Clinical and anthropological perspectives on chemical relaxing of afro-textured hair

S. A. Aryiku; A. Salam; O. E. Dadzie; N. G. Jablonski

doi:10.1111/jdv.13028

Clinical and anthropological perspectives on chemical relaxing of afro-textured hair

S. A. Aryiku, A. Salam, O. E. Dadzie, N. G. Jablonski

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The culturally engrained practice of «relaxing» afro-textured hair has been linked with hair and scalp disorders. Herein, we discuss the evolution of human hair types, focusing in particular on afro-textured hair. We explore the biological features of this hair type, and discuss the different methods employed to straighten afro-textured hair, focusing in particular on chemical straightening. We also examine clinical, anthropological, and psychological issues associated with this latter practice. Examples of common scalp pathologies associated with chronic hair relaxing, such as alopecia, hair breakage, caustic burns and irritant contact dermatitis, are also highlighted. The data presented herein should enable clinicians to engage in culturally appropriate discussions with their patients about issues of appearance and conformity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1689-1695
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Volume	29
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13028
State	Published - Sep 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Dermatology
Infectious Diseases

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1111/jdv.13028

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title = "Clinical and anthropological perspectives on chemical relaxing of afro-textured hair",

abstract = "The culturally engrained practice of «relaxing» afro-textured hair has been linked with hair and scalp disorders. Herein, we discuss the evolution of human hair types, focusing in particular on afro-textured hair. We explore the biological features of this hair type, and discuss the different methods employed to straighten afro-textured hair, focusing in particular on chemical straightening. We also examine clinical, anthropological, and psychological issues associated with this latter practice. Examples of common scalp pathologies associated with chronic hair relaxing, such as alopecia, hair breakage, caustic burns and irritant contact dermatitis, are also highlighted. The data presented herein should enable clinicians to engage in culturally appropriate discussions with their patients about issues of appearance and conformity.",

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AU - Aryiku, S. A.

AU - Salam, A.

AU - Dadzie, O. E.

AU - Jablonski, N. G.

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AB - The culturally engrained practice of «relaxing» afro-textured hair has been linked with hair and scalp disorders. Herein, we discuss the evolution of human hair types, focusing in particular on afro-textured hair. We explore the biological features of this hair type, and discuss the different methods employed to straighten afro-textured hair, focusing in particular on chemical straightening. We also examine clinical, anthropological, and psychological issues associated with this latter practice. Examples of common scalp pathologies associated with chronic hair relaxing, such as alopecia, hair breakage, caustic burns and irritant contact dermatitis, are also highlighted. The data presented herein should enable clinicians to engage in culturally appropriate discussions with their patients about issues of appearance and conformity.

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Clinical and anthropological perspectives on chemical relaxing of afro-textured hair

Abstract

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