QuoteReplyTopic: Have a couple questions about 'fros & braids........... Posted: September 14 2004 at 4:47pm
This is my first post btw. Im 17, male,Hispanic and have been growing out my nappy,unmanagable Afro-Carribean hair (which i guess can be considered African-American hair,right?) ever since May 2003, which makes it almost 1 1/2 years. As i speak my hair stretches down to almost about the end of my lower lip. I dunno how many inches it is or how to measure my hair. As early as this past January i started getting braids. Even though ive been growing out my hair for quite a while now im still in the dark about most things so i was hoping somebody here would be able to help. Here are the questions that first come into mind (with many more to follow):
1)Whats this i hear about getting a receding hairline from getting braids too much? Ive been getting them for about 9 months now and am paranoid about my hairline going back (it seems like it). Braids are the only thing i can pretty much do with this kind of hair at this point, and i dont wanna cut it off. Is this true cuz im only 17 and that **** is scary :(
2)Is there any way i can stop the tips on my braids from curling up all the time? It looks ridiculous when my tips curl up and hide behind my neck, as if i have really short braids or a braid haircut. Is there anything i can do about this or this is just the nature of my hair?
3)What sprays should i buy to keep my braids fresh? Ive been told oil spray, but i dont know which one to buy as their are many out there. I got some oil spray with olive oil & vitamin E with me but havent tried it. Im worried about picking the wrong one and getting dandruff because of it.
4)Are durags good enough to use while sleeping? I use them while sleeping of course to protect my braids and with anything that comes close to touching my braids.
Thats all for now. I dont wanna make my post long. I hope somebody can help me out here. Thanks!
Braids can give you a receding hairline and cause you to lose hair if you get the same style frequently(change directions) and if you get them done too tightly. i would suggest a 2-4 week break period in between braids. During the break you should shampoo, detangle and deep condition your hair(weekly)-it is ok to wear it in a ponytail during this time. The oil that you mentioned sounds great, other options are fantastix Daily moisturizing Hair thickener leave-in conditioner with shea butter and honey, or ginseng miracle wonder 8 oil (hair & body mist) original. You may want to start taking vitamins such as :biotin, black currant oil, msm, vitamin b complex and vitamin c. Drink plenty of water at least 64 fluid oz. daily. I hope this helps and yes a du-rag is fine to sleep in or a silk or satin scarf. P.S. there is nothing that you can do about the curling up, you have naturally curly hair like me and we all experience shrinkage- there is one solution-adding extensions which would stop the curling and allow you to wear the braids for up to 3 months. You must shampoo and condition your hair weekly whether it is in braids or not. i would suggest Aussie Mega Shampoo and a good leave-in conditioners such as Infusium 23 or the fantastix daily moisturizing hair thickener leave-in conditioner with shea butter &honey.
Me and you, your cousin and your momma too rollin on da strip on bow's
JustHaze
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Well i dont know if at this point i can do a ponytail. Ive tried but it seems to be such a burden to try and get all my hair to the back of my head. Is my hair not long enough for a ponytail yet? As for braiding styles ive been getting cornrows and slanted conrows ever since i started 9 months ago. And how would i be able to shampoo & condition my braids without messing them up (i know i cant wet them thats for sure). But still thanks for the help, i really appreciate it, im just left with yet more questions, on top of additional questions i have to ask. But im not gonna try and overwhelm and bore anybody so ill space them out. Man, taking care of this hair is so high maintenance
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Well thats going to be an issue though, as i go to school and cant afford to be maintaining such a MASSIVE 'fro such as mine all the time. And worse, people make fun of me and even go as far as provoking me when i have my 'fro I wear a headband, but as much as i attempt to fix my hair it makes me look kinda "girly". If i were to be able to do a ponytail, then that'll be a different story.........
You shouldnt be worried about what people say its YOUR hair and YOUR style. An afro is how your hair grow naturally many people of all races where their hair the way it grow naturally all the time ex. caucasion people, asian people. Yeah their hair grow downward so what thats how it grow, they got to get use to the fact that your hair grows in another direction. I rock my fro around school and people make fun of things they don't know. When you come to terms with yourself and how you were created than people making fun of you won't matter anymore.
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BC May 9, 2004
JustHaze
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The disadvantages and **** i have to go through while rocking a 'fro outweigh the advantages by a mile. People around here are just really ignorant and childish and really like to provoke stuff. Its like if you dress/look/act unique around here you will be pestered until the day you leave. I could easily be forced into fights just because im wearing my fro. I got more questions:
1)Should i spray my braids everyday? Or would that be overdoing it and cause me to get dandruff? I feel an itch right about now........
2)Should i have to wear a durag all day? I know that defeats the purpose of wearing braids but i figure its essential to keep your braids fresh.
3)Is it possible for me at this point to tie my hair into a ponytail while waiting to get my braids? (My hair goes as far as my lower lip when i stretch it against my face). Im seriously trying not to rock a fro...........
4)Is it possible that my hairline is receding already? Ive only been getting braids for 9 months now and its always been cornrows or slanted cornrows. A few of those times i took a couple weeks break. I notice that my hairline is starting to look rounder....
JustHaze
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Honestly, you must take a break and braid in a different direction every time you restyle. You are too young to be losing your hairline because you think wearing your fro is too much of a hassle. Your hair will thank you and if your true goal is really growth this is the right way to achieve it.
About your questions: Spray everyday at least 1-2 daily as needed. For the itches either shampoo with a pair of pantyhose over your braids so as not to mess them up and then condition as well after you take the hose off. Or you can also rub some tea tree oil on a cotton ball and rub that in between your rows.
You can wear a durag everyday if you choose to do so.
Me and you, your cousin and your momma too rollin on da strip on bow's
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