Which hairstyle is best for black men? [Part 2]

Alright, Kings, let's talk about your crown. When it comes to choosing the "best" hairstyle for Black men, the truth isn't about picking one specific cut from a magazine. It's about empowering yourselves with knowledge to make choices that truly serve the health, strength, and vitality of your hair. At Porressant, we stand by this truth: the best hairstyle for you is one that celebrates your unique texture, minimizes damage, and protects your long-term health. We're here to equip you with the facts, so you can rock any style with confidence and clarity.

For too long, the narrative around Black hair has been influenced by standards that don't always consider its unique biology or the cultural practices that have shaped our grooming for generations. But we're changing that narrative, one informed choice at a time. Let’s dive deep into what truly makes a hairstyle "best" for Black men.

Embracing Texture: Natural and Expressive Styles

Natural texture is a defining characteristic of Black hair, and many styles are designed to celebrate it.

• The Afro: The afro has long been a powerful symbol of Black pride and identity. Styles can range from a short, neatly trimmed afro paired with a taper fade to a larger, free-flowing shape. The afro fade is a popular modern take, blending a voluminous top with the clean lines of a fade.

  
  

• Twists and Coils: For those with a bit more length, twists are a great way to define the hair's natural curl pattern while offering a protective style. This can range from short sponge twists to longer, more defined two-strand twists, often paired with a fade on the sides.

  
  

• Dreadlocks (Locs): Locs are a long-term commitment that offers incredible versatility. They can be styled in countless ways—worn down, in an updo, or paired with an undercut or fade. Styles like short dreads with a fade or a dreaded mohawk combine the traditional with the modern.

  
  

• The Art of Braids: Protective and Intricate: Braids have been a part of Black hair culture for centuries, offering both protection for the hair and a canvas for incredible artistry.

  
  

  • Cornrows: This traditional style involves braiding the hair close to the scalp in various patterns. They can be simple and straight back or feature complex geometric designs.

    
    

  • Box Braids: Characterized by square-shaped partings, box braids are a versatile and long-lasting protective style that can be done in various lengths and thicknesses.

    
    

The Unseen Battle: Harmful Chemicals in Your Products

Now, let's talk about something critical: what you put in your hair. This is where honesty is paramount, because the industry has often failed our community. Here’s the hard truth: beauty products marketed to Black women, and by extension often used by or shared within Black households, frequently contain the most toxic ingredients found in the cosmetics industry. These chemicals have been linked to serious health concerns that disproportionately affect Black women, including breast and ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, and reproductive harm.

Consider this: Black women spend over $7.5 billion on beauty products each year and purchase nine times more hair products than the average consumer. This high usage, coupled with the presence of dangerous chemicals, significantly increases exposure within our community.

What are these dangerous chemicals?

• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: These cancer-causing chemicals are not just in hair relaxers, but also in many common personal care products like shampoo, lotions, body soap, and even eyelash glue. More than half of Black and Latina women in a study reported using products containing these substances. Experts recommend avoiding products with ingredients like DMDM hydantoin.

  
  

• Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs): These chemicals, like parabens and phthalates (such as diethyl phthalate or DEP), are commonly found in hair products marketed to and used by Black women. They can mess with your body's normal hormonal system. Studies have found that frequent use of hair oils containing EDCs during late pregnancy may even be associated with earlier gestational age at delivery.

  
  

• Carcinogens and Heavy Metals in Synthetic Hair: If you're using synthetic braiding hair, listen closely. A recent study found dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene, unsafe levels of lead, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, in all ten popular synthetic hair brands tested. These chemicals can be absorbed through your scalp, inhaled, or even ingested (think hand-to-mouth contact). The FDA currently has limited regulation over synthetic braiding hair.

  
  

• Chemical Hair Relaxers/Straighteners: These products are widely used to straighten hair by breaking down disulfide bonds. However, they are associated with increased hair shaft fragility, allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, and a host of serious health risks due to the EDCs they contain. Black women who regularly use chemical hair straighteners are 30% more likely to develop breast cancer, especially if they started using them in childhood or adolescence, or use lye-based relaxers. They also pose risks for uterine and ovarian cancers, and can impact puberty and fertility.

  
  

• Permanent Hair Dyes: Black women who regularly dye their hair with permanent dyes face a 44-75% higher risk of breast cancer, with darker shades posing an even greater risk.

  
  

The stark reality is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only banned or restricted eleven ingredients from cosmetics to date, a dismal figure compared to the nearly 1,800 chemicals banned by the European Union. With over 10,000 cosmetic ingredients and 3,600 fragrance ingredients on the market, this lack of regulation creates a significant environmental justice issue, disproportionately harming Black women and girls.

Protecting Your Strands: Common Hair Loss Concerns

Beyond chemical exposure, certain styling practices can also lead to hair loss, especially in textured hair.

