These are the ten most common natural hair “struggles” we deal with on a daily basis and hear from our community. We say “struggles” because we’ve confessed before to being so over that term when describing our natural hair, but we know that many women feel this is the best way to describe their challenges. Maybe you’re lucky and have only experienced one (or none!”> of these but the point is, in your darkest moments it is important to realize that natural hair care has its ups and downs (just like everything in life”> and during those downs, know that everyone else has them too (yes, even YouTubers”>.

Kanisha writes:

When it comes to being natural, there are just some things you’ll have to endure. There will be good days and bad days, hair setbacks and successes, but when it all boils down, healthy, fabulous hair is well worth the investment. You’ve probably experienced one or more of these hair problems but take heart: you’re not alone!

1. Tangles

No matter how much coconut oil I apply (which is a very effective detangler, by the way”> or how much I stretch my hair, it still decides to tangle up on itself. I’ve discovered that finger detangling every night is the only way to ensure that by the end of the week, I’m not stuck with a hot tangled mess to decipher for 2+ hours.

2. Single stranded knots

Some things just come with the territory of being natural and SSKs (single stranded knots”> are certainly one of them. Stretching the hair helps but every now and then you’ll probably still find a few. They’re pesky little things but be comforted by the fact that you aren’t suffering alone.

RELATED: How Do I Avoid Fairy Knots?

3. Boredom

Every now and then, you’ll get the itch- and that itch probably means you’re bored with your hair and ready for a change. Be careful that responding to that itch doesn’t result in some reckless haircut or dye job.

4. Shedding

From hair balls to tiny clusters of curls all over the floor, it seems like our natural hair just wants to be everywhere. But hey, that’s what hair stoppers and vacuum cleaners are for.

5. Hair envy

If you’ve never once thought, “I wish I had her hair!” then applause for you. It’s totally normal to have felt like you wanted to trade your curls in for someone else’s before. When it’s all said and done, we all have to learn to love what grows from our own scalps (it’s beautiful”>.

6. Product junkie-ism

I mean… who doesn’t love products? Experimenting with products is one of the best parts about being natural, but be careful that you aren’t compromising the health of your hair in the process.

7. Frustration

Natural hair… can’t live with it, can’t live without it. Your hair may drive you insane sometimes but just imagine if you woke up and it was permanently straight? #alwaysbethankful.

8. People just don’t understand

Not everyone is going to love your hair. They may think you just hopped on the bandwagon and are still waiting for the day when you hop off. You could spend the next 30 minutes of your day trying to explain it to them… or go home and detangle.

9. The quest for moisture

To be honest, I don’t think it’s even scientifically possible for my hair to go into moisture overload. After co-washing, deep conditioning, drenching my hair in aloe vera juice, and doing the LOC/LCO/LOCO method, my hair might still feel dry the next day. Sigh.

10. Shrinkage

Had to save the best for last!

What did we forget?!  Share your struggle below!


This article was written by Kanisha Parks of BlackNaps.org for CurlyNikki.

Nikki Walton

Licensed Psychotherapist. Professional Blogger. Best-selling Author. Natural Hair. Lover. Wife. Mother.

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