Safety Product Standard Research Assignemnt Paper (Essay Sample)

Product Safety
Student’s Name
Safety Product Standard
13/04/2015
In almost all general stores, you will not miss an isle selling various hair products on the counter. Hair products range from hair shampoos, hair conditioners, hair cream, hair gel, hair relaxer and hair tools. This products are used by both women and men, also children. Some hair products are specific to different people of different races as hair varies in texture and volume. Mostly, hair products industries attempt to produce goods that can be used by all persons without affecting the scalp or altering the hair texture. International hair industries have standards that enable them to manufacture hair products that are safe and effective for all hair types such as fine, course and medium hair type.
Hair relaxers have become popular since the 19th century. It has brought a revolution especially to Black Americans and Africans to manage their kinky hair. Caucasians and other races are not exempted as they have medium to fine hair. These hair relaxers enables hair to be chemically treated by either sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide compounds that have been safely manufactured to soften the hair. These ingredients are not safe in their natural state as they are very corrosive. Thus, hair manufacturing industries came up with a formula that can be safely be used by both hair stylists and clients. They are safe however, they must be use with precaution.
No lye. The African-American woman’s guide to natural hair care by Tulani Kinard
For every hair relaxer produced, there are instructions on its usage in the package. Either they are written in the carton that contains the hair relaxer or on the actual relaxer. The often bear the ingredients, instructions of usage, timing guide, various warnings and directions to follow in case of any accidents involved with the contents of the relaxer. Ingredients are important as there are people who either use sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide are for users who have medium to coarse hair as sodium has more corrosive elements. Moreover, calcium hydroxide by users who have almost fine hair. Children and teenagers are usually advised to use calcium hydroxide as it is gentler to their sensitive scalp and fine hair texture.
Milady’s Standard Textbook of Cosmetology (1994), Published by Milady Publishing Company
Instructions of usage of the hair relaxer is vital to both new and experienced users and hair stylists. It is advisable to for users to apply a protective hair balm provided with the contents of the package thoroughly on the hair scalp to prevent any irritation that may be caused on the scalp. Then, a strand test is performed so as to determine whether the contents of the hair relaxer is suitable on the hair scalp as not every user responds positively to the hair relaxer. The hair can only be applied on newly grown unrelaxed hair as it may damage already relaxed hair. If the newly grown hair shows any signs of hair breakage, the relaxer must be washed off immediately with the provided hair relaxer remover.
The Multicultural Client: Cuts, Styles and chemical Services (Milady Salon Ovations) by Victoria Wurdinger
Timing guides are usually given to provide a guideline on the period of the hair relaxer usage. This is dependent on the hair type as fine, medium and coarse hair react differently. Fine hair may require less time of about five minutes as it need a long period for the hair to react to the hair relaxer. Whereas coarse hair requires a longer period of about twenty minutes as it takes longer to react to the hair relaxer. Medium hair requires an average period of about ten minutes. Hair relaxers come in varying ranges from mild, regular and super. As the name suggests, they are used for fine, medium and coarse hair type respectively.
Good Hair: For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Weaves When The Chemicals Became Too Ruff by Lonnice Brittenum Bonner
Warnings are provided to caution users on the potential risks associated with the usage of hair relaxers. Users are cautioned to not let the hair relaxer that contains an alkali to get in contact with the eyes as it may cause blindness due to its corrosive nature. The hair relaxer should not be used on previously irritated or injured skin as it may cause skin burns. The contents should not be used on permanently colored hair as t may cause hair breakage and ultimately cause hair damage. Pre-shampooed hair should not be relaxed or heat applied to any of steps of the process of hair relaxing as hair damage in inevitable.
Perming and Straightening: A Salon Handbook by Lesley Hatton, Phillip Hatton
Hair stylists are usually trained in learning institutions on the proper application of hair relaxer on the hair. They are advised on wearing of protective gear that prevents them on any potential skin burn. Application should begin from close to the hair scalp in thin sections and gradually moving to the hair scalp in the later stages. If the client being relaxed experiences any sort of discomfort or irritation due to the hair relaxer, his/her hair should be rinsed off immediately. Rinsing off of the hair relaxer should be done thoroughly, advisably more than twice. Conditioning of the hair and the clients scalp with a deep penetrating conditioner is vital. Afterwards, neutralization of the hair is necessary to remedy any alkali present on the hair. Once finished, the hair is styled as desired.
Hair matters: African ancestry by Besie M. Radcliff-Darden, Besie Darden
In most cases, after carefully following the application instructions, users may face injuries and irritations. These may be caused due to skin burns, scalp irritations, permanent hair damage and even skin cancer due to the strong chemical components present in the h...