The Irizarry Hair Texture Scale

The Irizarry Hair Texture Scale (IHT) is a novel framework that captures both the physical and socio-cultural dimensions of hair texture, challenging traditional classification systems that perpetuate racial hierarchies. Developed through interdisciplinary research and informed by critiques of racialized beauty standards, the IHT spans a spectrum from straight to coily textures, incorporating factors such as curl pattern, density, and style. This scale provides a scientifically grounded approach to studying hair as a marker of identity and systemic inequities.