Persuasive Blog Post- Why Certain People shouldn't do Certain Styles.

I’ve seen people with straight hair attempt to do a style called ‘box braids’, and they suffered substantial hair loss, and irreversible traction alopecia from tension their hair couldn’t handle. There are many styles that people with straight hair cannot physically do, without emulating kinky curly hair, and the heavy products that coarser hair needs will damage straight hair.





Dreadlocks are a style people with straight hair often try to emulate, which is a cultural phenomenon. In a CNN article, journalist Jasmine Wilson quotes: "For me what it means to lock one's hair really felt like going back to the natural progression of what my hair was like on its own," she said. "To see other people take extra steps to push their hair in that direction is an interesting thing to look at as a different sort of metaphor as opposed to this is what your hair would do naturally." (Wilson, CNN) To start with the origins, it’s assumed that it started in Africa, where early humans with kinky curly hair left their hair to grow, and it naturally locked up. It’s now a style for those who want to connect to their black cultural roots, I say black, as not all people of color are African. It’s most common in Rastafarians, who simply grow their hair/ locks long due to their religion and philosophy on life. (Think Bob Marley)





Many hairstyles, including locks, have a rich historical background, one that should not be replicated by those who haven’t gone through the history. Many people with curly hair have had an adverse history, ancestor-wise including over 400 years of slavery, oppression, and systematic abuse, and it’s an act of rebellion of European beauty standards, and reclaiming history. There is often an unfair double standard, in which people with straighter hair, and lighter skin replicate a style, rename the style, (Think: Boxer Braids), then take credit and receive praise for it. On the other hand, a person with curlier hair, and more melanin will wear the original style (Cornrows), but be seen as uncivilized, “ghetto”, or unprofessional. People have been fired, young adults have been prohibited from graduating, and athletes have had their hair cut all for it being ‘too ethnic’, or ‘unfit for the workplace’. Those who don't live through the hardship of being black shouldn't have the benefits of being black, such as the hairstyles.





The argument, “anyone can wear x style”, is reasonable on a societal standpoint, but if you consider hair health, it’s baseless. The various gels, creams, and sprays needed to style curly-kinky hair damages the keratin of straight hair, and it’s impractical. Kinky-curly hair sheds much more often than straight hair and requires less washing. The products are meant to lock in moisture, and natural oils, but straight hair produces much more oil, or sebum, which makes the various custards and creams ineligible for healthy, straight hair.





To conclude, all hair is beautiful, straight or curly, but they need different maintenance. There are multiple reasons that certain hairstyles shouldn't be tried for the integrity of hair health, and morality. All hair is good hair if maintained. If you want more information on maintaining your hair, I'll link my blog post on maintenance under citations. So go! Maintain your beautiful hair! Try new styles! Just be respectful to different cultures, and remember what you're putting in your hair.



Citations- https://www.dove.com/in/stories/tips-and-how-to/hair-care-tips-advice/how-to-take-care-of-curly-hair.html


https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/why-is-my-hair-so-oily


https://www.devacurl.com/blog/hair-shedding-101/


https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/31/living/white-dreadlocks-cultural-appropriation-feat/index.html


https://www.allure.com/gallery/13-best-hair-products-for-women-of-color


https://svmsla.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-misadventures-of-kaleya-no-2.html