The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care

by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy

You are viewing the Standard Black & White. The Science of Black Hair is the ultimate consumer textbook on black hair care. Technically oriented and detailed throughout, this book was written with the serious hair care consumer in mind. Hair science, research and testimony combine in this carefully written text designed to examine black hair on a deeper level. With its light academic style it is truly the last hair book you ll ever need. The special, salon professional edition of The Science of Black Hair features full-color photographs and color-tab organization to enhance the reading experience. All versions of the book feature special multimedia capabilities that bring the book to life including additional live tips and updated voice messages from the author for the life of the book! Readers will learn how * Maintain chemically-treated or natural hair in optimal health. * Stop hair breakage with a novel, protein/moisture balancing method. * Regulate product pH balance for shinier, more manageable hair. * Grow their hair longer, stronger and healthier for life! Additional Features * Regimen Builder with extensive product listings * Ingredients glossary * Interviews * Real photos of hair at the microscopic level Are you ready to stop battling your hair? Win the war against breakage. Forever. The Science of Black A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care combines research with testimony in an authoritative reference text dedicated to the care of black hair- relaxed or natural. This powerful book introduces readers to a comprehensive healthy hair care strategy for achieving beautifully radiant hair regardless of hair type. Black hair structure, properties, and maintenance methods are carefully outlined throughout this go-to reference book to give you the tools you need to improve the health and look of your hair, TODAY.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, African American, Science, Womens

258 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2011

About the author

Audrey Davis-Sivasothy is a Houston-based freelance writer and long-time, healthy hair care advocate and enthusiast. A trained Health Scientist, Sivasothy has written extensively on the intricacies of caring for hair at home. Her wildly popular book, The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care, has been featured in The Huffington Post, Essence Magazine, and Hype Hair Magazine.

For more information about The Science of Black Hair, visit Audrey on the web at http://www.blackhairscience.com, Twitter (@BlackHair101), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BlackHair101). Discover why they say she truly has black hair, down to a science.

Reviews

[Racquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time that I've read a book that has more to say scientifically about black hair than "there are more sulfur bonds that create the curl". It goes into all of the details that someone starting a healthy hair journey needs to know. And even if you aren't starting one, it at least clues you in to why many of us have never ending problems with hair (hair never getting past a certain length, dandruff, breakage, etc). I borrowed this from a friend, but I'm definitely going to be purchasing a copy. This is more like a textbook, or reference book. Something that I'll definitely be referring back to repeatedly not only for hair advice, but learning about the ingredients in the products that I use. I can break down the ingredients in almost every personal care product in my bathroom and closets now!

[Kamali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book. It was very informative. I had already known a lot of the information covered from my own years spent researching the web, blogs, hair forums, and YouTube. However, it is wonderful to have all this wealth of information on proper black hair care all wrapped up in a neat, little, package for easy reference. She did a wonderful job keeping the tone of the book objective, unbiased and not lording one way of wearing black hair over the other. Just cold hard facts without any personal anecdotes and judgements make this guide an easy and enjoyable read. Highly recommend for all black women who are still figuring things out in their hair journey whether it be as natural, permed, texlaxed, colored, heat-trained, etc.

[Shaunell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of you who are natural, transitioning or playing with the idea this is a great book. I especially liked the fact that the author discussed the science of hair in a way that anyone can understand and utilize the information.

[PoligirlReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, if you wanted to move beyond homespun wisdom to actual scientific knowledge about black hair, this is the book for you. Finally, an explanation for why my hair would behave (or not behave) in certain ways. There were times when I cringed because I was guilty of doing x, y, or z to my own tresses.

I liked the product list of "safe" brands for your hair(the list was long enough that it didn't seem like she was getting kickbacks for product placements). I thought her inclusion of interviews was kind of hilarious though, seeing how most of the women managed to completely ignore the book's guidelines.
"So tell me, how do you get great hair?"
"Well, to be honest, I never moisturize."
I'm not sure what purpose these interviews served, but it was good for a laugh.

I thought Davis-Sivasothy did a really nice job of advocating *healthy* hair, no matter whether it's natural, relaxed, in braids, etc. It's easy to fall into headfirst into the "hair wars," and she adroitly avoids doing so.

