# What Historical Laws Sought to Control Black Women's Hair? ❉ Question

**Published:** 2025-06-05
**Author:** Roothea
**Categories:** Question

---

![Bathed in radiant sunlight, these Black and Brown women engage in the practice of styling their diverse textured hair patterns, highlighting ancestral heritage, affirming beauty standards, and demonstrating holistic haircare routines that honor coils, waves, springs, and undulations in a shared setting, reflecting community and self-love.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-brown-women-in-sunlight-styling-natural-textured-hair.jpg)

![Radiant smiles reflect connection as textured hair is meticulously braided affirming cultural heritage, community and the art of expressive styling. This moment underscores the deep rooted tradition of Black hair care as self care, celebrating identity and skilled artistry in textured hair formation for wellness](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-braiding-textured-hair-black-hair-traditions-expressive-styling-portrait.jpg)

## Roots

Across generations, strands of hair have carried more than mere pigment or texture; they hold the whispers of lineage, the stories of survival, and the profound wisdom of ancestral practices. For Black women, hair is a living archive, each coil, kink, and curl a testament to a heritage both celebrated and, at times, fiercely defended. To grasp the [historical laws](/area/historical-laws/) that sought to diminish this crown is to truly comprehend an enduring fight for identity and autonomy, deeply rooted in the very essence of self. This exploration invites us into a sacred space, a meditation on the journey of [textured hair](/area/textured-hair/) through trials and triumphs, always returning to its source of inherent worth. 

In pre-colonial African societies, the hair on one’s head was far from a simple adornment. It served as a powerful visual language, communicating a person’s age, marital status, social standing, tribal identity, and even their religious beliefs. Hair groomers held a revered position, possessing skills that upheld communal standards, and the meticulous process of cleansing, oiling, braiding, and adorning hair was a communal ritual, strengthening familial bonds and intergenerational knowledge. This practice, often spanning hours or even days, was a social occasion, a tender exchange of care and conversation that cemented community ties.

Think of the Yoruba, who regarded hair as the body’s most elevated part, a conduit for spiritual energy, allowing communication with ancestors and deities. Hair, in this context, was a profound connection to the spiritual realm and ancestral wisdom, not merely a physical characteristic.

> Hair, in its textured glory, has always been a profound symbol of heritage, community, and spiritual connection across African civilizations.

![Illuminated by stark contrast, the portrait highlights the beauty of coiled texture. Her unwavering gaze, combined with the visual contrast, speaks to cultural narratives, empowerment and the celebration of ancestral black hair traditions while embracing mixed-race hair narratives and styles](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-black-and-white-portrait-revealing-strength-resilience-and-textured.jpg)

## Colonizing Curls and Coils

The arrival of the [transatlantic slave trade](/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/) marked a tragic disruption of this sacred relationship with hair. One of the first dehumanizing acts inflicted upon enslaved Africans was the forced shaving of their heads. This act aimed to erase their identity, stripping away the visual markers of their tribe, status, and spiritual connections.

Torn from their homelands, denied access to traditional tools, oils, and the communal care rituals that sustained their hair’s vitality, Black women’s hair often became matted and tangled due to the brutal conditions of forced labor. It was then often hidden under scarves or kerchiefs, a forced concealment of what was once a crowning glory.

This suppression of hair was deeply intertwined with the imposition of [Eurocentric beauty](/area/eurocentric-beauty/) standards. Tightly coiled hair, rich in ancestral memory, was pathologized, deemed “unruly,” “dirty,” or “unprofessional” by the dominant society. This devaluation was not accidental; it was a deliberate strategy to diminish Black identity and enforce a racial hierarchy. The very texture of Black hair, so distinct and vibrant, was weaponized to create a visible marker of inferiority, a stark contrast to the straight hair idealized by European standards. 

