How should I explain my hair washing differences?

by Pat on December 18, 2011

I’m an African American teenager going away to a three week predominately white summer program in Connecticut, and I’ll be staying in dorms in sharing a room with some lucky girl.
I wear my hair straight and un-relaxed and its extremely hard to manage on my own, so I only wash it every 2 weeks.

How should I explain not washing my hair everyday like everyone else if asked?? Help!

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Dig December 24, 2010 at 12:06 pm

Just be honest…let them know that because it’s a different texture than white peoples, it doesn’t get greasy or stringy after a few days that’s why you need to wait long to wash it.

I asked a black girl that one time, and she told me and I didn’t think twice.

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kitkatt2011 December 24, 2010 at 12:20 pm

hah ive had this problem with the white ppl at my school…
just tell them black peoples hair is different and if we wash it every day like they do it would dry out and break off.
our hair is naturally oily and we need those oils to keep our thick hair healthy! they should understand after that…
[but if some dumb person asks....YES YOU DO TAKE SHOWERS DAILY....YOU JUS DONT GET YOUR HAIR WET]
this dumb kid was like”so does that mean you dont take shower everday either?” lol i just looked at him

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shan December 24, 2010 at 12:35 pm

I think you should tell them exactly what you said here. I would just be up front about it and say ” Okay so If I don’t wash my hair for two weeks don’t think I am unclean or anything. I can’t wash it that often because of my hair type.” I am sure they will all understand. Do you use anything in between shampoo’s to keep it fresh? You are probably way more worried about it than they will be. Just be yourself and have fun!

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grammie December 24, 2010 at 1:22 pm

I agree with KITKatt2 . you could also braid it, or put it in a pony tail or a low bun, my granddaughter wears her hair like this a lot, shes mixed and has beautiful long black curly hair.

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princesssjacey December 24, 2010 at 1:37 pm

i have the same problem im 12 though just tell her tha your hair iz not like hers better yet if you dont want to explain it dont she will get it eventually, but our hair iz unique and its all african american

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Unseen December 24, 2010 at 1:55 pm

I don’t think you should have to explain anything. Unless they follow you into the shower how will they know?

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