Is Hair Relaxer Dangerous? Congresswomen Want FDA To Act On Proposed Chemical Ban

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B lack women have relied on hair relaxers to straighten hair since they became widely used starting in the ’50s. But now, some researchers and health experts are saying they may contribute to health issues in Black women.

Two critical studies – one by the National Institutes of Health in 2022 and another by Boston University in 2023 have shown that women who use hair relaxers have an increased risk of uterine cancer. Earlier this year, The New York Times published a comprehensive story by former Essence health editor Linda Villarosa that provided further evidence that hair relaxers may be dangerous.

That prompted two member of Congress to ask why the FDA has not yet approved a proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers. The chemical, which is often associated with its use in preserving bodies, is also used in a number of cosmetic products, including hair relaxers.

Massachusetts representative Ayanna Pressley, who is bald due to alopecia areata, and Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, asked the FDA recently to explain why they have yet to schedule a proposal to ban formaldehyde, which is known to be among the toxic chemicals in hair relaxers.

In a letter sent to the FDA commissioner last year, the congresswomen asked for the impact of chemical straighteners to be investigated, citing the studies.

“The National Institutes of Health recently published research on the link between chemical hair straightening products and a person’s risk of uterine cancer,” the letter stated. “The 2022 study found that frequent chemical hair straightening doubled the risk of developing uterine cancer among women, compared with those who did not use the products. Another study showed that harmful chemicals were found in “about 50 percent of products advertised to Black women,” as opposed to just seven percent in those marketed to others.

It continued, “The increased risk disproportionately impacts Black women and contributes to national racial health disparities. The FDA has a mandate to review the latest research and reevaluate the safety of these products. We urge the FDA to investigate the potential health threat posed by chemical hair straightening products. Consumers need to be reassured that the cosmetic products they use do not threaten their health.”

That same year, the FDA delayed the proposal three times. Since then, no new date has been announced. A spokesperson for the FDA told The Associated Press last month they would respond to the congresswomen directly but that no new date for the proposal has been set and no ban is currently in place.

Though many Black women have moved away from relaxers in recent years, others still believe they need to wear their hair chemically processed to succeed in certain workplaces. Pressley says that’s one of the reasons why determining the risks of hair relaxers is so important.

“If you do a Google search right now of unprofessional work hairstyles, you’ll be besieged by images of Black women,” Pressley told AP. “Everything from protective styles, Senegalese twists or braids like I wore for many years, or afros or locs … I just want everyone to be able to show up fully, authentically and unapologetically, without fear and without discrimination.”

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