![This intimate black and white composition highlights the cultural significance of hair care for Black women, as the woman holds a handcrafted wooden comb, visually linking the tangible object to broader narratives of identity, heritage, self-esteem, and embracing unique hair textures and patterns as a celebration of ancestral strength.](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/woman-holds-ornate-wooden-comb-textured-hair-care-heritage-portrait-black-and.jpg)

## Tignon Laws Unveiling Intent

A particularly stark example of codified control emerged in 18th-century Louisiana. As a community of free [Black women](/area/black-women/) in New Orleans began to flourish, styling their hair with elaborate adornments like feathers, beads, and jewels, their visible prosperity and unique beauty drew admiration, even from white men. This visibility, and the blurring of perceived social lines, deeply unsettled the colonial authorities. In 1786, Spanish Governor Don Esteban Miró enacted the [Tignon Laws](/area/tignon-laws/) , officially known as the “bando de buen gobierno,” or “proclamation of good government”. 

The decree mandated that all women of African descent ❉ whether free women of color, enslaved women, or those of mixed heritage ❉ wear a tignon, a simple scarf or handkerchief, over their hair when in public. The intent was chillingly clear: to visually mark these women as belonging to the slave class, regardless of their actual status, and to control those perceived as “too light skinned or who dressed too elegantly, or who competed too freely with white women for status”. The law aimed to strip away the outward expressions of their beauty and social standing, forcing them into a visible sign of subordination. 

Yet, the spirit of Black women, deeply rooted in ancestral resilience, did not yield easily. In an act of profound cultural resistance, they transformed the mandated head covering into a vibrant statement of defiance. They used luxurious fabrics, vibrant colors, and artful arrangements, crafting their tignons into elaborate, ornate headwraps, adorned with their own embellishments, turning a symbol of oppression into a mark of distinction and a testament to their enduring creativity. This creative adaptation served as a powerful visual refusal to be diminished, showcasing a deep connection to their heritage even under duress. 

![The black and white portrait celebrates natural hair and classic form, revealing strong bone structure beneath the cropped natural hair, as minimalist fashion and stark lighting evokes ancestral strength. It speaks to heritage while embracing contemporary beauty with simplicity](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochromatic-portrait-of-a-woman-with-cropped-natural-black-hair.jpg)

![Within an intimate, intergenerational setting, women collaborate, passing down ancestral braiding techniques, celebrating diverse hands styling while addressing the nuances of low porosity high-density coils, applying emollient products and showcasing Fulani braiding artistry and holistic hair care. The Madrasi head tie is showcased for identity](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-braiding-heritage-diverse-hands-styling-natural-textured-hair-coils.jpg)

## Ritual

The echoes of historical laws, particularly those that sought to control the appearance of Black women’s hair, ripple through the very traditions of care and styling that define textured hair heritage. These laws, though sometimes overt and codified, also manifested as insidious societal pressures that pushed Black women away from their [ancestral hair](/area/ancestral-hair/) rituals toward Eurocentric standards of beauty. Yet, within this landscape of external imposition, the ingenious practices of [Black hair](/area/black-hair/) care continued, adapting and transforming, always holding a kernel of ancient wisdom. 

![United by shared tradition, women collectively grind spices using time-honored tools, linking their heritage and labor to ancestral methods of preparing remedies, foods and enriching hair care preparations. This visual narrative evokes generational wellness, holistic care, and hair health practices rooted in community and ancestral knowledge](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/women-united-in-traditional-african-spice-grinding-ritual-black-and-white.jpg)

## How Did Laws Influence Styling Heritage?

The pervasive stigma against natural Black hair, born from the period of enslavement and solidified through discriminatory practices, directly impacted the styling choices available or deemed acceptable. Following the Tignon Laws and later, throughout the 19th century, many Black individuals adopted hair straightening as a means of assimilation, viewing it as essential for social and economic advancement and to ease tensions with the white majority. The advent of tools like the hot comb in the late 19th century, followed by chemical relaxers, offered new, albeit often damaging, avenues to conform to the prevailing beauty ideal of straight hair. This shift was not merely a stylistic preference; it was often a survival strategy, a ritual of modification born from necessity rather than unadulterated choice. 

> From forced concealment to chemical alteration, historical strictures often dictated Black women’s hair choices, yet ingenuity persisted.

