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What is more important - Health or Beauty? Lawsuit against Carson/Lloreal

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AFashionSlave said:
If you come across the tape tell me what it says.
:confused: I thought it was Grace Jones.

I'll keep the heads up for ma' tape for ya', but I am almost definite it said Shanaid O'Conor. ;)
 
I feel really sorry that she lost her hair. However, something doesn't make sense to me. :confused:

Okay, she says that her hair loss was caused by sodium hydroxide, which is found in lye relaxers, and because the box didn't contain neutralizing shampoo. But as we know, lye relaxers don't come in "kits." Only no-lye relaxers are packaged this way. You have to buy everything separately for lye relaxers - the relaxer, activating liquid, conditioner, neutralizer, etc.

Perhaps the reporter made a mistake, but something's not right. In any event, if she'd been relaxing since she was 12, I'd imagine she should know about neutralizing. However, all of us here learned so much about hair care by being part of this community. We might think certain things are common sense, like neutralizing after either the relaxer or conditioner. I guess I can't assume everyone knows to neutralize . . . although she'd been relaxing since she was 12.

Very strange indeed, is all I'm saying.
 
Thanks for such a great thread! And Pookeylou for such a great response. I too, am not quite so quick to jump on every bandwagon that rolls by playing a catchy tune. I still get caught up periodically but not as much as I used too. I've got one live to live and only one body to live it in.

As far as the lady's injuries are concerned....I will only say that as an experienced relaxer, it would stand to reason that she would have known better especially considering the relaxer used the 'usual suspects' when it comes to active ingredients. I had my days of applying relaxers til they burned...now I don't even let the relaxer touch my scalp at all when I retouch.
 
Kitkat said:
I feel really sorry that she lost her hair. However, something doesn't make sense to me. :confused:

Okay, she says that her hair loss was caused by sodium hydroxide, which is found in lye relaxers, and because the box didn't contain neutralizing shampoo. But as we know, lye relaxers don't come in "kits." Only no-lye relaxers are packaged this way. You have to buy everything separately for lye relaxers - the relaxer, activating liquid, conditioner, neutralizer, etc.

Perhaps the reporter made a mistake, but something's not right. In any event, if she'd been relaxing since she was 12, I'd imagine she should know about neutralizing. However, all of us here learned so much about hair care by being part of this community. We might think certain things are common sense, like neutralizing after either the relaxer or conditioner. I guess I can't assume everyone knows to neutralize . . . although she'd been relaxing since she was 12.

Very strange indeed, is all I'm saying.

Off topic:
You are very observant. I have not seen a lye relaxer kit in a very long time, but they did used to make them. I used them in the 90's. I'm not sure about Optimum but, Revlon Realistic had a lye relaxer in 3 formulas mild, regular and super. The box used to be white with red lettering. I used it because back then I was not a fan of no-lye relaxers, and it was the only relaxer that I could find easily. Wal-Mart even carried it.

I wonder when she had this perm done? How many years has she been bald?
 
bald lady said:
What do you mean “the same as usual.” Can you be a little more specific?

I used the relaxer the same way everybody does. I added it to my roots, close to my scalp to make it as straight as possible, from roots to ends. Then I wanted to let it sit for a couple of minutes like the directions said. According to the box I could have left it on for 13 to 18 minutes but it started to burn immediately. I thought the relaxer wouldn’t straighten my hair if I rinsed it out instantly so I left it on for 4 minutes. After that I could not take it anymore and rinsed it out.

the same way EVERYBODY DOES?! does she think it is normal to apply the relaxer to all of your hair each time?! poor bald lady....perhaps she should of found time in her busy schedule to visit some hair forums

btw...s-curl is lye and it comes in a box kit
 
weaveitup said:
btw...s-curl is lye and it comes in a box kit

Oh, I had no idea! Then totally disregard my earlier post, folks. :) Whether she should have known to neutralize or not, I feel really sorry for her. That's got to be traumatizing.
 
