Hairstylist Kay Flewellen on Chemical Relaxer Safety and Regulation

Family Legacy in Hairstyling

• 💇‍♀️ Kay Flewellen inherited Flewellen’s Hair Salon in Oak Cliff, Dallas, from her mother, continuing a legacy that began in 1970.
• 🏆 The salon is recognized as the longest continuously running African-American Salon in Dallas, serving the community for 55 years.

Perspective on Chemical Relaxer Studies

• 🔬 Flewellen acknowledges the studies linking chemical hair relaxers to health conditions, which have led to numerous lawsuits.
• 🤔 However, she believes the danger of relaxers may be overstated and attributes issues to consumer misuse rather than the products themselves.

The Importance of Professional Application

• ⚠️ Flewellen emphasizes that stylists dedicate their lives to training and understanding how to safely use potentially dangerous chemicals.
• 🧪 She likens untrained use of relaxers to consumers experimenting with chemicals from a scientific lab, highlighting the need for proper training and precautionary measures.

Stricter Regulations and Expert Consultation

• 🚫 Flewellen opposes selling chemical relaxers over the counter, advocating for stricter regulations.
• 💡 She stresses the importance of consulting experts in the craft for hair treatments, viewing hairstyling as a blend of business, art, and science.