Lee, N. (2018). Don’t Touch My Hair. (self-published)
Barbers and Cosmetologist are a major influence on one's energy field while they work on the Crown(head) center. The Crown center is the most open and powerful energy source on the body. Therefore, one must be careful WHO touches their hair.
Browne, R. (2006). “Most Black Women Have a Regular Source of Hair Care-But Not Medical Care.” Journal of the National Medical Association, 98(10), 1652-1653.
In this issue, Brown, Naman, Homel et al. present the results of an innovative community-based health education program that the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health has conducted in African-American beauty salons since 1996. Black Pearls: The Health and Beauty of the Black Woman is a beauty-salon-based health education and screening program in Brooklyn, NY that has recently been replicated in West Philadelphia, PA.
Helm, J., Nishioka, M., Brody, J., Rudel, R., & Dodson, R. (2018). “Measurement of Endocrine Disrupting and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Hair Products Used by Black Women.” Environmental Research, 165, 448-458.
Personal care products are a source of exposure to endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemicals. Because use of hair products differs by race/ethnicity, these products may contribute to exposure and disease disparities. This preliminary study investigates the endocrine disrupting and asthma-associated chemical content of hair products used by U.S. Black women. Hair products used by Black women and children contained multiple chemicals associated with endocrine disruption and asthma. The prevalence of parabens and DEP is consistent with higher levels of these compounds in biomonitoring samples from Black women compared with White women. These results indicate the need for more information about the contribution of consumer products to exposure disparities. A precautionary approach would reduce the use of endocrine disrupting chemicals in personal care products and improve labeling so women can select products consistent with their values
Hughes, R., Chiaverini, C. Bahadoran, P., & Lacour, J. (2011, March). Corkscrew Hair: A New Dermoscopic Sign for Diagnosis of Tinea Capitis in Black Children. Arch Dermatol, 147(3), 355–356.
Khumalo, N. P., Doe, P. T., Dawber, R. P. R., & Ferguson, D. J. P. (2000, November). What is normal black African hair? a light and scanning electron-microscopic study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 43(5), 814-820.
The hair of normal black Africans forms a mat of tightly interwoven hair shafts. The effect of this on the structure of the hair shaft and the response to grooming is unknown. Our purpose was to use light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the structure of Negroid-type hairs and effects of combing in black African volunteers. Methods: Hair samples were collected, by combing, from Africans and compared with those from Caucasian and Asian volunteers. The volunteers had never used chemical treatments. Their hair had not been cut for at least 1 year and grooming had been limited to shampooing, drying, and combing. Results: More than 2000 hairs in 12 African volunteers were examined by light microscopy. The hairs appear as a tight coiled spring-like structure. Many shafts exhibited knots (10%-16% vs 0.15%) and appear broken compared with hair shafts from other ethnic groups. SEM of African hairs showed features consistent with repeated breaks of the shaft. Examination of hairs in situ showed interlocking of hair shafts. Conclusion: These observations provide an understanding of the physical nature of, and effect of combing on, black African hair.
Mbilishaka, A. (2018). “PsychoHairapy: Using Hair as an Entry Point into Black Women’s Spiritual and Mental Health.” Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism, 16(2), 382-392.
Most Black women who experience psychological distress do not receive mental health services because the dominant model of service delivery is often inaccessible and culturally disengaged. This mismatch of westernized approaches to mental health neglects the cultural significance of informal helping networks, spirituality, and interdependence found in the Black community. Based in Africana Womanism, an exploration of healing modalities in traditional African societies reveals the influential role of hair and spirituality in holistic wellness practices. Therefore, “PsychoHairapy” is a community health model created to secure space for Black women to address mental health and well-being through hair care. PsychoHairapy is grounded in traditional African spiritual systems that are culturally relevant by focusing on relationships that promote healthy practices. The theory and the practice of PsychoHairapy includes training hair care professionals in micro-counseling techniques, psychologists housing private psychotherapy sessions within the hair care setting, facilitating salon-based group therapy, and the distribution of psychoeducational materials and workshops to Black women.
Mitchell Dove, L. & Powers, L. (2018). “Exploring the Complexity of Hair and Identity Among African American Female Adolescents In Foster Care.” Children and Youth Services Review, 95, 368-376.
African American children are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare system. Many of these children linger in the system and experience disconnection from their biological families, communities, cultural beliefs, values and practices. Familial socialization and cultural exposure are essential to developing a positive ethnic identity and self-concept. For African American female adolescents, hair and hair care are critical areas for such socialization and support. This exploratory qualitative study examined the hair and hair care experiences and perceptions of African American female adolescents in foster care. Four major themes emerged: perceptions of hair and identity as an African American female; hair care experiences/support and perspectives; societal influences on self-awareness; and influence of the foster care system. Results from the study indicated African American female adolescents in foster care identify hair as important. Participants noted hair was connected to appearance and shaped who they are and how they viewed themselves as African American females.
Okazawa-Rey, M., Robinson, T., & Ward, J. V. (1987) Black Women and the Politics of Skin Color and Hair, Women & Therapy, 6:1-2, 89-102.
Explores issues related to shades of color of Black women from a literary perspective. Novels are cited, documenting the plight of the Black women who were dark vs light skinned. It is argued that literature reflects life and, within the lives of Black women, stereotypical attributions and prejudgments based on skin color have led to intragroup rivalries. Color conscious attitudes are inculcated in children in the homes and reinforced in the society. A historical overview of color consciousness, beauty and social attitudes, and racism and sexism is discussed to provide a view of the psychological development of the Black woman.
Scott, D. A. (1988). Disorders of hair and scalp in Blacks. Dermatologic Clinics, 6(3), 387-395.
The hair and hair follicle in blacks have unique and characteristic configurations. This article reviews structural differences in black hair, traumatic alopecias that are commonly associated with techniques of hair grooming in blacks, and hair shaft abnormalities and disorders of the scalp that occur predominantly in blacks.
Versey, S. (2014). “Centering Perspectives on Black Women, Hair Politics, and Physical Activity.” American Journal of Public Health, 104(5), 810-815.
As researchers categorize issues facing Black women's health, obesity and physical exercise continue to be significant topics of debate. General interventions targeted toward Black women to address obesity and increase physical exercise have been largely ineffective. In this article, I situate the current public health discourse on obesity and related interventions within a sociocultural context of body appearance, with a specific focus on hair. Why do some African American women feel such strong ties to their hair that they will avoid exercise? What can be done to understand this phenomenon and address alternatives that may make both hair maintenance and regular exercise feasible? I map a theoretical argument for why hair matters for some women, and discuss how physical activity intervention strategies might be improved by considering such complexities.