![The black and white portrait evokes timeless elegance as the model](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-young-woman-with-natural-afro-textured-hair.jpg)

## Ancestral Styling Practices in the Face of Constraint

Despite the external pressures, the deep knowledge of ancestral [hair care](/area/hair-care/) traditions continued to flow through generations, often in the quiet intimacy of homes and communal spaces. Before the disruptions of colonialism and enslavement, various traditional styles conveyed rich meaning and purpose. 

- **Braids** Ancient origins trace back thousands of years in African culture, serving as a communication medium and a form of art. They signified tribal identification, marital status, age, wealth, and social rank. During enslavement, cornrows even served as coded maps for escape routes.

- **Dreadlocks** Priests of the Ethiopian Coptic Orthodox Church wore dreadlocks as early as 500 BCE, indicating deep historical and spiritual roots.

- **Bantu Knots** Traced to the Bantu-speaking communities of the 2nd millennium BCE, these styles held cultural significance within their communities.
These styles were not simply about aesthetics; they were often protective, managing textured hair in demanding conditions while allowing for airflow and ease of daily tasks. The resilience of these practices, often passed down verbally and through demonstration, meant that a vital part of Black heritage was preserved, even when legal and social systems sought to suppress it. 

![Evoking ancestral hair traditions, this intimate scene captures one woman gently brushing another’s textured formations amidst lush greenery, symbolizing a tender exchange of wellness, heritage, and mutual care. This intimate exchange embodies holistic hair rituals deeply tied to Black and mixed ancestry hair experiences](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intimate-moment-two-women-textured-hair-care-black-and-mixed-heritage.jpg)

## Wigs, Wraps, and Reclaiming Visibility

The history of wigs and hair extensions within Black communities also carries layers of adaptation and cultural expression. While some enslaved individuals were forced to wear wigs mimicking their enslavers’ styles, others, particularly after slavery, embraced wigs and hair extensions as a means of achieving desired looks without permanent chemical alteration, offering versatility and protecting natural hair. 

Headwraps, too, carried dual meanings. Initially imposed as a mark of subservience under laws like the Tignon Law, they were transformed into symbols of dignity and resistance, protecting hair while celebrating cultural heritage. Even today, headwraps serve as a stylish and practical element of Black women’s hair care, embodying a continuity of historical resilience. 

![Bathed in sunlight, these Black and mixed-race women actively engage in hair care, highlighting the beauty and diversity inherent in textured hair formations. Their engagement is an act of self-love rooted in ancestral heritage, echoing a commitment to holistic hair wellness and empowered self-expression](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-mixed-race-women-combing-out-natural-hair-freshly-washed.jpg)

![In a moment of tender holistic care, a woman expertly applies a conditioning mask to textured, natural hair, honoring time-honored Black hair traditions. This protective styling and deep conditioning ritual speaks to embracing natural coils and an ancestral heritage with beauty and wellness](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/intimate-moment-woman-applying-hair-mask-to-natural-black-hair-texture.jpg)

## Relay

The legacy of historical laws intended to control Black women’s hair extends far beyond antiquated statutes, manifesting in contemporary societal perceptions and ongoing battles for cultural affirmation. This enduring influence shapes everything from daily care regimens to the very contours of self-perception. Understanding this current landscape requires acknowledging the deep, often unspoken, threads connecting past legal constraints with present-day experiences of textured hair. 

![Bathed in light, this evocative portrait captures the inherent grace of a young woman celebrating her afro](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/striking-portrait-of-black-woman-with-natural-afro-hair-in-black-and-white.jpg)

## How Do past Laws Inform Current Perceptions?

The ingrained biases against natural Black hair, rooted in centuries of imposed Eurocentric beauty standards, continue to create real-world disadvantages. Studies repeatedly show that Black women with natural hairstyles, such as braids, locs, twists, or afros, are often perceived as less professional, less competent, and less likely to be recommended for job interviews compared to those with straightened hair, or white women with straight or curly hair. This perception forces many Black women to make a difficult choice between conforming to workplace or school expectations and preserving the health and cultural integrity of their natural hair. A 2019 survey conducted by Dove and the [CROWN Act](/area/crown-act/) Coalition found that 80 percent of Black women felt they needed to change their [natural hair](/area/natural-hair/) to fit in at work. 

