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Ok, this chart above is in one word….RIDICULOUS! There are way too many levels up there for me. I have seen a hair typing system with only 3 going up to C, but I’m making a predition that this particular chart will be found on more websites, blogs and vlogs.
Needless to say, this is becoming an increasing issue. Hair typing. Why is it necessary? Well, some say it aids in choosing hair products and getting hair care tips. I can and DO see that. It actually helped me when I was fumbling around blindly trying this product and THAT product wondering why some worked and others didn’t. When I paid attention to the person’s hair texture CLAIMING it worked for them, I understood there was a true difference.
Yes, I’m claiming ignorance. I truly didn’t know there was that much difference in black hair textures. I’m not stupid. I just never knew my hair would curl in it’s natural state so I assumed ALL Black women would have the same thing happen when they transitioned to natural hair.
I can ALSO see how it can drive a wedge between the hair levels. There’s no need to state the obvious about our color history in America. Whether I say, House Slaves vs. Field Slaves or paper bag test or good hair vs. bad hair; you know what I’m getting at. Is hair typing just another way to cause a division?
There’s a few opposing hair typing systems out there. There’s Fia’s, Andre Walker’s, LOIS, as well as Mizani’s. The last one was new to me. I understand there can be different types but all types seem to have the Kinkier textures towards the END of the spectrum. I’m just saying…
So…..is it helping or hurting? I say doing a little bit of both. As more Naturals rise from the depths of chemically altered hair, (did you like that?) we will see the hair typing systems continuing. Some are already angry as hell about it and I’m sure the animosity towards it will make room for new systems to come out trying to unoffend the offended. Experts will tout their system as correct and may start to discount others. I may be exaggerating but as long as there are debates over Natural vs. Relaxed hair there will be problems swirling around both and hair typing won’t be the only issue raised.
Take care Naturals,
Sabrina
