In what ways do traditional oiling methods align with modern scientific understanding of textured hair health?

Roots

In the vast expanse of human heritage, few elements carry the stories, struggles, and triumphs of a people quite like textured hair. It is a living chronicle, a crown woven from ancestral resilience, echoing practices that stretch back to the dawn of civilization. To truly grasp the ways traditional oiling methods align with modern scientific understanding of textured hair health, one must first listen to the whispers of the past, understanding that care was never merely cosmetic, but deeply connected to identity, protection, and spiritual well-being. This exploration begins not with laboratories, but with the very essence of the strand, tracing its lineage from elemental biology to the rich, diverse lexicon of care practices passed through generations.

The Textured Hair Codex ❉ Foundations and Anatomy

The architecture of textured hair is a marvel, distinct in its helical coils and elliptical cross-section. Unlike its straighter counterparts, these curves and bends create points of vulnerability along the hair shaft, making it more prone to dryness and breakage. The cuticle, the outermost protective layer, often lifts at these curves, allowing moisture to escape more readily. This inherent characteristic of textured hair, understood intuitively by ancestors, underpins the historical emphasis on oiling.

From the earliest days, caregivers observed how certain plant extracts, animal fats, and butters, when applied, seemed to soften the hair, lend it a visible sheen, and shield it from the elements. This ancient observation, rooted in necessity and wisdom, now finds its scientific validation in the study of hair porosity and lipid chemistry.

Traditional oiling methods intuitively addressed the unique structural needs of textured hair, anticipating modern scientific discoveries about moisture retention and cuticle health.

Hair Anatomy and Physiology from an Ancestral View

Across ancient African societies, hair was a powerful symbol, communicating social status, marital standing, age, and even tribal affiliation. (Afriklens, 2024) The meticulous attention paid to hair was not solely for aesthetic appeal; it was a holistic practice intertwined with health and spiritual connection. For instance, in Yoruba Culture, the physical head was considered as important as the spiritual head, a vessel for one’s destiny, thus demanding diligent care. (Quora, 2020) This deep reverence for hair naturally extended to its physical well-being.

Ancestors recognized that hair, particularly coily and curly hair, required external lubrication to maintain its suppleness and protect it from environmental stressors like sun and dust. They did not possess electron microscopes to visualize the cuticle, yet their practices spoke to a profound observational science. They understood that dryness led to brittleness, and brittleness to breakage, an understanding that directly correlates with modern trichology’s focus on maintaining the hair’s lipid barrier.

Consider the Lipid Barrier of the hair. Modern science tells us that a healthy hair strand possesses a natural lipid layer that helps to seal the cuticle, minimizing water loss and defending against external damage. Textured hair, with its raised cuticles, can have a compromised lipid barrier. Traditional oiling, often involving saturated and monounsaturated oils, acted as a topical replenishment for this very barrier.

Coconut oil, for instance, with its low molecular weight and high affinity for hair proteins due to its lauric acid content, has been scientifically shown to penetrate the hair shaft, reducing protein loss and helping to keep moisture within the hair fiber. (Rele & Mohile, 2003; Verywell Health, 2025) This scientific insight mirrors the historical widespread use of coconut oil in various traditional hair care systems across the globe, including those within the African diaspora and India. (Newsweek, 2022; Cécred, 2025)

Textured Hair Classification Systems and Their Cultural Origins

While contemporary hair typing systems (like 1A-4C) offer a scientific framework for understanding curl patterns, traditional societies possessed their own intricate classifications, often tied to identity and community. These systems, though not formalized in a laboratory, guided the application of specific care rituals. A person with very tightly coiled hair, for example, might have been advised to oil more frequently or with heavier butters, a practice that aligns with the modern understanding that coily hair (Type 4) often requires more moisture and protection due to its fragile nature and propensity for dryness. (Beautycon.com, 2024)

The cultural biases embedded in some modern classification systems, particularly those that historically privileged straight hair textures, stand in stark contrast to ancestral views where every hair texture was celebrated and adorned. The inherent beauty of a tightly coiled strand, its ability to hold intricate styles, and its symbolic weight were never questioned. Oiling was a universal act of care, applied across the spectrum of textured hair, without prejudice, serving as a testament to the wisdom that recognized the intrinsic needs of these diverse hair forms.

