The push to conform to Western beauty ideals has led to significant physical and emotional harm for women of color.
Dr. Mengyi (Zed) Zha reports for MedPage Today.
In short:
- The NIH linked hair straighteners to an increased risk of uterine cancer, affecting Black women disproportionately.
- Blepharoplasty and skin bleaching, driven by racist beauty standards, carry severe health risks and emotional tolls.
- Regulatory delays and inadequate consumer protection exacerbate these health threats.
Key quote:
"She told me that if I dyed my hair blond and got a nose job, 'I can get you more jobs.'"
— Rosie Perez, Oscar-nominated Puerto Rican actress
Why this matters:
Racist beauty standards not only perpetuate systemic racism but also pose severe health risks, necessitating better regulation and public education to protect vulnerable populations.
Related EHN coverage:
