Refilwe
by Zukiswa Wanner
My Coily Crowny Hair
by Zulaikah Patel
I Have Brown Skin and Curl Hair
by Karen Theunissen
Wandaby Sihle Nontshokweni
Mpumi's Magic Beads
by Lebohang Masango & Masego Morulane
“The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman.The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman.The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”—Malcolm X
What is Alopecia?
Alopecia is a medical umbrella term for hair loss. There are several kinds, and your treatment options depend on the type you have. Alopecia occurs in approximately one per thousand persons, affecting men and women equally. Most patients are below the age of 30 at the onset. Most cases resolve spontaneously, though recurrence is common.Types of Alopecia & Treatments
Androgenic Alopecia
This is common for women and men. It’s also known as male- or female-pattern hair loss. If you’re a woman, it can thin your hair, but your hairline doesn’t recede and you’re unlikely to become totally bald. Women often notice a widening of their part. If you’re a man, the condition often leads to complete or partial baldness. Your genes and your environment seem to play roles in causing androgenic alopecia.Your hair may grow back on its own without treatment. (If it does, it’s also possible for it to fall out again.) Your dermatologist might ask you to wait and see if your hair regrows before they prescribe treatment.
Treatments include:
- Medications that you put on your bald patches
- Steroid shots that your dermatologist gives you in the office
- Chemicals your dermatologist applies to your scalp for extensive hair loss (also called topical immunotherapy)
Alopecia Totalis
- Medications that you put on your bald patches
- Steroid shots that your dermatologist gives you in the office
- Chemicals your dermatologist applies to your scalp for extensive hair loss (also called topical immunotherapy)
- Systemic immunosuppressive therapy such as methotrexate or prednisone
Traction Alopecia
- Switching over to less-damaging hairstyles and rotating hairstyles to reverse the damage.
- Hair transplantation is the most common medical treatment for chronic cases.
Cicatricial Alopecia
It isn’t clear exactly why people get cicatricial alopecia but the condition is associated with a history of tight hairstyles, especially in Black women, and is usually diagnosed with history, examination, and biopsy of the affected area.
Treatments Include:
- Oral, topical, or injected medicines
- Hair transplant surgery or an operation to reduce bald spots is another option.
The United States CROWN Act...Ending Hair Discrimination At Work And In School
Black Americans say they are often treated unfairly at work and in schools because of their natural hair textures or protective styles like braids, knots, twists, and locs.
Well, well, well...this sounds just like South Africa!A ban on race-based hair discrimination in the United States is a step closer after a vote in Congress. The House of Representatives passed the legislation which seeks to end discrimination against natural hair at work and school.
The Crown (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act must still be approved by the Senate. President Joe Biden has urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the law. Until then, advocates say that employers and institutions can discriminate against Black Americans based on how they style their natural hair.
Adjoa B Asamoah, the legislative strategist for the CROWN Coalition, praised Friday's vote in the House but acknowledged a potentially uphill battle in the Senate.
"There's the shift in policy and then there's a shift in culture," Ms. Asamoah said.
"This is about confronting this Eurocentric standard of beauty, tackling anti-blackness, and lifting the natural African aesthetic. The diversity of Blackness is beautiful."
The CROWN Coalition partners with more than 85 organizations to pass statewide bans on hair discrimination, and advocate for the bill nationally. Just on Thursday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously voted to advance its bill to its state senate.
A third of black children in majority-white schools have faced race-based hair discrimination, according to a 2021 study by DOVE and the CROWN Coalition. The survey found 86% of children say they have experienced it by the age of 12.
When Chicago mother Ida Nelson was told her four-year-old son Jett's braids were prohibited by his pre-school, she says she thought administrators were joking.
But when the school told her the hairstyle must be removed for him to go to class, she decided to fight back.
After months of campaigning, Ms. Nelson was able to get the Jett Hawkins Act, which prohibits hair discrimination in schools, passed in Illinois.
.
She said Friday's move to advance the national Crown Act made her feel "vindicated".
"When we step into our power, epic things get done," she added.