I understand and agree what the orginal poster was getting at. Now, I'm scared as :censored:

I've done some things -- recently too - that had me compromising my health for the sake of beauty. I think we all do to some degree. Some may not, and they probably even only eat organic foods and drink purified water, etc. :look:

As far as ingredients, we have to get smart about them & discontinue use immediately when our comfort zone has been crossed. We all have a threshold. I know I've had my share of burning scalp due to relaxer, curling iron dropped down my back or burning my forehead/ears :wallbash:
 
This post just scared the *beeeeeeeeeep* out of me. I am so glad I decided to go natural. I cant imagine what she is going through. I am sitting rightnow looking at my fake nails wondering what theyhave done to me besides damage my already fragile nails.

*shakes head*

Time for some researrch. Let me find the glasses. Thanks for this post,BTW
 
I just have to say that if I were Loreal/Carson I wouldn't have offered her $hit!. First of all, I'd want to know if she did a strand test. Now I know that I've relaxed my hair plenty of times in the past and I've never done a strand test but on ALL relaxer insturctions that I've seen they tell you to do one 24-36 hours before applying the relaxer. Second of all, the damn relaxer was burning her scalp IMMEDIATELY? She should have washed it out instead of letting it sit for 4 more minutes. I know for a fact that the instructions also usually say that if your scalp is irritated you should wash it out. Third of all, what the hell was she thinking in not using a neutralizer? I don't care if one was included or not, I'd have gone out and bought my own and used it no matter if the instructions didn't include that step because being a veteran home relaxer, I know that the relaxing process must be stopped some how and water just ain't gonna cut it. Because of all of these things, I feel like she probably will lose the lawsuit. She can't go back and change it now b/c it's all online.

I feel sorry for her but she should have been more responsible in relaxing her hair and I just feel like this could have been avoided if she followed directions and used some good ol' common sense.

Too bad she felt the need to risk her health for the sake of beauty. It's just not worth it.
 
Neen said:
After looking at that girls head, L'oreal would have to pay me at least $25 mil. That's insane. It sounds like she got a bad relaxer because it shouldn't burn as soon as you put it on. I don't know that a neutralizer would have saved her hair since it appears her scalp was the most damaged. I assumed that since her hair took 2 months to fall out but her scalp looks like someone took a torch to it :burn:. When my hair was overprocessed, It would immediately depart from me :lol:.

I know I'm wrong, but I'm over here rollin:lachen: :lachen: :lachen: . I feel sorry for her cause I know that even though I may not admit it on the regular, I am into my physical appearance - not what I wear per se, but whether I am a pretty woman - I think everyone has a touch of vanity in em. This must have been devastating. But DAMN. How the hell you gonna just wait till the perm ate up your whole head up. COme on now.
 
Kitkat said:
I feel really sorry that she lost her hair. However, something doesn't make sense to me. :confused:

Okay, she says that her hair loss was caused by sodium hydroxide, which is found in lye relaxers, and because the box didn't contain neutralizing shampoo. But as we know, lye relaxers don't come in "kits." Only no-lye relaxers are packaged this way. You have to buy everything separately for lye relaxers - the relaxer, activating liquid, conditioner, neutralizer, etc.

Perhaps the reporter made a mistake, but something's not right. In any event, if she'd been relaxing since she was 12, I'd imagine she should know about neutralizing. However, all of us here learned so much about hair care by being part of this community. We might think certain things are common sense, like neutralizing after either the relaxer or conditioner. I guess I can't assume everyone knows to neutralize . . . although she'd been relaxing since she was 12.

Very strange indeed, is all I'm saying.

I agree, it is strange. I can only assume that she purchased the lye relaxer that's packaged for Professional Use Only. Either way, the instructions on all of the Optimum products tell you to follow with a neutralizer, either the neutralizing shampoo or the Synthesizer, which is the first neutralizer when using the lye relaxer.
 
