Hair Straightening Chemicals and Cancer
Certain hair products may contain toxic chemicals with “endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties.” These chemicals can disrupt and potentially harm your hormones, found a recent study released by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2)
Previous studies have also linked chemical hair product use with a higher risk of hormone-sensitive cancers including uterine and ovarian. (3)
In addition to the built-in dangers of certain chemicals, heating processes can release or change how the chemicals break down. These processes can lead to a greater risk of breathing in or otherwise being exposed to dangerous chemicals. Examples would be using a flat iron or blow drying your hair while performing hair straightening treatments. (4)
Hair Relaxing Products and Formaldehyde
Hair smoothing or straightening “products are used to straighten hair or to smooth out curls.” A special hair straightening or smoothing solution is typically applied to your hair. Then, a heat treatment of one kind or another seals the solution in. (5)
“These products often contain formaldehyde, also known as formalin and methylene glycol. When the solution is heated, the formaldehyde in the products is released into the air as a gas. If the salon is not properly ventilated, both the salon professionals and their clients are at risk of inhaling the released formaldehyde,” notes the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (6)
Estrogen and Progesterone Imbalances
Imbalances in a woman’s hormones have been linked to uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. A key risk factor for uterine cancer is too much estrogen, combined with an overall hormonal imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. (7)
Studies suggest “synthetic estrogenic compounds such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals” can increase your risk of uterine cancer. These chemicals can disrupt how hormones work in your body. (8)
Gynecologic Cancers
Uterine cancer is the most common cancer affecting women’s reproductive organs. In 2022 alone, it is estimated nearly 66,000 women are being diagnosed with this disease. And the incidence rate in the United States is climbing, “particularly among Black women.” (9)
Black and Latina Women and Dangers of Relaxer Perms
In one study, Black women reported their frequent use of hair relaxer perms and straightening products. “Frequent” was defined as more than four times in a year. Women who used hair straightening products frequently “were more than twice as likely” to develop uterine cancer than women who did not use these products. (10)
The study suggests frequency of use — not race — may be an important risk factor in if you develop uterine cancer. Results indicated Black women may not only use these products more frequently but also begin using these products “at earlier ages than other races and ethnicities.” (11)
Since many Hispanic women also use relaxers with some frequency, they are likely at risk of the same dangers.