"This was a collective effort from everyone from four-year-olds to senior citizens coming together to say, 'No, our hair and our ability to show up as our authentic selves is not negotiable'."
A statement from President Biden said he believed "no person should be denied the ability to obtain a job, succeed in school or the workplace, secure housing, or otherwise exercise their rights based on a hair texture or hairstyle".
What is a hijab and why is it worn?
How the hijab may affect your hair.
Even if you cover your hair for the most part of the day, it’s still important to care for it properly. Many hijab wearers experience frizzy or greasy hair and even hair loss due to wearing one, which are things you clearly want to avoid. These problems boil down to the use of toxic and unnatural textiles to cover the hair, incorrect hair tying, poor hair care routines and the use of unnatural products. So, for lush looking locks, here’s how to care for your hair if you wear a hijab.Choose an appropriate hairstyle
Styling your hair right can help you tie your hijab properly and maintain your hair health. You want a hairstyle that keeps your hair secure all day without any escaping strands. However, tight buns can cause tension at the crown of your head, making it sensitive and sometimes painful to touch. This strain on your hair can even cause hair loss at the temples, which you want to avoid. Opt for a low bun or ponytail instead of high ones as these don’t pull on your hair as much. Other good ways to style your hair include the french braid, as this helps prevent tension and holds your hair in place, or a more simple braid, which creates less tension than a regular ponytail. If you are going to tie your hair up in a ponytail or bun, we’d recommend using scrunchies instead of elastic bands, as they reduce tension and are kinder to your hair. You can even use larger scrunchies, which can add more volume to your finished hijab style.Use natural materials to form the base of your hijab style
A good hijab base is important for many reasons. You will feel more comfortable throughout the day, avoid headaches, irritation, hair pulling and have a beautiful shape if done correctly. If you choose to wear a hijab cap, bonnet or underscarf, remember that this is the first thing that will be in contact with your hair. Stay clear of underscarves which are made from synthetic materials or are a blend of synthetic and natural fibres, because as your body temperature rises, the chemicals from these toxic textiles will be absorbed by your hair and skin, which is not what we want! Instead, choose cotton, silk or bamboo hijab underscarves and hijab scrunchies as these are natural and hair-friendly.
Use a hair-friendly hijab material
It’s best to choose a hijab fabric that is soft and breathable, such as chiffon, cotton or silk. These natural materials are your best option as these are kind to your hair and scalp. The best material for this is silk, as it lies smooth against your hair, without causing any friction. Avoid fabrics like nylon and polyester, as these can rub against your hair, and the friction can cause it to break, frizz, or even make your scalp and hair look greasy. Synthetic materials like these make it hard for your skin to breathe, raising your temperature if you’re active. Heat also helps release chemicals like formaldehyde which are absorbed by the skin and can cause a range of problems for your hair, scalp and skin.

Change and wash your underscarf regularly
Underscarves are worn all day under your hijab, making them susceptible to collecting dust, dandruff, sweat, and the natural oils from your scarf. This can build up quickly, causing it to smell and even make your hair greasy. It’s important to regularly change out your underscarf and wash them between uses, ensuring they’re dried completely before using them.Let your hair breathe
Keeping your hair tied up all day restricts it and doesn’t let it breathe. This prevents your scalp from getting the nutrients, moisture, and oxygen it needs. It’s important to let your hair and scalp breathe in the evenings. Take the time to give yourself a gentle scalp massage in the evenings, which helps stimulate blood circulation to boost hair growth. You can use hair oils for this to nourish your scalp. Ensuring you have a healthy scalp is the best way to guarantee healthy hair.
Wrap your hair while you sleep
While this counteracts the previous point about giving your hair room to breathe, wrapping it in a silk or satin scarf overnight will help control your hair sebum, especially if you have curly or coily hair. Sebum is a natural oil that helps sustain the quality of your hair, benefiting the texture and appearance. However, your scalp’s sebum can sometimes fall out of balance, especially due to sustained friction, making it appear greasy. If you have cotton sheets, you should consider wrapping your hair in a scarf or bonnet to protect your hair from the harsh cotton friction, which can cause your scalp to produce more natural oils while also causing hair breakage. If you don’t want to wrap your hair, you should use a silk pillowcase, which offers the same benefits.Establish a hair care routine
Hot showers are discouraged as the heat can be harsh on your hair and scalp, while cold water temporarily closes your pores and flattens hair follicles, increasing their ability to grip to your scalp, helping to reduce hair loss.
