Mixed Hair Vs. Afro Hair

[larry3344]

Hi ladies,

I found a natural blog that explains the difference between mixed hair and afro-textured jhair (ie/ curly vs. kinky hair).

It seems that there are two types of protein cells that exist in the cortex our hair; para-cortical cells and orthocortical cells.

Para-cortical cells-uniform shape

Ortho-cortical-odd shape

The blogger goes on explaining that Afro-hair (I am guessing she means kinky hair) tends to have an equal amount of these cells but mixed hair (assuming white & black) would have more para-cortical cells than ortho-cortical cells. This would give the hair a shinier appearance as well as a silkier texture.

Very interesting stuff!!!

Now my issue with that post is the use of mixed hair and African hair, it is too wide of a term and within each group there is hair texture variability which she does acknowledge. So I prefer using the term kinky vs curly as they are traits that can be found in other group. As we all know, there is not one type of Afro-hair so I found the word too imprecise.

Other than that, it is great blog. Check her out at:
http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.ca/?m=1

http://www.mycurlyknots.com/2009/05/hair-is-my-story.html?m=1

http://curlyhairlounge.com/mixed-race-hair-really-is-different.

 

[NaturallyATLPCH]

I know some mixed race (black and white) people with kinky hair.
Her blog was interesting but the terms could've definitely been used differently or not at all.

 

[nirel333]

Okay so I guess according to this article, I'm black and my sister is mixed?? Not all biracials have silky hair and not all blacks have kinky hair. I hate when people miseducate smh.

 

[larry3344]

Okay so I guess according to this article, I'm black and my sister is mixed?? Not all biracials have silky hair and not all blacks have kinky hair. I hate when people miseducate smh.

I agree with you.

 

[Kinky4Agirl]

Aren't all African - Americans mixed?..duh!

 

[larry3344]

Aren't all African - Americans mixed?..duh!

The lady speaks Portuguese so I am assuming that she is Brazilian. I don't think her terms are well used.I doubt she would put Ethio/Somali hair under the category of African texture. Even across West and Central Africa not all Africans have course hair. So there are definitely inaccuracies in her analysis.

However, I thought it was interesting info in giving us insight of the nature of kinky hair and what causes this trait.

Also, how mixed are we talking about? 15%, 40%, etc...

 

[NaturallyATLPCH]

What she said about those textures are true though. My kinky fine strands can't take a whole lot and do well protected.
Some of my counterparts with looser textures, not necessarily "mixed" but with, let's say 4a or lower hair can do way more to their hair and still retain length.

 

[larry3344]

What she said about those textures are true though. My kinky fine strands can't take a whole lot and do well protected.
Some of my counterparts with looser textures, not necessarily "mixed" but with, let's say 4a or lower hair can do way more to their hair and still retain length.

Yup, I like the scientific aspect and the study in understanding afro-textured hair.

 

[larry3344]

Dr syed blog on hair structure