Long, short, and wavy hairstyles have pushed their way to "center stage" with increased functionality and beauty. Hair extensions, coloring, straightening are now made increasingly possible with advanced designs and proper hair care.



What's new in Black & African American Hairstyles

Women's hairstyles have become more diverse with longer, wavier cuts becoming most popular in 2008. Thanks to Beyonce and numerous celebrities, smooth, silky and wavy designs are the look. For those of you with shorter hair, don't despair. The same techniques used for long hair apply equally to short hair as well.

Smoothing and straightening with  has become less damaging thanks to products containing Jojoba Oil. Mineral oil, used for years to clean and moisturize, is damaging to hair follicles. Jojoba oil has made intense styling more safe without as much risk of breakage or hair fall. Straightening, relaxing, perming and highlighting allow for some beautiful designs and the risk of harmful over-styling is becoming reduced.

For men, the short and tight look of the past few years is subsiding. Short, but more natural styles are coming on the scene with lengths from 1/2 inch to two inches most popular. Moisturizing conditioners, styling aids and periodic use of clarifying shampoos has allowed hair styles to maintain their luster and shine without depleting moisture.

Braids and dreadlocks continue to be the style for longer hair, but fast hair growth or extensions (or growing your hair a very long time) are necessary.

Keys to maintaining healthy Black Hair

Black and African American hair is dense and its molecular cell structure is compact. This leads to dryness. Sebaceous glands at the hair root emit sebum (oil) which is inhibited not only by the thickness of the scalp follicles, but by the often kinky or tightly wound nature of black hair.

Oils are unable to coat the follicle as efficiently therefore dryness, breaking and product build-up are common. Infusing moisture is the key to maintain healthy hair enabling advanced hairstyles.

Moisture can come from within - drinking plenty of fluids, maintaining a healthy diet of raw vegetables and fruits, avoiding moisture depleting styling, or hydration can be topically applied externally with rinse-out and leave-in conditioners and moisture shampoos.

Advances in Black Hair Products

In the past several years, two ingredients have emerged from manufacturers that have helped dramatically improve black hair products. One, LusterPlex, an active ingredient in many hair products, has been shown to greatly enhance the shine, sheen, silkiness and manageability of . Used primarily in shampoos and conditioners, it was originally formulated to add shine to long, smooth hair.

As often is the case with many products or ingredients, it found uses far more diverse. In studies it has been shown to improve tensile strength, strengthening weak or breaking hair, and greatly increasing shine, while softening - allowing for a new range of hair designs.

Two, Jojoba Oil has now taken its rightful place as a replacement for mineral oil. Often used to aid in styling, cleansing or to add hydration, mineral oil leads to damaged follicles and thinning. Jojoba oil naturally deep cleans and hydrates and leaves hair stronger while effectively removing dirt and product build-up that often lead to flakes and flaking.

Though used as an active ingredient in many hair products to increase cleansing, it is often combined with other "actives" such as Panthenol or Trichogen to soothe the scalp or increase hair growth.

Black hairstyles are beautiful and luxurious - and maintaining proper health and strength has enabled straightening, relaxing and perming to accelerate beautiful styles without damage and breaking.

Whether you're looking for smooth, straight and highlighted designs, or prefer short and natural, today's black hairstyles now provide beautiful, celebrity-like selection with black hair care and advanced active ingredients.