What is Shadow Work?
Shadow work involves getting in touch with the parts of yourself that you've repressed — or what many might refer to as their "dark side." ... It's called "shadow work," and involves "diving into the unconscious material that shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors," according to therapist Akua Boateng, Ph. D.The Benefits of Shadow Work
1. Tapping into your intuition.
Depending on what kinds of things you've tucked into your own shadow, there's a good chance shadow work can help you get in touch with your deeper knowing, or your intuition. If you were discouraged from using your intuition as a child—trusting your gut and inner compass—then you throw that into the shadow.
2. Freeing yourself from the unconscious shadow.
When we're operating at an unconscious level, our shadow effectively controls us. So while, yes, facing our shadow is hard work, it's also incredibly freeing.
3. Empowering yourself and accepting your strengths.
For people with very low self-esteem, they'll often put good things about themselves into their shadow because they don't feel worthy of it. In instances like that, shadow work offers us the chance to reclaim the gifts that make us who we are, which we've been hiding away.
4. Taking a step toward self-actualization.
If you're reading about shadow work, you're likely also interested in your own development and personal growth. And according to many Psychologists, shadow work is necessary for anyone who wants to become fulfilled and self-actualized.
"To become the best version of yourself, you need to know what the bad bits are that are holding you back or are hidden."
Exercises and prompts for getting started with shadow work
1. Think about someone who triggers you.
A good place to start with shadow work would be to think of someone who bothers you, and reflect on what it is about that person that might also be within you. To figure this out, ask yourself gentle questions such as:
- What is it about this person that I don't like?
- Do I find that I have some of those same traits sometimes?
- What makes it so difficult to be around them?
- What parts of me does that person enliven when I'm around them? And how do I feel about that part of myself?
2. Examine your family tree.
Make a family tree of your two sets of grandparents, all of your aunts and uncles, and your parents because they're the generations above you whose attributes—good and bad—might be in you. This practice is all about getting honest enough to say, "I love my family, but one of my uncles drinks too much," as an example.
The next step is to really look at all those qualities that exist within your family, and ask if any of those things are in you.
3. Confront your shadow.
Another exercise involves meditating on, and confronting, your own shadow.
- What are you addicted to?
- What toxic traits do you exhibit?
- I allow the darkest shadow that's buried within me to be released.
- I release fear; I release doubt; I release shame; I release insecurity.
When doing shadow work, don't forget to...
1. Watch out for your triggers.
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."
"If there's something you've always wanted to do and you see a friend achieving that," Swart gives as an example, "then that triggers shadows, because it's like, why does that person have it and I don't?"
2. Give yourself grace.
Shadow work is by no means easy, and offering compassion to those parts of ourselves that we have hidden away for so long is important.
3. Call on others for help.
If considering the shadow sides of yourself brings about pain, suffering, or fear that you feel ill-equipped to handle, it's time to seek the help of a licensed professional.
The Millennial Mom - Her Journey with Maintenance Court in South Africa Part 3
Wait! Have you watched Part 1 and Part 2?
Before you watch this video, be sure to watch part 1 here.
It's no secret that we have an alarming number of women who are single mothers in South Africa by no choice of their own. For whatever reason, their former partners have chosen not to acknowledge their children, and in most cases, they don't bother to maintain the children financially. In these instances, some women put on their big girl panties and match their butts to maintenance court. That is exactly what Mandy Ndlangisa, creator of The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel, decided to do and she was gracious enough to document the journey letting us into such a personal space. Watch part 3 of her maintenance court journey.
The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel - Like, comment, and subscribe!
About The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel
The Millennial Mom - Her Journey with Maintenance Court in South Africa Part 2
Before you watch this video, be sure to watch part 1 here.
