Do Africans Have Dry Hair? The Truth You Need to Know

Understanding African Hair: What Makes It Different?

You’ve probably heard it said that "Africans have dry hair," but is that really the full picture? The answer is complicated, and it’s not as simple as labeling African hair as just dry. In fact, there’s so much more to it, and you’ll likely be surprised by the facts.

So, let’s break it down. African hair, or more specifically, the hair types common among people of African descent, can be categorized as coily or curly. The texture of the hair is quite unique, but dryness isn’t necessarily an inherent characteristic—it’s more about how the hair is cared for.

The Science Behind Dryness: Is It Genetic?

First things first: is African hair really dry because of genetics? Well, technically, yes, but let’s dive deeper.

The Natural Oil Struggle

African hair tends to be drier compared to other hair types, and this has everything to do with how oil (or sebum) travels down the hair shaft. With curly or coily hair, the twists and turns of the strands make it harder for the natural oils produced by your scalp to travel down the length of the hair. This creates the "dry hair" effect, as the oils don’t evenly distribute like they might in straight hair.

Let me tell you—I've spent years figuring this out for myself. I used to wonder why my hair always felt drier than my friends' hair, despite trying every product under the sun. Turns out, it was just how my curls were shaped. The struggle is real, right?

The Role of Hair Porosity

Now, let’s talk about porosity. It’s another big factor in hair dryness. Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. African hair typically has high porosity, meaning it can absorb moisture easily, but it loses it just as quickly. So even though your hair might soak in some hydration, it can dry out fast. This is where a good moisturizing routine comes in—something I learned the hard way!

Daily Hair Care: Tips for Combatting Dryness

Okay, so now that we understand why African hair is prone to dryness, let’s talk solutions. Don’t worry, though—this isn’t hopeless!

Hydration is Key

You need moisture. That’s the golden rule. Invest in hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and oils specifically designed for coily or curly hair. I remember having a conversation with my friend Nia, who swore by argan oil for locking in moisture. I was skeptical, but after trying it, I was hooked.

Don’t skip leave-in conditioners and deep conditioning treatments. I used to skip these steps, thinking I didn’t have the time, but trust me, once I started using them weekly, my hair felt so much softer.

Protective Hairstyles and Regular Trims

Don’t let your hair suffer through constant exposure to the elements. Protective styles like braids, twists, or even simple buns help protect your ends from breakage and moisture loss. Oh, and regular trims? You definitely don’t want split ends to add to your hair’s dryness. It’s something I neglected for far too long, and I paid the price in the form of brittle hair.

Debunking the "Dry Hair" Myth: What’s Really Going On?

Now, let’s take a step back. The idea that all African hair is dry can be misleading. Yes, African hair can be dry if not cared for properly, but when moisturized and maintained, it can be soft, healthy, and absolutely gorgeous. In fact, people with African hair often have incredibly strong, thick strands that are much more resilient than others once you learn how to care for them.

Understanding the Texture

You know, I used to envy my friends with straight hair. It always looked so smooth and shiny, and I’d wonder, "Why can’t my hair be like that?" But as I started to learn more about hair textures, I realized that African hair, in its natural state, can be incredibly vibrant and healthy when treated with the right care. Once I let go of the straight-hair obsession, I embraced my curls, and guess what? They’ve never been healthier.

The Bottom Line: African Hair Needs Care, Not Labeling

At the end of the day, African hair isn’t inherently dry—it’s about how it’s managed. With the right moisturizing products, regular maintenance, and protection, your hair can thrive. So, don’t fall for the stereotype that African hair is dry; rather, think of it as hair that needs a bit more attention and love than others. It’s all about finding what works for you.

Just remember, whether your hair is curly, coily, or somewhere in between, every texture has its own needs. So experiment, have patience, and most importantly—embrace your unique beauty.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.