#RelaxersAreBack: Chemical Hair Straighteners Making Comeback Despite Cancer Link:
Women often say that they suffer for fashion and looking good. But now that chemical straighteners are making a comeback, the suffering may be literal. According to a Fortune article from December, the hashtag #relaxersareback had more than 5.3 million TikTok views and features black women getting their hair straightened or doing it themselves with chemical relaxers. Unfortunately, it turns out that chemical straighteners can do more than just damage the hair follicle.
The Trouble with Chemical Straighteners
Recent research, including a 2022 sister study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, links chemical hair straighteners to an increased risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Chemical straighteners often contain endocrine disruptors and potentially carcinogenic materials. The study focused on 34,000 women who had a sister diagnosed with breast cancer. The women reported using chemical hair products over the last year, including straighteners, dyes, and perms. Over more than ten years of follow-up, the women reported 378 uterine cancers, with a higher incidence in those who used chemical straighteners. The association with uterine cancer was stronger with more frequent use of straighteners. Using hair dyes and perms wasn’t associated with higher cancer rates.
Uterine Cancer and Hair Straighteners
According to Dr. Latasha Perkins, a Washington, D.C. physician interviewed by Fortune, stated, “Frequent and especially long-term use of some hair straightening products can affect long-term health. This is particularly important for Black women to know as the natural-to-relaxer movement gains momentum.” Uterine cancer is the most common cancer for the female reproductive system, although it’s relatively rare. According to Perkins, “The risk of developing uterine cancer for frequent users of relaxers is 4.05% compared to 1.64% for women who’ve never used hair straightening products—a number worth paying attention to.”
You Need an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer after using chemical hair straighteners, the future can be frightening, and it can be difficult to decide where to turn. You don’t have to go through this alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at the Madeksho Law have helped many people like you. Call us at 888-910-6376 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Your first consultation is free, and you won’t pay any fees unless we recover money on your behalf.
