Harper Fights for Transparency and Safety in the Hair Care Industry

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, is working to ensure trips to the barbershop or beauty salon are safe by advancing bills out of key committees that discourage the use of harmful chemicals in hair products and encourage transparency in the hair care industry.  

“Too many times we don’t know whether or not we are putting toxic chemicals into our scalp,” Harper said. “Oftentimes we are, which can pose serious health risks. That is why we must put measures in place that require cosmetologists and business owners to be transparent about the chemicals in hair products because it encourages informed decision making, ultimately leading to better and healthier hair, but more importantly, lives.”

Harper moved two key bills regarding this issue through the legislative committees responsible for sending approved bills to the House floor:

 House Bill 3075, which would create the Illinois Health and Safety in Cosmetology and Barbering Products Disclosure Act, requiring public disclosure of all health risks related to cosmetology or barbering products.

  House Bill 3409, which would create the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act. This bill would prohibit the sale, delivering, holding, or offering of cosmetic products with certain ingredients, including Formaldehyde, Mercury, Dibutyl phthalate, and Methylene glycol. 

Harper’s bills remain in the House, awaiting votes by the full body.