As someone who has spent countless hours of her life straightening her hair, I have learned a thing or two about its side effects- specifically, its effects on health. While the statement that heat tools cause cancer is just another fluke of correlation being mistaken for causation, there is undeniable evidence that long-term usage of these tools can lead to health risks. For example, when you walk into a hair salon, you may see the people using heat tools wearing masks. This is to avoid inhaling fumes that can be toxic, which is especially important for stylists because of their long-term exposure. 

For me, straightening my hair has not only served as an ultimate waste of my time, but it has also been the only way I can find myself beautiful. Simple tasks like going to work or school are all the more difficult when my hair is not blown out. This feeling goes beyond the surface level; it is a result of having a mother whose hair is straight and a father whose hair is curly. Furthermore, it is a long-standing gibe of French colonization. As an Algerian woman, the beauty standard I grew up around never consisted of curly hair- blonde, straight hair was considered enthralling. Growing up, my mother styled my hair the only way she knew how, with a brush and a blow dryer. In an attempt to fit in, I continued this tradition of straightening my hair and, in turn, accepted the irreversible damage. 

I wish to learn more about how a hair straightener works from a technological perspective. I want to research how a hair straightener was first designed and what the original prototypes looked like. Additionally, I would like to collect greater evidence that supports the harm heat tools have caused to people’s health, as well as their self-esteem in the long term.