It's no secret that we have an alarming number of women who are single mothers in South Africa by no choice of their own. For whatever reason, their former partners have chosen not to acknowledge their children, and in most cases, they don't bother to maintain the children financially. In these instances, some women put on their big girl panties and match their butts to maintenance court. That is exactly what Mandy Ndlangisa, creator of The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel, decided to do and she was gracious enough to document the journey letting us into such a personal space. Watch part 2 of her maintenance court journey.
The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel - Like, comment, and subscribe!
About The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel
What is Maskne?
Acne mechanica as professionals call it – is pimples located in areas where your mask touches your face. Maskne occurs when sweat, oil and bacteria are trapped on your skin while wearing a mask, creating the perfect breeding ground for breakouts.How to Avoid Maskne?
1. Consider the type of mask you wear.
Only you can decide how you want to balance the weight of the mask material with the level of protection it will give you, but dermatologists suggest 100 percent cotton as a good compromise because it allows skin to breathe a bit. As the temperature rises and you sweat more, you’ll need to keep the mask clean.
“You need to treat it like underwear and wash it frequently,” You don’t want all of that oil and sweat and dirt to sit there and then you reapply it to your face constantly.”
2. Streamline your skin care routine.
Many of us use too many beauty products anyway, so consider mask wearing a good excuse to adopt the most basic skin care routine: a gentle non-soap cleanser and a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer.
“Fewer ingredients is better than more,” Eucerin, Avene and CeraVe. The moisturizer does double duty here. Besides, well, moisturizing the skin, it can protect it from mask friction, Ă la a runner’s chafing cream. Another reason for using fewer products: The mask will intensify product delivery to your skin. (You’ve seen this side effect of occlusion in action if you’ve ever, say, treated dry, cracked feet by applying Vaseline and wearing socks to bed.) But in the case of products with acids or retinols, which can be irritating, intensifying delivery is not likely to be a good thing.
using products with actives only at night. If you’ve never used a retinol — dermatologists charmingly call this “naĂŻve skin” — Dr. Kovarik said that “now is not the time to try one.” If you’re a seasoned user, you may need to reduce your usage.
3. Break up with makeup (at least temporarily).
If you put on makeup for a video call, consider taking it off when you go out. Dr. Heath gently chides patients who appear onscreen at tele-appointments wearing a full face of makeup.
“This is the time to really tone it down,” she said. For those who absolutely can’t break the habit, she suggests a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen.
If you sweat underneath your mask, Dr. Shari Marchbein, a dermatologist in New York, suggests using micellar water or a gentle cleanser to do a quick wash when you take it off. (Overwashing your face dries it out, tricking it into thinking it needs to produce more oil, which can give you more of the acne you’re trying to avoid.) Either apply moisturizer or, if it’s late enough in the day, whatever products you’d use at night, Dr. Marchbein said.
How to Treat It if You Get It
If you do end up with maskne, keep in mind that acne treatments can be irritating and you still need to contend with the continued irritation of the mask.
“You can just go gangbusters on regular acne,” Dr. Gohara said. “With maskne you have to be really careful.”
She recommends using an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide treatment only on the spots, and starting with a 2.5 or 5 percent concentration, not 10 percent. If you use retinol, apply that product one night and the spot treatment the next.
If you have black or brown skin and develop hyperpigmentation from the acne, Dr. Heath recommends a topical with glycolic acid, which can treat both the blemishes and the darkening of the skin. She cautions against long-term use of a skin lightening agent without the advice of a dermatologist.
Dr. Gohara, who like Dr. Heath specializes in treating skin of color, reminds patients with hyperpigmentation to wear sunscreen even indoors, because blue light from devices can make the problem worse.
If what’s on your face looks like more of a rash or “makes you want to scratch your face off,” as Dr. Gohara put it, it’s possible your issue isn’t actually acne. You may have contact dermatitis, which she sees patients get from metal or rubber parts of masks, and some fabrics (which, when washed, may release formaldehyde, an irritant) and dyes.
