Raymond Chimhandamba, Handas Consulting03.01.20
The natural hair care movement is alive and well in South Africa (see Out of Africa). But convincing consumers to make the switch from relaxers and other chemical solutions is not always easy. Experts note one of the biggest issues in growing the sector has been education. Many women who've relaxed their hair since childhood struggle with a steep learning curve when switching from straightened hair to their natural texture.
According to Candice Thurston, founder of Candi&Co, a salon franchise targeted at black women, women still deal with the scalp burns from relaxers, damaged hair caused by tightly installed braids.
“So many women I meet don't believe their own hair can be beautiful," she explained.
To move the South African industry forward, Thurston is educating hair stylists through an academy.
"There are stylists who don't believe you can blow-dry afro-textured hair without relaxing it first," she noted.
Over and above this education gap, there was also a product a
According to Candice Thurston, founder of Candi&Co, a salon franchise targeted at black women, women still deal with the scalp burns from relaxers, damaged hair caused by tightly installed braids.
“So many women I meet don't believe their own hair can be beautiful," she explained.
To move the South African industry forward, Thurston is educating hair stylists through an academy.
"There are stylists who don't believe you can blow-dry afro-textured hair without relaxing it first," she noted.
Over and above this education gap, there was also a product a
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