Penny Lebyane recently started a transition to natural hair and she is seriously looking amazing with her new afro. We caught up with Sunrise TV presenter to find out why she chose this path and how she maintains her natural hair.
By: Nkamogeleng Lebeloane
1. When did you decide to go natural?
I started questioning the impact of chemicals on my hair strand about 14 years ago. So, I started to minimise relaxing my hair, and used organic products. When I was pregnant with my first child, Takunda, I was determined not to lose my hair because of the hormonal changes – sometimes it grows drastically but breaks after you give birth. I cut it short in 2000, and tried to blow it because it was too thick; it ended up being over-processed and became too relaxed. I then intensified my research, and found more ways to keep it strong. Eventually, I stopped straightening it in 2013, and cut it short.
2. What is your haircare regimen?
I wash, condition and treat my hair every two weeks when I change styles. If it’s in an Afro state, I wash and condition weekly. I am also big on minimum heat, so I steam or let it dry naturally.
3. How do you grow your hair?
I don’t obsess about length; I focus more on texture, manageability and the strength of my hair. I’ve learnt that the worst thing you can do is to focus on growth.
4. How do you make sure that dyeing doesn’t cause breakage?
I only dyed my hair for the first time this year. I use silicon when it’s coloured, and my usual oils – Castor, Coconut and Argan – to keep it moist.
5. What is your favourite natural hairstyle?
A freehand mohawk and Bantu knots.
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of natural hair?
Natural hair is hassle-free. But, the disadvantage is that when you plait, it grows quickly and can therefore ruin your current hairstyle.
7. Do you experiment or have one hairstylist?
Only a few people are allowed to touch my hair. I’ve had this rule even when I was still doing weaves. I believe that if you want your hair to grow and be healthy, it should not be touched by a lot of people – if you don’t handle it with care, you can stress the follicles that can break. I also don’t need anyone trying out new hairstyles on my head as this just ends up putting unnecessary pressure on my hair.