“I Am Now Being Who I Am And I’m Proud Of It”: Hair-Related Personal And Social Identity And Subjective Wellbeing Of Older Black Women In The UK

February 2025 in “ Journal of Women & Aging ”

Gabriela Daniels, Ameerah Khadaroo, Youngjin Hur, Caroline Searing, Dion Terrelonge, Hannah Zeilig

hair management natural styles hair coloring hair greying curly hair personal hair aesthetics cultural identity empowerment

Studysummary This study identified a significant trend among Black women towards less frequent use of complex hairstyles and salon visits over 30 years, while managing grey hair became a key element of personal and social identity. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This interdisciplinary study examines the hair management practices of older Black women in the UK, involving 46 survey participants and 10 in-depth interviews. It highlights a shift from complex hairstyles and salon visits to natural styles with age, while hair coloring frequency remains unchanged. The study identifies themes such as managing hair greying as an identity negotiation, the cultural significance of curly hair, and enhanced well-being through confidence in personal hair aesthetics. It emphasizes the importance of personal choice in hair management and the role of hair as a symbol of empowerment and cultural identity. The study calls for increased visibility and representation of older Black women's hair in media and work environments to support their social and professional engagement and improve subjective well-being.

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Research cited in this study

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