How Natural Hair Protects from Sun Exposure and Cancer
For most of us, the control and condition of the hair on your head top of mind for mid-summer and now the transition season. In today’s post you’ll discover how head hair protects you from sun exposure and potentially cancer and some cautions concerning hair care and chemicals! Read on to discover the special blessings of natural hair. Curly hair, natural deep waves and Afro hair has regained popularity and even pride in its unique hair texture, which offers both aesthetic beauty and a biological advantage in protection from the sun.
Afro Hair and Sun Protection: The Science and Evolutionary Advantage
The possibilities for hair types are vast. Few are as distinct and significant as Afro-textured hair. It served as a beautiful marker of identity and as a vital part of human evolution. Often misunderstood, Afro hair is characterized by its kinky, tightly coiled texture that grows up or out, rather than straight down. Yet, this hair type has a unique protective factor that’s often overlooked, particularly when it comes to sun exposure and overall health!
The Evolutionary Role of Afro Hair
According to hair anthropologist, Tina Lasisi, Afro hair played an essential role for early humans living in Africa, where the solar radiation was intense. As humans adapted to walk upright and migrate in open environments, protection from the sun became increasingly important. Afro-textured hair provided a cooling advantage by creating an insulating layer that protected the scalp from direct UV exposure while allowing air to circulate freely. This structure helped prevent overheating, especially important in protecting the brain from excessive solar radiation. It’s a reminder that Afro hair is not just aesthetically distinctive, but a vital evolutionary feature that allowed early humans to survive in harsh, sun-drenched climates.
Hair as a Natural Sunshield
All hair types, to varying degrees, provide some level of protection against UV rays, but the texture and density of Afro hair offers a greater shield compared to straight or wavy hair. Why? Again, because the tightly coiled nature of this hair type creates a dense barrier that reduces the amount of sunlight directly reaching the scalp, offering protection against sunburn and skin cancer. Studies have shown that the shape and growth patterns of Afro hair provide better UV defense, a built-in safeguard that many people may not be aware of. The natural volume of Afro-textured hair, along with its unique ability to diffuse sunlight, means that those with this hair type can experience less direct sun exposure on the scalp compared to people with straighter hair types.
However, while Afro hair provides some level of protection, it’s not invincible to prolonged exposure. It’s still important for everyone, regardless of hair type, to protect their scalp and hair from the harmful effects of the sun. Wearing hats, using protective hairstyles, and applying sunscreen to exposed areas like the hairline and partings can offer additional protection.
Chemical Hair Treatments and Their Risks
Social pressure has led people with Afro-textured hair to conform to beauty standards that favour straight, sleek hair. Chemical treatments, such as relaxers and straighteners, are often used to change the hair’s natural texture. However, many of these products contain carcinogenic ingredients, which have raised significant concerns about the long-term health risks they pose. Studies have linked some hair relaxers to an increased risk of uterine cancer and other health issues, particularly among Black women who use these treatments more frequently.
The continued use of these chemicals can have devastating effects not only on the hair itself, causing breakage and damage, but also on overall health. While societal pressures may push individuals toward using such treatments, it’s important to recognize the beauty and benefits of natural Afro hair and to prioritize hair health over aesthetic conformity.
Embracing Natural Hair for Health and Confidence
Globally, there’s an empowering movement where people with Afro-textured hair are embracing their natural curls, kinks, and coils. This is not just about fashion or beauty—it’s about health. Celebrating Afro hair in its natural state helps break the cycle of harmful chemical treatments and encourages women especially, to embrace the protective qualities their hair inherently provides.
Find out more about the work of hair anthropologist, Tina Lasisi towards a greater understanding of Afro hair’s evolutionary purpose and the potential risks associated with altering it and the shift in perceptions about beauty and health each of us can benefit from.
For more in an audio interview with Tina Lasisi on The Origins of Human Hair on The Leakey Foundation, Origins Podcast May 2024.
Protection for All Hair Types
While Afro hair offers exceptional protection from the sun, it’s crucial to note that all hair types need care and attention when it comes to sun exposure. Straight, wavy, or loosely curled hair may allow more UV rays to penetrate the scalp, putting individuals at greater risk of sun damage. Those with these hair types should be mindful of their sun exposure and take preventive measures, such as using protective products or wearing hats when outdoors for long periods.
Regardless of hair type, understanding how to protect your scalp and hair from the sun is vital for long-term health. Scalp cancers are a real risk for those who don’t take precautions, so embracing natural hair protection methods, and using products that support healthy hair, can make a significant difference.
Tina Lasisi and other experts in hair care, loss and protective advantages on CBC’s The Nature of Things hour long program on “Untangling the Science of Hair” found on CBC here.
Celebrate your natural self and protect your skin and hair, top to toe in the sun. Honouring natural hair and embracing its protective qualities, preserves hair’s health and reclaims our deeper connection to our heritage and our bodies’ natural defenses.
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