We don't often speak about the impact that trauma has on hair. Maybe we should. Throughout my healing journey, my hair has told on me. And the women a
We don’t often speak about the impact that trauma has on hair. Maybe we should. Throughout my healing journey, my hair has told on me. And the women around me have asked, critiqued, or shamed me about my hair far more than they have asked: “How are you? Are you okay? Is there something I might be able to help you with?”
Years ago, my thinning and shedding hair was screaming out that something was physically off with me long before I was willing to acknowledge it to myself. I was still taking over-the-counter medications, going to doctors who weren’t finding anything or weren’t that concerned, and running through the treadmill of life. As long as my body could move through the motions; I kept it moving. What other choice did I have?
Like many Survivors, though I was locked in with healing, therapy, and faith; my body sustained damage. The damage from trauma can be on a cellular level.
In my case, there came a day when my body would not go any further. Now I pay closer attention, probably because I have no choice now.
Though that time, I distinctly recall being critiqued about my hair but rarely sincerely asked about my health and wellness. We must check in with one another on a deeper level and more often.
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In our ongoing battle against body shaming, we’ve made significant strides in recognizing and celebrating diverse body types. Yet, an often-overlooked aspect of this conversation is hair—a vital part of our physical identity. For Black women, hair is not just about style; it’s an expression of culture, heritage, and personal autonomy. Criticizing or pressuring Black women to alter their natural hair isn’t activism; it’s bullying. Such actions strip away their agency and send a damaging message that their natural selves are unacceptable.
The Uniqueness of Black Hair
Approximately 94.9% of Black individuals have curly hair, a texture that is relatively rare globally. This distinctiveness should be celebrated, not marginalized. However, Eurocentric beauty ideals often favor straight hair, leading to pressures that dismiss the natural beauty of Black hair.
The Pressures of the Workplace
The people who wear Black textured hairstyles for a season because of belief in open borders on cultures don’t always seem to share the core tenets of that belief when it comes to sharing land, property, and opportunity. That street goes one way. So, Black women work. Hard!
Black women often face immense pressures in professional settings, balancing the need to maintain employment with responsibilities such as supporting aging family members. In these environments, they may encounter biases against natural hairstyles, compelling them to conform to Eurocentric standards to secure their livelihoods. This forced assimilation is a direct affront to their autonomy and identity.
Autonomy and Agency
Every individual has, on average, about 100,000 hair follicles on their scalp. This personal landscape is theirs to nurture and style as they see fit. Respecting Black women’s choices regarding their hair is a fundamental acknowledgment of their autonomy and agency.
Moving Beyond Eurocentric Standards
Eurocentric beauty standards often promote assimilation, undermining the rich diversity of hair textures and styles. Embracing natural Black hair challenges these narrow ideals and fosters a culture that values uniqueness over conformity. But even when a woman embraces her hair, she can still easily become a target for nosy naysayers for the smallest perceived misstep.
Entitlement. Ownership. Boundary crossing.
Understanding Hair Loss, Stress, and Protective Styles
Critiquing wigs, scarves, and head wraps without understanding the underlying reasons is both insensitive and ignorant. Various medical conditions can lead to hair loss, prompting individuals to adopt protective styles of their personal choice. Some of these conditions include:
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder causing hair loss on the scalp and other body parts.
- Scalp Psoriasis: A condition leading to thick, scaly patches on the scalp, resulting in itching and potential hair loss.
- Traction Alopecia: Hair loss caused by constant pulling or tension on the hair, often from certain hairstyles.
- Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Hair loss resulting from cancer treatments.
- Lupus: An autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation leading to hair thinning or loss.
- Fibromyalgia: A chronic condition often linked to hair shedding due to systemic stress and inflammation.
- Depression and Anxiety: Chronic stress, mental health conditions, and
- Medications: Certain medications can contribute to significant hair changes, including shedding and thinning.
- Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can lead to hair thinning, shedding, and texture changes.
- Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause
- Diabetes can cause hair changes in women. High blood sugar levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to excessive shedding, thinning, or slower regrowth. Poor circulation, a common complication of diabetes, can also limit nutrients reaching the scalp, affecting hair health. Additionally, diabetes-related stress and inflammation contribute to hair loss.
- Endometriosis: This condition can cause chronic inflammation and hormonal fluctuations, leading to hair thinning and excessive shedding. The stress and pain associated with endometriosis can also trigger hair loss.
- Fibroids: These non-cancerous growths in the uterus can alter hormonal balance, especially estrogen dominance, which may lead to hair thinning or changes in texture. Certain medications used to manage fibroids may also contribute to hair loss.
Before passing judgment on someone’s choice to wear a wig, scarf, bald head, or head wrap, consider the personal, medical, and emotional reasons that might influence their decision. Hair changes with health, stress levels, and life circumstances—just like the rest of the body.
More than that, it is their choice. Let Black women make choices in peace.
A Call to Respect
Instead of imposing biases, we should focus on our own self-care. Human beings have approximately 5 million hair follicles across their bodies. Ensuring our own hair is clean, healthy, and well-groomed allows us to reflect on the messages we receive about beauty and individuality.
By respecting and celebrating the natural beauty of Black women’s hair, we honor their identity and promote a more inclusive and accepting society.
If you are not available to offer genuine concern and help, then minding your business and caring for your own needs would also be greatly appreciated.
I say all of this to myself too. I rarely speak on other women’s hair, but I do notice. Pensive silence is a peaceful and comfortable space for me. Because I am strong introvert I have to remind myself to always ask people-especially women- “how are you?” And, not just to be polite.
