Meaning ❉ The ivory comb, a tangible echo from historical hair practices, once served as a foundational tool in the meticulous tending of textured hair, especially within Black and mixed-race heritage. Its distinctively smooth, non-porous surface offered a specific advantage, gliding through delicate coils and curls to minimize friction and prevent snagging during detangling. This thoughtful design supported a methodical approach to hair management, enabling the even distribution of nourishing preparations and establishing systematic routines that preserved strand integrity. The disciplined application of such a tool underscores a deep understanding of textured hair’s unique structure, allowing for practical knowledge implementation that prioritizes gentle growth and reduces manipulation stress, a principle still vital for well-ordered textured hair care today.