Uncle Funky's Daughter has expert experience in natural hair care. To dispel natural hair myths and give you expert advice, we have answered some common hair questions below:

Q: "My hair is natural, but I often press it for a straight look. Is this harmful to my hair?"
A: Anytime you apply heat to your hair you take the risk of causing some serious damage. Sometimes using a pressing iron or curling iron can scorch or burn your hair leaving it brittle and/or permanently straight in some sections.

Q: "Is a texturizer natural?"
A: No. No. No. We have hundreds of calls per week from individuals desiring a curly or the "Joan from Girlfriends look". First of all texturizers are not natural. Texturizers are chemicals that alter the natural state of hair and inhibit that hair from being styled through manual styling methods. It is not possible to create a truly naturally curly look to hair that is tightly coiled or does not genetically have this curl pattern without the use of chemicals or a manual styling technique like comb twists, twist out or a rod set. Some products will however aid in defining the curl pattern to give your natural curls more definition. Shop our beauty section for curly hair product options.

Q: "Can I get Two-Strand Twists if my hair is relaxed?"
A: Yes. We suggest you achieve a natural look with our Two-Strand Twist Extensions. This is an excellent option for clients who are transitioning from relaxer to natural. We have several extension hair options from which to choose for this style. Some clients in the transition stage may also qualify for Two Strand Twists without extensions with rod curled ends. Contact the salon for more information.

Q: "Can I shampoo my hair with starter locs?"
A: Yes. Clean locs are essential to healthy locs. Starter Locs in the infancy stage are best cleansed at home using a Dry Shampoo product. Products such as Herbal Cleanse by Organic Root Stimulator are wonderful aids to keeping your locs clean between salon visits. Dry shampoo products should be used as often as you would normally shampoo your hair or more often if you are active or perspire a bit more than normal. When you visit the salon for your regular maintenance, a stylist will professional clean your scalp and/or shampoo your hair. Clients who do not regularly clean their locs risk disturbance of their locking process as the stylist will have to shampoo more aggressively to remove debris from the hair. After locks begin to mature, the stylist will inform clients when they may begin to shampoo normally at home.

Q: "Can I shampoo SisterlocksTM and BrotherlocksTM? If so, what will I need to maintain them after the shampoo?"
A: The beauty of SisterlocksTM and BrotherlocksTM is their consistent groomed appearance. Unlike traditional locks, SisterlocksTM and BrotherlocksTM do not require retightening after each shampoo. Clients may shampoo daily if desired and the only maintenance is to separate each lock from the next to minimize tangles. Simply wonderful!

Q: "Are Dreadlocks and Locs groomed the same?"
A: No. "Dreadlocks" are started using a different process than "Locs". Generally, our dreadlocks are performed on non African-American clients with fine, oily, straight and/or wavy hair types. African-American hair is generally tightly coiled, not oily and dense and therefore locs can be started simply using a comb twist method. Additionally, we use a wax product on non African-American hair types because it helps to maintain the hold needed on straighter hair; however, we don't recommend wax on African-American hair types. Visit our dreadlocks page or contact the salon for more specific information.

Q: "How do I know if my locs are ready for conditioner? How often should I condition and what kind of conditioner should I use?"
A: Locks are mature enough for conditioner when they can survive two consecutive shampoos without unraveling. Conditioning should only be done immediately following a shampoo. Basic conditioners are pH balancers to shampoos. Conditioners are acidics that bring the alkalinity from a shampoo back down to something closer to neutral, relaxing the cuticle layer of the hair strands and coating it gently. Leave-in conditioners are good for loose natural hair, but can build up on locked hair. If the locks are conditioned properly after the shampoo, there isn't a need to use a leave-in conditioner product. Hot oil treatments are good to do seasonally, especially for those grades of hair that are particularly sensitive to dry heat or cold during seasonal changes.

Q: "I recently got braids and my hair was so tight that I had to take aspirin. Two days later my head was still hurting and several of my braids fell out…with MY HAIR IN THEM? What is your technique?"
A: Sounds like the braids were definitely attached too tightly. You should not have to endure torture when getting a braid service. Braids are a wonderful extension of our culture and the entire experience should be pleasant. We practice healthy hair braiding in our salon. Our salon is equipped with reclining styling chairs and MOST of our clients nap while getting their hair service. You did the right thing by removing those braids ASAP because you could have suffered more damage.

Q: "Do you perform any chemical or heat services in your salon?"
A: No. We do not perform any chemical relaxer services, pressing or texturizers.

Q: "Why do I have to pay a deposit to receive services at your salon?"
A: All of our services require a 100% deposit to secure an appointment. We understand your time is valuable. A deposit ensures a specific time block per customer. If a customer hasn't paid a deposit and cancels an appointment or doesn't show, the salon and the stylist lose revenue. Deposits ensure that the stylist and the client's time is taken into consideration. Also, we like to think of our service like your favorite concert-you buy your ticket in advance, to get a good seat for a fabulous show.

Q: "Are deposits refundable or transferable?"
A: No. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable and are for a specific appointment. We ask that all clients be sure of their availability before scheduling appointments with us. Appointment cancellations and rescheduling will result in forfeiture of deposits.

Q: "Do you offer children services?"
A: We only provide services to children 12 years and older. We are happy to recommend products to parents seeking hair care options for their children.