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Is Thin Hair Underrepresented in the Natural Hair Community?

26/10/2016

10 Comments

 
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Ah, the natural hair community. Such a wonderful community of fabulous ladies loving and caring for their God-given hair. Since its boom a few years ago, the community has continued to flourish with new techniques and products invented by Black women who have decided to reclaim their hair and image. There have now been more Black women in the media saying no to relaxers and sporting their natural curls than ever before. In the midst of this jubilee of natural hair acceptance, are there still some groups within the natural hair community that remain underrepresented? Do hair types such as thin hair remain in the shadows?
Thin natural hair seems to be an oxymoron within the natural hair community because when people reflect on natural hair, the image of a colossal afro frequently comes to mind.
 
Natural hair only seems thick because curls combined with shrinkage give the illusion of fuller hair but in reality, many are still struggling to fully embrace the thinness of their hair. In the grand scheme of hair, many non-Black people might easily confuse thin natural hair as thick but within the Black community, thin hair does not fall into the Black standard of beauty. Although it is something to be celebrated that Black people are beginning to define their own standards of beauty, it cannot be ignored that not everyone falls under thick hair.
Moreover, it should also be taken into account that although relaxer sales are going down, weave sales have remained strong.
 
This is not to condemn any woman who chooses to wear weaves as it can be a great and creative protective style but it begs the question- do we sometimes promote an unrealistic perception of our hair?
 
With the surge of natural hairstyles and flawless concealing methods rising in popularity over the past few years (e.g. Marley crochet, faux locs, clip ins, and weaves in our texture), it would be easy to falsely conclude that all, if not most, natural hair is thick and voluminous.
It should be noted, however, that there is a difference between thin and fine hair. Thin hair falls into the category of having low density hair. If one’s hair is thin, then that person has less follicles of hair on one’s head and thus less hair in general. If one’s hair is fine, the diameter of the hair strand is smaller than medium or coarse textured hair. Many people might also fall into both categories.
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With all this being said, the community of thin naturals has remained underdeveloped because of the lack of information and acceptance of this hair type. Although there are a booming number of naturalistas on blogs and YouTube, hardly any of them have showcased thin hair. This is not to say that this population does not exist, but many who struggle with this hair type find it difficult to fully embrace it and to display it on the Internet. Hopefully the lack of representation improves in the near future as more women begin to embrace the true nature of their hair.

​Jumoke E. Ayo-Ajayi
YouTube: youtube.com/c/Jumoke
Instagram: @jumokeh_
Twitter: @jumokeh_
Facebook: facebook.com/JumokeOfficial/


​Get your FREE ebook on How To Grow Long, Healthy Natural Kinky or Curly Hair.
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10 Comments
Mary
27/10/2016 07:59:04 pm

Nice article and video. Yes we are underrepresented because it just isn't s cute. Sad to say. Mine is fine, thin and I have a high forehead, I'm just screwed

Reply
Vickie
28/10/2016 01:28:21 pm

I can relate. I have the same issues

Reply
D.C.
28/10/2016 04:34:42 am

As someone who has it, I definitely believe that fine (aka thin) hair is underrepresented in the natural hair community.
I have found a few blogs and YT pages with represent thin, fine hair but they seem to be a lot less easy to find than the ones that represent full, thick hair.
I am an information-gatherer so I like to read/view from multiple sources before deciding on a regimen or a technique but when you only see a few blogs that offer detail that is backed up by research, not just "well, I do this and it seems to work for me" (it may not work for you), you don't always feel as if you're learning about what's best for your hair. Compare that to the plethora of blogs and sites where you can learn about medium to thick density hair, with varying levels of detail (from the not so much to the very detailed and research oriented sites).
I get that fine/thin hair is not the ideal but it is a type that many have and should be included more in the community, rather than relegated to the 'margins' of the natural hair community.

Reply
Vanessa
6/2/2019 04:41:26 am

I'm struggeling to get anything on thin hair

Reply
Mina
31/10/2016 08:27:32 am

9 times out of 10, any photos or tutorials show women with thick, dense hair, long or short. My hair is long, but it is thinner than it was was I younger, and fine. I tried twist outs and braid out, but I look like a chemo patient when I take it down. So now I just blow it dry and let it hang, or wash and go with Miss Jessie pillow soft. Those are the only 2 ways it looks full. If I flat iron, it is too thin, although everyone marvels at the length. Whatever. Last time I flatironed it, I added Bombay Hair clips for more volume. I would like to see more of people like me out there. I don't get into the letters and numbers of hair type. I never had a relaxer, I just know my hair gets straight easily, and isn't frizzy. Thanks for asking the question about this.

Reply
Happie
30/12/2016 12:52:00 pm

Hi. I totally relate. For a very long time I have held the belief that there was something wrong with my thin natural hair. I even cut it only for it to grow back the very same way. I blamed the regimes we read about in blogs.little did I know that my hair is thin. Its my DNA nothing else. My hair line is faded - looks like its receeding, but not so. I don't iron my hair anymore, when I do it blows away, the sleekness takes months to go out or rather transition to its natural state. I have however found solace in horse shampoo and organic virgin coconut oil. My hair is thicker as in has more volume- but the hair line! Sadly has remained the same. Dear sisters don't despair. We are unique hair structures, live in different environments, eat different food and our hair adapts differently to hair treatments. Not everything is for you, keep trying and you'll find your perfect mix. I hope bloggists and columnists also realise that a handful of us are born with thin hair. Let's embrace our thin locks, there is little we can do to turn it around!

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alicia swift link
23/9/2018 12:51:39 pm

I posted a video of my hairstyles since i can never find any real videos for short thin fine hair naturals. it is a struggle out here. all i see are these big full haired naturals and none of those styles even look the same on my hair.

here are some ideas if you need them
https://youtu.be/r829N3K_KLM

Reply
Alice Wilson link
1/8/2019 02:13:27 am

A wonderful community of fabulous ladies loving and caring hair curly hair is there is a difference between thin and fine hair. Thank you for share this blog

Reply
Alice Wilson link
16/12/2019 02:21:44 am

Hello,
This is the blog is very nice inforamtion is thin hair underrepresnt in natura hair community is looking great. thank you for share this blog

Reply
tekoa taylor link
25/8/2020 10:35:45 am

I agree there are very few people on youtube with fine thin hair, I did the big chop and the only issue I have is my hair is not thick when I try the same hairstyles I look crazy, but I did notice since my hair no longer has chemicals in it my hair appears to be thicker than it really is.
I would like to see a natural thin hair community I am happy I did come across this site.

Reply



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    By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

    I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx

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