What Does Hair Porosity Mean for Textured Hair Health?

Hair porosity, a key concept in modern hair science, refers to the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, largely determined by the state of its cuticle layer. (RevAir, 2023) High porosity hair, often found in textured strands, has more open cuticles, allowing moisture to enter quickly but also escape just as easily. Conversely, low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate, though it retains moisture well once absorbed. (Rossano Ferretti Parma, 2025)

Traditional oiling practices, particularly the layering of oils, speak directly to this understanding. For high porosity hair, which readily absorbs but quickly loses moisture, heavier oils and butters like Shea Butter or Castor Oil act as sealants, forming a protective film to lock in hydration. (Function of Beauty Blog, 2023; Pattern Beauty, 2025) For lower porosity textures, lighter oils that can penetrate more effectively, such as Jojoba Oil, were often preferred. This ancestral discernment, refined over centuries of observation, anticipated the scientific principles of permeability and occlusion, demonstrating a sophisticated, empirical approach to hair health long before the advent of chemical analysis.

The Essential Lexicon of Textured Hair

The language surrounding textured hair care is as rich and varied as the textures themselves, a testament to its cultural significance. Terms like “greasing the scalp,” common in Black American hair care, or “sneha” in Ayurveda, meaning “to oil” or “to love,” speak to a deeper, more intimate relationship with hair. (GirlrillaVintage, 2017; Roots & Rituals, 2022) These terms are not mere descriptions of a physical act; they embody the spiritual, communal, and self-care aspects of oiling. While modern science quantifies molecular weights and fatty acid profiles, the ancestral lexicon speaks of connection, ritual, and inherited wisdom.

Consider the concept of “sealing” moisture, a common practice in modern textured hair regimens. This is the application of an oil or butter over a water-based product to lock in hydration. Ancestral practices, though not articulated with the same scientific vocabulary, performed this very function.

The application of shea butter after washing hair, or the use of specific oils to prepare hair for protective styles, served to protect the hair from environmental dryness and maintain its pliability. This functional alignment across centuries highlights a continuity of purpose, even as the language of explanation evolves.

• Greasing the Scalp ❉ A traditional practice in African-American communities, historically using animal fats like lard or butter when access to traditional African oils was lost during enslavement, aiming to moisturize and soften hair. (GirlrillaVintage, 2017; SOAS Spirit, 2022)
• Sneha ❉ A Sanskrit term from Ayurveda, signifying “to oil” or “to love,” illustrating the holistic and nurturing aspect of hair oiling in ancient Indian tradition. (Roots & Rituals, 2022)
• Chebe Powder ❉ A traditional hair care mixture from the Basara Tribe of Chad, often mixed with oil or animal fat, used for extreme length retention by coating and braiding hair. (Reddit, 2021)

Hair Growth Cycles and Influencing Factors

The natural rhythm of hair growth, its anagen, catagen, and telogen phases, has been observed and influenced by traditional practices for millennia. While ancestors did not name these phases, they understood that certain practices promoted healthy growth and reduced shedding. Oils, often infused with herbs, were believed to stimulate the scalp, nourish follicles, and create an optimal environment for hair to flourish. This belief is now supported by scientific evidence.

Many natural oils contain vitamins (like E and B-complex), minerals (like zinc and selenium), and fatty acids that are vital for hair growth, strengthening hair tissue, and reducing inflammation of the scalp, which can contribute to hair loss. (Hair by Clare, 2023; DANG! Lifestyle, 2024)

For example, Jojoba Oil, prized in some indigenous traditions for its healing properties, has been shown to reduce scalp inflammation and nourish hair follicles, promoting stronger growth. (DANG! Lifestyle, 2024; ResearchGate, 2021) Similarly, Coconut Oil and Olive Oil, staples in various traditional hair care regimens, are being investigated for their potential to reduce inflammation and improve hair follicle health, thus supporting hair growth. (Verywell Health, 2025) The wisdom of ancestral care, passed down through generations, often provided effective solutions that modern science is now systematically dissecting and validating, reaffirming the deep, enduring connection between heritage practices and hair vitality.

