Here is a list of the various hair terms that I may use in my blog. And before you ask, no I didn’t just make these words,acronyms or phrases up. These are terms that are used on almost every black hair care site….don’t believe me? Check out Long Hair Care Forum and see for yourself.

I promise to make this list as comprehensive as possible and make updates if necessary

EL: Ear Length

NL: Neck Length

SL: Shoulder Length

APL: Arm Pit Length

BSL: Bra Strap Length

BSB : Below Shoulder Blade

MBL : Mid-back Length

WSL : Waist Length Hair

NG: New Growth

BC : Big Chop

DC : Deep Condition

ACV: Apple Cider Vinegar

BSS: Beauty Supply Store

PJ : Product Junkie

BHM: Black Hair Media

LHCF: Long Hair Care Forum

EVOO : Extra Virgin Olive Oil

EVCO: Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

DIY: Do It Yourself

Co-washing: This means rinsing or washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. It’s a good way to put moisture back in your hair without stripping it with shampoo.

Deep Conditioning: Not all conditioners are deep conditioners, deep conditioners are thick creamy conditioners that are used to revive dull lifeless hair and impart shine and manageability. They are very good for people who have dry, damaged, relaxed, or color treated hair. Deep conditioning is an essential part of a black hair care regimen and should be done at least once a week for at least 30 minutes.

Moisturizing:  This is basically using a moisture based product like a leave- in spray or cream to moisturize your hair, most especially the ends. This is something that should be done daily or nightly or even twice a day to add moisture to your hair and prevent breakage.

Prepoo: This is just short for saying prepping your hair before you shampoo. All this is; is putting a conditioning mix or natural oils in your hair before you shampoo. It could be done for 30min to an hour or even overnight if hair is really dry. Doing this before you shampoo will help keep moisture in your hair.

Sealing: This means using a natural oil such as EVOO or EVCO after moisturizing to lock/seal in moisture in your hair. This step prevents your hair from drying out to quickly after moisturizing

Shed Hair: This is hair that has reached its full maturity cycle and has fallen out naturally. Shedding or shed hair is usually characterized by a strand of hair with a white bulb attached to the tip. This means the hair came out naturally from the roots.

Slip: When a comb glides effortlessly through wet hair

Stretching:  This means lengthening the time between relaxers, for instance stretching relaxers from 8 weeks to 10 weeks or 12 weeks.