Oh my! Her head looks awful? When was this article written? A relaxer can do all of that? It looks like she left that relaxer in overnight or something!

That makes me definitely for sure about continuing my transition to natural.

For your questions:
I think health is more important than beauty.

Right now, I just take NatureMade Super B-Complex for my hair. I read up about it before I started taking it. I also take a multi-vitamin for overall health and Cod Liver Oil pills for skin health.

About risk taking... it depends on the risk. Right now, transitioning to natural without the big chop is taking a risk. I wouldn't say it's a bad risk as long as I take care of these two textures while I grow my hair out. If a risk most likely will have a bad outcome, I do not think it's worth taking that risk if it's going to damage your health.
 
I think since this happened in Europe, maybe they are a bit more lax about "ethnic" hair care products. Also they might be packaged differently, being that it was a lye kit. Wow I just couldn't believe that she didn't have a neutralizing shampoo or conditioner. I hope she get something.


Okay back to the original question, I take my health more seriously before beauty. For that reason, I am trying to eat a more healthy variety of foods rather than relying on vitamins and supplements.
 
Koffie said:
OT, But the episode was from Martin, when Gina had to work for Shananay at her salon so she could get basketball tickets for Martin. But yeah, she left out the Neutralizer, and every body tried to tell the woman that it looked good on her like Shanaid O'Conor. :ohwell:

Yeah Ok that's when they came on back to back. In living color then Martin yeah all I remember is Shananay and don't forget the neutralizer. I forgot all about the Martin show man I am slipping. They need to more shows like these. And now I remember the part about Shanaid O'Conor.

In response to the question might I add that the story of this poor woman was a poor example to make a statement (because maybe who's to say it could have been prevented). Something more like RIO or something along those lines would have rung a bell with me because these products have been proven harmful. Whereas I read everything and make sure that my relaxer is done properly. And I do take supplements but before I start popping pills I have to do my homework. And who's to say that 50 years down the line every thing we eat, pop, chew, wash and lotion with won't be proven harmful. There is no way to tell wether a product will be detrimental to ones health without proper research. One may be overly allergic to an ingredient and not know it. That poor ladies case is a rare example not everyone who relaxes in the name of beauty will go bald. And anyone consuming large amounts of supplements should be talking to there doctor's to see if it is ok. Health is important and should mnot be taken lightly.
 
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GodMadeMePretty said:
Before you posted this, I thought the story was a bit fishy. I mean, who doesn't know to neutralize. But you're from a "euro" country and from what you're saying, it is a common practice not to neutralize? I really do wonder what the directions in her kit said. That would be the clincher for evidence at the trial. Is 50 euros how much the relaxer cost? "Oh, it didn't work out for you? How about we give you your money back?" Sheesh!
That woman is from the Netherlands, believe me ladies, I have had my hair done in the UK and what Kizzylonghair says is true -- getting your hair done in Europe, in my experience, has been a world of difference from getting your hair done in the States. One stylist was still using tongs and was rough with my hair and sold me a leave in conditioner by this company called Arteffex -- wow talk about cheap stuff. It was basically water with a little bit of panthenol.

I actually feel terribly from this woman. Firstly, neutralizer was not in the box. If you are not educated about your hair and do not know about neutralizer, you would not have known that anything was wrong. Also, English might not be her first language. Finally, I disagree with those who criticizer her for not neutralizing. She CLEARLY thought she had everything that she needed in the kit. Furthermore, if she had gone to the store to go buy neutralizer after doing the relaxer, it would still have been too late, her hair still would have burned.

Her home kit experience might explain why Shampoosie advises against buying relaxer kits and suggests buying products seperately.

