Chemical hair straighteners from different brands have recently been put into the public spotlight after findings showed that recent use could cause uterine cancer and other issues. Many women use it without knowing the risks.
How permanent hair straightening works
Permanent hair straightening techniques are designed to disrupt the natural chemical bonds responsible for the formation and maintenance of human curls. These procedures, commonly performed using chemical hair straighteners, have gained significant popularity due to their effectiveness in transforming curly hair into straight hair.
The structural composition of hair strands consists primarily of a protein called keratin. Within keratin, there exist molecules known as sulfides, which possess the ability to combine and form disulfide bonds. As these sulfide molecules draw closer to one another and create disulfide bonds, the hair adopts a curved or curled shape. The extent of curling is determined by the number of disulfide bonds present within the hair strand.
Chemical hair straightening products, referred to as hair relaxers, employ a variety of chemicals to break down these disulfide bonds. By altering the shape of the protein structure within the hair, these products effectively straighten the hair strands, leading to the desired outcome of straight hair.
Potential health risks
- Allergic reactions
- Alopecia
- Atrophied skin
- Burned scalp and skin
- Damage to the hair shaft
- Discolored hair
- Eczema
- Frizzy hair
- Inflamed scalp
- Irritated and painful scalp
- Loss of hair
- Cancer
Permanent straightening and cancer
Chemical hair straighteners have been identified as a significant factor in the development of certain types of cancer, with uterine cancer and breast cancer being the two most commonly associated with these products. Extensive research has revealed that ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and the toxic chemical DEHP, which are present in relaxers, may contribute to the increased risk of cancer.
A notable study conducted in 2022 demonstrated a clear connection between chemical hair straightening and uterine cancer. The research revealed that women who undergo chemical hair straightening procedures more than four times a year face twice the risk of developing uterine cancer. Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, this study provided crucial epidemiological evidence linking chemical hair straighteners to the occurrence of uterine cancer and other forms of cancer. The study tracked the health of nearly 34,000 women between the ages of 35 and 74 from 2003 to 2009, with black women, in particular, exhibiting the highest risk due to more frequent use.
Furthermore, the researchers conducted comprehensive follow-ups to explore potential associations with other types of cancer. Their findings indicated that the use of permanents and straighteners during adolescence may be connected to a heightened risk of premenopausal breast cancer. Adolescents, especially girls aged 10 to 13, face increased vulnerability due to potential exposure of breast tissue to the chemicals present in these products. However, the study did not find similar cancer-causing effects from other hair care products such as dyes or solutions used for perms and body waves.
Raising awareness
DrugWatch.com has been working hard to raise awareness on the risks of permanent straightening. Unfortunately, the very bleak potential consequences associated with relaxing hair is hardly talked about. Consumers have a right to know the risks of these seemingly innocent treatments.
