It's no secret that embracing and wearing natural hair has become increasingly popular in recent years, but despite this growing popularity, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions floating around about natural hair. Well, it's time to clear up all the confusion and debunk some of the most common natural hair myths. In this article, we’re tackling some of the most popular myths and differentiating fact from fiction.
1. Myth: You Can Only Grow Natural Hair With Braids
Fact: Natural hair grows regardless of what you do. The only reason braids are touted as a hair growth secret is because they help prevent breakage, so you can retain the length of hair growing out of your scalp, but they do not necessarily grow your hair. You can achieve the same amount of length retention from braids with other hairstyles like twist outs, wash n’ gos, or even rocking wigs like our kinky curly wigs. As long as you keep your hair properly nourished and avoid things that could cause tension and breakage, you will notice growth with or without braids.
2. Myth: Oils Can Moisturise Natural Hair
Fact: Oils are emollients made of lipids, and while they are amazing for improving the shine, softness, and strength of the hair, they are not moisturisers and do not keep the hair hydrated. If you want to moisturise your hair, you'll need a moisturiser with water-based ingredients that will infuse your hair with moisture and hydration. After using a proper moisturiser, you can then follow up with an oil to seal in that moisture and make your hair smooth and shiny.
3. Myth: Natural Hair Can Not Grow Long
Fact: Natural hair can absolutely grow as long as you do not have any health conditions stopping natural growth. The only reason this myth is prevalent is because of bad hair care practices. Natural hair is prone to dryness and can easily break off when it does not get adequate hydration or is manipulated with too much force. As a result of this breakage, your hair will remain in the same position and feel like it's not growing.
4. Myth: Dirty Natural Hair Grows Faster
Fact: This is probably one of the most damaging myths out there because it can actually affect the health of your hair. Dirty hair does not grow faster. You're natural hair absolutely needs to be washed frequently to remove build-up and allow your scalp to remain healthy. Leaving your hair dirty for too long can lead to dandruff, scalp itching and even breakage. Now, you do not have to wash your hair every day like other hair types, but try to do it at least once 1-2 times a month.
5. Myth: Natural Hair Is Always Tangled And Frizzy
Fact: Natural hair loves to curl up and fold into itself because of the way it grows, but this does not mean it is always tangled and frizzy. If you take your time to properly detangle your hair from ends to roots, it will remain smooth and tangle-free. Likewise, if your hair is properly moisturised, it will not get too frizzy.
6. Myth: Natural Hair Is Hard To Manage And Style
Fact: Natural hair isn’t automatically hard to manage—it just needs the right care routine. Once you understand your hair’s texture and unique needs, it can actually be low-maintenance. The idea that it’s “too much work” or too hard to style often comes from not knowing how to work with it, not against it. With patience and the right techniques, natural hair can be just as easy and even more versatile than other hair types.
7. Myth: Natural Hair Is Always Thick And Full
Fact: Natural hair exists on a spectrum, so it can appear different on everyone. While some people have thick high high-density curls, others can also have fine or low-density strands regardless of their hair type. So, it is very common to see two people with type 4 hair and one person will have full, luscious hair while the other will have very fine hair.
8. Myth: Wearing Your Natural Hair All The Time Is The Only Way To Be Really Natural
Fact: Natural hair is extremely versatile and can be worn in so many different ways. Whether you choose to rock your curls, straight hair, or hair extensions like our microlinks, clip-ins, or even wigs, as long as your natural hair is healthy, you still remain a natural girl.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, some of the biggest outdated myths we need to throw in the trash. The real fact is that natural hair is versatile, beautiful, and can do almost anything you want it to. So, whether you rock it with an afro, twists, braids, or even under a cute kinky curly wig, the most important thing is to embrace your texture in all its curly glory instead of letting some old myths hold you back.