(BLACK PR WIRE/FAMU-TALLAHASSEE) – Hair stylists at local shops have received an increasing number of African American women clients that cut off their hair and chose natural hair styles. Yata Bryant, a licensed hair stylist for Yata’s Styles, said “I have noticed an increase in the number of clients wanting to go natural for reasons such as following trends and religious or spiritual beliefs.”

According to Bryant, the beginning stage of going natural involves a lot of maintenance and is expensive. “A natural hair style such as interlocks requires a lot of time and materials which makes it very expensive,” Bryant said.

The reason for choosing natural hair styles such as afros and locks varies among African American women. Ayanna Martinez, a senior broadcast student at Florida A&M University, chose to cut off all of her hair and go natural because of spiritual beliefs and influence from friends. “For me, natural hair is precious and is an outer expression of an inner change,” Martinez said. “Since then, I feel that I have had a chance to get to know myself better.”

Audrey Kennedy, a third year public relations student at Florida A&M University, chose to go natural after a stylist at a hair salon in San Francisco, California informed her that her hair was damaged because of chemicals. “When I visited the salon in my hometown, the lady told me I can’t leave until I cut off all of my hair,” Kennedy said.