Black Women Who Do Not Wash Their Hair Consistently

APOPHIS

APOPHIS

Autodidact / Polymath
Platinum Member
Hey, ladies, this is not a female bashing thread nor do I want it to be, but I would like to get your opinions on this issue. I know many sistas are very sensitive regarding their hair and go to great lengths to sport what's deem/perceived as the norm, but I have noticed that many sistas are very unhygienic regarding follicle maintenance.

I often smell the chemicals (mixed w/ sweat) which stems from washing the hair bi-weekly when conversing with some females and I'm often left with a nauseating feeling afterward. How can I respectfully tell these women that their hair is malodorous?
 
What type of activities do these sistas engage in that will cause their heads to sweat to the point that there is a noticeable scent?

You are probably just sensitive to the smell of the hair products. Sistas hair don't naturally smell under normal circumstances.

This is not a matter of personal hygiene.
 
Well, just say, "your hair stinks." You could always use the less confrontational approach of sniffing and saying "what's that smell?"

A lot of women are misinformed about washing their hair. There is the myth in the Black community that washing the hair more often will cause the hair to fall out or break off. (I should really say getting the hair wet at all). I know the chemical/hair product smell you speak of but I haven't actually ever smelled anyone's scalp sweat.
 
Hmmm, I've definitely smelled chemicals in hair before, but very very rarely have I ever smelled actual sweat or odor. That's probably a general hygiene issue with that person. Don't really know of a nice way to tell someone that their hair smells gross...

P.S. Most of the issues about not washing hair have more to do with "I just got the wrap and it cost $60 and I'm gonna make it last" and "I don't really know how to do my own hair so I'm not going to touch it until I go back to the salon" then concerns that it will make your hair break off. All in the same, it's still not good to go two or three weeks between washings.
 
Liquidheater said:
What type of activities do these sistas engage in that will cause their heads to sweat to the point that there is a noticeable scent?

You are probably just sensitive to the smell of the hair products. Sistas hair don't naturally smell under normal circumstances.

This is not a matter of personal hygiene.
Click to expand...

:yes:

I have noticed that the more I try to find natural products for my hair the less chemically it smells and the more it smells like...hair. My daughter's hair was last styled last Saturday and you can only smell her hair if you literally stick your nose in it and it smells faintly fragrant.
 
You can always suggest to her as if you genuinely care. You can put it nice and gently. "Ya know sis. I bet you'd look good with _______ kind of hairstyle. I noticed you perm. You know they say like with perms and stuff with new growth and sweat and like sistas don't wash their hair like they should. You ever heard of that black soap? I heard if you wash you hair with that black soap like every other day. Your hair in a short time will come out strong but soft and healthy looking? You ever heard that? My friend....she went natural and started using black soap. It's not that expensive she say....."

Something like that. There's a way to tell somebody something nicely all the time. You don't have to cut a person to make them listen to you.
 
whoalilmomma said:
Hmmm, I've definitely smelled chemicals in hair before, but very very rarely have I ever smelled actual sweat or odor. That's probably a general hygiene issue with that person. Don't really know of a nice way to tell someone that their hair smells gross...

P.S. Most of the issues about not washing hair have more to do with "I just got the wrap and it cost $60 and I'm gonna make it last" and "I don't really know how to do my own hair so I'm not going to touch it until I go back to the salon" then concerns that it will make your hair break off. All in the same, it's still not good to go two or three weeks between washings.
Click to expand...

:yes:

Agreed.
 
LoneStar29 said:
I wash it about 2 times a week
Click to expand...

Is this the norm for females? (Blacks in particular)
I thought it was bi-weekly?

Legacy_Infinity said:
You can always suggest to her as if you genuinely care. You can put it nice and gently. "Ya know sis. I bet you'd look good with _______ kind of hairstyle. I noticed you perm. You know they say like with perms and stuff with new growth and sweat and like sistas don't wash their hair like they should. You ever heard of that black soap? I heard if you wash you hair with that black soap like every other day. Your hair in a short time will come out strong but soft and healthy looking? You ever heard that? My friend....she went natural and started using black soap. It's not that expensive she say....."

Something like that. There's a way to tell somebody something nicely all the time. You don't have to cut a person to make them listen to you.
Click to expand...

I will try that.

