Today's Black Hairstyles have increased in beautiful design and diversity thanks to new formulations in black hair products allowing hair to maintain strength, reduce breakage and maintain moisture. Long, short, and wavy hairstyles have pushed their way to "center stage" with increased functionality and beauty. Hair extensions, coloring, straightening are now made increasingly possible with advanced designs and proper hair care.
What's new in Black & African American Hairstyles
Women's hairstyles have become more diverse with longer, wavier cuts becoming most popular in 2008. Thanks to Beyonce and numerous celebrities, smooth, silky and wavy designs are the look. For those of you with shorter hair, don't despair. The same techniques used for long hair apply equally to short hair as well. Smoothing has become less damaging thanks to products containing Jojoba Oil. Mineral oil, used for years to clean and moisturize, is damaging to hair follicles. Jojoba oil has made intense styling more safe without as much risk of breakage or hair fall. Straightening, relaxing, perming and highlighting allow for some beautiful designs and the risk of harmful over-styling is becoming reduced.
For men, the short and tight look of the past few years is subsiding. Short, but more natural styles are coming on the scene with lengths from 1/2 inch to two inches most popular. Moisturizing conditioners, styling aids and periodic use of clarifying shampoos has allowed hair styles to maintain their luster and shine without depleting moisture. Braids and dreadlocks continue to be the style for longer hair, but fast hair growth or extensions (or growing your hair a very long time) are necessary.
Keys to maintaining healthy Black Hair
Black and African American hair is dense and its mocleculare cell structure is compact. This leads to dryness. Sebaceous glands at the hair root emit sebum (oil) which is inhibited not only by the thickness of the scalp follicles, but by the the often kinky or tightly wound nature of black hair. Oils are unable to coat the follicle as efficiently therefore dryness, breaking and product build-up are common. Infusing moisture is the key to maintain healthy hair enabling advanced hairstyles. Moisture can come from within - drinking plenty of fluids, maintaining a healthy diet of raw vegetables and fruits, avoiding moisture depleting styling, or hydration can be topically applied externally with rinse-out and leave-in conditioners and mositurizing shampoos.
Advances in Black Hair Products
In the past several years, two ingredients have emerged from manufacturers that have helped dramatically improve black hair products. One, LusterPlex, an active ingredient in many hair products, has been shown to greatly enhance the shine, sheen, silkiness and manageability of black hair. Used primarily in shampoos and conditioners, it was originally formulated to add shine to long, smooth hair. As often is the case with many products or ingredients, it found uses far more diverse. In studies it has been shown to improve tensile strength, strengthening weak or breaking hair, and greatly increasing shine, while softening - allowing for a new range of hair designs.
Two, jojoba oil has now taken its rightful place as a replacement for mineral oil. Often used to aid in styling, cleansing or to add hydration, mineral oil leads to damaged follicles and thinning. Jojoba oil naturally deep cleans and hydrates and leaves hair stronger while effectively removing dirt and product build-up that often lead to flakes and flaking. Though used as an active ingredient in many hair products to increase cleansing, it is often combined with other "actives" such as Panthenol or Trichogen to soothe the scalp or increase hair growth.
For more information on black hairstyles and black hair products for African American and ethnic hair types, visit Healthy Hair Plus.
