According to a medical study run by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), women who regularly use no-lye hair relaxers at home or get professional relaxer treatments may be over TWICE as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to women who don’t use them. But how could hair relaxers cause so many women to get sick?
Researchers suggest that the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many drugstore hair relaxers could be the answer. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals— or EDCs— are a group of natural and synthetic substances that can mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones. Long-term exposure to EDCs may cause a hormonal imbalance, which could then lead to a variety of negative health effects.
Many well-known EDCs found in cosmetic goods are estrogenic, meaning that they’re able to mimic the hormone estrogen. Frequent exposure to estrogenic EDCs can create an excess level of estrogen in the body. Medical researchers have linked an excess amount of estrogen to an increased risk of uterine, endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer, along with many other side effects.
We’ve gone through 5 types of EDCs often found in store-bought hair relaxers to help you learn which chemicals to avoid next time you visit your favorite beauty supply store.
1. Phthalates
Common types: diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), di-ido-decyl phthalate (DiDP)
Phthalates are plasticizers (also called plastic softeners) used to add flexibility and softness to hair relaxers and other cosmetic products. They’re also often used to make fragrances. Medical researchers have linked frequent exposure to phthalates to type II diabetes, obesity, asthma, and allergies, for some. Phthalates are mildly estrogenic, so they can also potentially cause excess estrogen levels and put women at risk for cancer.
Only some hair relaxer products contain phthalates, so you may want to consider switching to a brand with “phthalate-free” on the label. But, be careful: some hair relaxer brands will leave phthalates off the ingredients list to hide it from buyers. The FDA allows beauty companies to classify fragrances or flavors as part of a “trade-secret formula,” which lets manufacturers leave off any ingredients used in those formulas, like phthalates, from the label.
2. Parabens
Common types: methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben
Parabens are a family of endocrine-disrupting chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetic products to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria over time. Parabens are also mildly estrogenic, and studies suggest that regular exposure to these chemicals could lead to skin irritation, reduced fertility, premature birth for pregnant women, and early puberty in girls.
Like with phthalates, only some hair relaxer products contain parabens. To avoid hair relaxers that include parabens next time you’re at a beauty supply store, look for a brand that has “paraben-free” on the label.
3. Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A— also known as “BPA”— is a common chemical used to make epoxy resin and many types of hard plastic. BPA is regularly used in the production of canned goods, reusable water bottles, bottle caps, plastic utensils, cardboard containers, sealants, and plenty of other goods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BPA is so commonly produced that it’s been detected in 93% of tested urine samples in the United States.
Between 2012-2013, the FDA banned the use of BPA in sensitive products like infant formula containers and baby bottles because of its link to adverse health effects in humans, especially children. Some of these negative health effects, as shown in multiple studies, include:
- Early puberty in girls
- Reduced libido in adults
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Thyroid disruption
- Impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes)
- Obesity
- Memory or learning impairment
- Type II diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
Like the other chemicals listed above, BPA is estrogenic and can mimic estrogen production. Because it can create an excess level of estrogen in the body, those who are regularly exposed to BPA could be at a higher risk of developing cancer. To make sure you’re avoiding contact with BPA, look for a hair relaxer brand with “BPA-free” on the label.
4. Cyclomethicone
Common types: Siloxane D4 (Cyclotetrasiloxane), Siloxane D5 (Cyclopentasiloxane), Siloxane D6 (Cyclohexasiloxane)
“Cyclomethicone” is an umbrella term used to describe various combinations of substances called cyclosiloxanes, but it can also be used to describe a single type of cyclosiloxane, like D4 or D5. Cyclomethicone is a liquid, silicone-based compound used to make cosmetic products spread more easily and give them a smooth, silky consistency. It’s also an emollient agent, which means that it forms a protective layer of oily film that locks in moisture when applied to the skin.
Though it’s not estrogenic, researchers have linked frequent exposure to cyclomethicone with several negative health effects that could eventually lead to women to developing uterine cancer. Some of these effects include reduced fertility, the development of uterine tumors, unintended weight loss, ovarian atrophy, and vaginal mucification.
5. Fragrance chemicals
Common types: Limonene, linalool, terpineol, HHCB (Galaxolide), phenethyl alcohol
Many fragrance chemicals (both synthetic and natural) are somewhat toxic to humans. Researchers have linked regular exposure to fragrance chemicals with an assortment of negative health effects. These include, but are not limited to:
- Allergies
- Skin inflammation/rash
- Migraines
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Loss of coordination
- Dizziness
- Seizures
- Respiratory disorders
- Neurological disorders
Unfortunately, beauty companies are not required to list fragrance chemicals on ingredient labels because of lax cosmetic regulations in the United States. The FDA allows manufacturers to list these chemicals simply as “fragrance” or “parfum” if they are considered to be part of a “trade secret” scent or formula, which gives customers no way to know if they’re accidentally putting themselves in danger.
File a hair relaxer lawsuit
This lawsuit is still fairly new, so don’t miss your chance to join in before a settlement is announced. If you or a family member developed uterine cancer after regularly using hair relaxers, see if your case could qualify for the hair relaxer lawsuit.