I have tried similar approaches, like have you ever thought of going natural--less maintenance. As a response, I usually get: "I don't wanna have to put some African stuff in my hair? :hmm:
 
APOPHIS said:

I will try that.

I have tried similar approaches, like have you ever thought of going natural--less maintenance. As a response, I usually get: "I don't wanna have to put some African stuff in my hair? :eek::hmm:
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WTF

I heard a chick say if she let her hair grow out it becomes 'Africanized'. And then I had to listen to another chick try to justify the usage and define 'Africanized hair'.


:hmm:​
 
APOPHIS said:
I will try that.

I have tried similar approaches, like have you ever thought of going natural--less maintenance. As a response, I usually get: "I don't wanna have to put some African stuff in my hair?
Click to expand...

LOL Yeah i've gotten that before as well. That's when i go the extra step and tell them that no matter what MASSA told you? You're african too. And yeah it's your decision it's important to be informed of ALL manner of things concerning your health and well being sis.
 
APOPHIS said:

Is this the norm for females? (Blacks in particular)
I thought it was bi-weekly?

Again, this is only because most women who are relaxed or wear their hair straightened only go to the salon every other week. I'm natural (and straighten only about twice a year) and I generally wash my hair about once a week, but that's because I wear my hair twisted up a lot. Women (naturals) who wear their hair out more, like Lonestar, generally wash more. I think the average is probably like once or twice a week though.

I have tried similar approaches, like have you ever thought of going natural--less maintenance. As a response, I usually get: "I don't wanna have to put some African stuff in my hair? :eek::hmm:[/COLOR]
Click to expand...

:smh: You're dealing with some rats.
 
APOPHIS said:

Is this the norm for females? (Blacks in particular)
I thought it was bi-weekly?
Click to expand...

I dont know

It is what my hairdresser suggested to me when I started growing out my hair natural and I have been doing that ever since

"middle finger" tried to tell me sistas are supposed to wash their hair everyday but that is FALSE ... we are not white women and are not supposed to care for our hair the same way as them ... and the white girls I know usually wash their hair every other day

Obviously a chick with a weave cant wash it as many times if she can wash it at all ... I'm not sure:confused:
 
APOPHIS said:
Hey, ladies, this is not a female bashing thread nor do I want it to be, but I would like to get your opinions on this issue. I know many sistas are very sensitive regarding their hair and go to great lengths to sport what's deem/perceived as the norm, but I have noticed that many sistas are very unhygienic regarding follicle maintenance.

I often smell the chemicals (mixed w/ sweat) which stems from washing the hair bi-weekly when conversing with some females and I'm often left with a nauseating feeling afterward. How can I respectfully tell these women that their hair is malodorous?
Click to expand...
You are asking 2 different questions really. If the frequency she washes her hair has something to do with the smell or if it is the chemicals/products she uses on her hair. It is different for each woman and is complicated by the fact that some women work out/sweat more and others do not. Then you add in a weave or braids that have been in for a long time. Long story short: if a woman's hair smells bad enough that you have to open a thread, you can't reasonably assume anything about her hygiene because several things can be making the scent dissatisfying to you.

Specifics: I wash my hair every week. If I go to the salon and get it straightened, I try to make it last 2 weeks, but usually need to wash by 1.5 weeks LOL. My poor checkbook. If I work out, I sweat into my hair and I have to wash it sooner. Something that I was doing to contribute to my hair getting dirty faster, was putting too much moisturizer/liquid oil in it to fight dryness. This attracts dirt. But many of us were raised to do this. Now I use a really light product and about a "dime sized" amount of it once or twice a day. Then I oil my scalp with a light oil very 2-3 days as needed. Works wonders :yes: (I know you did not ask all of that, but just sharing my success story)
 
APOPHIS said:

Is this the norm for females? (Blacks in particular)
I thought it was bi-weekly?



I will try that.

I have tried similar approaches, like have you ever thought of going natural--less maintenance. As a response, I usually get: "I don't wanna have to put some African stuff in my hair? :hmm:
Click to expand...

Most black women who go to salons wash every 2 weeks.

