Racism: Anvisa condemns statements made by ointment manufacturers – 03/02/2023 – Equilíbrio

Anvisa released, last Tuesday (28), a note of repudiation of the allegations made in a meeting of the agency with manufacturers of modeling ointments, banned in the country since the last 10th.

At the meeting, which took place on February 17, representatives stated that the vision problems attributed to the ointments would be the responsibility of the trancistas and the victims. The speeches were seen as racist by users of social networks who had access to the content of the meeting. Internet users also highlighted the majority presence of white people at the event, which took place via videoconference.

Manufacturers claimed that the problems resulting from the ointments, such as temporary blindness, would supposedly have occurred due to poor hygiene. According to them, users would go several days without washing their hair.

In a note, Anvisa states that “there are no technical allegations that the serious adverse events are related to the use by black people and more specifically to the practice of braiding hair”.

“The Agency rejects and abhors any form of discrimination, especially racism”, says the text.

The trancista Cláudia Talita, from Quilamú Ateliê de Tranças, points out that the lines come from a harmful and racist conception of Afro hairstyles and hair. “It’s very revolting.”

She reinforces that “it is not an exclusive ointment for braids and that [o produto] has always been used in other hairstyles”.

Talita also points out that the braids are just a stylization, that is, there are no chemical changes in the structure of the hair. “The responsibility for regulating products belongs to Anvisa and those who sell them, not ours.”

The professional says that she always advises clients to follow good care to avoid problems with their hairstyles, in addition to looking for a health professional in case of irritation.

Braids can be washed normally with water and shampoo, and the frequency may depend on the type of hair, he says. Talita recommends cleaning once or twice a week.