Hair Care Practices and Structural Evaluation of Scalp and Hair Shaft Parameters in African American and Caucasian Women

The study assessed the differences in perceptions of hair health, hair care practices, and biological hair parameters between African American and Caucasian women. Significant differences were found in self-reported perceptions of hair health, with African American women reporting different hair shaft types, more hair breakage, and a greater desire to change their hair. Differences in hair care practices included the location of haircutting and washing, washing frequency, use of chemical relaxers, hooded hair dryers, and hair shaft conditioners. Both groups were similar in their use of hair color, frequency of hair color use, chemical curling agents, and handheld blow dryers. Biologically, African American women had different hair growth rates, density, diameter, number of broken hairs, and scalp blood flow, but no significant difference in hair cycle parameters was observed. These differences may contribute to the clinically observed variation in hair fragility and growth among African American women.