Diana Cream to Hair Relaxers: When Did They Start?

[Nightline Kid]

This question is geared mainly towards the girls but guys can answer too

I was curious as to where the origins of certain standards of beauty within the Somali community came from. Growing up I had female relatives, like cousins and aunts, use hair relaxer until their hair fell out, and I remember seeing empty jars of Diana cream in houses too. Obviously this stuff is far from unique to Somalis, but I've noticed it being especially prevalent amongst us, so I wanted to know why. Anyone have suggestions?

 

[AbdiJew]

I remember seeing Diana whitening products in a store in the early 2000s. So it's been used since then.

 

[Nightline Kid]

I found this interesting video while googling for info

 

[maestro]

The Indian movies that were too popular in the 00s had the most influence. Now they aren't as popular but people still use that as beauty standards because it has remained so.

We need a wave of Somali women going natural and being proud to reverse the damage.

 

[Gambar]

But I thought Somalis have soft hair, why would they relax it?

 

[TheAnswer]

I used to be against these products, but I recently looked at a few pictures out of Mogadishu and now strongly believe these products need to be distributed there FREE OF CHARGE

 

[Nightline Kid]

But I thought Somalis have soft hair, why would they relax it?

Depends on what you mean by soft. Somali hair varies greatly from person to person, though generally it ranges from a thick 3B to even a 4C (I have a brother and sister with 4C-ish hair)

 

[Beautylover]

Depends on what you mean by soft. Somali hair varies greatly from person to person, though generally it ranges from a thick 3B to even a 4C (I have a brother and sister with 4C-ish hair)

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Then why do some Somalis claim they have less kinky hair than Ethiopians? And why do they talk about soft hair so much

 

[Nightline Kid]

Then why do some Somalis claim they have less kinky hair than Ethiopians? And why do they talk about soft hair so much

Well generally it's more on the curly than kinky side. Something like this picture, in a way. This type of hair seems to be desired by Somalis though from what I've seen it's generally a bit more tougher in texture on most Somalis. Kinda like how Somalis aim for lightskin even though most of us, or at least from what I've seen personally, are generally darkskinned

Also I usually see Somalis praising their soft hair compared/relative to what is called "Madow" (Bantu) hair, not Ethiopian.

 

[Bahal]

I have never in my life seen any girl I know use relaxer

 

[Nightline Kid]

I have never in my life seen any girl I know use relaxer

Maybe it's exclusive to my community? I don't think it's completely unheard of. I knew a ton of family members who used it

 

[lurker95]

Depends on what you mean by soft. Somali hair varies greatly from person to person, though generally it ranges from a thick 3B to even a 4C (I have a brother and sister with 4C-ish hair)

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Actually type four isn't that common. The most common hair type is type 3. But the difference is that while other africans aim for curly aka typical somali hair, Somalis on the other aim for wavy/straight since most of us already have have curly.

 

[Nightline Kid]

Actually type four isn't that common. The most common hair type is type 3. But the difference is that while other africans aim for curly aka typical somali hair, Somalis on the other aim for wavy/straight since most of us already have have curly.

Yeah, that's why I said it ranges between those those hair types. I've seen 4A (between curly and kinky) a considerable amount of times within family members

 

[Strawberryshuffle]

I understand why some would want to have straighter hair. However relaxing is not the answer, your hair will fall out and leave you bald. better to have kinky hair than have no hair at all. and the diana thing, I do not understand that even a bit. I heard that stuff gives you cancer.

 

[Edo Nene]

My mother relaxings her hair. Mashallah she got thick hair
As for diana, its so 2000s. Everybody uses yusra herbal now.

 

[Someone]

I used a relaxer on my hair when I was a teen, turned out horrible. I definetly think girls and women in the somali community use it, but you cant tell with like Diana.

 

[YoungFarah]

I used to be against these products, but I recently looked at a few pictures out of Mogadishu and now strongly believe these products need to be distributed there FREE OF CHARGE

Doqonyahow is naceb naga aamus

 

[Professor]

Then why do some Somalis claim they have less kinky hair than Ethiopians? And why do they talk about soft hair so much

complete bullshitakhi nearly all my family including the boys of 2 c or above somali hair is much softer then ethiopian just not as long. Generally the worst of somali hair is 3c/4a. But I would say our hair is about 2c to 3c

 

[Professor]

Depends on what you mean by soft. Somali hair varies greatly from person to person, though generally it ranges from a thick 3B to even a 4C (I have a brother and sister with 4C-ish hair)

View attachment 24369

if you think that is true wallahi you are not somali. Most somalis are 2b-3b. The guys are generally near 3b/c but rarely do you ever find somalis in 4 you family must not be somali. Wtf is wrong with somali girls it is always you girls chatting shit.

 

[Nightline Kid]

if you think that is true wallahi you are not somali. Most somalis are 2b-3b. The guys are generally near 3b/c but rarely do you ever find somalis in 4 you family must not be somali. Wtf is wrong with somali girls it is always you girls chatting shit.

Horta why are you so pressed? I'm speaking from my general experiences and I've rarely seen 2B hair, I've seen 3B more often. You really trying to make this a gender thing?