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Hot Combs

Usage

Hot combs were used to straighten curly or kinky hair by using a metal comb heated on a stove top or other heating element

Origins

Contrary to popular belief, the hot comb was not invented by Madame C.J. Walker

Dangers

While hot combs were an improvement from other methods created by enslaved peoples, their use was still reported to cause burning and scarring of the scalp

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The creation of the Center for Black Literature & Culture is made possible thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment, Inc.