Women who use chemical hair straighteners may be at greater risk of developing uterine cancer, according to a recent National Institutes of Health study. Researchers have previously linked hair relaxers to ovarian and breast cancer. Many hair straightening products contain hormone-disrupting chemicals and carcinogens.
Exposure to specific chemicals in hair straighteners can lead to cancer. Many straightening or smoothing products contain formaldehyde, also known as formalin or methylene glycol. When stylists apply the hair-relaxing solution to hair and heat it, usually with a blow dryer or flat iron, formaldehyde is released into the air.
“The [cancer] risk may be higher compared to some other cosmetic products due to the presence of formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals that can be absorbed through the scalp,” Dr. Janet Vafaie, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, told Consumer Notice.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that presents a health hazard when inhaled or absorbed into the skin. Exposure can also occur when eating or drinking foods or beverages that contain formaldehyde. Based on nasopharyngeal cancer (which develops in the upper throat) and leukemia studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Dr. Po-Chang Hsu, a consulting physician at Alpas Wellness in La Plata, Maryland, says that some of the ingredients in hair relaxers mimic or interfere with natural hormones, which might contribute to elevated cancer risks.
Other chemicals found in hair straighteners include parabens, bisphenol A and metals. These compounds may also significantly increase cancer risk. Hair straightener side effects can include hair loss, eczema and a change in hair color.
“Recent studies, including research from the National Institutes of Health, suggest that regular use of chemical hair relaxers may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as uterine and breast cancer, particularly in Black women,” Dr. Po-Chang told Consumer Notice.
A 2023 study published by Boston University researchers in Environmental Research found that postmenopausal Black women who used hair relaxers more than twice a year or for at least five years had a more than 50% increased risk of uterine cancer compared to those who never or rarely used them.
The findings of a 2022 study on chemical hair straightening published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute provide the first epidemiologic evidence of an association between the use of straightening products and uterine cancer.
While more research is required to replicate results and identify the specific chemicals associated with uterine cancer, the scientists conducting the study found that the risk more than doubled among women who reported frequent use of hair straighteners.
The 2022 study linking chemical hair straightening products to cancer did not include specific brands but listed parabens, bisphenol A, metals and formaldehyde as chemicals linked to uterine cancer.
According to several chemical hair straightener lawsuits, the makers of the straighteners listed in the cases knew or should have known that their products increased the risk of cancer. However, the companies manufactured and distributed them anyway, without warning consumers about the risks.
The lawsuits seek damages to compensate the women involved for their pain and suffering. They also seek compensation for costs associated with medical bills and other economic damages.
If you receive a cancer diagnosis, your doctor and other specialists will work together to create an overall treatment plan. Treatment options depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, overall health, age and personal preferences.
Treatments for uterine cancer include surgery (such as a hysterectomy), radiation and chemotherapy. If you’re concerned that exposure to harmful products caused your cancer, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer to explore a possible claim.
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