This constant policing of Black hair, often through seemingly neutral dress codes or grooming policies, disproportionately targets Black individuals. Children, in particular, face disciplinary actions in schools for wearing culturally significant natural hairstyles, sending a clear message early in life that their authentic selves are somehow “inappropriate”. This systemic pressure leads to internalized racism and negative self-image, contributing to anxiety and chronic stress, and creating cultural disconnection. The emotional burden is palpable; some Black women feel compelled to use chemical straighteners, a process with potential physical and psychological costs, to meet these societal demands. 

> Current societal norms still echo historical hair laws, forcing Black women to navigate a landscape of bias and self-modification for acceptance.

![The image reflects a heritage of natural Black hair care. It reveals a deep bond between women as hair nourishment is applied directly to the scalp](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/melanin-rich-skin-tending-to-natural-black-hair-coils-with-ancient-wisdom.jpg)

## CROWN Act as a Response to Persistent Control

In response to this pervasive discrimination, a powerful legislative movement has taken root: the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or **CROWN Act**. First introduced in California in 2019, this legislation aims to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles associated with race, including braids, locs, twists, and knots, in workplaces and public schools. 

The CROWN Act acknowledges that [hair discrimination](/area/hair-discrimination/) is not merely about appearance; it is a form of racial discrimination deeply intertwined with historical attempts to control and police Black bodies and identities. As of May 2025, many states have adopted versions of this law, with efforts ongoing at the federal level to provide uniform protections. This legislative push represents a vital step in dismantling the institutionalized bias that continues to affect Black women, allowing them to express their cultural heritage without fear of penalty. 

This contemporary struggle and the legislative actions taken exemplify the long arc of resistance. The spirit of the Tignon Law resistors, who transformed forced coverings into expressions of beauty, resonates in today’s advocacy for the CROWN Act. It is a collective assertion of the right to define one’s own beauty and identity, honoring the rich ancestral lineage that textured hair embodies. 

- **Legal Milestones** ❉ The CROWN Act represents a modern legal counterpoint to historical hair control laws, directly addressing race-based discrimination.

- **Identity Affirmation** ❉ These laws aim to affirm the right of individuals to wear their hair as it naturally grows, promoting self-acceptance and cultural pride.

- **Dismantling Bias** ❉ The legislation challenges Eurocentric beauty standards that have historically disadvantaged Black individuals in professional and educational settings.

![The image beautifully captures the fusion of modern styling and natural hair texture. With a stylish undercut and expertly styled wave, the subject embodies a bold and graceful sense of identity and cultural pride through her expressive hair design, celebrating individuality](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-woman-showcasing-textured-hair-styles-and-modern-undercut-design.jpg)

![This image beautifully blends contemporary edgy styles with culturally rich braids. The cornrow braid and precise undercut are framed by skillful black and white contrast, that draws the viewer into the subject](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/bold-beauty-woman-with-cornrow-braid-hairstyle-undercut-precision-in-black-and.jpg)

## Reflection

To walk alongside Black women’s hair journey through the annals of history is to witness an unwavering spirit, a profound testament to resilience. Each curl, each braid, each defiant strand holds within it not only the elemental biology of growth but also the living, breathing memory of ancestral wisdom and fierce self-determination. The laws of control, born from fear and a desire to impose order, were never truly able to extinguish the inherent radiance of textured hair. Instead, they often served to spark deeper wells of creativity and collective strength. 

The narrative of historical laws targeting Black women’s hair is a poignant reminder that [beauty standards](/area/beauty-standards/) are rarely neutral; they are often instruments of power, wielded to define who belongs and who does not. Yet, in the face of such impositions, Black women and those of mixed heritage have consistently transformed constraint into opportunity, turning mandated coverings into expressions of artistry, and enduring discrimination into movements for liberation. The fight continues, certainly, but it is a fight waged with the ancestral knowing that our hair is a crown, an enduring connection to a rich, unyielding heritage. 

