The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-09
NEGROES BECOME WHITE.
n NEW PROCESS FOR BLEACHING
THE CUTICLE.
Kinky Hair Strengthened Out--Description
OF the Trea msnt by which These
Wonders are Brought About.

The possibilities OF the negro race are
certainly on the increase. A few days
ago the unusual appearance Of a colored
girl who had been arrested excited such
attention In the court that the judge
asked her what was the matter with her
face, says the New York Advertiser. Her
reply was that a colored woman was
bleaching her white for IS. Even Fred
erick Douglass cannot do this for his
race.
The woman who processes to be able TO
accomplish such a phenomenon is a re-
markedly fine-looking colored woman OF
very fair complexion. which. she says.
has been bleached 10 its present state
from very dark one. Another unusual
feature Of her appearance is that her
hair is straight and glossy Ike that OF an
Indian. This she also attributes to anoth-
err secret which she possesses. The con-
dition OF her hair. she says, is the result
Of treatment which she gives to
straighten colored peoples hair.
When seen at her residence. hand
somely furnished brownstone house in
what Is considered the fashionable col
ored quarter. the intelligent and plausible
NhHAhAdAlDA VI UtA RAUAfrrA0lls NAAAlE It.
did not convince, certainly had the re-
suit OF mystifying me.
do you really make colored girls fair?'
/ asked.
Without the slightest negro accent she
replied.
II have bleached my own face to the
color you see IT, 1 originally was OF a
very dark complexion. / can bleach my
self perfectly white II I continue, but /
do not wish to do so, as colored people
would not have the same confidence in
me-"
But how is such a thing possible?"
asked. doubtfully.
1T Is not so incomprehensibIe as you
suppose In the first place only the out
side cuticle OF a negro is black. II this
scarf skin. as | call II. Is removed. the
surface beneath is quite fair. and when
properly healed is as soft and tender as
a childs skin"
But how can you remove it?" asked
curlousy.
by preparation which / use to loos-
en- It. | expect a patient here to-day for
her first treatment. If you will wait and
care to see It, l shall be glad to show
you
AS she finished speaking the bell rang
and bright-looking colored girl entered.
After a few words Of explanation the girl
willingly assented to my request 10 see
the operation. Leading the way into the
back parlor. which'is her office, the doc
to-" as she called herself, apologzed foy
the remnants Of a cold lunch spread out
on a table, which l evidently had inter
ruDted. After telling the girl 70 remove
her hat and waist the doctor hustled
about getting things IN readiness.
First 10 wheeled Ia roe chair infOra n
window. Then, giving the girl sack 20
put on, such as are provided by BARRIERS
for their women customers, she told her
TO be seated.
A basin OF hot water was next in order,
and with q sponge the doctor carefully
washed the girls face. Then she sOftenei
the skin by a gentle massage, her hands
being moistened with cocoa butter.
After this the face was ready for the
application. This consisted Of smearing n
thick, grayish mixture all over the face.
This was TO remain on fifteen minutes.
After a few minutes the girl showed signs
Of uneasiness and complained that It
burned. The doctor assured tho girl that
all burning would pass away in few
minutes.
"And what does that do?" / asked.
This first application is simply a pre-
paraton for the treatment which follows.
In ordinary cases il takes a week 10
bleach a face. This case" pnching the
girls cheek, may be an obstinate one
as the cutcie is very thick When she
leaves to-day / Will give her something 10
put on her face 10 night. BY tomorrow
her face Will be very irritated. not pain
full, but itching. Tomorrow and every
day until the treatment is over she will
come for another application, which will
l.. tNsf 81.
accustomed 20 the preparation 1 shall
increase its strength. BY the third day
her face will begin 10 peel, something
like a bad case of sunburn. only much
worse. She must not be tempted TO pull
this skin off, as il must remain until It
becomes thoroughly loosened. IL the case
is successful and not obstinate, by thu
fifth or sixth day, her face will be quite
ready for me 10 remove the outside cuti-
Gle or scarf skin. This IS done by moist
ening with oils and rubbing off gently
with the hand. The thickness Of this
cuticle is about the same as the skin OF
a bologna sausage, nor Is II unlike in
color.
After this is removed the face is fire.
quently red and very sensitive, looking
much like that OF newborn baby Two
or three more days Of soothing treatment
dNDluliE iii Nudil'N VI NAANAAhb NN+N+f
leaves the flesh firm, tender and many
shades fairer than before. BY repeating
this operation frequently | can bleach any
face as fair as / please
The fifteen minutes were up. The doc
tor carefully wiped off the mixture with
a soft linen cloth. Then she bathed the
face again with oils. which she rubbed
thoroughly into the skin, finishing with
cooling dash Of rice powder.
where did you ever hear Of such
thing?'' / asked. incredulCusiy.
II had n friend a few years ago with
hideous birthmark. She had the recipe FOR
this preparation, which she used TO bleach
the scar when 1t became very conspicuous.
bought ii from her and tried II first on my
own face AS there is nothing positively
Injurious about It did not hesitate to use
II on others"
The girl here interrupted the doctor by
telling her that she wanted her hair
straightened also. Congratuiating myself
upon my good fortune. l prepared myself
TO see the remainder Of this unusual per-
Torrance.
The doctor unbound the girls tightly
braided hair, remarking as she did so
that eolored ladies suffered much annoy
ance from having kinky hair. Having
coubed out all the snarls--and they were
plenty-a lather made Of a white mixture
about the consistency OF paste was
rubbed thoroughly through the hair and
in the scalp.
Then the head was covered with an OIL
skin cap and the girl informed that she
must remain with her head in that con-
dition for half an hour. After washing
her hands the doctor sat down 20 walt.
II never knew there was any way TO
straighten colored peoples hair" l re-
marked.
There are several" she replied. The