Healing Herbs by Rene~
Natural Hair Dictionary~Natural hair care Related Terms.
Helping you understand some of the terms used
in Natural hair care today.
Accordion Method ~ This is a technique where you use a squeezing motion to scrunch the product into the tresses of the hair to encourage body and natural waves.
Accordion Technique ~ Scrunching product into the hair as if playing an accordion.
ACV~ Apple Cider Vinegar: This is used by some to restore the natural pH to the hair, clean and condition.
Afro ~This is a very popular natural hair style, often referred to as a “fro”, typically requires picking the hair into a rounded shape around the head.
Alopecia~ The term alopecia used alone refers to abnormal hair loss.
Alopecia Areata ~ This is an autoimmune disorder where an individual’s immune system attacks their affected hair follicles.
Alopecia Totalis ~ A condition where scalp hair is completely lost.
Alopecia Universalis ~ A condition where body hair is completely lost.
ALS ~Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. These are lathering agents in shampoo that can contribute to hair damage and hair loss.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ASL): Chemical ingredient found in most shampoos, stay away from it's is very drying.
APL~Arm Pit Length: refers to hair that reaches the armpit
Ayurvedic Regimen~This regimen uses all natural Indian products to grow healthy, thick, long hair. Some of the products include: Amla oil or powder, Henna, Neem, Vatika, Brahmi, Shikakai, Marshmallow root,
Aloe Vera Gel~Comes from the aloe vera plant. Aloe vera gel has a thickish consistency that is great for DIY products.
Banding~ stretch hair NO HEAT
BC~(Big Chop) Cutting off of natural or relaxed hair, very low to the scalp. Starting a new.
BA~Big Afro
BSL - bra strap length
BTW - By the way.
Breakage~Occurs when part of the hair strand breaks without the entire strand remaining completely intact. This is different from shedding because there is no white bulb at the root of the hair strand.
Braid Out~ when you take out your braids, it creatures a full, crimped hairstyle.
Bagging~ using a shower cap/ plastic cap, or plastic bag to do deep conditioning or deep treatments.Great technique for hair ends moisturized.
Buds (Budding)- First stage in locking. Small, young sections that will eventually grow out and mature as actual dreadlocks
BSS - Beauty Supply Store
BSL~Bra Strap Length: refers to hair that reaches the bra strap position on a female’s back
Buds (Budding)~First stage in locking. Small, young sections that will eventually grow out and mature as actual dreadlocks
Carrier OilThese are also known as base oils. They are used to dilute pure essential oils that if used on their own might irritate or burn the scalp or skin. Common carrier oils are olive, grape seed and Vitamin E oil. The oil can be a mix or it can be a single vegetable oil.
CBL: Collar Bone Length. This is a way of describing the length of a person’s hair. If a strand of hair can be stretched out to reach your collar bone it qualifies as CBL.
Clarifying~ Ensures that you will remove any dirt/oils and product build up from the hair using shampoos or natural products that are said to clarify. FYI, not all shampoos clarify and can put further build up on your hair, so make sure is says “clarifying” on the label.
Coarse~4c+hair texture
Coils~common in hairstyle short and medium length hair that looks like tiny spirals, sectioned curls
Cones = silicones: class of chemical ingredients that is found in many commercial conditioners for the hair; use of a detergent shampoo is usually needed to remove them from the hair
Co-wash = Washing the hair with conditioner, instead of shampoo; Is done most times to replace shampoos that include harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate
Cornrows
A hairstyle consisting of hair that is braided closely to the scalp using techniques that may involve three or more sections of hair.
CWCC~onditioner, Wash, Conditioner. Hair is pretreated with conditioner before shampooing to help it retain moisture. It is then conditioned again after washing.
Creamy crack ~TOXIC CHEMICALS, A not so affectionate term used to refer to permanent hair relaxers; nickname was given by those who found it hard to stop getting relaxers before they transitioned to natural hair
CG/ The "Curly Girl" MethodRefers to the “Curly Girl” method explained in thebook by Lorraine Massey. It is a philosophy for curls that involves, no or low shampoo usage, cone avoidance, and conditioner washing, just to name a few.
Deep Condition (DC)~Is when you use a leave in conditioner on your hair for a longer period of time, either with heat or no heat. Depending on the conditioner you use, this can aid in adding protein or moisture back into the hair.
Deep Treatment A (DT) is when you leave a moisturizing (or protein based, depending on your needs) conditioner on your hair for an extended period of time, along with a heat source to aid in penetration.
Demarcation LineThe place on the hair where natural hair growth and hair that has been relaxed meets. Breakage of hair strands is very likely at this line and requires very gentle handling to avoid breakage where the two textures meet.
Denman~refers to a the Denman (a company) series of brushes; a brush that is used widely among the natural hair community to help define curls
Dusting~Slight trimming of the hair,very little, The hair should look like dust falling during the trim.
