While the hair on the rest of my head readily surrendered to the smoking hot comb, my kitchen did not give up without a fight.
It was the area that my mother struggled with most during my hot comb rite of passage. If it took a double dose of chemicals or removal by razor to keep our kitchens in the closet, it was worth it.īut negative perceptions notwithstanding, the kitchen was a powerful place. Those of us who are deeply afflicted with nap denial have gone through great lengths to obliterate that shameful section of our heads. In that context, you can imagine how much our nappy kitchens are viewed with disdain. We already know that in unenlightened circles, nappiness is viewed as an unacceptable hair texture and the word “nappy” is a pejorative term. Hair that takes root and grows in our kitchens is the nappiest, curliest, kinkiest and the most resistant to change. It is the place where our most rebellious kinks congregate. The kitchen, dear readers, is also the nickname for the hair that resides at the nape of our necks.
The kitchen has still another cultural connotation for people with nappy hair. When we were young, the kitchen was where we went to undergo the unpleasant ritual of having our nappy hair straightened with the dreaded hot comb.īut if I am to stay true to my side profession I cannot stop there. I explained that for many black women born with nappy hair, the kitchen is not just a place where food is cooked but it was the place where our hair was cooked. As a confirmed napologist, I felt it necessary to enlighten my readers by putting the kitchen into its proper cultural context. This is especially important for infants, as their hair is so delicate and fine it would take very little effort to cause a lot of damage.Recently, I wrote a column about how kitchens are perceived by black women who were born with nappy hair. If you are a woman of color and you have textured hair yourself, you know how important it is to take care of it. Also, avoid styles that pull on your child's hair too tightly, because that can cause it to fall out. Rubber bands will cause friction on the hair and leave it badly damaged. When you style their hair, use smooth bands or covered elastic bands.
However, as they get older, try out different tyles depending on how long your baby's hair is. They are a choking hazard for one thing, and they can also cause the delicate hair to break. At the early stages of your child's life, avoid putting in heavy clips or decorations. When you leave a baby's hair loose and natural, you give it a chance to grow longer and stronger. Don't try to comb it out while it's dry, and a tiny amount of oil or cream moisturizer can help to detangle without tears. While you do this, only use a wide-tooth comb or soft bristle brush. You can comb out the tangles to prevent breakage. Virgin coconut oil or olive oil massaged into her hair and scalp could do wonders, but if you find you want a little something more to protect the texture, check out some of these products: Shampoo, Leave-in Conditioner / Daily Moisturizer, Moisturizing Hair Mist.īeautiful textured hair is kinky and it tangles easily. There are a lot of products out there that can care for textured hair, but at this stage in your child's life, you need to use natural products.
After you wash your baby's hair, you need to make sure it retains the moisture to avoid breaking.
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