NATURAL HAIR TERMS

Most NATURALISTAS just hear abbreviated words and terms, but do not understand the full meanings, so i coined some i got from a Facebook Page:

TWA: teeny weeny afro

LOC: liquid oil cream

ACV: apple cider vinegar

EVOO: extra virgin olive oil

EVCO: extra virgin coconut oil

APL: arm pit length

CoWash: (conditioner wash) to wash hair with conditioner

DC: deep conditioning

EO; essential oil

EL: ear length

HOTD: hair of the day

JBCO: jamaican black castor oil

MBL: mid back length

NG: new growth

NL: neck length

PrePoo(pre shampoo): any treatment you apply to your hair before shampoo

SL: shoulder length

WL: waist length

BC: big chop

PS : protective style

BTR : Black Tea Rinse

HOT: Hot Oil Treatment

SHAM: WASH : Washing your hair with shampoo

BHD : Bad Hair Day

Baggying – Putting on your moisturizer and then applying a plastic bag over the hair to trap the moisture in.

Braid-Out – Braiding your hair in sections for a period of time, usually overnight, and unbraiding to release waves and curls, great heat-free style.

Twist Out - This twisting your hair in sections for a period of time, usually over night then untwisting in order to create defined twist.

Breakage - Broken pieces of hair without the white bulb. This can be caused by too much moisture or protein, hair accessories, and poor hair care practices.

Carrier oil - Known as base oil or vegetable oil, is used to dilute essentials. Examples include coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, etc.

Deep conditioning –Applying a conditioner specifically formulated to penetrate the cuticle of the hair; helps revive dull lifeless hair thus giving it more strength, elasticity, moisture, softness, and shine. It is a good way of replenishing lost moisture in the hair leaving it less prone to breakage and unmanageability.

Dusting - A very light trim.

Humectants – Attract and retain moisture from the air i.e. Glycerin, Honey, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol.

Leave-in Conditioner – A quick way of adding moisture back into the hair after shampooing/conditioning. It helps to detangle the hair leaving it soft and manageable.

Line of Demarcation - Where the natural hair and relaxed hair meet as your hair grows; the point where your new growth meets your previously chemically treated hair. This location can be very delicate so be very gentle when stretching.

Low Manipulation – Styles that do not require much manipulation which leads to less shedding and breakage which eventually leads to healthier hair.

Moisturizing – Applying a moisture based product to dry hair without washing it out. You can use a water-based or cream based moisturizer 1-2x per day. This helps to prevent breakage and increase elasticity in the hair.

Protective Styling – Wearing your hair up in a style that doesn’t put strain on your edges/nape and keeps your ends off of your back & protected from outside elements, i.e. Buns, Clips, Pony Tails etc.

Sealing – Using a natural oil to lock in the moisture after you’ve moisturized the hair i.e. Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Safflower Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Using an oil over the moisturizer will allow your hair to stay moisturized longer.

Shedding - Strands of hair with white bulbs on the root. Hair sheds 150 strands per day on average. If you notice excessive shedding, examine your diet – lack of protein, anemia, dehydration can all cause shedding. If it continues, see your physician.

Spritz - A Spritz is a hair spray containing 80% water and 20% Oils (e.g coconut, olive,castor, grapeseed oils etc). It is used to Moisturize your hair. U can also add some leave-in conditioner or aloe vera to it. U spray this on your hair day and night or as often as your hair feels dry.

Transitioning - In stead of chopping off all of your chemically treated hair, you let your hair grow without getting more relaxers with the intent of going natural.

Wash & Go (W&G or WNG) - To wash or co-wash your hair, add a styler cream or gel by shingling in, shake and Go. Let your hair air dry and go or dry using a diffuser.

Source: Natural Hair Babes

PS: You can comment on the terms that are not listed above and corrections are welcome.

Thanks.

Yours,

Naptural Teenager