FDA Proposed Ban on Hair Relaxers Containing Formaldehyde – Protecting Black Women’s Health

The FDA’s Proposed Ban on Hair Relaxers Containing Formaldehyde The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a ban on hair relaxers containing formaldehyde, a move that is seen as a positive step towards protecting public health, particularly the health of Black women. These products have been linked to a host of health issues, such as hair loss, pain, scalp inflammation, exacerbation of asthma, headaches, respiratory problems, and even certain types of cancer. The ban aims to reduce these health risks, but it also opens up a broader conversation about the societal pressures that drive the use of such potentially harmful products. Racial Pressure and Public Health The use of hair relaxers by Black women is not solely a matter of personal preference. Instead, it is often a response to the pressure to conform to Eurocentic beauty standards, which have long favored straight hair over natural Black hairstyles. This pressure, rooted in systemic racism and discrimination, has led many Black women to resort to using chemical relaxers, despite the associated health risks. The proposed FDA ban, while important, is merely a start; it does not address the underlying societal factors that have created this dangerous beauty standard. The Health Implications...