vinegar has a neutralizing pH balance.
  
  

Misconceptions

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  Many black hair products market themselves as miracle cures to help hair grow longer, stronger and straighter. Because curly hair ranges in texture and type, product trial and error is often necessary. What works for one person may not work for the other.
  
  There is a strong debate between those who support natural hair and those who support relaxed hair. Those who prefer natural hair believe that relaxers chemically degrade the strength of the hair strand. Those who prefer relaxed hair believe natural hair is either difficult to maintain or unprofessional. Although there is not much room for compromise, both do agree that hair should be moisturized. Hair that is clean, nourished and well-maintained is always beautiful, no matter what side of the debate one falls on.