Ritual

Stepping into the realm of ‘Ritual,’ we recognize that the path to understanding traditional oiling methods aligns with modern scientific insights, acknowledging the deep cultural roots that shaped these practices. For those whose textured hair carries the echoes of history, this journey is not merely about product application, but a communion with ancestral wisdom, a living practice passed through generations. It is a shared heritage, where the tender touch of oil to strand becomes a language of care, protection, and identity. Here, we delve into the applied knowledge, the techniques and tools that have shaped textured hair care, seeing how ancient gestures of adornment and maintenance find resonance in today’s scientific understanding of hair health.

The Art and Science of Textured Hair Styling Heritage

Across the African diaspora, hair styling has always been an intricate art form, a means of expression, and a repository of cultural memory. The application of oils was not a separate step but an intrinsic part of this artistry, preparing the hair for styling, adding sheen, and offering protection. From the elaborate coiffures of ancient Egypt, where oils and butters were used to slick hair and add gloss (Lira Clinical, 2025; International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2020), to the intricate braids of West African societies that communicated social status (Afriklens, 2024), oil was a foundational element. This deep integration of oiling into styling rituals highlights an understanding that healthy, pliable hair is essential for creating and maintaining complex styles, a principle that modern stylists and scientists readily affirm.

Protective Styling Encyclopedia and Its Ancestral Roots

Protective styles, designed to minimize manipulation and shield hair from environmental stressors, are a cornerstone of textured hair care today. Yet, their origins stretch back millennia, deeply rooted in African traditions. Styles like Cornrows (known as “canerows” in the Caribbean), Bantu Knots, and various forms of braids were not only aesthetically significant but served vital practical purposes, particularly in challenging climates or during periods of forced migration. (Afriklens, 2024; Creative Support, 2022)

During the transatlantic slave trade, for example, enslaved African women braided rice seeds into their hair as a means of survival, a testament to hair as a vessel of culture and sustenance. (Creative Support, 2022) In these contexts, oiling played a crucial role. Before braiding, oils would be applied to the hair and scalp to reduce friction, add lubrication, and maintain moisture, thereby preventing breakage within the protective style.

Modern science confirms this ❉ oils create a smooth surface on the hair shaft, reducing the mechanical stress of combing and styling, and forming a barrier against moisture loss, all of which are paramount for preserving the integrity of hair in protective styles. (Beautycon.com, 2024)

The foresight of ancestral stylists, who understood that healthy hair was a prerequisite for long-lasting protective styles, aligns with current recommendations for minimizing breakage. The historical practice of coating hair with butters and oils before braiding, as seen in the Basara Tribe’s use of Chebe Powder mixed with oil for length retention, offers a clear parallel to modern scientific understanding of reducing friction and providing a sealant. (Reddit, 2021)

Natural Styling and Definition Techniques

The quest for defined curls and coils, a hallmark of natural styling today, also finds its genesis in traditional practices. Ancestral communities understood how to coax the natural pattern of hair, often using specific oil blends to enhance definition and reduce frizz. The act of “shingling” or “finger coiling” – applying product to small sections of wet hair and shaping the curl – has traditional analogues where natural oils and butters were worked into damp hair to encourage curl clumping and reduce flyaways. These methods, born from observation and passed down through oral traditions, aimed to achieve what modern science now explains through the interaction of lipids with the hair’s protein structure.

Oils, particularly those rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like Olive Oil or Avocado Oil, can penetrate the hair fiber, providing internal moisture and helping to smooth the cuticle. (Beautycon.com, 2024; Verywell Health, 2025) This smoothing effect helps individual hair strands align more cohesively, enhancing curl definition and reducing the chaotic appearance of frizz. The ancestral application of oils was not merely for hydration; it was a styling aid, a means to control and celebrate the hair’s natural inclinations, proving that the aesthetic and scientific benefits of oiling have long walked hand-in-hand.

