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BOSTON (WBZNewsRadio) - Researchers at Boston University are highlighting the dangerous side-effects of long-term use of chemical hair relaxers in a new study, linking the loosely regulated beauty products to the risk of uterine cancer.
The study conducted by Boston University's Black Women's Health Study (BWHS) looked at the use of hair relaxers, which are most commonly used by Black women. The product will transform tightly coiled or curly hair into straight locks of shine. However, these products are full of harmful ingredients, that when absorbed through the skin can lead to devastating health outcomes.
It's the first large study of hair relaxer use among Black women, looking at nearly 45,000 people with no history of cancer. The study followed it's participants for up to 22 years, looking at rates of uterine cancer for those who regularly used the straightening product, compared to those who reported no use or very little use of the product.
“Our study suggests that moderate and heavy use of chemical hair relaxers may be associated with higher risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal Black women. In addition, there are major racial disparities in uterine cancer. Compared to non-Hispanic white women, Black women have higher rates of aggressive subtypes of uterine cancer and are nearly twice as likely to die from their disease,” said corresponding author Kimberly Bertrand, ScD, associate professor of medicine at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.
Researchers are now optimistic their findings will raise awareness to the possible danger women are exposing themselves to by using these products, adding the need to identify "safer alternatives to straightening hair, stricter regulation of cosmetic products, and policies to prohibit discrimination against natural hair such as the CROWN Act could represent important steps toward reducing racial disparities in uterine cancer.”
“Black women are often underrepresented in health research and may have unique exposures that contribute to disparities in disease. This study fills an important gap in knowledge about the potential health effects of hair relaxer use, which is very common in Black women,” said Bertrand who also is an epidemiologist at BU’s Slone Epidemiology Center.
Just last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule that would ban certain chemicals in hair straitening and smoothing products.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Ohio Congressman Shontel Brown released a statement over the decision, which follows a letter from the representatives sent last March, calling for an investigation into the projects and the potential health risks associated.
“The FDA’s proposal to ban these harmful chemicals in hair straighteners and relaxers is a win for public health – especially the health of Black women who are disproportionately put at risk by these products as a result of systemic racism and anti-Black hair sentiment,” said Rep. Pressley. “Regardless of how we wear our hair, we should be allowed to show up in the world without putting our health at risk. I applaud the FDA for being responsive to our calls and advancing a rule that will help prevent manufacturers from making a profit at the expense of our health. The Administration should finalize this rule without delay.”
“On behalf of women, especially Black women across the country, I applaud the FDA’s new proposed rule banning formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals from hair straighteners,” said Rep. Brown. “Thank you to Administrator Califf, the entire team at the FDA, and the Biden-Harris Administration for hearing our voices and taking this necessary next step. We must ensure the products American consumers buy and use are safe, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to implement this proposed rule.”
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