Most women want to style their hair in a way that makes them look fashionable. They want to stay on par with the recent hairstyles and choose one that complements their face and personality. Chemical hair straightening is one of the most common ways to transform curls into smooth tresses. However, the process might entail both hair damage and health hazards.
In October 2023, the New York Times reported that in the last decade, researchers have studied the side effects of chemical hair relaxers and straighteners. They warned women about the potential health hazards of this chemical treatment, which include cancer. Currently, the FDA is planning to issue a ban on harsh and fatal ingredients used in chemical hair straightening products.
It is anticipated that the proposed rule by the FDA would ban formaldehyde, a harmful chemical in hair straightening and smoothening products. The probable date to execute this ban is April 2024, because the dangers of this chemical are many.
In this article, we will shed light on the side effects of hair straightening, which include hair damage and even uterine cancer.
As mentioned earlier, the FDA is planning to ban formaldehyde, a chemical present in hair relaxers, keratin, and blowout treatments. It is rather strange that this chemical is also found in hair styling products with the‘formaldehyde-free’. The FDA states that the majority of chemical hair styling products, when heated, release this chemical.
The agency has been doing its job to warn people about this dangerous chemical since 2010. Salons with poor ventilation contribute to the risk even more, as the gas develops in the air and affects people.
Different women face different side effects after getting chemical hair straightening. One of the common problems is hair breakage, which can shrink your hair volume. Chemical treatments can also make it difficult for you to style your hair. It can also take a longer time to dry until the natural hair grows.
Even formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen, causes health issues when inhaled or applied to the hair. It can lead to:
If you or anyone you know has developed cancer after a chemical hair treatment, then it’s necessary to file a hair straightener lawsuit. Make sure that you get in touch with a lawyer who can guide you through the legal process and ensure you get fair compensation to cover all the damages and suffering you’ve endured.
The U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a study that found a link between chemical hair relaxers and uterine cancer. The study used the data, which was the outcome of the Sister Study that involved over 33,000 women. The objective was to find out the risk factors for breast cancer, along with various other health hazards.
The study participants were followed up for over 11 years, which revealed that nearly 378 women developed uterine cancer. Additionally, the research highlighted that women who frequently straightened their hair were more vulnerable to uterine cancer.
Women who didn’t treat their hair chemically had a chance to develop uterine cancer by 1.6% when they were 70 years old. For women who frequently straightened their hair, the risk was more than 4%.
Black women were heavily affected because they straightened their hair more compared to white women. TorHoerman Law states that the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology carried out a study on endometrial cancer and its mortality rates. The findings revealed that black women suffered more from uterine cancer.
Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent uterine cancer. The disease occurs when cancer cells attack the endometrium, which is the uterus’s inner lining. The precise cause of this cancer is still unknown. However, a few risk factors include:
The study revealed that various chemicals that hair relaxers and straighteners contain increase the risk of cancer. Apart from formaldehyde, it includes metals, bisphenol A, and parabens. All these chemicals disrupt the hormonal balance and lead to acute health hazards, such as uterine cancer.
In conclusion, women should become wise about the hair styling options they choose. Chemical hair straightening should be opted for with caution because it not only leads to hair texture damage but also causes uterine cancer. It is necessary to search for natural treatments that can make the hair healthy and appear stylish without causing any harm.
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