Hydrocortisone cream can help, though you’ll want to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you’ve tried all of the above and your acne persists, you may want to look at two other causes of acne: stress and diet. Dr. Bowe wrote: “If I see a tender cyst on the chin, there’s no way to say whether it popped up because of the mask, because of that sleepless night or because of those comfort foods they reached for over the weekend.”
You can’t buy stress release in a jar, but there is increasing evidence, including a large epidemiological study published last week in JAMA Dermatology, that chocolate and other high-glycemic (sugary) foods and dairy cause adult acne.
You could, as Dr. Bowe advises, avoid processed snacks and bring on the coconut or macadamia nut milks. If that’s too far to go, take comfort that a mask at least hides the problem.
The Millennial Mom - Her Journey with Maintenance Court in South Africa Part 1
It's no secret that we have an alarming number of women who are single mothers in South Africa by no choice of their own. For whatever reason, their former partners have chosen not to acknowledge their children, and in most cases, they don't bother to maintain the children financially. In these instances, some women put on their big girl panties and match their butts to maintenance court. That is exactly what Mandy Ndlangisa, creator of The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel, decided to do and she was gracious enough to document the journey letting us into such a personal space. Watch part 1 of her maintenance court journey.
The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel - Like, comment, and subscribe!
About The Millennial Mom's YouTube Channel
I came across the Maximum Hydration Method browsing through various hair boards where women were complaining about extremely dry hair that wasn't responding to regular washing and deep conditioning.
I have to warn you that this method is not for the lazy natural. This method takes time, but the results have been phenomenal for many women.
What Is The Maximum Hydration Method?
The Maximum Hydration Method is a hair care regimen, typically comprised of five steps, designed to increase moisture levels in the hair until max hydration is reached.
Recipe:
2 cups Greek yogurt
2 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp raw coconut amino acids or regular amino acids
1/2 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp unsulfured molasses
1/2 an overripe banana
3/4 tbsp avocado
1 egg (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Apply Mixture
Apply to dry, detangled hair, saturating it from root to tip. Once each strand is evenly coated, put your hair up into a shower cap and leave on for an hour. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Step 2: Clarify
Apple Cider Vinegar Mix: Add 1 part water to 1 part apple cider vinegar to a spray bottle and apply to hair. Leave the mixture on for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Step 3: Co-Wash
Step 4: Bentonite Clay Rinse
Recipe:
1 cup bentonite clay
1.5 cups of warm water
1 tbsp of honey
1 tbsp of olive oil
Apply this mixture in small sections and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water thoroughly.
Step 5: Appy Your Styling Products
How Often Should I Use The MHM?
I believe you should listen to the needs of your own hair. Try this treatment as frequently or infrequently as necessary.
Have You Checked Out Good Hair & Beauty Diaries Youtube Channel?
Grapeseed oil
Grapeseed oil strengthens the hair and is great as a heat protectant when used with another heat protectant. It can be used alone as a hot oil treatment or in combination with other oils without leaving the hair oily afterward. It works well as a sealant and leaves hair shiny without all that yucky greasiness.
Argan oil
If it’s shine that you’re looking for, argan oil is the best oil for this. It aids in hair growth, hydrates the hair and increases the elasticity of the hair which in turn prevents breakage. Oh, and let’s not forget…it makes the hair soft.
Jojoba oil
This is another light oil that can be used to seal the ends or oil the scalp – it aids in combatting dandruff or a dry scalp. It also promotes hair growth and regulates sebum production on the scalp.
Apricot oil
Apricot oil has anti-inflammatory properties and gives a soothing cooling effect. It moisturises the hair and scalp and keeps moisture in the hair and scalp which is something you definitely want if you have low porosity hair, not to mention it works well as a sealant.
Pomegranate oil
Sweet almond oil
This sweet smelling oil is good for moisturising the hair as it works to replenish the hair. It keeps the hair from falling out, penetrates the hair shaft and works great as a sealant and hair protector. It is also great for dry or damaged hair as it packs it with all the good stuff that allows it to revive.
Hemp seed oil
Want soft hair? This is another great oil just for that. Hemp seed oil helps preserve the natural texture of the hair, not to mention it prevents water loss and adds moisture. It also conditions and strengthens the hair and prevents dryness.