Don’t Believe Everything You Hear: Popular Misconceptions About Afro-Textured Hair And Haircare

Our Hair is “Coarse”

In the majority of cases, this is simply untrue. When most people think about the word “coarse” they immediately think of hair texture. Hence, hair that is kinky or tightly coiled is deemed coarse, particularly if it’s dry at the moment (when the cuticle feels it’s roughest). However, the term “coarse” refers to the actual diameter of the individual strands, not the texture. In actuality, the majority of us have fine hair.  (Believe it or not, Asian hair tends to be coarse. The strands are thick and it used to be notoriously difficult for them to change their hair color.) Your mane can be thick in volume (dense), but made up of fine strands. (It can also have a blend of fine and coarse strands, as well as different textures.)

Because the diameter of “coarse” hair is larger than fine hair, it also tends to be less porous. Every gap in porous hair is a point along the hair shaft that is vulnerable to damage. When hair is less porous and the cuticle layers tightly overlap each other (which is the way a healthy shaft of hair should be), the hair is more resistant to chemicals (relaxers, color). Fine afro-textured hair also tends to be porous, so please do your hair a favor and stop buying relaxers for coarse hair if you relax your hair. The likelihood that you will overprocess and harm your hair is much greater with heavier chemicals.

Also, when you think of your hair as “coarse,” psychologically and emotionally, it affects how you physically respond to your hair. Many women react by treating their hair like something that has to be tamed and subdued. Treat your hair with TLC like the fine, delicate lady that she is and she will reward you for it.