* Greasing the scalp will help with “dry-scalp“ syndrome.

No, it won’t. “If your scalp is excessively dry, applying oil to it will not help — you may have a different problem,” Alexis says. A flaky scalp is sometimes caused by a type of yeast overgrowth on the skin, resulting in a condition known as sebhorreic dermatitis.

Since scalp is skin, it’s susceptible to the same conditions as skin on the other parts of the body — acne, folliculitis or impetigo. It’s best to see a dermatologist if your dry scalp persists.

I can wash my hair every day.

It depends on the hair type and texture. Very kinky to curly hair tends to be drier. If your hair is natural — no chemical process has been added to your hair — it’s OK to rinse it everyday in the shower as long as a light conditioner is used, says Tyama Arawole, a natural hair care consultant with clients in Washington, D.C., and New York.

“Natural hair loves water, but it’s still important to keep it protected,” she says. The extra curly hair cuticle — or outer layer — makes it more difficult for the oil secreted from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair, so don’t forget to moisturize the hair, she says.

For relaxed hair — chemically processed for a straighter look — washing the hair once weekly is recommended. That’s why it’s important to lay off the heavy, petrolatum-based (petroleum jelly) products, Alexis says. “Excessive washing can dry out relaxed hair, but you don’t want to weigh it down with heavy product,” he adds. Use light moisturizers and avoid excessive heat. And when you do wash it, make sure you use a deep conditioner.

* Heavy, oily products are best for my hair because it‘s so dry in winter.

Back away from the heavy products. It makes sense that people want to grab the heavy body lotions and creams to soothe their dry skin during the winter, but it doesn’t work for their hair, says dermatologist Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke‘s-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City.

“Greasy products may actually [clog hair follicles and] cause other problems including scalp folliculitis and acne on the forehead and temples [pomade acne],” he says.

Silicone-based products are best for use as daily hair moisturizers. (Hint: The label won’t say silicone. Look out for dimethicone as a key ingredient.)

Black Hair Care Guide: How to Winterize Your Hair

Found this article on a site called. I thought it was well-written and contained some good solid information and reminders about caring for nappy hair so I’d thought I’d share. Enjoy!

Date updated: April 20, 2007
By Tina Johnson-Marcel

With hundreds of hair care products on the market, making the right choice can be confusing. But caring for ethnic hair comes with its own challenges.

African-American hair is more prone to breakage and dryness — especially in the winter. It may look tougher, but it’s actually more fragile than Caucasian hair.

Trying to find the right products, choosing the right styles and sticking to a maintenance schedule can prove a hassle.

And some of the “tried-and-true” advice for other ethnic groups is just plain wrong for African-American hair.

So let’s demystify some of those common misconceptions:

Fusion Removal