• Traction Alopecia (TA): The Pulling Problem: TA is a form of hair loss caused by chronic pulling or tensile forces on the hair follicles. It's particularly common among individuals who wear tight hairstyles for extended periods. Examples include tight braids, cornrows, ponytails, dreadlocks, weaves, and hair extensions, as well as the use of chemical relaxers that weaken the hair shaft, making it more susceptible to breakage under tension. In adolescents, cornrows have been significantly linked to traction alopecia. If these traumatic styling practices continue without intervention, TA can progress to irreversible scarring alopecia.

  
  

• Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA): A Scarring Concern: This scarring alopecia predominantly affects women of African descent, but it’s crucial for Black men to be aware of it too, as it can occur in men. A study found that 88.2% of male CCCA cases identified as Black. CCCA typically begins as a patch of hair loss at the vertex (crown) of the scalp and expands outwards. Symptoms may include scalp pruritus (itching), tenderness, burning, and hair breakage. The exact cause is unknown, but genetic factors, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and bacterial infections may play a role. The definition of CCCA is broadening as it can present with atypical hair loss patterns, including involvement of the lateral sides and posterior scalp.

  
  

• Other Conditions Specific to Black Skin: Black skin is also more prone to conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps), keloids, folliculitis keloidalis nuchae (bumps at the back of the neck), and folliculitis dissecans. While some of these are primarily related to shaving practices, others like folliculitis keloidalis nuchae can be influenced by tight hairstyles or friction in the nape area.

  
  

Styling for Health: Your Power to Choose: Given these facts, the "best" hairstyle for a Black man is one that prioritizes the health of his hair and scalp. This means making conscious choices to:

1. Embrace Your Natural Texture: Your natural coils and curls are strong and beautiful. Styles that work with your natural texture, like well-maintained afros, twists, or free-flowing curls, reduce the need for harsh chemicals or excessive tension. The CROWN Act is a testament to the growing recognition and respect for natural hairstyles, even influencing military grooming standards to be more inclusive of natural Black hair.

   
   

2. Minimize Tension: If you choose braided styles, twists, or locs, ensure they are not too tight. Avoid styles that cause pulling, pain, or bumps around the hairline or scalp. This is crucial for preventing traction alopecia.

   
   

3. Limit Chemical Processing: Given the significant health risks associated with chemical relaxers, hair dyes, and formaldehyde-releasing treatments, limiting or avoiding their use is a powerful step towards protecting your health.

   
   

4. Opt for Non-Toxic Products: This is paramount. Look for brands committed to transparency and safety. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' Non-Toxic Black Beauty Project is a fantastic resource, offering a database of Black-owned beauty products that are free of toxic chemicals linked to health concerns disproportionately impacting Black women. Their "Non-Toxic Black Beauty Brand Product seal" means the product is free of 241 chemicals on their "Red List". Support these brands and demand safer products from the industry at large.

   
   

5. Moisturize Smart: While hair oils are commonly used in Black hair care, be mindful of their ingredients. Some can contain EDCs. Seek out pure, natural oils that are free from harmful additives.

Your Barber: A Pillar of Community Health

For Black men, the barbershop is far more than just a place to get a haircut; it's a community hub, a space for dialogue, connection, and even healing. Studies show that Black barbers are uniquely positioned to act as mental health advocates and even prevent interpersonal violence and suicide, due to their frequent and personal interactions with clients. They are a "mental health lifeline" for the community, helping to break down stigmas around mental health through their listening and trusted relationships.

This role extends to physical health as well. Barbers have been involved in studies, collecting hair samples from Black men to examine stress levels, which are linked to chronic diseases and disproportionate exposure to social stressors like neighborhood violence in urban areas. This highlights the potential for barbers to be key educators and facilitators of healthier practices, including advising on hair care that promotes well-being.

Your barber can be an invaluable resource. They see your hair and scalp regularly, and a knowledgeable barber can offer insights into its health, suggest beneficial grooming practices, and recommend products that align with your hair goals and health. Choose a barber who is not only skilled in styling but also committed to promoting healthy hair and scalp care, and who understands the unique characteristics of Black hair.

The Bottom Line: Your Power to Choose

The "best" hairstyle for a Black man is one that prioritizes long-term hair and scalp health over fleeting trends, avoiding practices and products that expose you to unnecessary risks. It’s about making informed choices based on scientific understanding and a commitment to your well-being.

• Educate yourself on the ingredients in your hair products.

• Demand transparency and safety from beauty brands.

• Choose hairstyles that minimize tension on your scalp and hair follicles.

• Embrace your natural texture and the strength it embodies.

• Lean on your barber not just for a fresh cut, but for guidance on maintaining a healthy crown.

By taking these steps, you’re not just styling your hair; you’re investing in your health, celebrating your heritage, and setting a powerful example for the next generation of Black men. Your hair is a statement, and we believe it should always speak volumes about your confidence, your strength, and your commitment to a healthy life.

Selected References:

• American Academy of Dermatology. 2024. Safety of chemical hair relaxers: A review article. JAAD Reviews.

• Silent Spring Institute. 2025. Formaldehyde releasers found in common personal care products.

• Feldscher, K. 2025. A host of dangerous chemicals.... Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

• American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. 2023. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia in Black men: A case series highlighting key clinical features in this cohort. JAAD Case Reports.