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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. 

Communication definitely is key and opens a lot of doors in your relationship some of which you never knew even existed. Remember the first time you met someone you got an attraction to and how you could talk for hours non stop? That is the bedrock of forming relationships. When you see something you don’t like, tell them. Same goes for something you like; complimenting does more than just put a smile on the face of your partner, it actually does help create a pleasant atmosphere for it to thrive on. If you feel uncomfortable about something, talk to your partner. Once whatever went wrong is properly discussed, whatever ice was freezing up the relationship immediately breaks. 

Some people don’t talk, they see something they disagree with or something that is literally wrong and keep it to themselves and then their attitude towards you changes and you’re wondering why; something a Nigerian would refer to as “carry me for mind”. 

 If by communicating your feelings to the other person they don’t take it well, then the relationship isn’t worth it after all. When you don’t talk it out, and be like: “okay, she did this, he did this... so I’m going to do this... ” without talking it out, that’s where the toxicity begins!!! 

Awkward silences, stealing weird glances, the atmosphere becomes uncomfortable and so will the relationship. I’m sure you get the idea.

 

Credit: Glow Rayy.