The dangers of hair straightening and cosmetics intended for Black women

Exposing our scalp and body to a chemical like hair straightening causes a lot of damage. Studies have linked this product to health problems such as fibroids, premature births, baldness, uterine growths, scalp and hair damage, and the risk of chemical burns… it's a high price to pay to meet society's beauty standards.

This October, we chose to give a customer the opportunity to share her experience. Indeed, as long as it's just research data, we can ignore the problems. Unfortunately, it doesn't just happen to other people.

“I would like to share my experience with you today. For many years during my adolescence, I straightened my hair every month.

I lived in Senegal in the 90s, and we weren't aware of the risks associated with using certain products. On the contrary, one hairdresser was very successful. He was a Nigerian who had settled in Dakar, and we would queue up for a hair straightening treatment followed by a blow-dry, which made us feel proud when we left his salon.

Unfortunately, what was meant to be a simple cosmetic use has caused me serious health problems.

Around the age of 33, I consulted a renowned gynecologist who discovered that I had fibroids.

Two years later, I became sterile. My partner and I went through the entire process and all the steps of assisted reproduction, in different countries, without success.

The most difficult thing is the adenomyosis, which causes me debilitating pain during my period. My uterus is so damaged by these hair straightening products that it has tripled in size, bringing with it a host of other ailments.

Today I wish to share my story in the hope of sparing some women or girls from experiencing the same thing I did.

Please prioritize natural products whenever possible. Thank you for reading my story, and please share it with your friends and family. Maimouna

A study titled "Beauty Products, Environmental Chemicals, and Health Disparities," published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, reveals that Black women also endanger their reproductive systems in their attempts to meet beauty standards. The study confirms findings made by the environmental NGO Environmental Working Group in 2016 that beauty products marketed to women of color are particularly harmful to their health.