The ancient art of hair adornment, steeped in ritual, used oils to prepare and preserve intricate styles, a testament to their inherent understanding of hair’s structural needs.

Wigs and Hair Extensions Mastery

The use of wigs and hair extensions is not a contemporary phenomenon; it has a rich and complex history, particularly in ancient Egypt, where they signified status, wealth, and hygiene. (Egyptra Travel Services, 2025; UCL Discovery, 2004) Ancient Egyptians crafted elaborate wigs from human hair, wool, and plant fibers, often adorning them with precious materials. (Afriklens, 2024) Oils and butters, such as Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, or Cocoa Butter, were used to condition these wigs, maintaining their luster and pliability, and even to secure them, acting as a primitive hair gel. (Lira Clinical, 2025)

This historical use reveals an early understanding of the need to maintain the health and appearance of supplemental hair, much like natural hair. Modern wig and extension care also relies heavily on oils to prevent dryness, tangling, and to extend their lifespan. The wisdom of preserving hair, whether naturally grown or artfully added, through the application of nourishing lipids, spans millennia, bridging ancient luxury with modern care practices.

Heat Styling and Thermal Reconditioning

While modern heat styling tools and chemical relaxers represent a departure from traditional care, it is important to acknowledge the historical context. During periods of racial oppression and the imposition of Eurocentric beauty standards, many Black individuals felt compelled to alter their natural hair textures. Early attempts at straightening often involved harsh methods, including the use of heated combs and various oil-based “pressing oils” or “hair growers” that promised to achieve a looser, straighter appearance. (Smithsonian Institution, 2024)

These pressing oils, while often containing ingredients like petroleum jelly or mineral oil, also included some natural oils. The intent was to provide a barrier against the heat and to add a temporary sheen. Scientifically, certain oils can offer a degree of thermal protection by coating the hair shaft, reducing direct heat damage.

However, the excessive heat used in early straightening methods often outweighed any protective benefits, leading to significant hair damage. This painful chapter in hair history serves as a poignant reminder of how cultural pressures can distort ancestral practices, yet it also highlights the persistent, albeit sometimes misdirected, human impulse to use oils in conjunction with styling for perceived health or aesthetic benefit.

The Complete Textured Hair Toolkit

The tools of textured hair care, both ancient and modern, are integral to the application and efficacy of oiling methods. From the simple, wide-toothed combs used in ancient Egypt (International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2020) to the fingers that lovingly massaged oil into scalps, these implements facilitated the even distribution of nourishing substances. Traditional African communities crafted combs from wood, bone, or ivory, designed to navigate the unique density and curl patterns of textured hair without causing breakage. These tools, often adorned with symbolic carvings, were not merely functional; they were cultural artifacts, part of the ritualistic care of hair.

The act of massaging oils into the scalp, a common thread across many traditional oiling practices, stimulates blood circulation, which in turn can support hair follicle health. Modern science affirms that scalp massage can promote blood flow, potentially aiding nutrient delivery to the follicles. (DANG!

Lifestyle, 2024) This simple, yet profound, physical interaction with the scalp, enhanced by the glide of natural oils, underscores the alignment between ancient wisdom and contemporary physiological understanding. The tools, whether a simple comb or a hand, became extensions of care, working in concert with the oils to preserve and enhance the hair’s vitality.

Relay

To truly grasp the profound interplay between traditional oiling methods and the modern scientific understanding of textured hair health, we must move beyond surface observations and delve into the intricate cultural narratives and scientific mechanisms that converge within this practice. How does the ancestral wisdom of oiling, honed over countless generations, continue to shape not only our hair care routines but also our very understanding of hair as a cultural artifact and a biological wonder? This section invites a deeper contemplation, drawing upon research, ethnobotanical studies, and historical scholarship to illuminate the sophisticated knowledge embedded within seemingly simple rituals.

