Minority Hair Tax: Pricing Bias in Haircare Products

The study investigates pricing bias in haircare products for different hair textures, specifically comparing products for curly/coily hair to those for straight hair. Data was collected from Amazon.com in August 2022, focusing on products explicitly marketed for natural, curly, coily, or kinky hair. A total of 48 products were analyzed, excluding those for all hair types, containing minoxidil or DHT blockers, or sold by resellers. The analysis revealed a significant difference in average price per ounce, with products for coily/curly hair being more expensive (t12 = 2.4203, p < .034). The study suggests that pricing policies should ensure affordable access to effective haircare products for all hair types and that dermatologists should be aware of these pricing differences to guide patients appropriately.