A vast majority of Black women — approaching 90 percent — have used a chemical hair relaxer to straighten their natural curls.
But these products, applied in salons or at home, disrupt the endocrine system, according to a growing body of evidence.
The products, which aggressively target Black girls and women who believe these chemicals are safe, have almost no oversight.
I began reporting a story about “creamy crack,” as chemical hair straightener products are sometimes called, for The Times Magazine more than a year ago, and it published today.
I interviewed government officials and health nonprofit workers, scientists at universities, people taking part in medical studies, plaintiffs in lawsuits, politicians, historians, activists and lawyers.
Organizations:
The Times Magazine