The Regimen of Radiance ❉ Holistic Care and Problem Solving

The concept of a “regimen” in traditional hair care was less about rigid steps and more about a holistic, intuitive approach, deeply intertwined with daily life and community well-being. Oiling was not an isolated act but a continuous dialogue with the hair, a sensory experience that involved touch, scent, and intention. This contrasts with a purely clinical view of hair care, yet the underlying principles—cleansing, moisturizing, protecting, and treating—remain consistent.

Traditional regimens, often passed down through matriarchal lines, incorporated indigenous ingredients whose properties were understood through generations of empirical observation. Modern science now provides the molecular explanations for these observed benefits, validating the efficacy of practices that have sustained textured hair for centuries.

Building Personalized Textured Hair Regimens from Ancestral Wisdom

Long before the advent of personalized product lines, ancestral communities tailored hair care to individual needs, often based on climate, lifestyle, and hair texture. The choice of oil or butter varied significantly across regions, reflecting local flora and traditional knowledge. For instance, in West Africa, Shea Butter (from the Vitellaria paradoxa tree) was, and remains, a staple, known for its superior moisturizing properties and ability to soothe scalp irritations.

(Function of Beauty Blog, 2023; Healthline, 2018) In coastal communities where coconut palms flourished, Coconut Oil was a primary choice. (Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 2013; Juniper Publishers, 2024)

This regional specificity speaks to a sophisticated ethnobotanical knowledge, where communities understood the unique chemical compositions of their available resources and their interactions with hair. Modern science now identifies the fatty acid profiles, vitamins, and antioxidants in these traditional oils, explaining their moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and protective qualities. For example, the high content of lauric acid in coconut oil allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, reducing protein loss and providing deep conditioning, making it particularly beneficial for damaged hair. (Rele & Mohile, 2003; Verywell Health, 2025) This scientific validation affirms the centuries-old wisdom that guided the selection of these botanical treasures for hair health.

The practice of “layering” products, a common recommendation in modern textured hair care to seal in moisture, finds its historical parallel in the sequential application of water, herbal rinses, and then oils or butters. This method intuitively maximized hydration and minimized evaporation, a principle that modern cosmetic science now terms “occlusion.” The ancestral regimen was a dynamic system, adapting to the hair’s response and the environment, a testament to a deep, experiential understanding of hair’s needs.

The Nighttime Sanctuary ❉ Bonnet Wisdom and Historical Basis

The nighttime protection of textured hair, a practice deeply ingrained in many Black and mixed-race households today, extends beyond mere convenience; it is a ritual with historical roots. While modern bonnets and silk scarves are often associated with contemporary natural hair movements, the underlying principle of protecting hair during sleep to prevent tangling, breakage, and moisture loss is an ancient one. Head coverings have held significant cultural and practical value across African societies for centuries, often symbolizing modesty, status, or spiritual observance. (BUALA, 2024)

Though direct historical accounts of “bonnets” for nighttime hair preservation in pre-colonial Africa are scarce, the widespread use of headwraps for daily wear suggests an understanding of hair protection. During enslavement and its aftermath, as Black individuals adapted to new environments and limited resources, protecting hair became even more critical. The simple act of wrapping hair at night, perhaps with available cloths, would have served to preserve intricate styles, reduce friction against rough bedding, and maintain the moisture applied during the day. This practice, often accompanied by a final application of oil, created a “sanctuary” for the hair, minimizing mechanical damage and maintaining its lipid barrier, a concept that modern hair science strongly supports.

The use of smooth fabrics like silk or satin reduces friction, thereby preventing cuticle damage and moisture absorption by the fabric, which are key benefits of modern bonnets. (Pattern Beauty, 2025)

Ingredient Deep Dives for Textured Hair Needs

The ancestral apothecary was rich with natural ingredients, each selected for specific hair concerns based on generations of accumulated knowledge. The alignment between these traditional choices and modern scientific understanding is compelling.

