Let's face it, natural Black hair is dry.  Sure, we can argue about how it only appears that way because unlike straight hair, our hair has difficulty refracting light.  This decreased ability to refract light makes our hair seem less shiny and therefore dry, but the reality is, our hair is dry. 

Many women who choose natural Black hair as their style of choice suffer from dry hair and scalp conditions.  In fact after going natural, many women experienced increased dryness in comparison to when their hair was relaxed.  If natural Black hair is supposed to be healthier, why is it so dry?

Natural Oil
Our hair secretes a natural oil called sebum.  Sebum is an oily substance secreted by our sebaceous glands that makes hair and skin waterproof.  It works to protect our hair and scalp from drying out.  When sebum is secreted properly, our scalp is considered "normal;" there are little to no flakes and no signs of dry or oiliness.  At its "normal" state, our hair will grow healthy, strong and long.

For people with African/Black hair, our hairs structure decreases the ability of sebum to distribute itself properly.  Natural Black hair has many twists, coils, curls and turns.  Where sebum can easily slide and glide its way down naturally straight hair, it has to work harder to reach the ends of natural Black hair.  This slow distribution process often leads to an accumulation of sebum close to or at our scalps.

Have you ever noticed that within a few days of greasing your scalp that your hair begins to smell?  Gunky, funky scalp build-up often accompanies the odor and days later we find ourselves "scratching our scalp" to remove dead skin cells, dandruff and the source of the odor only to apply another layer of oil or scalp dressing.  It's a never ending cycle, but what causes it?

The development of odor after greasing one's scalp is often the result of sebum being broken down by bacteria outside the body.  Yes, there's something eating at the grease, oil and sebum residues on your hair and scalp.  So instead of helping/replacing the sebum which is having difficulty doing its job, oils and scalp dressings often make things worse.  What's in these products that causes them to hurt instead of help?

Unnatural Consequences
Many over-the-counter products contain cheap manufacturing ingredients that suffocate our scalps.  Mineral oil and petrolatum are often the primary ingredient in many products targeted to people with Afri-ethnic hair.  Unfortunately, they don't easily absorb into our skin.  Thus, instead of mimicking sebum and forming a protective layer, these ingredients inhibit the distribution of sebum and lead to bacteria growth.

So what are we to do?  Our hair is unable to efficiently distribute sebum and is therefore dry, yet applying OTC oils suffocates our hair and scalp causing unhealthy conditions.

Natural Substitutes
Natural oils and butters are far better at mimicking sebum.  They easily absorb into our skin and reduce dry scalp conditions.  Unlike mineral oil and petrolatum, they allow our scalp to breathe and therefore do not inhibit natural sebum production and distribution.  And since they don't seal in sebum, we're less likely to get bacteria growth and odor.

Naturally Better for You
Depending on your hair and scalp's current condition, some natural oils are better than others.  For example:

• Jojoba: For drier, badly damaged hair.

• Sesame: For oily, badly damaged hair.

• Olive: For normal hair-not too oily, not too dry.

• Coconut Oil: For oily hair.
  

So the next time you grease your scalp, consider what you're using and why.  You should avoid any and all products containing petrolatum and mineral oils because they end up creating more problems than their worth.  Instead opt for natural and organic product lines such as naani's naturals which offer products that utilize natural ingredients to alleviate Black hair and scalp issues.

The following all-natural and organic products are great for natural Black hair and scalp.  Click here for more information:

Aromatherapy Organic Herb-Infused Hair Oyls are available in three varieties:

• Akira's Organic Herbal Infusion Conditions Hair & Soothes Dry, Flaking Scalp.
• Meeka's Organic Herbal Infusion Nourishes and Soothes Dry, Itchy & Smelly Scalp.
• Quisha's Organic Herbal Infusion Refreshes and Cleanses Dry Hair & Itchy Scalp.

KiJona Rosemary Hot Oyl Treatments available in Jojoba, Sesame and Olive Oyl depending on your hair type.

THE Elixir Hair Growth Herbal Scalp Oyls aromatherapy formulas promotes new hair growth.

Spritz It! Ultra-Light Hair Oyl conditions, moisturizes and lubricates hair and scalp.

Aromatherapy Moisturizing Hair & Body Mist features Jojoba, Shea and Olive Oyls.