When people imagine the challenges of becoming a physician, they often think about the years of training, long hours, and the emotional toll of caring for patients. What’s often overlooked are the silent battles many Black physicians face — including how something as personal and natural as our hair is perceived in professional spaces.
The Weight of Perception
Medicine has long been steeped in traditions — from white coats to standardized exams — but not all of those traditions serve inclusivity. For Black doctors, appearance often carries an added layer of scrutiny. Hairstyles like braids, curls, twists, and locs are too often labeled “unprofessional,” even though they are expressions of culture, identity, and heritage.
This stigma isn’t just about aesthetics. It sends a message: that professionalism has a narrow definition, and that it wasn’t designed with everyone in mind.
My Journey with Locs
Before I started my loc journey, I hesitated. Not because I doubted my ability as a doctor, but because I worried about how others would see me. Would patients trust me less? Would supervisors or colleagues question my professionalism? Would my hair — something natural and authentic to me — become a barrier in my career?
The fact that I even had to pause and consider those questions speaks volumes. No physician should have to weigh their hairstyle against their credibility. And yet, many of us do.
Black Hair Is Beautiful
The truth is, Black hair is versatile, bold, and beautiful. From braids and bantu knots to afros and locs, our hair tells stories of history, resilience, and creativity. These styles aren’t just “looks” — they’re a reflection of identity and community.
For Black physicians, wearing our natural hair is not just about self-expression. It’s an act of courage in a field that often pressures us to conform to a standard that doesn’t reflect us.
Redefining Professionalism
It’s time to broaden the definition of professionalism in medicine — and beyond. Professionalism is not about hairstyles; it’s about competence, compassion, and integrity. A doctor’s ability to heal has nothing to do with how they wear their hair.
As more of us embrace our natural hair in clinical spaces, we help dismantle outdated notions and pave the way for future physicians to show up as their full, authentic selves.
Moving Forward
To my colleagues in medicine: we must create environments where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated. That includes hair.
To my fellow Black doctors: your hair is beautiful, your presence is powerful, and your excellence speaks louder than any stereotype. Don’t dim your authenticity to fit a mold that was never built for you.
Because at the end of the day, excellence has no hairstyle.
