The Straight Hair Pill

What would you do for straight hair?

Some of us use chemicals or heat. Some of us buy hair and have it sewn or glued onto our heads. And soon, there may be yet another option for those who desire the straight look.

From The Daily Mail:

"Researchers in Australia identified the trichohyalin gene as being mainly responsible for creating curls. Although it was known to play a role in the development of the hair follicle, Queensland Institute of Medical Research scientists have discovered its role in curliness.

Professor Nick Martin, author of the research, said a variation in the gene determined the straightness or curliness of hair. Professor Martin said it may be possible to come up with treatments to make hair straighter rather than relying on heated hair straighteners.

He said: 'Potentially we can now develop new treatments to make hair curlier or straighter, rather than treating the hair directly."

That is straight outta the Jetsons, am I right?

But the advent of a possible straight hair pill also raises all kinds of questions, some of which are addressed by the Black Snob:

"I don't even want to know what the side-effects of this puppy would be. I have a fear of going bald and if ANYTHING sounds like it could make you bald a pill that makes your curly hair straight sounds like one. But what's fascinating (and sad, kinda) to me, is that if this pill is created and works with side effects someone can live with (like say, dry mouth), how long do you think before black beauty salons across the nation would be closing up shop? The perm is the bread-n-butter of most beauticians. You can charge tons for it and you get that repeat customer business coming back every four-to-six weeks. If you customer can just pop and pill and get the straight hair she's always dreamed of won't she just drop you? Folks HATE going to the beauty shop anyway. It takes FOREVER. Your appointment is almost never the time you actually make it. This could be potentially devastation. I'm talking a beauty shop apocalypse!"

Valid point -- in a world where you can alter the texture of your hair by taking a pill, where does that leave the hair relaxer industry? What are the potential side effects of this medical breakthrough?

So inquiring minds want to know -- would YOU take a hair straightening pill? What potential side effects could possibly keep you away? How do you feel about this development in the beauty field?