You may have noticed that a lot of the hair adverts on television and in magazines seems to be talking to our Caucasian sisters. They’ll have their long flowing hair bouncing around the television screen, whether it is an advert for permanent hair colour, repairing split ends or even anti-dandruff. The question you may have, as a black woman, is whether or not these products would work EFFECTIVELY on your African hair? Dandruff in ethnic hair is very possible and so is having split ends, especially if it’s relaxed hair. So is there a reason why the primary target market for certain products is white people?

Ok, yes it’s true that there is an aisle at the store with products meant for ethnic hair. And you’ll find a few adverts on television and in magazines targeted at ethnic hair. In addition, a lot of those products are very affordable. But does this mean that they’re actually good for your hair and would it be a waste of money to try out the high-end stuff that’s targeted at Caucasians?

Let’s get a few facts out of the way:

–Don’t put ALL your trust in products meant for ethnic hair: Firstly, let’s consider the type of ingredients they put into ethnic hair products. A lot of them seem to include petroleum in their hair care products. This is actually not a good product for your ethnic hair as it’s quite greasy and can suffocate hair. This and other ingredients in ethnic hair products can be heavy on ethnic hair and will make it look greasy and limp. So, it’s safe to say that the ethnic hair products in the ethnic aisle are not always well made and may actually not be benefiting your hair.

–Then, let’s consider what’s meant by ‘’ Suitable for All Hair Types’’: This is a statement you’re likely to see on hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners. Does all hair types include ethnic hair? The answer is 9 times out of 10, yes it includes ethnic hair. Giving it a try will not be harmful to your hair at all.

But then again, it’s important to keep in mind what your aims are with your hair. Certain ethnic hairstyles such as dreadlocks and braids are practically only worn by ethnic women and so, you’re far more likely to find such products in the ethnic hair section.
However, for common hair problems that affect people of all races such as dandruff, split ends, oiliness, dryness or even frizziness, chances are, you can use them on your ethnic hair and they’ll be as effective as they would be on Caucasian hair. This is because all types of hair need the same types of ingredients in order for them to be healthy and shiny. Cleansers, conditioners, silicones, sealants and moisturisers are all important for manageable and beautiful hair.
So, next time you walk into a store, don’t be afraid to explore past the ethnic hair section. Find out what else is available and try out new products.

Read hair product reviews to find out what products made and not specifically made for ethnic hair have been tired, tested and approved of by the Beauty Bulletin Community.

Article by Sharon Kariwo