Hair Politics: Henna and curl loosening (a looong post)
*******Edit - 17/04/2009 - Please read the comments they represent many points of views and are all very poignant - Thanks all *******
So Naturally Leslie (see her very fab blog) asked.................... "So I was just wondering...if people begin to Henna specifically for the gravity or weighing down effect to loosen their curl pattern, can they still be considered natural???
This might be controversial for some people but the thought just crossed my mind. I read your other post about Lawsone being chemical and just wondered what you thought.
I know people henna for different reasons and some people experience the loosening effect even though it is more of a side effect, not goal. From the comments I read on some blogs, fotkis, etc I get the feeling that if some women could loosen (i.e. change) their curl pattern they would but they don't want the stigma of a chemical treatment(texturizer/silkener) to do so. Some people, even though they're natural, have not really accepted their natural texture and this idea of henna loosening the curl is appealing to them. What do you think about this?"
My eyes suddenly opened just a little wider. Let me first declare (again lol) I am a scientist and I love chemicals. Henna is a chemical treatment as is any semi permanent or permanent hair dye. I think some people are uncomfortable because the word chemical because it only means 'relaxer' but scientifically, many things are chemicals.
I do however draw my own personal line in the sand. I think that coloured hair is just coloured hair. A natural with Henna or any other hair colour is still a natural. The danger to me is when we choose to draw up boundaries, where would it end, who owns the definition? Hair conditioner deposits chemicals on the hair strand to allow the hair to feel soft, does this mean we shouldn't condition? Coconut oil penetrates into hair and helps to moisturise hair, does this mean we shouldn't moisturise? The greatest chemical of all, water (uh huh - I called it a chemical!), also helps to moisturise hair and is the greatest component in many hair products, should we not use it?
I completely agree that many women do still struggle with accepting their hair texture and the issues of curl worship are very very painfully real. I know the feathers will fly but I don't agree that the loosening effect is treated as a side effect, it is one of the top reasons alongside hair strand thickening to use Henna on many blogs/fotkis/forums. It is one of the top reasons because our curls are still seen as in 'need of loosening'. Why? I think that this is mostly because women want their hair to look as long as possible. Curly hair looks shorter, and the female aesthetic need is generally longer hair (looser curl=longer hair). Can you see the hair ad - longer, fuller, luscious, shiny beautiful hair.........from Pantene erm sorry Henna.
Jokes aside, I don't however think that Henna could ever drammatically transform anyone's hair texture for example I don't think anyone could go from type 4 hair to type 3 (if you care for the typing system). I definitely think that those with looser curls and fine hair are definitely the ones who should be worried as this combination may lead to losing your curls. I found a funny article to attest to this (DISCLAIMER : Please note that I disagree with 95-98% of this article especially turpentine on hair -which will not work).
I think that the farther we stray from natural hair, the more problems we experience. At the same time I recognise that people need to have fun and part of this is experimenting, styling, colouring and straightening. I know that I wouldn't be natural today without my relaxing experience. These are my rules
1. Everyone's journey is different, but ultimately before you jump in to try a technique, arm yourself with knowledge. See the benefits and disadvantages, would you do this to your mother or your best friend?
2. Don't try and copy the experience of someone who doesn't have your hair texture. Modify it for your own texture.
3. Learn what your hair likes and dislikes. Even if someone has your texture, they don't necessarily have your genes, your diet, your exercise schedule, your weather etc.
The floor is open to you. What do you think? Is Henna the curl loosening devil or a diamond in the rough for you? Why do you use/ will you not use Henna?
This might be controversial for some people but the thought just crossed my mind. I read your other post about Lawsone being chemical and just wondered what you thought.
I know people henna for different reasons and some people experience the loosening effect even though it is more of a side effect, not goal. From the comments I read on some blogs, fotkis, etc I get the feeling that if some women could loosen (i.e. change) their curl pattern they would but they don't want the stigma of a chemical treatment(texturizer/silkener) to do so. Some people, even though they're natural, have not really accepted their natural texture and this idea of henna loosening the curl is appealing to them. What do you think about this?"
My eyes suddenly opened just a little wider. Let me first declare (again lol) I am a scientist and I love chemicals. Henna is a chemical treatment as is any semi permanent or permanent hair dye. I think some people are uncomfortable because the word chemical because it only means 'relaxer' but scientifically, many things are chemicals.
I do however draw my own personal line in the sand. I think that coloured hair is just coloured hair. A natural with Henna or any other hair colour is still a natural. The danger to me is when we choose to draw up boundaries, where would it end, who owns the definition? Hair conditioner deposits chemicals on the hair strand to allow the hair to feel soft, does this mean we shouldn't condition? Coconut oil penetrates into hair and helps to moisturise hair, does this mean we shouldn't moisturise? The greatest chemical of all, water (uh huh - I called it a chemical!), also helps to moisturise hair and is the greatest component in many hair products, should we not use it?
I completely agree that many women do still struggle with accepting their hair texture and the issues of curl worship are very very painfully real. I know the feathers will fly but I don't agree that the loosening effect is treated as a side effect, it is one of the top reasons alongside hair strand thickening to use Henna on many blogs/fotkis/forums. It is one of the top reasons because our curls are still seen as in 'need of loosening'. Why? I think that this is mostly because women want their hair to look as long as possible. Curly hair looks shorter, and the female aesthetic need is generally longer hair (looser curl=longer hair). Can you see the hair ad - longer, fuller, luscious, shiny beautiful hair.........from Pantene erm sorry Henna.
Jokes aside, I don't however think that Henna could ever drammatically transform anyone's hair texture for example I don't think anyone could go from type 4 hair to type 3 (if you care for the typing system). I definitely think that those with looser curls and fine hair are definitely the ones who should be worried as this combination may lead to losing your curls. I found a funny article to attest to this (DISCLAIMER : Please note that I disagree with 95-98% of this article especially turpentine on hair -which will not work).
I think that the farther we stray from natural hair, the more problems we experience. At the same time I recognise that people need to have fun and part of this is experimenting, styling, colouring and straightening. I know that I wouldn't be natural today without my relaxing experience. These are my rules
1. Everyone's journey is different, but ultimately before you jump in to try a technique, arm yourself with knowledge. See the benefits and disadvantages, would you do this to your mother or your best friend?
2. Don't try and copy the experience of someone who doesn't have your hair texture. Modify it for your own texture.
3. Learn what your hair likes and dislikes. Even if someone has your texture, they don't necessarily have your genes, your diet, your exercise schedule, your weather etc.
The floor is open to you. What do you think? Is Henna the curl loosening devil or a diamond in the rough for you? Why do you use/ will you not use Henna?
Category Article Contribute, Hair Politics, Hair Science - Henna
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