![The textured hair styles and the cooperative act of grinding grain symbolizes community wellness. This scene emphasizes the interwoven nature of ancestral heritage, cultural identity, and holistic hair care practices, reflecting the traditional roots and beauty rituals deeply embedded within Black communities](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-image-depicting-grinding-grain-with-traditional-hair-wraps.jpg)

![This monochrome portrait honors the beauty of Black women through a lens of strength and artistic choice, reflecting individual style within rich cultural narratives. The platinum coiled hairstyle celebrates self expression and unique pattern, connecting modern aesthetics with historical roots](/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-black-woman-with-platinum-blonde-coiled-short-hair.jpg)

## References

- Byrd, Ayana, and Lori L. Tharps. 2001. Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. St. Martin’s Press.

- Dabiri, Emma. 2020. Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture. Harper Perennial.

- Gould, Virginia M. 1996. The Devil’s Lane: Sex and Race in the Early South. Oxford University Press.

- Jacobs-Huey, Lanita. 2006. From the Kitchen to the Parlor: Language and Becoming in African American Women’s Hair Care. Oxford University Press.

- Johnson, T. A. and T. Bankhead. 2014. Hair It Is: Examining the Experiences of Black Women with Natural Hair. Open Journal of Social Sciences 2, 86-100.

- Lashley, Myrna. 2020. The importance of hair in the identity of Black people. Nouvelles pratiques sociales 31(2), 206 ❉ 227.

- Mbilishaka, Afiya M. and Clemons, Tiffany. 2020. Don’t Get It Twisted: Untangling the Psychology of Hair Discrimination Within Black Communities. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.

- Patton, Tracey O. 2006. Hey Girl, Am I More than My Hair?: African American Women and Their Struggles with Beauty, Body Image, and Hair. NWSA Journal 18(2), 24-51.

- Rooks, Noli. 1996. Hair Raising: Beauty, Culture, and African American Women. Rutgers University Press.

- Sherrow, Victoria. 2006. Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. Greenwood Press.

## Glossary

### [Black Hair Control](https://roothea.co/area/black-hair-control/)

Meaning ❉ Black Hair Control speaks not of strict regulation, but of a gentle, informed stewardship over coily and kinky strands.

### [Hair Control Mechanisms](https://roothea.co/area/hair-control-mechanisms/)

Meaning ❉ Hair Control Mechanisms refer to the structured understanding and deliberate application of principles governing the behavior of textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-heritage hair types.

### [Hair Loss Black Women](https://roothea.co/area/hair-loss-black-women/)

Meaning ❉ Hair loss in Black women points to a spectrum of hair fiber and scalp changes, a dermatological presentation often shaped by the singular architecture of textured strands and historical care approaches.

### [Tignon Laws](https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/)

Meaning ❉ The Tignon Laws, enacted in late 18th-century colonial Louisiana, were decrees requiring free and enslaved Black women to cover their hair with a tignon or headscarf when in public spaces.

### [Black Women Health](https://roothea.co/area/black-women-health/)

Meaning ❉ "Black Women Health," within the specific context of textured hair, denotes a holistic consideration of well-being centered around the distinct needs of coily and kinky hair.

### [Eurocentric Beauty](https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/)

Meaning ❉ Eurocentric Beauty describes an aesthetic framework that historically positions features and hair textures common in European populations as the prevailing ideal.

### [Black Women's Economic History](https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-economic-history/)

Meaning ❉ Black Women's Economic History, within the gentle rhythm of textured hair understanding, details how financial realities shaped the growth of specialized hair care knowledge and systematic routines for Black and mixed-race hair.

### [Ancestral Hair](https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair/)

Meaning ❉ Ancestral Hair refers to the inherited genetic characteristics and structural predispositions of one's hair, particularly significant for individuals with Black or mixed-race heritage.

### [Black Women's Experiences](https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-experiences/)

Meaning ❉ Black Women's Experiences, within the context of textured hair care, signifies the distinct paths taken to comprehend, structure, and apply knowledge concerning curls, coils, and waves.

### [Beauty Standards](https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/)

Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance.

