There is an old adage which states, a woman’s hair is her beauty!  This begs the question, why are we as black women embracing synthetic hair and not our natural hair?  Maya Angelou a staunch advocate for self improvement and self love stated, “a woman’s hair is her glory.” Was she onto something with her sage advice?  African slavery left black women with the mindset that we lack “good hair” and so it needs to be covered up by a hair wrap, relaxed, synthetic braids or weave.

The film, “Good Hair” examined the connection between black women and our hair and the need to embrace our natural hair.  Post slavery the vogue style was to “relax” our hair using dangerous and skin burning chemicals where scalp burning was common.  Today, we as black women embrace all things synthetic from braids to weave as the optimal beauty standard for our hair.  Recently, the Ivory Coast banned contestants from wearing wigs and other synthetic hair during the Miss Ivory Coast pageant.  What standards would be set at Spice Mas in Grenada, Crop Over in Barbados and Caribana in Toronto for the 2025 mas?

A recent article in the BBC, Are my braids doing more harm than good? examines our relationship between synthetic braids and their health effects.  The study conducted by the US based Consumer Reports which reviews consumer products for safety and reliability set off a maelstrom of media reports.  The article titled “Dangerous Chemicals Were Detected in 100% of the Braiding Hair We Tested” and the words “Carcinogens were detected in all of them” resulted in a telephone call to my hairdresser.  I asked, “what do I do with my hair now?”.  As if, sumting so wrong wid meh natural hair dat ah have to wear braids.  The shocker is that “Lead was detected in nine of 10 products.”  But wait, lead, I cannot believe those are still included in products used for human contact when the World Health Organisation clearly lists the dangers of lead contact.  What are we consuming and who is responsible for safety standards in our marketplace?  Ultimately, the onus falls on us as consumers to research products and their dangers to our health with a focus on our health and wellness.

Consumer Reports further stated that in 2023 black women in the US spent “$2.79 billion and is expected to reach a value of $6.34 billion by 2029” on hair wigs and extensions.  The BBC citing a 2021 study by Treasure Tress stated, that women in the UK spent £168m a year on hair products.  Further, the cosmetic giant L’Oreal discovered that black women in the UK spent six (6) times more on hair care compared to white women.  I am left to wonder what would happen if rather than spending that astronomical amount of money on hair which we typically discard in one month and we invest the same sum for educational lessons for our children.  

Ok, enough of the studies – let us as women embrace our natural hair and wear it with pride.  If the men can embrace their natural hair then so can we!  Now for the natural solutions – from Ghana braids, updo, twists, cornrows, locks, undercut, afro to Bantu Knots the list is endless.  Your health and wellness begins with you making prudent choices.

Caring for natural hair can be one of our biggest challenges but there is hope.  Today agro-processors offer carefully researched products with a focus on health and wellness.  Natural ingredients such as coconut, peppermint, rosemary and thyme oil are used for healthy hair and natural styling.  Even sulfur from Grenada’s rich volcanic soils and natural treasures such as Rainbow Falls can be used to treat dandruff and other skin conditions.  Cold pressed coconut oil can also be used to treat dandruff.

Turmeric is a natural powerhouse used to treat alopecia commonly known as hair loss.  The little green super plant, rosemary found in many kitchen gardens can also be used for hair growth.  Grenada, the Isle of Spice produces Fine Flavoured Cocoa which is also known for its hair moisturizing qualities to aid hair growth.  Stinging nettle or “zootie” as it is commonly known in the Caribbean boasts anti-inflammatory properties with the ability to heal a host of ailments including hair loss and stimulate hair growth.  Both the hibiscus leaf and flowers can be used for hair growth.  Directions to create a hibiscus tea for hair growth can be found on the link.

In the words of the great Bob Marley, “emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”  Thus, let us all embrace our natural hair and break free from the shackles that our hair is “not good”.  

All the experts are singing from the same playbook, thus as individuals we need to act to protect our health and the natural environment.  Speak to your medical provider about your health care.

Spice Health is written by Tricia Simon, owner and manager of Cocoa Pod Botanicals, a natural health and wellness skin care line.  She also operates Mt. Parnassus Plantation, a nature-based tour facility focusing on health and wellness.