I bought these scarves because my daughter who is african american was told by her beautician to prpurchase silk scarves to "tie her hair up"...this means to wrap the scarf several times and tie at the top. I purchase these scarves more than two years ago...knowing every night she and her sisters would be using them and washing them out every week. Just as beautiful as the day purchased. The silk reduces breakage and hair strands grow longer. Would buy more as gifts because they stay beautiful despite weekly washings.