Hair Grease

Hair grease was a common form of moisturizing curly hair back before tons of products came out.  It left your hair feeling moisturized for days.  The hair lotion products that have come out only leave hair moisturized for one day.  I could understand why so many people are confused as to why putting grease in their hair is a bad thing.  Let me explain...

Petroleum (which basis of hair grease) does not moisturize your hair.  It seals in moisture.  When you put a layer of grease on your skin and get wet the grease repels the water.  The grease does not gradually soak into your skin or hair shaft.  Instead it sits there.  This is good and bad.  It acts as a barrier so your hair cannot lose moisture.  It also acts as a barrier for any sweat or oils that is trying to escape from your scalp.  When all the sweat and oil builds up it clogs your pores and is not healthy.

Their are a few alternatives to greasing your hair.  Many people use a hair lotion or a leave in conditioner to moisturize the hair.  If you want to seal in the moisture I suggest using coconut oil as well.  It can be a bit expensive, but coconut oil has a unique property to it.  It penetrates the shaft of your hair instead of sitting on top of it resulting in build up.  It also lets your scalp breath.  Don't use a coconut oil hair dressing.  It has petroleum in it.  Look for extra virgin coconut oil.

I'm not hating on those who do use grease.  I think petroleum can be beneficial in other things, but not as a moisturizer.