• Shea Butter (Vitellaria Paradoxa) ❉ Traditionally used across Sub-Saharan Africa for medicinal, culinary, and beauty purposes, including hair care. Scientifically, it is a potent emollient due to its high fatty acid (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic) and vitamin E content. It forms a thin moisturizing film on hair cuticles, sealing in water, reducing breakage, and soothing irritated scalps due to triterpenes. (Function of Beauty Blog, 2023; Healthline, 2018)
• Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera) ❉ A staple in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years and used in African communities. Its lauric acid, a short-chain fatty acid with low molecular weight, has a high affinity for hair protein and penetrates the hair shaft effectively, reducing protein loss from washing and styling. (Newsweek, 2022; Rele & Mohile, 2003) It also offers anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. (Newsweek, 2022)
• Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis) ❉ Used in folklore for skin and scalp disorders by Native Americans and other cultures. It is a liquid wax structurally similar to human sebum, allowing it to mimic the scalp’s natural oils. This property makes it excellent for balancing scalp oil production, conditioning hair, reducing frizz, and soothing dry, itchy scalps due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities. (DANG! Lifestyle, 2024; White Rabbit Institute of Healing, 2024)
• Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis) ❉ Documented in ancient Egypt as far back as 4000 BC for hair growth and strength, allegedly used by Cleopatra. (J Drugs Dermatol, 2022; Newsweek, 2022) Its high ricinoleic acid content gives it a thick, polar nature, allowing it to coat the hair shaft, reducing moisture loss and providing a protective barrier. (Beautycon.com, 2024)

These examples underscore that traditional oiling was not arbitrary; it was a sophisticated application of natural resources, guided by deep observational knowledge of their effects on hair and scalp health. Modern analytical chemistry simply provides the vocabulary to explain what ancestors knew through generations of lived experience.

Ancestral oiling practices, guided by deep regional ethnobotanical knowledge, intuitively selected ingredients whose chemical properties align with modern scientific understanding of hair’s needs.

Textured Hair Problem Solving Compendium

Many common textured hair concerns today—dryness, breakage, frizz, scalp irritation—were also challenges addressed by ancestral practices. Traditional oiling methods offered solutions that resonate with modern scientific recommendations.

For Dryness and Breakage, a prevalent issue for textured hair due to its structure, oils were consistently applied. Modern science confirms that oils provide lubrication, reduce friction during styling, and seal in moisture, all of which combat dryness and minimize mechanical damage. A 2017 study, examining a miracle fruit seed oil (whose chemical composition mimics shea butter), demonstrated its high fatty acid content significantly reduced hair breakage, suggesting similar benefits for shea butter itself. (Function of Beauty Blog, 2023)

Regarding Scalp Irritation and Dandruff, often linked to dryness or microbial imbalances, traditional remedies frequently involved oils infused with herbs known for their soothing or antiseptic properties. Jojoba oil, for instance, with its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial attributes, has been used to treat scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. (DANG! Lifestyle, 2024) This aligns with modern dermatological approaches that seek to calm inflammation and restore scalp microbiome balance.

The historical practice of “greasing the scalp” in African American communities, while sometimes leading to issues if overused with certain products, initially aimed to alleviate dryness and itching, a foundational need that modern science addresses with non-comedogenic oils and anti-inflammatory agents. (GirlrillaVintage, 2017; Contemporary African-American Hair Care Practices, 2015)

Holistic Influences on Hair Health

Beyond the physical application, traditional oiling methods were imbued with a holistic philosophy that viewed hair health as an extension of overall well-being. In Ayurvedic tradition, hair oiling is part of a larger system emphasizing balance between mind, body, and spirit, where massaging the scalp with oils is believed to increase energetic flow and calm the nervous system. (Roots & Rituals, 2022) This ancient perspective, that stress and internal imbalances could manifest in hair issues, is increasingly recognized by modern medicine.

Stress, for example, is a known contributor to various forms of hair loss. (Newsweek, 2022)

The ritualistic aspect of oiling—the gentle massage, the mindful application, the connection to natural ingredients—offered a moment of self-care and grounding. This sensory experience, fostering relaxation and reducing stress, indirectly supports hair health by mitigating physiological responses that can negatively impact hair growth cycles. Thus, the alignment extends beyond chemical properties to the very act of care itself, where the nurturing ritual, as much as the oil, contributes to the hair’s radiance and resilience, a testament to the enduring wisdom of ancestral wellness philosophies.

