If you’re observant enough, you would notice that the trend of permed or relaxed hair is slowly fizzling out; although  some people would argue relentlessly that keeping a permed hair is more comfortable and easier to maintain than the tough kinky Afro God-given hair. Nonetheless, people(especially women) are beginning to discover ways to take proper care  of their natural tresses and if the right effort is put in, it is definitely worth the ride. 

 

No matter the quality and properties various boxes and cups of relaxers promise you, honey, chemicals are still chemicals and they’d do what you want them to but the long term result is usually not as satisfying.

 

Drawing from my own experience with my Afro journey, I have been to pinpoint some takeaway reasons you can consider especially if you want to undertake this journey but are afraid due to the many myths surrounding its growth and maintenance.  These reasons include:

 

1. Growth Retainment: Believe it or not, your hair retains more growth in its Afro form than when you have relaxed it. While shedding of hair is a completely normal process, you can be sure that every time you run a comb through processed hair, more than a few strands of hair usually fall off and except you are taking very good care of it, you end up with problems like split ends and breakage. The Afro hair on the other hand, doesn’t fall off as much due to its tough nature(especially the 4c type) and all you need do, is apply some water to soften it before you comb and those curls will bounce to Glory with very little or no breakage depending on how healthy your hair is.

 

2. Curly Goodness: The Afro hair with its curly nature is undeniably gorgeous to look at. It has this attention grabbing effect especially if properly taken of. People who keep their Afro hair understand this as when they walk into a room, the first people will probably notice, is that halo of hair. Curls are the cutest and most attractive form of hair and more than just looking at it, people itch to touch it too! Don’t let them though(winks).

 

3. Pocket Friendly Manageability: Maintaining the Afro is cheaper if you’re brave enough to deal with all its accompanying unique qualities. No salon touch ups needed and definitely no expensive relaxer kits. 

Just get a good shampoo or you can make do with the African black soap which is actually a better option, a good leave-in conditioner and of course, water to keep it moisturized and you’d be just fine. Too broke to get your hair done in a salon? You can simply sit in front of a mirror and do some twist outs to avoid shrinkage and you’re good to go.

 

4. Sense of Originality: Only people who have grown their natural hair at some point can understand this reason. Keeping the Afro hair comes with a sense of originality, a sense of something kept intact and a sense of pride. The African hair in all its glory looks like a magnificent crown and its owner definitely feels like royalty. It speaks of your heritage and African roots especially if you claim to be proud of when you come from.

 

 

 How else could she explain this overwhelming desire to skip the preliminaries of anonymity and just say: “Hi, I think we share a connection”. And on days when she managed to hold his glance, she saw eyes that only helped to reaffirm this. They were eyes that shared a similarity and familiarity that frightened as well as comforted her.