Hair Straightener Campaign
Understanding Chemical Hair Straighteners
A variety of substances have been used in hair straightening processes or as hair relaxers for over a century. In the 1970s, lye was a common ingredient used in these processes. However, there was a high occurrence of scalp irritation with these products. In the 80s, a no-lye hair relaxer was brought to market, but it tended to dry out the hair. Currently, both formulas are still in use in the beauty industry to straighten hair.
In 2022, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute determined that after decades of use, there was a link between the use of chemical hair relaxers and uterine cancer. Studies found that those who used chemical hair relaxers more than four times per year were over twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as those who never used these chemical products. In 2023, the results of a 25-year study were released, which further supported the connection.
The Hazards of Chemical Hair Straightening Products
- Uterine cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer-related to chemical hair straighteners
- Ovarian cancer is linked most often to the formaldehyde in these products
- Other reproductive tissue cancers or issues such as breast cancer or endometriosis, where uterine cells grow outside the uterus, or the development of uterine fibroids can result in infertility