The MELANING Science Standard
How MELANING.ORG separates evidence, cultural language, hair-care practice and medical red flags without flattening textured hair into stereotypes.
1. “Melanin-rich hair” is an audience term—not a causal shortcut
Melanin contributes pigmentation. Curl pattern and many mechanical hair properties are better explained through follicle and fiber geometry, weathering, grooming and chemical history. We do not use melanin as a universal explanation for porosity, growth rate or breakage.
2. We distinguish hair care from hair-loss treatment
Conditioning, tension reduction, cleansing and gentle handling can improve routine quality and lower preventable damage. Persistent or progressive hair loss, scarring, pain, inflammation or sudden shedding may require a clinician.
3. We prefer mechanisms over miracle claims
When a recommendation is made, we explain the practical mechanism: lower friction, less tension, fewer high-heat passes, buildup control or better observation. We avoid invented percentages, guaranteed growth speeds and “detox” language without a defined meaning.
4. Sources
We prioritize dermatology organizations, peer-reviewed reviews and primary literature where useful. Source links appear inside relevant articles so readers can inspect the material themselves.
| Claim type | How we handle it |
|---|---|
| Medical diagnosis/treatment | Deferred to qualified clinicians and authoritative medical guidance. |
| Hair-care technique | Explained as a practical option with trade-offs, not a universal law. |
| Product effect | Described conservatively unless strong evidence supports a stronger claim. |
| Cultural/spiritual language | Allowed as meaning and identity language, clearly separated from biological claims. |