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Original poster

Losing my hair - is a headscarf cultural appropriation.

105 replies

Annielou67 · 09/07/2024 15:35

I recently had a gastric bypass and I’m affected by hair thinning which I knew could be one of the side effects. Currently I am not thinning evenly but in patches and I have gone from really thick long hair to one side being a bit straggly especially at the temple. So I got out my scarves, had a play around, and generally had problems with the scarves falling off. Meanwhile I saw suggested the use of a Tichel, a type of pre sewn, pre fitted scarf with a band to stop if moving off your hairline. The Jewish lady recommending it on Instagram said that it was ok for anyone to wear one. I bought one, it’s great. Apart from the reaction of my friends, relatives and daughter who say that wearing a headscarf ( not solely a tichel) is culturally insensitive, being that I am white and non-religious. When you Google these things some people say it is culturally insensitive and others say it isn’t.

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DerekFaker · 06/01/2025 17:31

Zombie thread alert

Zanatdy · 06/01/2025 17:20

My nan always wore one

LouisvilleSlugger · 06/01/2025 17:19

🧟‍♀️ thread

JohnTheRevelator · 06/01/2025 17:16

I'm saying this kindly OP,as one who has suffered severe hair loss in the past through ill health,but I'm surprised you even have to think about this! If you are losing your hair,it's perfectly acceptable to wear a headscarf. Anyone who says you are being culturally insensitive,well,as far as I'm concerned,THEY are the insensitive ones. I know just how devastating it can be to lose your hair.

kiwiane · 06/01/2025 16:50

I would wear one; my white British culture includes headscarves including those plastic rain bonnets but I’ve not seen as many of those around recently.

Boomer55 · 06/01/2025 16:46

Annielou67 · 09/07/2024 15:35

I recently had a gastric bypass and I’m affected by hair thinning which I knew could be one of the side effects. Currently I am not thinning evenly but in patches and I have gone from really thick long hair to one side being a bit straggly especially at the temple. So I got out my scarves, had a play around, and generally had problems with the scarves falling off. Meanwhile I saw suggested the use of a Tichel, a type of pre sewn, pre fitted scarf with a band to stop if moving off your hairline. The Jewish lady recommending it on Instagram said that it was ok for anyone to wear one. I bought one, it’s great. Apart from the reaction of my friends, relatives and daughter who say that wearing a headscarf ( not solely a tichel) is culturally insensitive, being that I am white and non-religious. When you Google these things some people say it is culturally insensitive and others say it isn’t.

I wouldn’t worry. Someone, somewhere, will always feel the attention seeking urge to be “offended”, 🙄. Do what makes you feel good. 🙂

WestwardHo1 · 06/01/2025 16:45

Chocolately · 09/07/2024 15:41

That's ridiculous. We all wear parkas in the winter, are we offending eskimos?

You said eskimos. How dare you.

Don't you know the word is Innuit? I take offence.

notatinydancer · 06/01/2025 16:44

Of course not. People wear them just because it's windy sometimes.

iwishihadaname · 06/01/2025 16:42

BiscuityBoyle · 09/07/2024 17:48

No!
The late queen often wore one. As did many women of her generation.

My nan did

RobertaFirmino · 06/01/2025 16:41

Crinklycrisp · 09/07/2024 16:26

The shoe that must not be named.

Show quote history

Oh bloody hell, they are still at it after all these years? Lord preserve us!

ByBusyTiger · 06/01/2025 16:38

Wear a headscarf if you want but what if it makes the hair loss worse? I lost a lot of hair from anorexia so I’m in a similar situation. What’s working for me is vitamin d, iron and a scalp massager used 2x daily, oh and rosemary oil (with carrier oil)..wish you luck, it’s not a nice thing to go through

iwishihadaname · 06/01/2025 16:35

JohnSt1 · 09/07/2024 16:12

The fact that headscarves have gone out of fashion doesn't mean you have to ask permission to wear one.

Agree

iwishihadaname · 06/01/2025 16:30

No

AtouchOfCloth · 06/01/2025 16:21

It's definitely not cultural appropriation. I am from a culture where people often wear a scarf on their on their heads, and I strongly believe culture should be appreciated and not appropriated.

Riverswims · 06/01/2025 16:17

MereDintofPandiculation · 09/07/2024 15:40

If it’s cultural appropriation, where does that put the late Queen?

Supreme Governor of The Church of England 🫠

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 06/01/2025 16:05

If it was good enough for the Queen, it's fine for the rest of us.

JHound · 06/01/2025 16:03

Annielou67 · 09/07/2024 15:35

I recently had a gastric bypass and I’m affected by hair thinning which I knew could be one of the side effects. Currently I am not thinning evenly but in patches and I have gone from really thick long hair to one side being a bit straggly especially at the temple. So I got out my scarves, had a play around, and generally had problems with the scarves falling off. Meanwhile I saw suggested the use of a Tichel, a type of pre sewn, pre fitted scarf with a band to stop if moving off your hairline. The Jewish lady recommending it on Instagram said that it was ok for anyone to wear one. I bought one, it’s great. Apart from the reaction of my friends, relatives and daughter who say that wearing a headscarf ( not solely a tichel) is culturally insensitive, being that I am white and non-religious. When you Google these things some people say it is culturally insensitive and others say it isn’t.

Loads of different cultures have head scarfs including old British grannies who used to wear them in the rain or over their curlers.

Wear your headscarf with pride!

Madderrad · 06/01/2025 15:57

Exactly

Original poster
Annielou67 · 12/07/2024 08:10

Olivie12 · 10/07/2024 09:26

Congratulations on your surgery!!!

Don't worry and wear the scarf.

However, I take extra supplements for hair loss strong dose iron, biotin and marine collagen powder. Collagen powder is slow to act but steady, after a month of taking it hair loss stopped and after 3 months new hair started growing again.

I’ve been taking Vieve animal collagen water drink. Anything to help it grow back really. I will look up the collagen powder.

OP posts:
Zonder · 10/07/2024 10:22

My Welsh granny wore a headscarf doing the cleaning. It's fine!

CostelloJones · 10/07/2024 10:02

My Granny didn’t have very good eyesight and when she was unwell she wanted a headscarf… mistakenly ordered a durag 😂 we stopped her going out in it.

I think you are fine OP - I am sure it looks lovely on you

redalex261 · 10/07/2024 10:01

Dear god, No it’s not cultural appropriation! How the fuck have we got to a place where a woman with hair loss is chided for wearing a head-covering?

While we are on this dumb topic how would anyone know you are non-religious? You could be a white member of whatever religion - who is policing this?

MovingBird123 · 10/07/2024 09:56

Absolutely fine. Look up Wrapunzel - so many beautiful designs to play with - enjoy!

BIWI · 10/07/2024 09:40

My apologies too @Annielou67. Unfortunately the tichel troll is so persistent (across so many themes 🙄) that other posters get caught up too.

Olivie12 · 10/07/2024 09:26

Congratulations on your surgery!!!

Don't worry and wear the scarf.

However, I take extra supplements for hair loss strong dose iron, biotin and marine collagen powder. Collagen powder is slow to act but steady, after a month of taking it hair loss stopped and after 3 months new hair started growing again.

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