Hair is life - beautiful, unpredictable, and wild, with a few fundamental truths that help guide us along the way.
Anyone with textured hair knows that finding the right hair and scalp products and building your perfect routine is a journey. With so much (mis)information and so many hyped products, it can be overwhelming to navigate your own personal path to healthy hair. UZIMA was formulated especially for textured hair to help strengthen strands, balance the scalp microbiome, and simplify routines. Along the way, we’ve identified a few core truths that every coily and curly person needs to know.
Truth #1: Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp.
Scalp plays a huge role in the health of our hair. Our scalp's microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that protect and nourish our hair. Everything from our hair’s strength, length, volume and shine are supported by a balanced scalp microbiome. When our scalp is unbalanced, it can lead to hair problems like dandruff, dryness, and inflammation. So, to achieve healthy hair, we must first take care of our scalp. This means not over-washing or using harsh shampoos, and using products that promote a healthy scalp microbiome.
Truth #2: 60% of the global population has textured hair.
It's important to recognize that textured hair comes in a variety of patterns, thicknesses, and lengths. Within this vast group, the majority are BIPOC people who have unique hair needs. We must be mindful of this fact: all scalp care products are not created equal, and they may not all work for all types of hair. Textured hair requires special care that is different from people with straight hair. Understanding the nuances of our hair is essential to ensuring that we use the right products and techniques that yield the results we want.
Truth #3: The structural differences in textured hair require special care.
Straight hair has round hair shafts, making it easy for sebum to travel down the hair, providing moisture along the entire length of the hair. But in textured hair with a flatter hair shaft, the twists and turns in the hair create obstacles for the sebum. This makes it more difficult for the sebum to travel down the length of the hair shaft, often resulting in the scalp and roots having more oil, while the lengths and ends of the hair remain dry. These structural differences impact the distribution of sebum and other substances on the scalp, which may influence the scalp microbiome.
This unequal distribution pattern can lead to unique hair care needs. Textured hair often needs additional moisture in the lengths and ends, which can be provided through the use of hair oils, leave-in conditioners, and other moisturizing products. Meanwhile, the scalp may need regular cleansing and gentle detoxification to manage sebum buildup and maintain a balanced scalp microbiome. (But, be careful, as harsh cleansers may strip the scalp of necessary oils, causing dryness and irritation). Additionally, since our hair is often prone to dryness and breakage, it's essential to handle it with care. Minimize manipulation, wear protective styles like braids and twists when necessary, and avoid using heat tools too often.
UZIMA is rooted in one single commitment: to care for the unique needs of textured hair. It starts with scalp care. Healthy hair and a balanced scalp microbiome is not achieved overnight, but with consistent effort, you'll begin to see the results you desire. So, treat your hair with love, respect, and care, and watch it bloom.
