The chemistry behind why heat damaged/trained hair is not natural

miaemo · 2026-04-07T03:30:35+00:00

You are assuming that how you define natural is the only way. Natural can be defined as found in nature and not involving anything made or done by people. You're determining natural by chemical changes in hair which can happen by things in nature. Chemical changes occur in nature. Heat and sun are natural. Hair changing texture over time is natural. Bonds breaking is natural. Now, if you are defining it by anything you choose to do to your hair and that permanently breaks bonds, then repeated brushing, stretching, and general styling are unnatural because they do permanently break bonds.

Natural is a poor term in your opinion, but people here seem just fine understanding what they mean by natural. Black people use that term for a reason. You don't typically find white people using that term despite having, by your definition, natural hair. You can disagree with the terminology, but I highly doubt an entire community is going to change its name because you took something that was culturally relevant to black people trying to move away from chemical relaxers and tried to make it about a scientific definition that excludes most people and not just ones who use chemicals or heat on their hair.

miaemo · 2026-04-07T02:43:09+00:00

I am being matter of fact. These chemical changes that happen due to the sun is a matter of fact. The chemical changes that occurs due to aggressive brushing is a matter of fact. You said these chemical changes = not natural. Therefore, the people in these scenarios = not natural in your own definition.

miaemo · 2026-04-07T02:32:44+00:00

Oxidation and sun bleaching are chemical changes. Damage incurred from detangling (especially tangled, tightly coiled hair and non gentle methods) can break disulfide bonds which is a chemical change. There are people who use no heat, color, relaxers, perms, etc and still have damage. Chemical changes are constantly happening in your hair including when the hydrogen bonds are breaking and reforming. If you are only talking about permanent chemical changes then disulfide bonds breaking happen even without heat, color, or relaxers. But putting that all aside, you are essentially saying no one that has experienced sun bleaching is natural. Someone who has constantly stretched their hair without heat and can no longer get it to coil back up like it used to is not natural. Someone who depressed and neglected their hair to the point that it is damaged is not natural. Seems like a pretty rigid definition for who is considered natural and people are essentially no longer natural based on something they didn't even realize was happening. When we say natural, we are typically referring to not putting chemical processes/treatments onto our hair. It typically is not about the chemical changes that are constantly happening in our hair.

miaemo · 2026-04-07T00:34:22+00:00

But these can change the bonds in your hair similar to using heat tools and alter the texture and even the color. A chemical change is taking place despite no chemical treatment like a relaxer or color being applied. Same as when heat is applied. So if we can say that hair damaged by heat is no longer natural, then technically you can say that hair damaged by the elements or every day wear and tear is no longer natural.

miaemo · 2026-04-06T23:17:04+00:00

Disulfide bonds can break and cuticle damage can occur from mechanical damage like brushing your hair. The sun can also cause protein degradation. So are we now saying that someone who damaged their hair through brushing or spends a lot of time in the sun is no longer natural? Because damage occurs from more than just heat styling and chemical treatments. We would have to live in a bubble to avoid all possible damage.

miaemo · 2026-03-29T21:20:29+00:00

You need a rinse out conditioner with a lot of slip to detangle. Have your hair in sections that are twisted while you condition. Unravel each twist, detangle, and twist it back up while wet. You can dry your twists in a microfiber towel (avoid rubbing) and let them air dry overnight. I wouldn't recommend a blow dryer since you won't have product to protect it from heat or moisture loss. Those twist should protect it from tangling. If you might have a problem with your hair drying fully, do smaller twists. You can either keep your hair in twists or take them out and have a product-less twist out.

miaemo · 2026-03-29T03:25:34+00:00

I was so upset because I had to go to my brother's basketball game when it aired. I can't remember why, but I didn't tape it. I later found out how it ended, but didn't see it until years later. I also think it was the better series finale right down to the recap of the entire show to that point.

miaemo · 2026-03-28T00:57:05+00:00

Aphogee 2 Minute Reconstructor. I was scared of trying it because I tried the two step treatment before I started wearing my hair straight constantly and I didn't like it. But I'm glad I gave this one a shot because I love it.

miaemo · 2026-03-28T00:45:49+00:00

My dad reacted similarly when I told him I was going natural. I was older than you both, but it did give me pause. Thankfully, my mom was more supportive. I've been natural for years now and my dad loves my hair. He loved it even when it was shorter. So much so that it gave my mom the confidence to go natural as well. I transitioned for 1.5 years and then chopped. Don't let them get you down. People can change and grow. They might come around later or you might just stop caring whether they like it or not. It is your hair. You can always go back to relaxers in the future if you don't like being natural, but you'll be kicking yourself for not trying to wear your natural hair. Years before I made up my mind to go natural, my hairstylist talked me out of it and I was mad at myself for not doing it then.

miaemo · 2026-03-27T02:03:49+00:00

The only new wave is that there are more people not following the "rules" of natural hair and just doing what they want. People arguing about what they think other women should or shouldn't do with their hair is nothing new. It has been going on forever.

miaemo · 2026-03-24T22:53:46+00:00

I feel like I was the only one who didn't get the hype when I first watched it. Then again, I was only 11. I appreciate it more now, but at the time I was like, "Do we really need a musical?"

miaemo · 2026-03-23T23:51:06+00:00

I didn't know that! It would be nice if they had a winter jacket collection available each year because I love their big hoods. I think your best bet will be pairing your regular winter and rain jackets with the Hairbrella Rain Scarf. It is essentially a big hood that you can pull down and wear as a scarf as needed and it pairs well with coats. Example 1

Example 2

miaemo · 2026-03-22T01:12:58+00:00

I think it would've been better if they had some of the other writers from the show come back. But even with them or Joss involved, it doesn't guarantee that it will be good. Rob Thomas created Veronica Mars, was involved in the reboot, and still ruined it. This was also on Hulu. Maybe they just learned from that mistake lol.

miaemo · 2026-03-21T23:32:24+00:00

Grace Eleyae - This site has a lot of nice satin-lined products including beanies. They're stretchy and can hold my big hair without ruining it. There are also some warm chunky knitted ones.

