How much do we really know about our hair? Attending Honor Program Events 3pts

I attended the Black Hair Forum event hosted by the Honors Program where Dr. Gaines spoke about her natural hair journey and her “Hair Lab” where she conducts research on Black hair and its characteristics. Dr. Gaines reflected on how many hair products marketed for Black hair contain harmful ingredients and how Black hair is too diverse for one product to work the same way on every type. We discussed how Black hair goes beyond the common phenotype chart (Type A, Type B, Type C), and her research to create another chart that celebrates the diversity of Black hair. 

While Dr. Gaines talked about her decision to stop perm treatments during pregnancy, I remembered a research paper I read on straightening treatments in my Environmental Toxicology class last semester. I asked Dr. Gaines to elaborate on how perm treatments can impact pregnancies and overall health, and she responded by connecting the development of fibroids to perm treatments and other harmful chemicals used on hair. Overall, I really enjoyed the event, and after hearing so much about the gap between research centered on Black hair compared to other races, I plan to continue reading about this disparity. 

By: Stephanie Ferguson