Also I don't necessarily think it is your place to suggest hair changes to women who are not your relatives or VERY close friends or girlfriend...that's like me telling you that I think you would look nice bald or with a caeser (I love your hair, don't change it, just an example) :)
 
Most chicks have perms. I myself use conditioner only in my hair everyday. I wash it only when I have buildup from products or whenever I need to clarify. But that's one of the benefits of being chemical free not worrying about getting your hair wet.
 
followup said:
You are asking 2 different questions really. If the frequency she washes her hair has something to do with the smell or if it is the chemicals/products she uses on her hair. It is different for each woman and is complicated by the fact that some women work out/sweat more and others do not. Then you add in a weave or braids that have been in for a long time. Long story short: if a woman's hair smells bad enough that you have to open a thread, you can't reasonably assume anything about her hygiene because several things can be making the scent dissatisfying to you.

Specifics: I wash my hair every week. If I go to the salon and get it straightened, I try to make it last 2 weeks, but usually need to wash by 1.5 weeks LOL. My poor checkbook. If I work out, I sweat into my hair and I have to wash it sooner. Something that I was doing to contribute to my hair getting dirty faster, was putting too much moisturizer/liquid oil in it to fight dryness. This attracts dirt. But many of us were raised to do this. Now I use a really light product and about a "dime sized" amount of it once or twice a day. Then I oil my scalp with a light oil very 2-3 days as needed. Works wonders :yes: (I know you did not ask all of that, but just sharing my success story)
Click to expand...

Followup,

This is very useful information to know. So, I guess maintenance varies from women to women (especially for those who can & can't afford it)
 
followup said:
Most black women who go to salons wash every 2 weeks.

Also I don't necessarily think it is your place to suggest hair changes to women who are not your relatives or VERY close friends or girlfriend...that's like me telling you that I think you would look nice bald or with a caeser (I love your hair, don't change it, just an example) :)
Click to expand...

I get your point.

I'm just put off by the all too common African reference by women.
 
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I have to agree with the folks who are saying it's a person specific issue if someone'shair has an odor that strong.

Hair maintenance varies person to person, generally no one should wash hair daily because it strips the hair, natural or relaxed. In the summer when I wear my hair curly I was 2X a week and I don't use Shampoo (yay discovering co-washes) unless its build up, maybe 1x a month I use a clarifying shampoo.. In the colder winter months I do not wash my hair as often because 1. Even if I pay someone it takes abt 2 hours and doing it myself takes 2x as long, and my hair still smells good 2 weeks in. It could be a person's products or routines that have her hair smelling funky. 2. Going outside w/ damp hair in 20 degree weather is asking for pneumonia! 3. Its hella expensive! Even if I got paid 10x more than my salary why would I want to waste it @ the hair salon every week?!
 
APOPHIS said:
Followup,

This is very useful information to know. So, I guess maintenance varies from women to women (especially for those who can & can't afford it)
Click to expand...
Yup :yes:
APOPHIS said:
I get your point.

I'm just put off by the all too common African reference by women.
Click to expand...
I know...and we do a lot of damaging things to our hair too...here and on the continent.
Cleopatra_J said:
3. Its hella expensive! Even if I got paid 10x more than my salary why would I want to waste it @ the hair salon every week?!
Click to expand...
Girl, I have no relaxer and I went to a new stylist where I live now. She was telling me I should try a weave because it's lower maintenance. Talking about after buying the hair and her fee it costs $300, but lasts up to 6 months...I told her I need to wash my hair and I'm not keeping anything in for that long. She said you can wash the weave :hmm: she was Ethiopian too and it was a shocker. Like do you not see this big head of hair in front of you? :confused:
 
followup said:
Yup :yes:

I know...and we do a lot of damaging things to our hair too...here and on the continent.

Girl, I have no relaxer and I went to a new stylist where I live now. She was telling me I should try a weave because it's lower maintenance. Talking about after buying the hair and her fee it costs $300, but lasts up to 6 months...I told her I need to wash my hair and I'm not keeping anything in for that long. She said you can wash the weave :hmm: she was Ethiopian too and it was a shocker. Like do you not see this big head of hair in front of you? :confused:
Click to expand...

She was trying to make that dollar. :lol: YOU were not cooperating and getting with the program! lol
 
Met my ex yesterday. She had a fresh perm in. lol i thought of this thread. I smelled it, she smelled like perm and lemon hair grease. lol I liked it.
 
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