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99% Invisible · September 18, 2026 · 0h 35m

100 Objects #18: Hair Relaxer

Priscilla Alabi
Show Notes

Between 85 and 95 percent of Black women in the U.S. have used a chemical hair relaxer at least once. Roman Mars and producer Priscilla Alabi trace how this product built Black wealth and opened economic doors, but also taught generations to view their natural hair as a problem to be solved. Recent research now points to a physical cost, making it a lens on American contradictions.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Preview

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85–95% of Black Women Have Used a Hair Relaxer
The ubiquity of chemical hair relaxers is staggering: somewhere between 85 and 95 percent of Black women in the United States have used the product at least once.
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Hair Relaxers Built Black Wealth and Economic Access
Hair relaxer products and salons created significant Black wealth and opened professional doors for African Americans.
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