I think "transitioning" hair should've been given more coverage, but overall it was a very good read. I will be taking care of my hair differently after reading this!

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good. It had such a wealth of information. I am African American and have stopped getting relaxers since 2007. I have been studying natural hair since that time by reading blogs and watching YouTube. After reading this book I was amazed at how much incorrect and incomplete information is out there. The author did such a great job with breaking down dense information to really understandable concepts. She gave good regimens and tips and really gave the reader everything they needed to get their hair on a healthy track. I appreciated the fact that the book was about black hair and not about any other because our hair is very unique and while some concepts are universal, there are some things that we as black people need to understand about the unique characteristics of our hair.

My only small complaint is organization. Sometimes the author was redundant and disorganized. There were sometimes I read and thought 'ok why are we talking about this now, she mentioned this a few pages ago. What was the purpose?' The writing style wasn't bad, just sometimes disorganized. Editing and grammar were good. Overall it was a great book I will always have as a reference.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

During my journey returning back to my natural hair this book helped me not only understand my hair but learn to love my hair.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is must-read for those who, like me, have textured hair, and for hair stylists. For a long time textured hair was treated as "bad hair" and few hair stylists had any knowledge at all of how to look after it. The past few years things have changed, serious studies on textured hair have emerged and now we have a large choice of great products and techniques. Lots of us apply some of those techniques without actually knowing the reason behind them. This book puts together the results of those studies and gives you the science behind some of the new and trendy care regimens for textured hair.

[Maliza Mukungu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about afro-textured. It was well researched and it caters for people with afro-textured hair both natural and relaxed, both for adults and children. I wish there was more details or a chapter on a regimen build up but I guess that was not the point of this book. It is more of a textbook hence a lot of detail is covered. If one is looking for a way to make one's own regimen or products that information is not in here. Also I am in Africa so some of the commercial products mentioned in the book are not easily available so a bit of work will be required from me to use what I learned in this book.

But as a book to use as a teaching tool, it is a great book. I will need to read it again and again to fully use and grasp all I need to know about afro-textured hair.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew quite a lot from reading blogs and watching youtube videos! BUT, this books presents more, presents the facts and gives it to you in such a simple and easy manner! You'd better apply it all! This is a book for life, packed with information that has to be transferred! I have come to love my hair even more now, I know a lot more about it!!

[Gette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for anyone who is ready to embrace the natural hair journey. At times, it got repetitive and the constant “wash twice per week” position was laughable. It’s not like I’ve got a job or anything!

Rating system:
5 - Absolutely loved it!
4 - Enjoyed it / Interesting read
3 - Good / It was okay
2 - Could be better / Wasn’t that interesting
1 - Why did this even get published?

[Sbb1 Eco-friendly Functional Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear concise break down of hair (particularly textured hair), from how it grows and sheds on down to hair care and remedies. On a personal note, I think this is a good book to have if you have textured hair or are a parent or guardian of a child who has textured hair.

[Virginia Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have learned so much about black hair care from reading this book. I highly recommend it.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

This book was very informative and had lots of information. The best book on the education of African American hair.

[Joyce Senior · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every black woman should read this book! It has research-based information to help us make educated choices about our hair care regimes. Personally, it also took me back through all my childhood, teenage and early adulthood experiences dealing with my own hair. I really liked how she used an objective approach to describe different styling options without labeling them as good or bad. There are pros and cons to every style and ultimately it’s your hair, your body, your choice.
Also, one of my favorite sections was the children’s hair care chapter. Now I feel like I would know what to do if I ever decide to have my own. Every parent with kids with textured hair should read it!

[Ashley Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in my journey in understanding my hair. I will definitely be using this book as a reference for many things.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers EVERYTHING: Natural hair , relaxed hair , children's haircare , transitioning to natural. Extremely thorough!

[معاد حرب · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked the book
https://minoxidil.best/best-5-minoxid...

[Ankita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is no BS. Focuses on science and educating consumers on what to look for in hair care products and why. The science of hair care is so well explained.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR; Those interested in the notes I took can view them here: https://www.notion.so/ingridnkenlifac...