The company knows that it did something wrong because it did try to settle with her. I dont know how much this is, but IMO, there arent enough zeros in this figure :lachen: ! She was a beautiful woman and this relaxer has taken away a beautiful part about her -- her hair. The story almost makes me want to put my hair in braids.:
*********************
When is the trial? It’s true that Lloreal wanted to settle for 50.00 Euro?
There is no date for the trial yet. I hope it will be as soon as possible. It is true that L'Oreal tried to settle for 50.000 euros.

******************

They are lucky this did not happen to me because I would have immediately embarked on a nationwide -- no worldwide -- campaign. They would have wished that they had paid me millions at the end, because I would have cost them millions in bad publicity, LOL!
 
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pookeylou said:
AFS...your point is coming in loud and clear.

Being a former relaxer user myself, I remember the days of leaving the relaxer on even though the burning sensation was making me cry.

But I thought "that's what black girls do for bad nappy hair...and you cannot go out with nappy hair!"

There, but for the grace of God go I. What if I had gotten an old relaxer or one where the manufacture added to much chemical? What if I didnt mix it properly myself? What if the "professional" mixed it wrong or I was too intimidated to tell them that the relaxer was burning? I willingly took those risk...because that is what I needed to do to be pretty.

Anyone who knowingly takes vitamins to the point that they cause toxicity in their own bodies because they did not know that too much vitamin B, E or C can cause diarrhea or something worse...is willingly risking their health.

Anyone who knowingly uses Surge (or Rosemary Hair spritz, or Wild Growth whatever) and their skin is peeling and burning...is willingly risking their health.

Anyone who knowiingly braids their hair so tight that they now have traction alopecia...is wilingly risking thier health.

When we willingly risk our health for a perception of beauty...we take a risk of doing irrepairable damage.

My heart goes out to her. There is no greater pain, than pain you caused to yourself.
AMEN! Say it again sister!
 
AFashionSlave said:
Off topic:
You are very observant. I have not seen a lye relaxer kit in a very long time, but they did used to make them. I used them in the 90's. I'm not sure about Optimum but, Revlon Realistic had a lye relaxer in 3 formulas mild, regular and super. The box used to be white with red lettering. I used it because back then I was not a fan of no-lye relaxers, and it was the only relaxer that I could find easily. Wal-Mart even carried it.

I wonder when she had this perm done? How many years has she been bald?
If she bought this in Europe, it might be different. You would be surprised, I personally have found that they can be almost 10 years behind us as far as healthcare in some places. Think about it, how many black people, and thus, black hairdressers are there in the Netherlands? I have been there and I kid you not, I did not see that many black people there,
 
My heart goes out to this woman however I think that if you have been getting relaxers since such a young age you should pretty well know the process. If she knew what she was doing she should have bought an additional neatralizing product if she did not see one in the box.

Like every one has been saying, we need to know what it is we are using and not be so quick to use evey new product we hear about whether it for our body, hair, skin, nails, ect. what ever we use we have to think about the consequences. i will definately research every thing I use.

to answer the question, I choose health over beauty. With good health comes beauty anway.
 
AFashionSlave said:
If you come across the tape tell me what it says.
:confused: I thought it was Grace Jones.

And I thought it was Eartha Kitt for some reason (even though she was never bald). But I remember that lady leaving the shop and "purring" circa the original Catwoman movie :lol:

Anyways great post AFS, you made some very great points, makes me start thinking even about all of the health risks involved in plastic surgery too yet people seem to overlook it you know?
 
I think carson/loreal should get their butts sued off for this. I read that even the manufacturers of relaxers are fully aware that they are the most caustic styling agent on the market. They sell us this stuff knowing how dangerous it is, how it eats away at our hair, makes it dry and brittle, damages the scalp, kills the follicles. That's why black girls don't have any hair as it is and are running around at 10 with weaves because they momma been relaxing their hair since 5 and it's all short and broken off. To say that carson isn't responsible is like saying its ok for cigarette companies to withold information regarding the dangers of smoking. It is illegal to withold information about potential dangers from the consumer, that's why the cigarette companies lost their lawsuits. Carson knows full well that neutralizers are needed. If their instructions did not state to use a neutralizer, they are 100% responsible for what happened to this woman. Let's quit blaming the victim here and hold these companies responsible.They don't market chemicals this dangerous to white girls. That's why they still have hair and we don't.
 
