[cyborg]

None of my elderly female relatives is balding ... most African-American hair-care practicioners are well trained in how to provide a woman with the hairstyle she desires without risk to the hair or scalp.

*Really? This is news to me as I meet many women who are not really going bald, but having too much breakage and hair not growing period. Straightening perm onto of a weave on top of a color is unhealthy! If you are a person on television then it's even worse with the lights and frequenty processing. If all the black women I know went natural they would have afros and locks or short hair. It may not be what they want but that's life.

[Quester]

Straightening perm onto of a weave on top of a color is unhealthy!

I agree!

And most hair-care practioners know not to apply these procedures so close together, so as not to damage the hair or scalp.

If all the black women I know went natural they would have afros and locks or short hair.

Of course, this is true, ... but it's not all or nothing.

I repeat, ... most African-American women manage to maintain a hairstyle which, allows them some modification on what nature has provided, all with no negative effect to their hair or scalp.

As in most things ... moderation is the key.

[Wordsmith]

If all the black women I know went natural they would have afros and locks or short hair. It may not be what they want but that's life.

My wife's tried all three, and is now on a set of dreads that have been going for about 3 years. With dreadlocks, no makeup, and bare feet (her typical appearance) most people are usually shocked to find out that she is wickedly conservative. Long live variety!