Old School Practices You Should Consider Ditching

1. Using “grease” to oil your scalp (Blue Magic, Ultrasheen, etc.)

This very old school practice was once considered a treat and darn near a religious experience to have someone “grease your scalp”.  Most little girls spent Saturday afternoons between their mother’s legs with a jar in tow.  It was supposed to treat dry scalp, add sheen and provide nourishment to the hair strands. 

Reasons to Reconsider

·         Clogs the pores

·         Attracts dirt

·         Weighs down tresses leaving a greasy feeling

2. Scratching dandruff

This old school practice often went hand in hand with old school practice #1.  This is the act of going through the hair section by section with a comb and scratching the partings in the hair, thus lifting all the dandruff and dry flakes from the scalp.

Reasons to Reconsider

·         Causes  irritation to the scalp

·         Causes damage to the hair at the root

It is also not recommended to scratch the scalp when shampooing or co washing.  Gently massage the scalp without using fingernails is sufficient.

3. Brushing your hair 100 times per day

This practice was at one time considered the key to growth stimulation and blood circulation.  What we know now is that nothing good can come from excessive brushing. 

Reasons to Reconsider

·         Causes split ends and breakage

·         Causes permanent damage to the hair cuticle

Blood circulation can be achieved through scalp massages.  In addition to aiding in stress reduction, scalp massages strengthen the hair shaft and follicle.

4.   Referring to our coils as “good hair” or “bad hair”

Although this is very old school thinking, it is unfortunately still very much a part of our hair culture. 

Reason to Reconsider

·         Good hair is merely healthy hair and does not refer to curl pattern or hair type. 

5.   Teasing or backcombing

This old school practice played an essential part in achieving big hair.  The act of holding the hair strand up with one hand while combing the hair down to the root with the other hand is the basic definition.  It is still widely used when creating updos and big buns. 

Reason to Reconsider

·    While it does create volume, it can also cause massive tangling and stress on the hair strands leading to split ends.

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XOXO