UPDATE: 3/2022:
5/5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


1 year since reading this book, and my regimen has been thus successful and low maintenance. I’ve opted for zero/low waste haircare products for personal reasons but my methods and outcome are still the same: stick to the system and you WILL achieve waistlength!
In addition to this book and the notes below I recommend watching GirlsLoveYourCurls, NaturalAcademia, GreenBeauty and LuvNaturals(KimmayTube) on YouTube.

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This is probably one of the best, if not the best, hair guides for Afro textured hair out there. The author is a certified trichologist, cosmetology consultant, and health scientist. She knows her stuff, and this 258-page textbook-guide is proof.

I wish I had read this book at the start of my journey. Back in middle school the natural hair movement wasn't as popular. It was just starting to bloom, and there were creators on YouTube here and there gaining clout, but no one with a SCIENTIFIC background who could prove or refute the misinformation that was abundant about black hair. This book does just that. For black American women especially, this book will be a great catalyst to your hair care journey. It was published in 2011, so it is written primarily for those who want to ween off the relaxers and actually learn how to take care of natural hair. And though I've been a natural since I was little, a lot of the information here was very new to me or an aha! moment.

I highly recommend this book for naturals or anyone been wanting to go natural , to start with THIS BOOK. Thanks to the modern age of information, there's plenty of educational sites, Youtube tutorials, vlogs, and even courses out there on Afro textured hair. But in my personal opinion, a book -- especially a textbook-formatted (yet easily comprehensible) book like this -- is the best way to go. 10/10. The only thing that would make this book a 100/10 is if it included a history of the traditional hair practices and techniques of our ancestors, but the author is American, so the book and the hair advice that comes with it is through an American perspective.

Otherwise, this is a worthwhile read.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. I'm currently natural but I would share this with my friends who are natural or relax their hair. It has a lot of helpful information, which real science to back it up. If I and my mother had this book when I was a teenager, maybe we would have been empowered to speak up against the obvious incorrect application of relaxer on my hair which led to breakage. I definitely remember the tingling and being told it was normal. I think I would have preferred "texlaxing" over relaxing, if I could go back and do it all over again.

[Cherise McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, that help me get my hair back into the shape it desperately needed. I do not prefer to have a salon take care of my hair as I've learned that most are scissor happy. Yes, it's good to trim your hair ever so often but not at every visit for me. So, the alternative is to get books and learn how to take care of my hair. This book done well in explaining how to maintain a healthy hair. And I've learn that my scalp loves Jamaican Black Castor Oil. And grape seed oil. This book has help me to retain length as I transition my hair. The Science of Black Hair is truly an eye opener for me.

[Keidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's extremely informative. I've learned a lot. I'm transitioning from relaxed to natural so it was perfect to me. It like my go to bible for my hair lol. I will say the only bad thing about it was I bought the Kindle format for my Kindle PaperWhite. It was super hard reading the diagrams and understanding. The book is pretty pricey itself also, but I'm sure it would be worth the money.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very informational regarding how to care for black hair. I especially appreciate the tips and information as a person who is currently transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair. For anyone that is going natural, doing the big chop or thinking about going natural I would recommend this book.

[La · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black hair is different. Its care should be approached with knowledgeable, loving care to reap the most reward which healthy is hair. This book is awesome. Informative, I have recommended it to family, friend and I intend to refer to my clients. Great resource for consumer and professional alike. Relaxed, Transitioning or Natural.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been natural for over two years. I wish that I would have read this book first. Doing so would have prevented me from making so many mistakes. I learned through trial and error. The book provides so much more information on how to care for textured hair. It's an excellent reference to keep on hand and I highly recommend it whether natural or relaxed.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of detailed scientific information about African textured/curly hair. It makes a good starting point and reference for figuring out what hair care products and techniques work best for a person's hair type.

[Allme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read in regards to understanding my own hair from a scientific point of view instead of old wives tales.

Every person with Afro hair needs to read this book. It will ensure we never have to use perm or any other chemicals again.

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so informative and complete. I only wish I had bought the book in paper form, since as an Audiobook I sometimes was missing visuals and the ability to "flag" pages for future reference. I must read for all black people and parents of black children.

[Retha S Daniel Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

Any person, (layperson or cosmetologist), should read this book if they are interested in making their or their client's hair the best it can be. I was reminded of things that I used to do for my hair, that I should have continued with.

[Jacqueline Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned even more about my natural hair. Great read. i will continue to refer back to this book for help.