L'Oreal Lawsuit

We have all heard how certain oils help to make the hair, and scalp, healthier. One of the newly identified oils is amla oil and has great reviews from bloggers and users about how it adds sheen and bounce to hair. Recently Loreal put out a new relaxer that promotes the use of Alma oil and has had horrible reception.

A Los Angeles attorney is petitioning the courts to have hair care brand L'Oreal to remove the relaxer from shelves. The reason you ask? it's causing hair loss and scalp irritation to black women around the nation, with no help from the big time beauty brand for a remedy.

This ten dollar relaxer was introduced in 2010 and list alma oil as an ingredient with the promise to protect hair and infuse the scalp with nutrients that will help with producing a gorgeous sheen.  So here's where it gets interesting, just like with anything else the list of ingredients indicates what's mostly used (hence why you should always use a conditioner with water listed as the first ingredient). Although alma oil is listed, it at the bottom of the list after a list of toxic ingredients. L'Oreal says that the box clearly indicates the hazard with using the product and denies that they are responsible for the burning and hair falling out.

L'Oreal used black celebrities to promote this product and many women have written reviews, called L'Oreal, and are now dealing with hair loss. Now let me say that I have been "team natural" for 6 years and the idea of returning to the "creamy crack" is always a racing thought, but stories like this help me redirect. Ladies, if you are going to use relaxers let's discuss some tips:

1) Do a scalp/hair test before applying the relaxer to your whole head

2) Only relax when necessary, do not over process your hair

3) Invest in your hair and consider having a professional relax and color your hair to limit burning and hair falling out

4) Do your research, it pays to look into different products and read reviews

What are your thoughts on this story? Have you used this relaxer? Comment below and let's start a conversation about healthy hair. 

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Team Natural vs Team Relaxer

I love those women on social media who absolutely love their natural coils. They have blogs, vlogs, words of encouragement, and are very knowledgeable about all that is "natural hair". But I'm not there, don't think I'll ever get there, or that I really want to be there. The reason? Sometimes I still want to go back to a relaxer!!

Let's be honest, this natural hair journey is no walk in the park. There are valleys and mountain peaks, but those valley days will have you contemplating your commitment to #TeamNatural. From trying to find products that work for your hair types (I still don't understand the 4a/4c debate) to trying to balance your style and professionalism, the idea of returning to a relaxer is always around. 

My biggest issues are wanting a change and not being able to do it because it requires a relaxer, the struggle is beyond real. I'll see a cute hair cut and think "You know what I want that!", and then the reality of being natural hits. The pixie cut is one of my favorites right now, but I would have to cut all my hair off (I've been natural for 5 years and have made major strides in growth) and would have to get a relaxer to keep my hair looking fresh and maintained. I'm good!

Someone asked, "So why haven't you gone back to relaxers?" The truth is I love being natural! Yes, I know it may not seem that way based on what proceeds this sentence, but it's true. After years of dealing with seborrheic dermatitis, I definitely see the difference in my hair and scalp health.

Now please don't think I'm saying that you can't have healthy hair with a relaxer because you can, but I appreciate and value my hair more now. When you see my mane you're looking at an investment of time and energy that I dedicated to myself. I struggled with my TWA and confidence, I remember the first silk press after my big chop, and I've witnessed how many styles can come from one good twist out. 

So whether you're #TeamNatural or #TeamCreamyCrack at the end of the day we are all #TeamHealthyHair.

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