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Bamaloc205
"I'm High".
Global User
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 47
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
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The Mysteries of Afro/African American Hair Mini Faq... Well, not really...
Hello! Bonjour! Nee-How! Hola! WAZZUUUUUUUUUP!
I am BamaLoc205 but you can call me Bama for short. This lil' mini faq will give you insight on Afro/African American Hair texture and how very different the methods can be for such people of decent....
First, let us examine hair texture of Afro/African for there are 3 main types:
Coarse...
Tightly Coiled...
Soft and Wavy...
Coarse Hair type
This is the most common hair type of black people, esp. in Africa and southern states of USA. Best for locking out of all hair types. Because this hair type has the tendecy to knot and mat so quicky, most will add chemicals to tame the wild hair. For those who don't, most will braid it or dreadlock it. Also, this hair type doesn't need much to start locking, even backcombing is not needed!
Tightly Coiled
This is common hairtype for black people from European Countries and northern states of USA. It can lock like coarse hair, but it takes a bit longer. Most see this hair type as the middle child as it can be very diverse in style. Braids, Locks, Natural, Relax, etc. This hairtype needs a bit more to start locks but not like the final main type of hair...
Soft and Wavy
This is common for biracial blacks. Depending on genes, this is a wild card hair type as it can come coarse AND wavy or coiled AND soft. Locking rate varies but can create some of the most beautiful locks due to natual colors not found in coarse and tightly coiled hair.
Ok, sure they are different textures but all share the same characteristics... Oilyness, thickness, tendecy not to blow in the wind when long enough unless it's been chemically treated...
Now, I seen many people backcomb their hair here to achieve dreadlocks. Natural advantage for the Afro/African American type is many other methods work fine, if not better than backcombing but I can give you basic outlooks of each method...
Backcombing is good but very painful to most blacks because of the thickness of their hair.
Brushrubbing is the least painful of all method but there is a drawback, you must have hair shorter than 3 inches...
Comb coils are done with a rat tail comb. Looks like little nubs or ropes depending on lenth and needs lots of care. Most people with short hair will do this method.
Finger twists are like mini palm rolls. Less than 3 inches of hair. Coarse best type...
Finger twists w/ pins are basically like above but with clamps/pins. Best for Tightly Coiled and Soft and Wavy.
Organic Freeform a.k.a. Natural. Look at Bob Marley...
Sister/BotherLocs (tm) is a technique used by licensed locticians that can actually create or "sow" dreadlocks in a matter of hours. Minimum of 3 inches of hair.
Braids can turn into dreadlocks by simply braiding the hair and leave it braided for at least 4 months, unbraiding it, and let nature run its course. This method also promotes hair grow before initial dreading. Minimum of 3 inches of hair.
2 Strand Twists takes two strands of hair and twist them together . Kinda like a forced congo, but with absolue control over them.
Latch Hooking and Yarn Locks are basically latching yarn to hair or synthetic hair to natural hair to create dreadlocks. Must be learn by example.
Dreadperming is universal but expensive.
Now that you've seen all the possibles methods, which works best for Afro/African texture hair?
Top 3 are 2 Strand Twists, Finger Twists w/ pins, and Braids.
Very different outlook, eh?
Care for the locks...
When blacks begin their locks, most stop washing their hair for at least 3 weeks. When times up, they wash it gently then wait another 2 weeks then repeat, touching/retwisting locks when needed.
As for dryness, most use aloe vera and shea/cocoa butter and rub it in the locks and sometimes sclap if very dry.
Most Afro/ African American textured hairtypes can be locked with 8-10 months but no longer than 12 months.
Well, think I've covered mostly everything about Afro/African American hairtypes. Thank Bjorn for suggesting me to write this. Feel free to ask me any questions. Happy Locking!
:frizz:
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1/24/2007, 9:17 pm
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Mjudah
Global User
Registered: 01-2007
Location: Bay Area, Ca
Posts: 417
Karma: 5 (+7/-2)
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I start at scratch take me 6 months to lock up. I did stop using laureth/laurel sulfate sampoo and use dr. bronners. Don't use conditioner and left it to lock on his own. I see how you twists yours, I left mine to natural. You will look like trash for some month and your family will say to disown yuo, but you haffi grow di natty. I cut for job/school and I regret to do so. Is liike how capleton say "When you cut of di locks offa di rasta man, den the rasta coulda neva eva burn ah". Wise words from a man of hate. I have some good tip if this is your first set bama. You will start to feel like a new man and see new reactions of the people. Lot of new doors will open and a lot of old one will shut, but you have to keep trod. How long you done grow for?
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2/3/2007, 4:09 pm
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knottymonster
Global User
Registered: 04-2006
Posts: 1729
Karma: 14 (+14/-0)
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^agreed. I prefer natty for ALL hair types. The dreads have so much more character.
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2/4/2007, 9:30 am
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Terrence
Global User
Registered: 10-2006
Location: htown
Posts: 1020
Karma: 23 (+24/-1)
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sweet post bama!
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2/6/2007, 10:15 am
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Bamaloc205
"I'm High".
Global User
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 47
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
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Re: …
" QUOTE "
Mjudah wrote:
I start at scratch take me 6 months to lock up. I did stop using laureth/laurel sulfate sampoo and use dr. bronners. Don't use conditioner and left it to lock on his own. I see how you twists yours, I left mine to natural. You will look like trash for some month and your family will say to disown yuo, but you haffi grow di natty. I cut for job/school and I regret to do so. Is liike how capleton say "When you cut of di locks offa di rasta man, den the rasta coulda neva eva burn ah". Wise words from a man of hate. I have some good tip if this is your first set bama. You will start to feel like a new man and see new reactions of the people. Lot of new doors will open and a lot of old one will shut, but you have to keep trod. How long you done grow for?
Umm... WTF are you talking about. Dreads are any people who want them, not just Rastas. My hair never looks like trash. I keep my hair nicely groomed . You must be a Rasta, judging by your own typing accent. I am not a Rasta nor do I beleive in Jah. This faq is for people here who like to read about how Afro/African American textured hair and how it locks up, not its religious ties. My hair is locking up just fine btw.
Also, FYI, my job accepts dreads and my fam and friends love them so your advice/philosophy is poo. If you don't have any questions or comments that pertain to this faq, then I ask kindly to view instead of posting.
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2/6/2007, 9:24 pm
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hazevision
"I'm High".
Global User
Registered: 09-2006
Posts: 49
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
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So your hair texture comes from the state u live in? I think you need to check you sources son
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2/7/2007, 7:18 pm
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