Is Hair Relaxer Dangerous? Congresswomen Want Chemical Ban

Black ladies have relied on hair relaxers to straighten hair since they turned broadly used beginning within the ’50s. However now, some researchers and well being specialists are saying they might contribute to well being points in Black ladies.

Two vital research – one by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being in 2022 and one other by Boston College in 2023 have proven that ladies who use hair relaxers have an elevated threat of uterine most cancers. Earlier this 12 months, The New York Instances printed a complete story by former Essence well being editor Linda Villarosa that supplied additional proof that hair relaxers could also be harmful.

That prompted two member of Congress to ask why the FDA has not but accepted a proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers. The chemical, which is commonly related to its use in preserving our bodies, can be utilized in plenty of beauty merchandise, together with hair relaxers.

Massachusetts consultant Ayanna Pressley, who’s bald attributable to alopecia areata, and Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, requested the FDA lately to elucidate why they’ve but to schedule a proposal to ban formaldehyde, which is understood to be among the many poisonous chemical compounds in hair relaxers.

In a letter despatched to the FDA commissioner final 12 months, the congresswomen requested for the impression of chemical straighteners to be investigated, citing the research.

“The Nationwide Institutes of Well being lately printed analysis on the hyperlink between chemical hair straightening merchandise and an individual’s threat of uterine most cancers,” the letter acknowledged. “The 2022 research discovered that frequent chemical hair straightening doubled the danger of growing uterine most cancers amongst ladies, in contrast with those that didn’t use the merchandise. One other research confirmed that dangerous chemical compounds had been present in “about 50 % of merchandise marketed to Black ladies,” versus simply seven % in these marketed to others.

It continued, “The elevated threat disproportionately impacts Black ladies and contributes to nationwide racial well being disparities. The FDA has a mandate to assessment the newest analysis and reevaluate the security of those merchandise. We urge the FDA to analyze the potential well being menace posed by chemical hair straightening merchandise. Shoppers must be reassured that the beauty merchandise they use don’t threaten their well being.”

That very same 12 months, the FDA delayed the proposal 3 times. Since then, no new date has been introduced. A spokesperson for the FDA instructed The Related Press final month they might reply to the congresswomen straight however that no new date for the proposal has been set and no ban is at present in place.

Although many Black ladies have moved away from relaxers in recent times, others nonetheless imagine they should put on their hair chemically processed to achieve sure workplaces. Pressley says that’s one of many explanation why figuring out the dangers of hair relaxers is so vital.

“Should you do a Google search proper now of unprofessional work hairstyles, you’ll be besieged by pictures of Black ladies,” Pressley instructed AP.  “All the things from protecting kinds, Senegalese twists or braids like I wore for a few years, or afros or locs … I simply need everybody to have the ability to present up absolutely, authentically and unapologetically, with out concern and with out discrimination.”

RELATED CONTENT: Hair Hacks: A Dermatologist On The place She Stands On Relaxers In 2021

Hair Relaxer Gross sales Have Declined Considerably In The Previous Decade