The Barbaric Truth About Hair

Getting your hair done is one of life’s simple pleasures. It might even cost an arm and a leg, and every other limb for that matter, but who needs limbs when you can experience the hairdressers? 

How delicious is it to be pampered and then leave with a transformed head of hair and a renewed sense of pride. The only flaw to this experience is that the products often used are tried and tested on animals who could not give a damn about your pretty new do. Do we care about their limbs? Their skin or pain? Bear with me here, as we unpack and get educated. Do you dare to read or listen?

The hair industry doesn’t want consumers to know the truth, and many consumers don’t want to know either, because it’s gruesome and distressing. Ignorance is very much bliss. But the truth is what it is.

Getting your hair bleached isn’t the same merry experience when you’re picturing a rat being bleached to death or a rabbit having their eyes painted with dye. Having your scalp massaged isn’t as nice when you’re picturing a confused little mouse forced to endure excruciating pain as he is burned alive. What happens when a mouse is injected with lethal doses of chemicals? Convulsions and seizures, usually a slow death. What happens when toxic substances are slathered onto a baby rabbits raw skin, or poured into her scared little eye? Blindness, swelling, and hemorrhaging.

We don’t know if mammals feel pain the same way humans do, but we do know they experience it. Marc Bekoff, evolutionary biologist, says that mammals share the same nervous system, neurochemicals, perceptions, and emotions, all of which are integrated into the experience of pain.

Killing animals for food is one thing for many, torturing them for beauty is a whole other level of cruelty. Our furry friends have the right to live WITH us, not FOR us. 

How could I leave the salon with pride, knowing what was sacrificed for my silky strands?

If this bothers you too, then there are alternatives. 

Choose Cruelty Free Ltd. provides Australian consumers with a list of companies that are humane and ethical. Consumers have access to the information they need to decide according to their moral standards. The freedom to make this choice is crucial.  

Successful business owner, hairdresser and owner of Jomara Hair Studio, Mariesa Lauder, stocks her salon with a brand that is on this list. De Lorenzo is an Australian-made brand that is organic and most importantly; cruelty-free. 

Mariesa says, “there is no need to torture animals for beauty. We’ve got the technology to test products by other means. Testing on animals for luxury is an unnecessary form of cruelty. DeLorenzo test on humans that volunteer.”

In recent years, the torch has shone on the make-up industry, exposing cosmetics that test on animals; whereas hair products have been left in the dark. Mariesa says that the hair industry needs an urgent shakeup because far too many people are using hair products that contain chemicals tested on animals. 

In fact, according to the Humane Society, 500,000 animals suffer and die each year as a result of cosmetic testing, and a Yahoo report says that 80% of countries still allow for it to happen. Clearly, it’s a huge issue that needs urgent attention.

De Lorenzo is also Australian made.

Why is this important? Because quite simply- buying Aussie made products supports local jobs and our economy. 

Ben Lazzaro, the Chief Executive of the Australian Made Campaign Ltd. explains why it is so important to buy Australian made. 

“When you buy Aussie-made and grown products, you know what you are getting—products from our clean, green environment made to the highest of manufacturing standards. At the same time, you are supporting Australian businesses and jobs.”

In an industry that is saturated with products that are made by prodding, poisoning and killing helpless animals, don’t be blind-sided.

The truth is shocking, ugly, and downright distressing, but it’s happening, and you don’t have to support it.

Looking and feeling beautiful doesn’t have to mean sacrificing integrity.

Ultimately, it’s up to you.