Question 1:
I have been trying to go natural since about August or September of 2008. Should I continue to stay natural or go back to a relaxer?

Cathy:
I would NEVER advise you to get a relaxer as they will make you bald if they are not properly applied. I will never put relaxer on my head ever again. If you decide to relax your hair again that is a personal decision you will have to make.

Question 2:
My problem with going natural is that now summer is here and I am working out. My natural hair reverts back to a kinky state, and styling is a problem. Since my transition, I have seen a great amount of breakage in the back of my head. I am not sure if it is from the way I sleep, do I need a protein treatment or from combing it while wet or a combination of all three.

Cathy:
If your hair is breaking I would start with a protein treatment. Next look at the way you are treating your hair. Severely tugging and pulling on afro-textured hair will cause breakage. Also if you are washing and deep conditioning your hair less than one time per week, that could also be your problem.

Question 3:
I have been in this country for six years now and I want to find a product or hairdresser I can believe in. I had long shoulder length hair six years ago and now, I have been gradually reduced to wearing ponytails because my hair has shortened and thinned. I have gone to hairdresser after hairdresser hoping to see a difference but no results. At first I thought that if they charge more then they must be doing something right, but I was proven wrong. I am at a point now where I would rather wear a wig so I do not have to worry about what to do with my hair. I am only 25. I wear ponytails immediately after perming my hair, because it is so thin and short. I can't style it. No product from the black hair stores seems to work. I do not know what to do!!! Please help me get my hair long and full again! I need help!

Cathy:
The first thing you need to do is STOP relaxing your hair. Your hair is thinning because a chemical the equivalent of "liquid drain cleaner" is being pushed into your head over and over again. This causes the hair to thin and will eventually make you baldheaded! Hairdressers are one of the reason we don't have hair. They are taught in beauty school to put their gloves on and smooth the chemical with their hands, fingers and comb against the other hair. This goes into the pores and changes the hair cell DNA. Please read my books before you do another thing to your hair. You must first understand why you have this problem before you can correct it. I realized that relaxers were a big problem for black women and thinning hair over 10 years ago. Education is the key to keeping our hair. Most hairdressers do not know this information and do not care because if you have no hair its money in their pocket. They make more money selling weave. Educate yourself to keep your hair!

Cathy Howse is a Black hair care expert and the founder of Ultra Black Hair Products/UBH Publications Inc., a 20-year old company that teaches the truth about Black hair care and growth. Her book, Ultra Black Hair Growth II, is classified as the only proven black hair growth system in the world. Notoriety for her method has been included in Who's Who in America, Who's Who of American Women, and Who's Who in the World. Visit her website at www.ultrablackhair.com or send your hair care questions to her via email at mail@ubhpublications.com.