Being Asian American & Wearing Wigs For Hair Loss - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Feature

Silk or Lace was founded by Suran Yoo, an East Asian American woman who started experiencing hair loss at 23. 

It’s hard to deny that a person’s culture and heritage has a significant impact on how they view their hair. We interviewed two Asian American women about their relationship with their hair and how being Asian ties into it all, but first a message from our founder. 

“Being an East Asian woman usually comes with having long and thick black hair that you take for granted.

I’ve touched so many of my East Asian girlfriends’ ponytails that were 4x the thickness of my own and I always wondered why I got the short end of the stick.

I’ve always had thin, fine, and super soft hair growing up but never thought I’d lose what little I had in my 20’s.

It’s not always the case, but often Asian American culture tells you to not talk about your weaknesses. Female hair loss is taboo in general, but my cultural background has added more pressure to stay quiet, and in the process, stay alone in my hair loss journey.

There are SO many transformations and progress being made in Asian American history today, from more representation in media to louder activists who stand up for our rights and culture. We aren’t the invisible minority anymore and this also means talking more about all parts of us, our bodies, our dreams, our fears, and our weaknesses.

Hair loss isn’t something I’m embarrassed about anymore, especially because I’ve found a solution that works for me. I’ve found a community, including other Asian American women, who enable me to feel more confident and less alone.

It’s one step forward in creating a culture, for our world, to accept and love each other for all of who 

we are” - Suran Yoo

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Char, long time supporter and customer of Silk or Lace!

Interview conducted via Instagram DM on 4.28.22.

1. What was your relationship with your hair like growing up? Did you ever feel like an outcast or different from the people around you because of your hair? 

“My relationship to my hair growing up was that it was an extension of my creativity. I was able to express my personal style by coloring and getting edgy cuts. As an Asian woman, beauty is deeply tied to our hair. I feel like that is the reason so many Asian women have long hair. 

Once I started losing my hair I did not realize until I found people on Instagram that Asian women also experience hair loss. Wearing wigs as an Asian woman has been a freeing experience.”

2. Did you have any fashion of beauty influences growing up from Asian celebrities?

“In the 1980s I used to have a subscription to a Asian fashion magazine publication no longer available that featured only Asian models and stories about Asian Americans. I used to plaster them all over my wall as I was so hungry for any sort of Asian representation in the media. There were not many Asian people in Hollywood when I was growing up so I loved celebrities like Kelly Hu, Suchin Pak (MTV) and Kimora Lee Simmons (model) just to name a few.”

3. What would your dream hair be?

“My dream hair would be an asymmetrical, edgy hairstyle” 

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Thanh Nguyen, model and entrepreneur. You can see her rock our Agenteur Synthetic Wigs here! 

Interview conducted via Instagram DM on 5.4.22. 

1. What was your relationship with your hair like growing up? Did you ever feel like an outcast or different from the people around you because of your hair? 

“I’ve always had very thin hair growing up. It runs in the family and hair loss is one thing that is common within Asians. No matter what I did, from my diet or hair supplements, I couldn’t seem to find an answer to my hair. I just had to accept the fact of just working with what I have. 

I do feel like an outcast at times, wondering if my appearance would change if my hair was up to standards. But I have to look at the positives of my hair, like how it holds curls very well and doesn’t get frizzy as much!” 

2. Did you have any fashion of beauty influences growing up from Asian celebrities?

“I’ve recently noticed black hair looks good on me! Maybe it’s because I’ve always grew up with brown hair, I just wanted a change.

3. What would your dream hair be?

“My dream hair is not NOT LOSE ANY!!!! That or that it’s not heat sensitive!”

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Follow Char on Instagram:@hangukcharleen

Follow Thanh on Instagram: @t.nguyen1010

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