sithembile
Well-Known Member
Hi,
I found this page on this information on hair care from a trichologists/hair scientist's website, it might be useful to some. Especially the info on itchy scalps:
Afro-Caribbean Hair
Negroid hair type (syn. Afro-Caribbean hair)
- one of the world's three basic hair types.
Country of origin - Africa
Hair Characteristics:
Natural colour - black with multiple helices.
Hairshaft cross-section examination reveals the characteristic oval configuration.
Hairshafts are usually dry woolly and vulnerable to breakage:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TTS
DISORDERS/DISEASES AFFECTING AFRO-CARIBBEAN SCALPS
This article contains material supplied by Renee Lagrange LTTS
a trichologist specialising in Afro-Caribbean hair. (click to view website)
DANDRUFF (pityriasis simplex capitis)
A scaly scalp often mistakenly considered to be a dry scalp.
The scalp like skin, undergoes cyclical renewal and dead cells are constantly being shed.
In cases of plaited hairstyles, extensions, weave-ons, locks, twists, these epidermal cells accumulate on the scalp and with regular applications of oils and greases together with trapped perspiration, may initiate a scalp irritation eventually resulting in a dermatitis.
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS
An itchy scalp condition caused by an allergic reaction to material in contact with the scalp. It can be attributed to a number of external factors, most commonly to improperly applied chemical relaxers, build ups of heavy cosmetic products, glues used in weaving techniques and generally unhealthy scalp conditions. Subsequent applications of pomades and oils on an itchy scalp will result in folliculitis manifested by pustules surrounding the hair follicles. The inflammatory cells accumulate in response to bacteria that are able to proliferate within the partially occluded follicles. Secondary infected dermatitis causes the hair follicles to become damaged resulting in various degrees of hair loss and possibly the formation of disseminated keloidal scarring due to continual scratching.
Contact dermatitis needs early treatment in order to alleviate further possible sensitisation and to avoid irreversible damage to hair and scalp.
ACNE CHELOIDALIS NUCHAE
A skin condition affecting the nape of the neck which may persist for years. Initially small round itchy bumps appear within the hair-bearing area at the occipital region of the scalp. Pustules may form around the hair follicles. The bumps become small scars which eventually will enlarge to form Keloids.
Causes: buried in-growing hairs often following dry razoring or close clipping.
Treatment: topical antibiotics for low grade infection
oral antibiotics for secondary infection.
topical steroids
avoidance of trauma to the area, eg: sustained friction from clothing
removal of in-growing hairs by tweezers.
KELOID
A benign condition resulting from excess collagen formation, presenting as smooth hard growth of raised scar tissue. Once formed, they do not regress but tend to join together and although they generally grow slowly they may become large.
Cause : usually a response to injuries (major or minor) including insect bites.
Treatment :
The treatment of choice appears to be a course of local injections of corticosteroids.
The patients are usually seen at monthly intervals and the course of the treatment may be quite lengthy, many times over a year.
Radiotherapy, excision and cryosurgery are not recommended on Black skins as these methods could produce further scarring.
NEURODERMATITIS
Cause: tight plaiting over a long period of time.
A localised area of the scalp, most often the crown and temporals, may feel very sore for months after the plaits have been removed.
KERION
A dermatophytosis (ringworm infection) presenting as boggy, oozing inflammatory lesions of the scalp caused by trichophytum tonsurans. Temporary hair loss is usual although scarring may occur in severe cases.
Treatment: prescription medicines e.g. (Grifulvin V® ) and oral steroids in severe cases. Your doctor may require blood tests.
HAIR MAINTENANCE (GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS)
The hair texture may be coarse, but Afro-hair due to its particular configuration is fragile.
Every twist and turn is a weakness, a breaking point.
Climatic conditions and environmental factors e.g. central heating, Ultra Violet rays, cold weather etc may compound the hair's existing dry condition.
Afro-Caribbean hair can look healthy shiny and retain reasonable length , whether in its virgin or chemically processed state if given the proper care and attention at all times.
Black hair requires careful management on a daily basis to restore any loss of tensile strength and maintain a natural balance of moisture.
Critical guidelines (to be followed to achieve best results):
Chemical processing must be carried out by a professional.
Do not relax your hair more than once every 10-12 weeks.
Do not press, blow dry, hot tong, or use heated rollers.( they strip the hair of its moisture thus causing irreversible damage to hair structure resulting in on-going hair breakage and disastrous cosmetic effects Wet set hair and dry under hooded hairdryer.
After shampooing do not rub the hair with the towel but gently blot the water off (sustained localised friction will cause hair breakage)
Do not massage the scalp (massaging the scalp has no beneficial effect on the hair and is not effective in promoting hair-growth. It may cause hair breakage)
Avoid the use of glues in weaving techniques.
Ensure that braiding, plaiting and weave-ons do not pull your hair at the scalp level as this may result in permanent hairloss as is often seen at the sides and frontal areas of the scalp.
Remove braids, plaits, weave-ons after a maximum of 3 months and do not redo this for at least 6 months.
Do not apply oils on an itchy scalp.