## Explore Your Heritage

### [How Do Laws Influence Black Hair Cultural Acceptance?](https://roothea.co/question/how-do-laws-influence-black-hair-cultural-acceptance/)
![This image is a celebration of natural coiled hair, emphasizing its beauty and inherent texture. Evoking a sense of cultural heritage, this monochrome portrait promotes acceptance and pride in diverse hair formations while highlighting the importance of holistic hair care practices.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-a-woman-with-naturally-coiled-hair-in-dramatic-light.jpg)

### [Why Do Black Women Wear Head Coverings?](https://roothea.co/question/why-do-black-women-wear-head-coverings/)
![Dynamic texture defines this portrait of a woman with beautiful, spiraling hair. Soft light brings out her facial features, creating a timeless piece showcasing hair](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/black-and-white-portrait-of-a-woman-with-spiraling-textured-hair.jpg)

### [What Historical Laws Impacted Black Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-impacted-black-hair-heritage/)
![Botanical textures evoke the organic foundations of holistic hair care, mirroring Black hair traditions and mixed-race hair narratives. This leaf arrangement, reminiscent of ancestral heritage, connects natural ingredients with expressive styling for texture, promoting wellness and celebrating the artistry of textured hair formations.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/artistic-black-and-white-leaves-arrangement-represents-natural-textured-hair.jpg)

### [How Did Tignon Laws Influence Black Women's Hair as a Cultural Statement?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-tignon-laws-influence-black-womens-hair-as-a-cultural-statement/)
![The portrait captures a young girl](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/portrait-of-young-black-girl-with-high-density-afro-and-shadow-play.jpg)

### [Black Jewish Women](https://roothea.co/term/black-jewish-women/)
![Soft light reveals the beauty of coiled braids in this monochrome portrait. This is a visual narrative exploring nuanced aesthetics, braided coil formations, and the rich tapestry of mixed-race heritage, inviting reflection on ancestral connections and the personalized expression of identity through natural hair textures.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monochrome-portrait-of-a-mixed-race-woman-with-braided-coiled-hairstyle.jpg)

### [How Did Black Women Defy the Tignon Laws and Assert Their Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-black-women-defy-the-tignon-laws-and-assert-their-hair-heritage/)
![The stark monochrome deepens the timeless feel as a child with intricately braided cornrows engages in creative expression, etching transient art into the beach’s canvas, reflecting ancestral links and a connection to elemental beauty and holistic experience.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/child-drawing-symbols-in-sand-with-braided-cornrows-hairstyle-black-and-white.jpg)

### [How Did Tignon Laws Influence Black Women's Self-Expression?](https://roothea.co/question/how-did-tignon-laws-influence-black-womens-self-expression/)
![With meticulous care, the child etches designs in the sand, their Fulani braids a testament to ancestral heritage and protective styling traditions. Sebaceous balance and high-density coil care are subtly present, a tender depiction of self-expression within Black Hair Traditions through art and cultural roots.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/childs-artistry-fulani-braids-sebaceous-balance-black-hair-beach-heritage.jpg)

### [What Is the Cultural Meaning of Headwraps for Black Women's Hair Heritage?](https://roothea.co/question/what-is-the-cultural-meaning-of-headwraps-for-black-womens-hair-heritage/)
![This intergenerational photograph explores familial bonds. It highlights textured hair stories and the passing down of heritage between grandparent and child.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/generational-bond-grandfather-and-child-together-textured-hair-black-and-mixed.jpg)

### [Racial Hair Control](https://roothea.co/term/racial-hair-control/)
![The black and white portrait showcases the beauty of Afro coiled hair, creating an intimate connection with the viewer. The lighting adds depth to the image, capturing the essence of her texture and heritage, emphasizing the importance of self-expression and natural beauty within beauty standards.](https://roothea.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/elegant-portrait-of-a-beautiful-woman-with-natural-afro-hair-style.jpg)