Reflection

The journey through the intricate relationship between traditional oiling methods and modern scientific understanding reveals a profound truth ❉ the ‘Soul of a Strand’ is not merely a poetic notion but a tangible heritage, alive in every coil and curve. What our ancestors knew through keen observation, passed down through the generations, finds its echo in today’s scientific laboratories. The intuitive wisdom that saw oils as a shield against the sun, a balm for the scalp, and a conduit for growth was not happenstance; it was an empirical science, refined over centuries. Textured hair, with its unique structural demands, has always been a canvas for this inherited ingenuity.

As we continue to unravel the complexities of hair biology, we are continually reminded that the most advanced understandings often circle back to the elemental practices of those who first cared for their crowns with reverence and deep knowledge of the earth’s offerings. This enduring legacy of care, rooted in the sacred connection to one’s heritage, remains a guiding light, affirming that true radiance is found in honoring the past while embracing the present’s discoveries.

References

• Afriklens. (2024, November 1). African Hairstyles ❉ Cultural Significance and Legacy.
• Beautycon.com. (2024, December 17). The Texture Guide to Essentials Oils.
• Cécred. (2025, April 15). Understanding Hair Oiling ❉ History, Benefits & More.
• Creative Support. (2022, September 15). The History of Black Hair.
• DANG! Lifestyle. (2024, December 24). Jojoba Oil For Hair Growth? Facts Revealed.
• Ethnobotany Research and Applications. (2013, July 18). Potentials for Promoting Oil Products Identified from Traditional Knowledge of Native Trees in Burkina Faso.
• Egyptra Travel Services. (2025, February 1). Modern Beauty from the Ancient Egyptian Empire ❉ Timeless Cosmetic Secrets.
• Function of Beauty Blog. (2023). Shea Butter for Hair ❉ Potential Benefits and How to Use It.
• GirlrillaVintage the Blog. (2017, September 8). Scalp-Greasing ❉ A Black Hair Ritual.
• Hair by Clare. (2023, November 8). Hair Science ❉ The Chemistry of Natural Hair Oils and Their Nutrients.
• Healthline. (2018, March 13). Shea Butter for Hair ❉ Raw, Hair Growth, and Natural Hair.
• International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management. (2020). Role of the Hair in Ancient Egypt.
• J Drugs Dermatol. (2022, June 30). Coconut, Castor, and Argan Oil for Hair in Skin of Color Patients ❉ A Systematic Review.
• Juniper Publishers. (2024, April 19). Cosmetic Ethnobotany Used by Tribal Women in Epe Communities of Lagos State, Nigeria.
• Lira Clinical. (2025). Modern Beauty from the Ancient Egyptian Empire.
• Newsweek. (2022, August 24). Everything You Need To Know About The Ancient Art Of Hair Oiling.
• Pattern Beauty. (2025, January 11). High Porosity Hair Care 101 ❉ A Complete Guide For Natural Textures.
• Quora. (2020, December 24). How do black people take care of their hair?
• Reddit. (2021, August 26). No raw oils and butters vs. Traditional African hair care?
• Rele, V. G. & Mohile, R. B. (2003). Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 54(2), 175-192.
• ResearchGate. (2021, May 21). Jojoba Oil ❉ An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity.
• RevAir. (2023, March 9). Get to Know Your Hair Type and Porosity.
• Roots & Rituals. (2022, September 8). Ayurvedic Hair Oiling.
• Rossano Ferretti Parma. (2025, May 15). What is Hair Porosity and Why Does it Matter?
• Smithsonian Institution. (2024). Hair Care.
• UCL Discovery. (2004). The Social and Ritual Contextualisation of Ancient Egyptian Hair and Hairstyles from the Protodynastic to the End of the Old Kingdom.
• Verywell Health. (2025, April 6). 14 Essential Oils that Promote Faster Hair Growth.
• White Rabbit Institute of Healing. (2024). Jojoba.