Micro braid hairstyles are popular among men and women.
There are many different types of African American haircut styles, but for women, most of these designs revolve around styling rather than cutting the hair. Men’s haircuts are equally numerous and can involve cutting the hair into unique designs or styling it in chunks when it’s longer. Many people whose hair has the typical spiral characteristics of African-American hair are turning away from tight braids, relaxing chemicals, and other potentially damaging styling techniques for those that don’t damage the hair or scalp. Like all other racially specific hair types, almost any haircut is possible with enough time and energy, even if the hair doesn’t naturally form a certain pattern.
Relaxing hair generally makes it smooth and shiny.
Some of the most common African American haircut styles involve braids of various types. Tiny braids, sometimes called micro braids, can be used to create long, flowing hairstyles. Larger braids can come straight out of the scalp or follow the head in straight lines or decorative patterns. African American haircuts that involve braids often need to be redone when the hair gets longer or when the braids start to unravel.
For many African-American women, the hairstyle depends on the style rather than the cut itself.
For men, some of the common African American haircut styles include fades, Caesar cuts, and other short, vibrant styles. Men also often wear braids, dreadlocks, and other sectioned styles. Haircuts that involve the use of long, natural hair are also popular and can be combined with braids and other sectional styles. Natural styles are sometimes called afros, but are also sometimes simply said to wear the hair naturally.
Dreadlocks are common haircut styles among African Americans.
African American haircut styles for men and women can include dreadlocks, hair twists, and braids. When combined, they can create any number of different hairstyles and looks. Many hairstyles consisting of long beaded or dreadlocked locks can be modified with jewelry, cuffs or beads, sometimes made specifically for this purpose. Sectioned hairstyles are very adaptable, but mostly rely on the skill of the stylist to achieve a unique look. In a sense, styling hair this way is an art, involving design elements not seen in many other cultures.
African braids have cultural significance for the descendants of the continent.
Many African American haircut styles revolve around the application of chemicals to the hair to straighten it. This is often seen as problematic, particularly when it comes to children, because these chemicals can be dangerous and can permanently damage the scalp and hair. Still, chemical alteration is at the heart of many African American haircut styles. Relaxing the hair generally makes it smooth and shiny, and it can be cut to any cut appropriate for that hair texture.