By Brianna Patt
How does hair loss harm Black women, and what can be done to learn to accept the changes to their scalp health?
How Are Styles Harm our Scalp Health
According to Dermatology Advisor, Black women are most likely to experience traction alopecia due to high tension hairstyles like tight braids, slick back buns, tight ponytails, etc. In these styles, hair is repeatedly pulled at.
This loss of hair, stylist and founder of non-profit Bold, Bald and Beautiful Jimmie Lavon Sanders says, can be particularly detrimental for Black women who hold our hair with spiritual and cultural significance.
“‘We have clung to that “your crown is your glory,” thinking as just your hair right? But just having that as a source and then no longer having that as a source, there can be a spiritual disconnection. For us, hair is everything. You know what we look like, our appearance, that is the first thing we see. So for that to be gone, we feel that we are robbed of something but worse is that we’re worried about how outside people see us as a culture.”
When Protective Styles Aren’t so Protective
Sanders states that while protective styles CAN be protective, you have to consider the goal of the style itself. The tension can also stem from too much added hair.
“When you’re getting into extensive tension, it’s because braids are too big or there’s too much hair being added because that hair is being pulled from different directions and different things like that,” Sanders said.
In a national survey for a short film discussing protective styles, it was discovered that amongst Black women 18-44, 67% expect discomfort when getting their hair done. 40% stated they had to take a pain reliever after getting their hair done. Only 19% stated they felt no discomfort when getting their hair braided. Pain seemingly has been a mainstay of the Black hair experience.
Sanders stated that hair braiding techniques are evolving to offer more ease on the scalp, such as knotless braids.
Traction alopecia is not the only kind that Black women may deal with, there is also alopecia areata, postpartum alopecia and trichotillomania just to name a few.
When dealing with this array of alopecia, Sanders suggests that you do what you can to mediate the situation when you notice signs of alopecia appearing. Go to a dermatologist if you are able to, or even a trichologist (someone who studies hair and scalp). Sanders also notes you should take note of dietary changes or health issues that may correlate with the change to your hair health.
Conclusion
If you are struggling with something such as traction alopecia where your hair can grow back, trying out hair treatments such as Rogaine , as Sanders suggests, can help bring the hair back.
If your hair loss is more permanent and you’re struggling to adjust, Sanders also suggests reaching out to support groups, specifically of people combating the type of hair loss that you are experiencing.
Another important factor to accepting your alopecia, Sanders says, is self-love.
“You’ve got to love yourself. You’ve got to be able to love you, what you look like. In the skin you’re in, regardless. Anybody and anyone that is in your life who doesn’t feel the same way and they can’t you the same or because of doesn’t need to be a part of your life. Because a lot of the things a lot of us are taking in are because we’re trying to please somebody else. But at the end of the day, it’s about loving you, loving the skin that you’re in and letting that light shine on because trust me some people out there waiting for you, waiting for your testimony who need see you.”
This post was originally published on Dallas Weekly.
