For decades, ethnic hair has been a taboo subject – from the myths and misconceptions about its texture to simple things like proper maintenance and ways to care for it.  Ethnic women often find themselves frustrated by the lack of products and knowledge on how to keep their hair healthy. 

Celebrity hair stylist and “Hair Architect” Keith Campbell once said; “There is no such thing as white hair or black hair, good hair or bad hair.  Hair is just hair and has an identity like people have identities. Therefore, it should be treated as such.” 

Let’s take a look at a few of the fallacies and falsehoods pertaining to ethnic hair, and finally put to rest the misconceptions of ethnic hair.

Ethnic Hair Myth #1: Ethnic Hair Doesn't Grow

False: The truth is all hair types grow an average of 1/2 inch per month. While your hair is growing, you may not be retaining the length due to improper care (over-processing, too much heat, not enough moisture and using the wrong products). Most ethnic hair grows in a kink or a curl, preventing you from seeing its real length.  Which leads to the belief that it doesn’t grow long.

Ethnic Hair Myth #2: Ethnic Hair Needs Grease

False: You do not have to "grease" your scalp in order for it to be healthy.  A better approach to moisturizing ethnic hair is to apply natural oils directly to your strands, paying special attention to the ends rather than the scalp.

Ethnic Hair Myth #3: Ethnic Hair Is Hard to Manage

False: Ethnic hair can seem hard to manage if you attempt to treat it like you would other hair. If you use the same tools and expect the same results that you would on other hair, you're going to be disappointed.  Your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, natural boar bristle brushes and natural oils are the best ways to treat ethnic hair.

Ethnic Hair Myth #4: You Shouldn’t Use Products on Ethnic Hair That Weren’t Made For Ethnic Hair

False: Just because you have ethnic hair doesn’t mean that ethnic hair care products are best for you. Most products made for ethnic hair are full of ingredients like petroleum and mineral oil, which will only clog your scalp and attract dirt to your hair. This is not a healthy approach to your hair. Hair comes in many textures, from straight and fine to thick and coarse; and hair types are defined by its texture (fine, dry, oily, curly, coarse, etc.), so the type of hair should determine the products used.

Whether or not ethnic hair is considered good or bad is a thing of the past. You can cut, color, braid, weave, curl or perm it. You can love it or hate it; either way it’s yours.  If you want to achieve more beautiful, longer and healthier hair, just take care of it.  If you want it, you can have it; beautiful hair in every texture and type.