Bill Proposes Deregulation of the Natural Hair Industry in Tennessee

Natural hairstylists, barbers, and natural hair instructors are fighting back against a bill that will disregard their licenses.

According to localmemphis.com, House Bill 1809 is making its way through the Tennessee General Assembly and would deregulate the natural hair industry. If this bill is passed, it would mean that hairstylists would not need a license to work with natural hair.

Natural hair consists of not using chemicals and embracing the natural texture and pattern of your hair. If this bill passes, it would mean that natural hair stylists would no longer be required to follow sanitation and safety rules created by the State Cosmetology Board. This bill, which has already passed in the Senate, appears to be a fight against embracing your natural hair.

“Deregulating natural hair is really saying that natural hair isn’t important,” Kendall Dorsey, a celebrity hairstylist who frequently works with Yara Shahidi, said to Teen Vogue. “The regulation is there to protect us as the professionals. We need to work on the proper education or the appropriate license for hair braiding, which is not included in cosmetology classes.”

It is essential that hairstylists receive the proper training in order to prevent the serious damage that can come with improper treatment. The damages include hair breakage and even hair loss. With more and more girls becoming natural, this bill will only discourage this trend.

Sponsored by Senator Mark Norris of Collierville, this bill would go into effect on January 1, 2019 if passed.