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            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/historical-laws/",
            "name": "Historical Laws",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/historical-laws/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Historical Laws, within the gentle scope of textured hair understanding, point to the fundamental, enduring principles that guide the distinct characteristics and responses of coils, curls, and waves."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "name": "Textured Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/textured-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Textured hair describes the natural hair structure characterized by its unique curl patterns, ranging from expansive waves to closely wound coils, a common trait across individuals of Black and mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "name": "Transatlantic Slave Trade",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/transatlantic-slave-trade/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Transatlantic Slave Trade represents a deeply impactful historical period, where the forced displacement of African peoples significantly altered the lineage of textured hair understanding."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/",
            "name": "Eurocentric Beauty",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/eurocentric-beauty/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Eurocentric Beauty describes an aesthetic framework that historically positions features and hair textures common in European populations as the prevailing ideal."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "name": "Tignon Laws",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/tignon-laws/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The Tignon Laws, enacted in late 18th-century colonial Louisiana, were decrees requiring free and enslaved Black women to cover their hair with a tignon or headscarf when in public spaces."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women/",
            "name": "Black Women",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black women, as central figures in textured hair understanding, gently guide the comprehension of coily and kinky strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair/",
            "name": "Ancestral Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/ancestral-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Ancestral Hair refers to the inherited genetic characteristics and structural predispositions of one's hair, particularly significant for individuals with Black or mixed-race heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "name": "Black Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Hair describes the spectrum of hair textures primarily found within communities of African heritage, recognized by its distinct curl patterns ❉ from expansive waves to tightly coiled formations ❉ and an often elliptical follicle shape, which fundamentally shapes its unique growth trajectory."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "name": "Hair Care",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-care/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Care, when understood through the lens of textured hair, signifies a mindful discipline for preserving the vigor of coily, kinky, and wavy strands."
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        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "name": "Natural Hair",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/natural-hair/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Natural Hair describes hair that maintains its original structural configuration, untouched by chemical processes like relaxers, texturizers, or permanent color that alter its natural coil, curl, or wave definition."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act/",
            "name": "CROWN Act",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/crown-act/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ The CROWN Act establishes legal protections against discrimination based on hair texture and styles frequently worn by individuals of Black or mixed heritage."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "name": "Hair Discrimination",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-discrimination/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Discrimination, a subtle yet impactful bias, refers to the differential and often unfavorable treatment of individuals based on the natural characteristics or chosen styles of their hair, especially those textures and forms historically worn by Black and mixed-race persons."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "name": "Beauty Standards",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/beauty-standards/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Beauty Standards often describe societal ideals dictating what is considered appealing, particularly concerning appearance."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair-control/",
            "name": "Black Hair Control",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-hair-control/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Hair Control speaks not of strict regulation, but of a gentle, informed stewardship over coily and kinky strands."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-control-mechanisms/",
            "name": "Hair Control Mechanisms",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-control-mechanisms/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair Control Mechanisms refer to the structured understanding and deliberate application of principles governing the behavior of textured hair, particularly for Black and mixed-heritage hair types."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-loss-black-women/",
            "name": "Hair Loss Black Women",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/hair-loss-black-women/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Hair loss in Black women points to a spectrum of hair fiber and scalp changes, a dermatological presentation often shaped by the singular architecture of textured strands and historical care approaches."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women-health/",
            "name": "Black Women Health",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-women-health/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ \"Black Women Health,\" within the specific context of textured hair, denotes a holistic consideration of well-being centered around the distinct needs of coily and kinky hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-economic-history/",
            "name": "Black Women's Economic History",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-economic-history/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Women's Economic History, within the gentle rhythm of textured hair understanding, details how financial realities shaped the growth of specialized hair care knowledge and systematic routines for Black and mixed-race hair."
        },
        {
            "@type": "DefinedTerm",
            "@id": "https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-experiences/",
            "name": "Black Women's Experiences",
            "url": "https://roothea.co/area/black-womens-experiences/",
            "description": "Meaning ❉ Black Women's Experiences, within the context of textured hair care, signifies the distinct paths taken to comprehend, structure, and apply knowledge concerning curls, coils, and waves."
        }
    ]
}
```


---

**Original URL:** https://roothea.co/question/what-historical-laws-sought-to-control-black-womens-hair/
