Natural Hair & Braiding Deregulation: A Threat to Black Women's Health
For over two decades, I have witnessed the transformative power of hair care done right. However, in the wake of the deregulation of natural hair and braiding licenses, a dangerous trend, is threatening the health and safety of Black women across the nation. Their scalps and overall wellness are on the line. There is a rhetoric being pushed by the Institute for Justice and those that claim braiding is a cultural art form passed down from generation to generation is deemed safe because it avoids harsh chemicals. As a licensed professional, this message is misleading, exploitative, and absolutely false. Currently 33 states , the most recent - Pennsylvania agreeing to exempt hair braiders from regulatory oversight have deregulated natural hair and braiding. For those that believe these agendas are being pushed by white legislators are surely mistaken there has been a plethora of Black women who have pushed for deregulation not truly realizing the impact it has on the entir...
