Appearance and Self-Esteem

  • A Yale University found that our self-esteem was highly affected by bad hair days, with participants reporting feeling less smart, less capable, more embarrassed and less sociable.
  • Our hair frames the face and is considered by psychologists to be the most important in terms of first impressions.
  •  Psychologist Elaine Slater noted that our hair is one of the features most often recalled after a social interaction.
  • She also notes: “Many associate confidence with feeling in control, and hair is one way that most of us can be in charge in terms of the vast number of ways in which we can alter it. Hair can give us the external appearance of being well managed and in control.
  • Hair, beauty, self-image, and identity are inextricably linked and influence each other.

Why it Matters

  • The Association of Black Psychologists called hair discrimination an “esthetic trauma” and note that the mental health effects of hair discrimination are dire. In calling it a trauma with dire mental health effects, these professionals have elevated hair discrimination to parallel other known traumas and traumatic events whose negative health effects are well known and studied.
  • Hair discrimination may have significant effects on self-image, health, and well-being.
  • Hair discrimination in school-age children is perpetuated through bullying, and school appearance policies and codes.

What Happens at a Hair-Esteem Event?

We are teaming up with local hair stylists and barbers to empower our youth to embrace their natural beauty. Together, we will teach them to love their hair, share knowledge on proper care, particularly for natural textures, and provide them with the tools they need to nurture and celebrate their unique strands. Our mission is to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding natural hair, uplifting self-image and promoting health and overall well-being.

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  • Information on this website is for educational purposes only. Not intended for diagnosis.

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