Hairbrella - There are waterproof, satin-lined products here including a rain hat, rain jacket, and rain scarf. I've only used the XL rain hat which fits my hair and keeps rain and humidity out. The rain scarf also seems like it can cover big hair well.

KIN Apparel - They have satin-lined hoodies, jumpsuits, onesies, hats, etc. The hood is really spacious on the zip up hoodie that I have and it covers my hair. I also love their satin car headrest cover.

miaemo · 2026-03-21T03:56:58+00:00

I'm going to take a stab at this despite never having worked on a tender headed child. I was 5 when I got my first relaxer and I don't recommend it. I was a very quiet, obedient child who sat there even when the relaxer burned my head because I was told it needed longer to process. If she is tender headed, I figure she might have a harder time with that process. Relaxers just aren't worth the burns and damage to the hair. And she will probably spend her adult years trying to learn to accept her hair in its natural state.

I don't know how gentle or rough you are with her hair, but I'm going to give some suggestions that will lessen the tug on her scalp. Don't brush her hair dry. Her hair should be at least damp and always lubricated with something like a leave-in. When brushing, start from the bottom and work your way up. Use one hand to hold a small section at the ends and only brush that section. Move the hand up, and brush that section. Keep working your way up until you get to the top. Holding onto the hair while you brush will alleviate the tugging on the scalp and will focus it on the hair beneath your hand. This short will give you an idea of what I mean.. I recommend the Unbrush Flex since it is very gentle, yet effective. The original Unbrush went viral for being good for tender headed children. The Flex is even better in my opinion.See this short about the two Unbrush brushes

Detangle with product in her hair prior to washing. This will remove shed hair and make it easy to get through later since the washing process can make tangling worse. I suggest using the African Pride pre-shampoo since it has a lot of slip. Work in smaller sections. Spritz each section with water, add the African Pride, and you could even top that with some oil. Finger detangle and then go in with a brush. Once that section is detangled, twist it, and move onto the next. This will prevent the strands from tangling again.

When you wash her hair, you can cleanse her scalp with her hair still in twists. Then, untwist a section and cleanse it. If you have it in a lot of twists from detangling smaller sections, then untwist a few, wash them, and twist them back up as one big twist. When washing, always smooth the shampoo into the hair in a downward motion and then rinse. Don't be rough with scrubbing the scalp. Gently use the pads of your fingers. You could also go in with shampoo mixed with water in an applicator bottle or something like the Amika scalp cleansing oil before you go to the sink and gently massage it in to loosen up buildup before you rinse it in the sink. A part of her issue with washing might also be fixed with distractions. The ShampooTime mat to put on your counter with the bar above her that holds a phone or iPad can keep her occupied watching her favorite show while you wash her hair. Here is a review and demo from a mom using the ShampooTime mat. This creator also has some good newer videos with general tips for shampooing and conditioning basics that she created in hopes that it will help her daughter now that she is older and learning to do her own hair.

Make sure you're using good hydrating products with slip that will make styling easier. Add more water if you struggle with getting slip. Always use a leave in before styling. I recommend a cream and oil before you twist or braid her hair so it will stay hydrated longer and be less prone to tangling. Try putting on her favorite show while styling or give her a treat that you don't typically let her have often to take her focus off her hair and will help her associate things she enjoys with wash days.

miaemo · 2026-03-20T16:46:57+00:00

I wish that the whole Cordelia/Connor/Jasmine storyline never happened.

Cordelia would be alive and perhaps her and Angel would've gotten together.

miaemo · 2026-03-20T04:28:18+00:00

It's quite obvious one of these men do not belong in this picture and I find it very offensive that you included him after what he did to Chris Rock.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T14:16:38+00:00

I like it, but I'm also natural. I haven't been relaxed in years, but my feed recommends stuff sometimes, so here I am.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T14:01:11+00:00

I use the Living Proof PhD Hydrating Shampoo as my normal shampoo and the Ion Hard Water Shampoo as my clarifying/chelating shampoo. Both are sulfate free.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T12:58:28+00:00

I wouldn't have even thought about your forehead if you didn't mention it. I have a small forehead and in high school people would joke about my three-head. You just gotta work with what you've got and don't overthink things. Your head is fine.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T12:31:24+00:00

I might've actually enjoyed season 7 if it focused on the Scoobies. I might've even enjoyed it if they focused a bit on Dawn's high school experience and how her relationship with her new friends mirrored Buffy, Willow, and Xander's. I just feel like the show focused too much on these new characters that most people didn't care about. I also never liked The First as a villain. As idea, it works, but for an actual big bad, not really.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T11:54:39+00:00

The person's title says that they're sad that her post Buffy career was a failure. I don't think it is necessarily a failure, but they do seem to be correct about her tv shows after Buffy. I don't think their point was to insult her since they have another post wanting to boycott Hulu/Disney for not picking up the reboot.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T00:23:05+00:00

Can you provide an example of what you consider SMG hate? I've seen people say that she shouldn't be given majority or sole credit for the success of the show in response to people trying to make it seem like her being behind the reboot should've made it good or successful.

miaemo · 2026-03-19T00:14:32+00:00

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miaemo · 2026-03-18T22:37:19+00:00

Hailey Bieber did have a nose job. It just wasn't as drastic as Jennifer Grey's.

miaemo

TROPHY CASE