
Credit: Band-Aid
A long-requested change to the brand is finally coming.
Johnson & Johnson’s Band-Aids are the most ubiquitous brand of adhesive medical strips in the United States, and possibly the world, the point that most brands of adhesive strips are colloquially referred to as “band-aids.” Despite the brand’s long-enduring success and recognition, one complaint has persisted against it for many years: the lack of multiple skin tones. Almost all varieties of Band-Aid come in a single skin-tone, often referred to as “flesh-colored,” but these tones only match with Caucasian tones, leaving darker skin tones left out. In light of the recent racial discrimination protests, however, Band-Aid has finally decided to acquiesce with this long-standing request.
The brand announced on both their Twitter and Instagram profiles on Sunday that they are officially launching adhesive strips in four additional skin tones. “We hear you. We see you. We’re listening to you,” their post read. “We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, collaborators and community in the fight against racism, violence and injustice. We are committed to taking actions to create tangible change for the Black community.”
In addition to the launch of the new line, Band-Aid announced they would be making a donation to the Black Lives Matter movement of unspecified amount. They also assured that the new line and the donation are only the first steps they will be taking against racial discrimination in their company and the world.
Reactions to the announcement were mixed, with some applauding the company’s decision while others decried it as late and hollow. Instagram user Olivia Musoke responded “Can we not applaud them for acting like they never realized bandaids were exclusive.”
Band-Aid has not yet specified when the new line will be hitting stores.