We know that not everyone is blonde or brunette, and not everyone has straight or wavy hair. Hair is diverse. However, this information hasn't yet reached most drugstores. They still operate on the "one-for-all" principle. This means there's one product from many different manufacturers, but always in the same form. This approach doesn't do justice to the curly and frizzy hair of people with darker skin, who require very specific care. Hair care isn't just hair care, and it's time that the diversity of society is reflected in the availability of hair care products.
Three hair types – three needs
Hair structure is categorized into Asian, African, and Caucasian hair types. All three differ in shape, thickness, growth, density, and texture. While Asian hair is almost exclusively straight, African hair is either curly, wavy, or wavy. Caucasian hair can be straight, wavy, or curly. Furthermore, African hair is associated with a different skin type. Therefore, not only the hair itself but also the scalp requires individualized care.
dryness
People with darker skin tend to have drier skin than those with lighter skin. Furthermore, the sebum produced on the scalp, which is meant to lock in moisture, is not distributed effectively in frizzy or curly hair. This leads to a particular problem for dark-skinned people with long hair: dry hair. There are some general recommendations for minimizing this issue:
- Don't wash your hair too often: Ideally, you should wash your hair no more than once a week. Washing it more frequently would minimize the distribution of sebum and further dry out both your hair and scalp.
- Use conditioner/hair mask: Apply conditioner or a hair mask after every shampoo. Massage the product in well and distribute it through your hair with a wide-toothed comb.
- Avoid friction: Too much friction – especially during sleep – can damage dry, frizzy hair. Wrapping it in a soft towel reduces the damage from friction against the pillow.
Proper care
Most drugstore products are only suitable for Caucasian hair types. A few hair care products specifically for African hair types are available online or in select specialty stores, such as Afrolocke at Douglas. However, we at Unrefined Riches believe that people of all hair types should have a sufficient selection of hair care products. That's why we developed our own hair care line. An intensive testing phase took place in November and December of last year to thoroughly examine the products. Now, we're making a few minor adjustments to be able to offer a comprehensive range of care products to all dark-skinned ladies and gentlemen with dry scalps and frizzy or curly hair.