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:eek: Oh my gosh...poor girl. I looked at her head and thanked god it was not me. But at the same time I would not wish that on my enemy. :perplexed What I don't understand is why didn't se use a neutralizer. If she permed her hair since 12 years old...she should know better. It took a year for it to fall out..Didn't she relax her hair in between that year? Poor thing though....The said part is that it could be anyone of us who relax their hair.
 
ximenia said:
I think carson/loreal should get their butts sued off for this. I read that even the manufacturers of relaxers are fully aware that they are the most caustic styling agent on the market. They sell us this stuff knowing how dangerous it is, how it eats away at our hair, makes it dry and brittle, damages the scalp, kills the follicles. That's why black girls don't have any hair as it is and are running around at 10 with weaves because they momma been relaxing their hair since 5 and it's all short and broken off. To say that carson isn't responsible is like saying its ok for cigarette companies to withold information regarding the dangers of smoking. It is illegal to withold information about potential dangers from the consumer, that's why the cigarette companies lost their lawsuits. Carson knows full well that neutralizers are needed. If their instructions did not state to use a neutralizer, they are 100% responsible for what happened to this woman. Let's quit blaming the victim here and hold these companies responsible.They don't market chemicals this dangerous to white girls. That's why they still have hair and we don't.

I have more hair than I know what to do with. Thank God.
 
tryn2growmyhair said:
They are lucky this did not happen to me because I would have immediately embarked on a nationwide -- no worldwide -- campaign. They would have wished that they had paid me millions at the end, because I would have cost them millions in bad publicity, LOL!

Girl, my bald *** head would be plastered all over bill boards "GIMME MY MONEY!!!" :lachen:
 
this is why one should do a patch test before trying out new chemicals! i think it was more of an allergic reaction. especially since her hair didnt grow again. so sad. i would DIE!
 
kaal.jpg

DAMN!!!!!!!
 
ximenia said:
I think carson/loreal should get their butts sued off for this. I read that even the manufacturers of relaxers are fully aware that they are the most caustic styling agent on the market. They sell us this stuff knowing how dangerous it is, how it eats away at our hair, makes it dry and brittle, damages the scalp, kills the follicles. That's why black girls don't have any hair as it is and are running around at 10 with weaves because they momma been relaxing their hair since 5 and it's all short and broken off. To say that carson isn't responsible is like saying its ok for cigarette companies to withold information regarding the dangers of smoking. It is illegal to withold information about potential dangers from the consumer, that's why the cigarette companies lost their lawsuits. Carson knows full well that neutralizers are needed. If their instructions did not state to use a neutralizer, they are 100% responsible for what happened to this woman. Let's quit blaming the victim here and hold these companies responsible.They don't market chemicals this dangerous to white girls. That's why they still have hair and we don't.

This girl done ************ snapped!
 
That's terrible what happened to her!!! I couldn't imagine going through life without the ability to grow hair....EVER!!!!:(

I definitely choose heatlh over beauty. Right now I'm taking vitamins and trying to eat healithier. Reading this will definitely slow down my PJ-ish ways, I'll tell you that!!! WOW!!! Makes me not want to try everything that someone raves about....

Thanks for posting this, AFS!
 
I believe she didn't do a strand test.
I believe that she didn't apply a base(vasaline, grease) to her scalp to protect from burning.
I believe that she applied the relaxer to the scalp. (hell, i used to do it).
And WTF was she doing applying it from root to tip???
And this is something very strange. You telling me that a BLACK WOMAN who relaxes does not have a bottle of neutralizing shampooo in the house???? Ain't no way. You should still have the same old bottle from your last relaxer.
 
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