119: Scalp inflammation & hair care toxicity | sustainability & non-toxic beauty entrepreneur Ciara Imani May

“The issues [with waste and toxicity] that I identified early on with synthetic hair scared me. Once I understood that normal synthetic hair was made from frowned upon materials and ingredients, I thought, Well, how did it make its way on my head and so many other people’s heads if everybody else seems to know this?” says sustainability & non-toxic beauty entrepreneur Ciara Imani May, founder of Rebundle. Rebundle is a plant-based and fully recyclable hair extension company used in braids and protective styling for Black women. “Beauty should bring joy to our lives, but at what cost?” In this episode of Clean Beauty School, mindbodygreen and beauty director Alexandra Engler, chats with May about the burden of toxicity experienced by women of color, the short and long-term consequences of scalp inflammation, and why we need better hair care solutions for Black women. 

Show notes:

-Learn more about Ciara Imani May and Rebundle

-Research on endocrine disrupting chemicals found in commonly used Black hair care products, which are then linked to adverse health effects 

-Adverse health risks associated with relaxers, including uterine cancer

-Toxic burden disproportionately affecting women of color

-Read more about topics mentioned in this episode: microbiome, scalp care, scalp inflammation

-Shop products mentioned in this episode: Braid Better, Fenty Beauty Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser

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