© 2002-Renee Lagrange LTTS
I found this page on this information on hair care from a trichologists/hair scientist's website, it might be useful to some. Especially the info on itchy scalps:
Afro-Caribbean Hair
Negroid hair type (syn. Afro-Caribbean hair)
- one of the world's three basic hair types.
Country of origin - Africa
Hair Characteristics:
Natural colour - black with multiple helices.
Hairshaft cross-section examination reveals the characteristic oval configuration.
Hairshafts are usually dry woolly and vulnerable to breakage:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TTS
DISORDERS/DISEASES AFFECTING AFRO-CARIBBEAN SCALPS
This article contains material supplied by Renee Lagrange LTTS
a trichologist specialising in Afro-Caribbean hair. (click to view website)
DANDRUFF (pityriasis simplex capitis)
A scaly scalp often mistakenly considered to be a dry scalp.
The scalp like skin, undergoes cyclical renewal and dead cells are constantly being shed.
In cases of plaited hairstyles, extensions, weave-ons, locks, twists, these epidermal cells accumulate on the scalp and with regular applications of oils and greases together with trapped perspiration, may initiate a scalp irritation eventually resulting in a dermatitis.
ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS
An itchy scalp condition caused by an allergic reaction to material in contact with the scalp. It can be attributed to a number of external factors, most commonly to improperly applied chemical relaxers, build ups of heavy cosmetic products, glues used in weaving techniques and generally unhealthy scalp conditions. Subsequent applications of pomades and oils on an itchy scalp will result in folliculitis manifested by pustules surrounding the hair follicles. The inflammatory cells accumulate in response to bacteria that are able to proliferate within the partially occluded follicles. Secondary infected dermatitis causes the hair follicles to become damaged resulting in various degrees of hair loss and possibly the formation of disseminated keloidal scarring due to continual scratching.
Contact dermatitis needs early treatment in order to alleviate further possible sensitisation and to avoid irreversible damage to hair and scalp.
ACNE CHELOIDALIS NUCHAE
A skin condition affecting the nape of the neck which may persist for years. Initially small round itchy bumps appear within the hair-bearing area at the occipital region of the scalp. Pustules may form around the hair follicles. The bumps become small scars which eventually will enlarge to form Keloids.
Causes: buried in-growing hairs often following dry razoring or close clipping.
Treatment: topical antibiotics for low grade infection
oral antibiotics for secondary infection.
topical steroids
avoidance of trauma to the area, eg: sustained friction from clothing
removal of in-growing hairs by tweezers.
KELOID
A benign condition resulting from excess collagen formation, presenting as smooth hard growth of raised scar tissue. Once formed, they do not regress but tend to join together and although they generally grow slowly they may become large.
Cause : usually a response to injuries (major or minor) including insect bites.
Treatment :
The treatment of choice appears to be a course of local injections of corticosteroids.
The patients are usually seen at monthly intervals and the course of the treatment may be quite lengthy, many times over a year.
Radiotherapy, excision and cryosurgery are not recommended on Black skins as these methods could produce further scarring.
NEURODERMATITIS
Cause: tight plaiting over a long period of time.
A localised area of the scalp, most often the crown and temporals, may feel very sore for months after the plaits have been removed.
KERION
A dermatophytosis (ringworm infection) presenting as boggy, oozing inflammatory lesions of the scalp caused by trichophytum tonsurans. Temporary hair loss is usual although scarring may occur in severe cases.
Treatment: prescription medicines e.g. (Grifulvin V® ) and oral steroids in severe cases. Your doctor may require blood tests.
HAIR MAINTENANCE (GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS)
The hair texture may be coarse, but Afro-hair due to its particular configuration is fragile.
Every twist and turn is a weakness, a breaking point.
Climatic conditions and environmental factors e.g. central heating, Ultra Violet rays, cold weather etc may compound the hair's existing dry condition.
Afro-Caribbean hair can look healthy shiny and retain reasonable length , whether in its virgin or chemically processed state if given the proper care and attention at all times.
Black hair requires careful management on a daily basis to restore any loss of tensile strength and maintain a natural balance of moisture.
Critical guidelines (to be followed to achieve best results):
Chemical processing must be carried out by a professional.
Do not relax your hair more than once every 10-12 weeks.
Do not press, blow dry, hot tong, or use heated rollers.( they strip the hair of its moisture thus causing irreversible damage to hair structure resulting in on-going hair breakage and disastrous cosmetic effects Wet set hair and dry under hooded hairdryer.
After shampooing do not rub the hair with the towel but gently blot the water off (sustained localised friction will cause hair breakage)
Do not massage the scalp (massaging the scalp has no beneficial effect on the hair and is not effective in promoting hair-growth. It may cause hair breakage)
Avoid the use of glues in weaving techniques.
Ensure that braiding, plaiting and weave-ons do not pull your hair at the scalp level as this may result in permanent hairloss as is often seen at the sides and frontal areas of the scalp.
Remove braids, plaits, weave-ons after a maximum of 3 months and do not redo this for at least 6 months.
Do not apply oils on an itchy scalp.
© 2002-Renee Lagrange LTTS
