Do you know what you’re putting in your hair?  From relaxers to braids, there are toxic elements in almost every popular Black hair product on the market. Dr. Michelle Gaines, chemistry professor at Spelman College, breaks it down.   

To read Asia Simone Burns and Samantha Hogan’s reporting on hair care for Black women and the ongoing lawsuits related to the hair straightening products they use visit: news/2025/08/her-hair-was-perfectly-straight-her-body-paid-the-price/ 

Read Brooke Leigh Howard’s reporting on the safer options Atlanta’s Black community is turning to: https://www.ajc.com/uatl/toxic-braiding-hair-study-forces-atlantas-black-community-to-seek-safer-options/C4PICN23ARCV7KMAGXXWEUCK3I/ 

Check out host Najja Parker’s reel on keeping safe when it comes to hair products here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIkBcGcoR_6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

UATL is a source for Black culture and community in Atlanta. It’s powered by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and our supporters. If you’re enjoying this podcast, join us as a UATL paid supporter at UATL.com 

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