Last Updated on November 20, 2022
In the past decade, black hair has regained huge momentum, with more women embracing their natural coils, curls, and kinks. Natural hair is connected to women mentally, physically, and spiritually. As such, understanding the terms associated with our hair is essential.
Whether you are used to wearing your natural hair or newly transitioning, the natural hair landscape can sometimes be confusing, especially with all the terminologies and acronyms used. So, here is the ultimate black hair glossary that can help you better understand more about black hair care and experience.
34 Most Common Black Hair Terms
1. ACV
ACV stands for Apple Cider Vinegar. Due to its low pH, some people use apple cider vinegar on wash days to rinse the hair. This helps in balancing your hair and scalp pH level and promotes healthy hair growth.
2. APL
APL is an acronym for Armpit Length describing the length of your hair when it reaches armpit length.
3. Afro
Afro is a term used to describe naturally curly and tightly coiled hair that is rounded in shape. You can achieve an afro through braid out, twist out, or wash and go style (keep reading to learn what these are!)
4. Baggy
Also known as the bagging method, baggy traps moisture in your hair. Typically, it is done with a shower cap. After moisturizing your hair, put on a shower cap or a plastic cap overnight for maximum hair moisture and growth retention.
5. Bantu Knot
Many ethnic groups in Africa use the term Bantu. Bantu knots are achieved by parting your hair into small sections, coiling the sections, and wrapping them to make small buns. You can also achieve a Bantu knot-out hairstyle by taking out the knots for defined curly hair.
6. Banding
Banding is a method used to stretch hair with no heat using small elastics or hairbands.
7. Big Chop
The big chop is often used to describe someone cutting a large amount of chemically altered or damaged hair at once. Before a big chop, you can also transition your hair, growing it out and gradually trimming it off.
8. BNC (Braid N Curl)
The braid and curl method is a hairstyle achieved by braiding or plaiting damp hair and curling the ends using Flexi rods or rollers. Let it air dry or use a hair drier, then take out the rollers and braids to get curly hair.
9. Braid Out
A braid out is the coils that come about after taking down single braids or cornrows left in overnight and properly moisturized. A mouse, gel, or foam is used after or before braiding to ensure the style lasts longer.
10. Breakage
Breakage occurs when the hair shaft breaks leading to shorter strands and split ends. It can also occur as a result of over manipulation, heat damage, improper usage or choice of styling tools, or dry hair.
11. Co-Wash
Co-wash is a technique that involves washing your hair using a conditioner. Co-washing is a way to avoid using harsh shampoo with sulfates that strips the hair of natural oils.
[related_posts_by_tax post_types=”category,hair” posts_per_page=”3″]12. Deep Conditioning Treatment
Not to confuse with keratin treatments, deep conditioners provide your hair with an extra boost after cleansing. A deep conditioner is applied to the hair and left to sit in for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out.
13. Detangling
This technique involves using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to go through your hair while it is wet to make sure there are no knots.
14. Dusting
Just like trimming, dusting involves getting rid of the damaged tips of the hair to keep it healthy.
15. Edges
Edges refer to the short hair or baby hair around your forehead perimeter.
16. Elasticity
This is how long your natural hair can stretch before it returns to its natural state.
17. Hair Type/Curl Pattern
The shape of your hair strands in their natural state is known as the curl pattern. The curl pattern is categorized into 4 types:
- Type 1 – Straight
- Type 2 – Wavy
- Type 3- Curly
- Type 4 – Coily
Each category is divided into 3 subcategories: A, B, and C depending on the width of the curls.
18. Hand in Hair
Hand in hair is when you are touching your hair constantly, which leads to manipulation and damage.
19. Humectants
Humectants are substances found in hair products that work by drawing in moisture and promoting its retention. In humid environments, humectants draw moisture from the air into your hair. In dry climates, they draw moisture away from your hair into the air.
20. LCO/LOC Method
LCO (liquid, cream, oil) or LOC (liquid, oil, cream) is a step-by-step guide to the order in which you should apply moisturizing products to your hair to optimize moisture retention.
21. Manipulation
Manipulation describes the frequency of styling to create a hairstyle. This may include combing, heat styling, or stretching.
22. Pineappling
Pineappling is a way of placing your hair in a high loose ponytail to resemble a pineapple. This method is used to help maintain your curl definition overnight.
23. Plopping
Plopping is wrapping your hair with a microfibre towel or t-shirt after washing to absorb excess water. This helps in reducing frizz and defining curls.
24. Porosity
Porosity is your natural hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Natural hair porosity is divided into three categories: high, medium, and low porosity. The way your hair cuticles lay determines the porosity level.
25. Pre-Poo
A pre-poo is a conditioning treatment or oil applied to the hair before shampooing. If you are looking to add extra moisture to your hair or detangle, pre-pooing is a necessary step.
26. Protective Style
A protective style is a hairstyle that requires minimal maintenance and manipulation. It represents a hairstyle that tucks away the ends of your hair to promote longer and healthier hair.
27. Protein/Keratin Treatment
This is a treatment that helps restore hair elasticity and prevent breakage, particularly for color-treated hair. Since hair is made of keratin (protein), these treatments fill your hair with proteins and nutrients. It is recommended to use protein treatments every 4 to 6 weeks.
28. Regimen
A hair routine that enables you to keep your hair moisturized, happy and healthy.
29. Shrinkage
Shrinkage is the ability of your coily or curly hair to shrink up and look shorter than it is. When you stretch your hair through blowouts or braid-outs, it shrinks back to its normal state, especially after a wash day or moisturizing. Shrinkage indicates healthy hair.
30. Sulfates
Sulfates are chemicals usually found in cleaning products such as shampoos. Sulfates are dry on natural hair since they strip the hair of its natural oils and nutrients.
31. Transitioning
Transitioning is a term used to describe when a person stops using hair relaxers and lets the natural hair texture grow, then gradually cutting off the damaged ends or chemically processed hair.
32. TWA
TWA stands for Teeny Weeny Afro. It is an unstretched short afro, typically between 1 and 4 inches long.
33. Twist Out
Twist out is a term used as a styling method where you twist your hair in a dry or wet state using a product to create hold and definition. After the hair sets, the twists are unraveled to achieve a more uniform curl definition.
34. Wash and Go
Wash and go involves washing your hair and wearing it out in its natural state without braiding, twisting, or using tools to straighten or curl it. You cleanse and condition the hair, then work the product of your choice like a gel thorough the hair without disturbing the curls. You then air dry or diffuse the hair and you’re good to go.