Historical Perspectives on Hair Care and Common Styling Practices in Black Women

Patients often ask dermatologists how to best care for their specific hair type; however, recommendations in the literature are limited for Black women who utilize styles such as braiding, wigs, weaves, extensions, dreadlocks, thermal straightening, chemical processing, and/or natural textured hair. A thorough understanding of the history of hair care in those of African ancestry, different hair types, and various hair care practices is imperative for counseling Black patients and establishing trust. In this article, we provide an overview of evidence-based strategies on how to best care for textured hair in Black women. We reviewed currently available data via a PubMed search using terms related to Afro-textured hair and hair care practices. Knowledge of healthy hair care routines among dermatologists can aid in the prevention of common hair disorders that disproportionately affect Black women.