Because of the beauty requirements, some social media has been 

challenging for those who “hate” their natural hair.  Every day one can see people who voice the struggles they are experiencing with being “natural”.  It often means spending copious amounts on hair extensions and styling to keep up with the trends.  

I sometimes meet women who fall in this category and found from questioning them that their

reasons for avoiding their natural hair mostly makes sense.  The reasons I have been given are: 

• Takes forever to comb
• Does not grow very long
• Always seems dry
• They run out of ideas for style

What is funny about the reasons given by those who “hate” their natural hair, is that people with straight hair feel the same about theirs!  At the end of the day, many people want to just get out of bed and flick their hair and it just falls in place!  

If you are having challenges with your natural hair, here are a few reasons it may be so:

• You have not cut your hair in a proper style – taking your scissors and cutting the ends as you go is not a proper style.  Doing this makes it harder for your hair to keep a style and this makes you frustrated.

• The products you use for your hair care are either not good enough or too heavy for your hair.  Curly hair demands a lot of moisture but some textures do not need it.  You need to figure out what makes your hair dry or soft to the touch.
• If you use hair extensions, you need to take them out on a regular basis.  Your hair should be detangled and given a treatment.  
•  You are lacking some nutrients from your diet.  Many diets do not include vegetables and this is vital to hair growth.
• Get the tools that work for your hair.  Invest in hair clips, covered bands, silk caps; heat styling tools if needed and the products that go with that.

I hope this helps for those who “hate” their natural hair.  A hair care routine whether done by yourself or a professional is essential to your hair’s health and manageability.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books: “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.