Author and health and wellness expert Orjanette Bryant wants to ensure that women are approaching their hair care the right way. Her book, Nubia’s Guide to Going Natural: A Holistic Approach to Transitioning Your Natural Hair, shares some of her best secrets and uniquely engages the conversation from a health perspective.

Drawing on her background as a registered nurse, she provides a thorough examination of hair care products, their ingredients and health ramifications, in addition to what regimens are most effective for certain hair types.

“It is very important for women to be educated about their own hair,” Bryant said, “Even when you are at the salon, you need to be able to ask questions. Stylists may be talented, but they have general training and are not specialized in all hair types. Learn about what kind of hair you have and the regimen that works best you.”

Also, Bryant stresses the need for women to abandon perms and other harmful chemicals. Her motto: “If you can eat it, then it is safe for your hair,” underscores her belief that organic products are the way to go.

Several years ago, Bryant started mixing her own organic ingredients from her garden and kitchen. She adopted this health-conscious approach after a series of deaths and illnesses in her family. Her stepfather died from prostate cancer, and her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Years later, Bryant herself had to undergo a hysterectomy after developing fibroids.

It was then that she decided to take her health more seriously.

She committed to maintaining a more active lifestyle and monitoring what she ate. Those changes not only made her feel better, but they also improved her hair.

“If you are not healthy, your hair is not going to be healthy. If you are stressed, your hair will be stressed,” Bryant said, “We tend to get complacent. We neglect our bodies and then by age 60 we end up on medication for hypertension or for diabetes. If you are not healthy internally, your hair will reflect that. Start with taking care of yourself now.”

To assist those looking to transition and improve the overall quality of their hair, Bryant offers the following tips:

Get rid of the perm and chemicals. Once you leave them behind, never return.
Always read the labels and learn about the ingredients and the effects they can have on your hair and your body in general.
Identify what type of hair you have. For example, high porosity hair requires a different hair care regimen than low porosity hair.
Understand your medical history. If you have dry hair, it could be a result of your diet, the medication you are taking or genetics.
If you get your hair done at a salon, make sure to ask questions and talk to your beautician.
Consider using only organic products. Not only is it better for your hair, but it will save you a lot of money.

Nubia’s Guide to Going Natural is currently available on Amazon, Author House and Barnes and Noble, and is also available via e-book. To learn more about Orjanette Bryant and her products, visit www.nubianenterprise.biz.

Want more content like this? Sign up for Blavity’s daily newsletter.

Orjanette Bryant

Writing since July 2016 · 1 story contributed