Elasticity~ Showcases how the hair that can stretch out and return to its regular shape without breaking.
EO~ Essential Oils: refers to a large group of naturally occurring oils (For example: lemon oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil,etc.)
EVOO~ extra virgin olive oil
Freeform Fro~Afro with no style or changes made to it, wash and go no de-tangling.
Fine texture~Thin hair
Hair Cuticle~Hair cells on the hair strand that overlap and protect the inner layers of the hair known as the cortex and the medulla.
Hair Elasticity~The ability of the hair to be pulled or stretched out and return to its regular shape without breaking or snapping.
Hair Density~The number of hairs growing on the scalp per square inch. Density is qualified as thin (low), medium or thick (high).
HG Holy Grail. A group of products that you love and use regularly to care for your hair.
HIH~Hand in Hair (syndrome). This is a funny way of describing your lack of self control when it comes to touching your hair.
Hair Sebum~A coating of natural oil that protects the hair and makes it shinier. The straighter the hair, the more easily sebum can travel down the hair strand. Spiraling curls make it difficult for the oil to be distributed evenly down the hair strand and all the way down the shaft to the ends.
Hair textured chart~1a,1b,1c-2a,2b,2c,-3a,3b,3c,-4a,4b,4c
Hair Porosity: The ability of the hair to soak up moisture. The more porous a strand is, the more quickly water will be absorbed into the cuticle.
HHG~Happy Hair Growing
Henna~Custom In India, Henna is a plant used to make a mixture that essentially conditions the hair. Henna can also add a reddish tint to your hair.
Humectants~Ingredients in hair products that help draw moisture from the air and into the hair shaft. The hair can become dry if the air is dry as well, so usage of humectants is recommended when there is moisture is in the air.
Length Check: A technique performed to stretch, measure and record the length of the hair.
Length Retention: Gaining length to the hair by reducing or eliminating breakage from the ends of the hair. Maximum length retention can be achieved by wearing protective styles that require little manipulation and protect fragile ends.
Locs (Dreadlocks)- Hair is not detangled or combed turns into locks (popular in Rasta culture)
Lock in moister~steps for locking moister to hair, Liquid, oils, creams.
MBL~Mid Back Length. This is a way of describing the length of a person’s hair. If a strand of hair can be stretched out to reach the middle of your back it qualifies as MBL.
Natural Hair Revolution~Large amount of population going natural with there hair care.
Nappyversary/Naturalversary~ It the anniversary of the day you became a natural.
No-poo~ Washing method that does not involve the use of shampoo; co-washing is a type of no-poo method
Pineapple method- gathering hair gently on top of head with a scrunchie to preserve curls for 2nd day hair
Pre-Poo = Covering the hair with a deep conditioner or mixture of oils for 30 min. or more BEFORE shampooing the hair.
PJ~Product Junkie. Someone who buys too many hair care products. They have more than enough products already, but will still buy more.
Protective Hairstyles-~hair at rest, styles that require low to no manipulation and protect the ends of the hair. Protective hairstyles are like twists, coils and braids.
Regimen~Hair routine done continuously to maintain your hair in steps.
Scab hair~Newly grown hair that is dry, wiry and crinkly. If you recently big chopped and previously had a relaxer, the follicle may have been damaged previously from using the relaxer. Scab hair doesn’t represent the actual texture of your natural hair.
Sealing~ The first step is to apply a leave-in conditioner and/or a moisturizing cream; these must contain water as an ingredient for it to work. The last step is applying a bit of oil or shea butter all over, or just on the ends of the hair. This process seals the moisture from the leave-in or cream into your hair strands.
Seal in moister~steps for sealing moister in to hair, Liquid, oils, creams.helps stop
breakage.
Shrinkage - shortening of length due to curl tightness.
Sisterlocks~A hairstyle consisting of locs that are much thinner in size. Sisterlocks are created utilizing a weaving technique and patented tool created by natural hair expert Dr. JoAnne Cornwell.
Silicones: Short for silicones, which are found in hair products to help smooth, protect and add shine to the hair. In some cases, cones have been found to weaken the hair shaft.
SlipThis is used to describe how slippery a conditioner or detangling product is. The more slip it has, the more effectively it will coat the hair to aid in detangling.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)~Found in most shampoos, and is an ingredient to stay away from.
Transition~Becoming Natural, Refers to the transition from relaxed to natural hair
Twist Out~When you two strand twist your hair, then take them out to create a fuller look.
TNC~ Twist N’ Curl – When you two strand twist your hair and use rollers to give a different style.
TWA~Teeny Weeny Afro: Natural hair that is very close to the scalp; most times is the result of a Big Chop after a short transitioning stage
Wash and Go~Is when you wash your hair, apply your products and leave as is letting it dry. No manipulation is used, you just wash and go!
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