Chemical hair straighteners are making a comeback among black women, just as a new study links relaxants to cervical cancer

But now research warns that using straighteners, relaxers and other hair products has been linked to cervical cancer. The study, published earlier this week, comes at a time when some black women who previously wore their hair naturally have either reverted to relaxers, or are considering doing so.

“Frequent, and especially long-term, use of some hair straightening products can adversely affect long-term health. This is especially important for black women to know as the natural-to-relaxer movement gains momentum,” says Dr. LaTasha Perkins, a primary care physician in Washington, DC, who was not involved in the study

The hashtag #RelaxersAreBack has 5.3 million views on TikTok to date and features black women getting relaxers at the salon or doing it themselves at home. To combat new growth, it’s common to get a relaxant every six to eight weeks, or about six times a year.

Hair products can contain dangerous chemicals with “hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic properties,” researchers say. Previous studies have shown that certain hair products are linked to a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but this is the first to show a link to uterine cancer.

Dubbed the Sisters’ Study, the study involved nearly 34,000 participants, ages 35 to 74, who did not have breast cancer but had at least one sister diagnosed with the disease. Researchers rated their self-reported use of hair products such as hair dye, straighteners, relaxers, and body waves over the past 12 months.

Most participants were White and did not include a sufficient sample of Black participants to establish an association with the group, although the authors recognized that side effects are more likely in this group due to “a higher prevalence of use, younger onset, and more toxic formulations.”

“The risk of developing cervical cancer is 4.05% for frequent users of relaxants compared to 1.64% for women who have never used hair straightening products – a figure worth noting.” says Perkins. “Mind you, uterine cancer is generally rare, but according to the study it is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system.”

Over a mean follow-up of 10.9 years, the study identified 378 cases of uterine cancer. It is believed that the endocrine disrupting chemicals found in the hair products could contribute to the risk of uterine cancer “due to their ability to alter hormonal effects”. The researchers also observed an 80% higher risk of cervical cancer in participants who used hair straightening products, with the risk more than doubling in women who used the products more than four times in the previous year.

“In general, cancer is the abnormal proliferation of cells that spread to other parts of the body. Hormone-disrupting chemicals like parabens, formaldehyde and metals, which are commonly found in hair straightening products, have been linked to all types of cancer,” Perkins explains. “When we apply chemicals like these to our scalp, a very porous part of our body, those chemicals are absorbed and enter our bloodstream. This can lead to the growth of abnormal cells and eventually lead to a case of uterine cancer, for example. Hormone-disrupting chemicals disrupt the natural course of cell development.”

As the natural-to-relaxer movement grows, Perkins urges caution for those considering a return to relaxers.

“Before you make the decision to return to a relaxer, please do some research on what you are wearing and what you are using in your body. Take the time to understand the makeup of your favorite relaxant, and consider options that are formaldehyde-free or alkali-free, for example,” she says. “Your scalp is a reservoir of absorption, so think about how certain chemicals can affect your health in the long term. And remember that there are ways to achieve the same look through alternative hairstyling methods.”

Some alternatives to relaxers that achieve the same straight hair look are blowouts, silk presses, wigs, and extensions such as hair extensions. B. sewn-in tissue. “The key thing to be aware of is that potentially toxic chemicals are being used to reach these styles,” Perkins warns.

If you’re unsure which ingredients might be harmful, Perkins recommends people call their GP.

“I want black women to feel empowered to make safer choices,” says Perkins, who stopped curling her hair more than 20 years ago and currently wears her hair down. “At the time, there wasn’t much research on the health effects of relaxants, but the more I learned about how chemicals get absorbed into the scalp, the more uncomfortable I became with using relaxants… I want to encourage more black women to explore alternatives to relaxants.” to consider what beauty means to them along the way.”

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