Maintaining natural hair can be a complex and sometimes daunting process for Black women. The quest to manage texture and curls often involves lengthy salon appointments or the use of harsh chemical relaxers aimed at achieving a smooth, glossy finish. These methods, while effective for some, introduce a host of new challenges, including the need to protect natural hair from frequent manipulation and processing.
Joycelyn Brown, a fine arts and visual communications student at the University of Delaware, is investigating this intricate relationship between Black women and their hair care routines. Hailing from Bear, Delaware, Brown’s curiosity was piqued by the diverse experiences Black women have with their natural hair. Her research focuses on understanding how these women are educated about hair care at home, where they seek information about products and techniques, and how they assess the safety of these products.
As part of her undergraduate research, Brown conducted surveys with a range of Black women to gain insights into their natural hair care practices. She is particularly interested in how consumers are drawn to different hair care products and how this influences their perceptions of product safety. Her goal is to use these insights to enhance the visual communication of product safety in hair care branding.
This research is both relevant and timely. Recently, concerns over the safety of hair care products designed for Black women have garnered national attention. A group of women filed a federal lawsuit against the manufacturers of hair relaxers, alleging potential health risks associated with the use of these products.
Brown’s work not only seeks to address these pressing issues but also aims to improve how product safety is communicated in the hair care industry. By exploring the experiences of Black women and their interactions with hair care products, she hopes to contribute to a more informed and safer approach to hair care.
