<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Ethnic women are blessed with thick hair that grows at a much faster rate than other hair types. Great news? Yes, but this also means ethnic hair is more likely to frizz and is a lot harder to maintain and handle than other hair types.  According to trichologist, Iain Sallis, there are three main hair types: Caucasian, Afro and Mongoloid hair.  Caucasian hair, usually found in European, Scandinavian and western-American countries, has an oval shaped cross section, grows between five to seven years and comes in the widest variety of colours.  Afro hair, typically found in African and Caribbean people has a more elliptical/irregular shaped cross section, grows very curly, has no growth patterns or visible partings, grows for five to seven years and comes in one colour - black.  The final type is Mongoloid hair, found in people from China, Japan and Mongolia.  This type of hair has a circular shape cross section, is very strong and straight, can grow for up to a decade and is also usually black in colour.  South-Asian/Indonesian people fall under a different hair sub-type, as they typically have long, dark hair like Mongoloid hair, but there is a slight wave to it and it is finer. Each type of hair comes with its own, unique set of problems and solutions, so follow our tips to help keep your hair under control.  Afro hair The Afro-Caribbean hair industry is thriving and, according to a report by Mintel in 2013, it&amp;#039;s worth an estimated \u00A360 million a year in the UK.  These staggering figures indicate an increasing need to treat and maintain Afro-Caribbean-Caribbean hair. Recently there&amp;#039;s been a shift in the requirements for Afro-Caribbean hair, with more women embracing their natural Afro.  According to Mintel there has been a 26 per cent decline in hair relaxer sales since 2008.  As beautiful as natural Afro-Caribbean curls may be, maintaining it can be hard as the hair is naturally drier, weaker and prone to breakage.  &amp;#039;Afro-Caribbean hair is the only type of hair which needs specialist care as it is the most fragile,&amp;#039; says Iain. &amp;#039;It also needs a shampoo and conditioner with high moisture content as it can become very dry very quickly.  &amp;#039;Oils are usually very good for Afro-Caribbean hair too, locking in moisture and giving a shine to hair that by its very nature does not want to shine.&amp;#039;  A popular ongoing trend with women who have Afro-Caribbean hair is to straighten it, which Iain warns can cause long term damage.  &amp;#039;Hair straighteners and &amp;#039;relaxers&amp;#039; are devastating to Afro-Caribbean hair as it is so weak and requires extra care when it comes to chemical processing.&amp;#039;  Relaxers break down the protein bonds in naturally curly hair and loosen the curl pattern. These protein bonds are also what gives the hair its strength and so, when the hair is relaxed, the basic structure of it changes.  The chemicals penetrate the inner layer of the hair and continue breaking down the bonds, while stripping the hair of its strength and elasticity.  Asian hair  Asian hair is generally much easier to handle than Afro-Caribbean hair, but it can be prone to frizz.  &amp;#039;Asian hair has twice the diameter and a much thicker cuticle than Caucasian hair,&amp;#039; explains Iain. &amp;#039;Most hair types have around five layers of cuticles while Asian hair has closer to ten.&amp;#039;  It also grows much quicker: &amp;#039;Asian hair grows at a record rate of 1.3 cm a month, and it also has the longest cycle of growth, lasting up to nine years compared to the average two to seven years.&amp;#039;  Because Asian hair is thicker and sometimes longer, it also tends to lose more moisture, which can lead to dryness and split ends.  To keep hair frizz-free, incorporate a weekly intensive hair mask into your hair care routine. This will help give it a much needed injection of moisture. Regular trims every two-three months will also keep split ends at bay and stop hair from breaking.  Another tip, popular in the Indian subcontinent, is to use natural oils. The night before you wash your hair, apply a penny-sized portion of oil to dry hair and gently massage into your scalp from root to tip. Coconut, olive and mustard oils all work well on thick, frizzy hair.   Leave on overnight with a shower cap and then rinse and shampoo the following morning to reveal stronger, glossy locks.  East Asian hair East Asian hair is also blessed with naturally glossy, soft hair.  &amp;#039;East Asian hair usually has higher porosity levels, absorbing and retaining moisture more quickly,&amp;#039; explains Iain.  &amp;#039;The hair contains a medulla filled with plenty of dark pigment, which is thought to contribute to its shine and high moisture content.&amp;#039;  Caucasian hair Caucasian hair is less prone to frizz and breakage as the diameter of the hair is smaller, but this means it can look limp and lifeless.  Applying a volumising mousse or treatment before blow-drying can help give it a much needed boost of volume.  People with Caucasian hair should also avoid over-conditioning as this can cause it to become oily or greasy.  Which ingredients to look out for or avoid There is a lot bad press about harmful ingredients that can damage your hair, but Iain claims that it is highly unlikely that these can severely affect it.  &amp;#039;Ingredients like sodium laureth sulphate, parabens and silicates are not all necessarily bad for your hair,&amp;#039; he explains.  &amp;#039;Shampoos are relatively inert products that cleanse the hair and nothing else. Conditioners act as an emollient and smooth down cuticles.  &amp;#039;Your hair is a fibre and not a living tissue - there is little by the way of hair product that can cause any real damage.&amp;#039;  To tame thick, unruly hair look out for natural ingredients, such as shea butter and coconut oil, which can help strengthen and seal moisture in the hair as well as keep it looking shiny.  Almost all natural products are great for ethnic hair, but the ones that are specifically popular in the Asian subcontinent are coconut, egg, amla, acacia and yogurt.  Ultimately, beautiful hair starts from within, so make sure your diet is rich in good fats such as salmon, nuts and leafy greens for healthy, supple locks in no time.  Want to know more about ethnic beauty? Ethnic skincare: Just like different skin types, different ethnicities also come with their own set of skincare problems.  The rise in double eyelid surgery: Double eyelid surgery, once thought of as controversial, has become so widespread that it&amp;#039;s now more popular than a nose job in the UK and USA.  Ethnic suncare: One of the biggest skincare myths is that people with darker skin do not need much or any protection from the sun.  Banish hyperpigmentation in ethnic skin: Ask most ethnic women what their biggest skincare concern is and they&amp;#039;re likely to say hyperpigmentation.   Last updated 01.10.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/haircare/a8996/how-to-manage-ethnic-hair/>