Health Risks of Hair Relaxers

Chemical hair straighteners, known as hair relaxers, have been widely used by women with curly or tightly textured hair. Research shows alarming health risks of hair relaxers and that repeated exposure may affect hormone levels, cause chronic irritation, and contribute to cancer.

These products have been part of women’s hair care routines for years and now many people are discovering the alarming consequences. If you have a history of using hair relaxers and have subsequently been diagnosed with uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. Read on to understand how these products put users at risk and how we can help.

Relaxers are chemical treatments designed to permanently straighten hair by altering its natural protein structure, allowing the hair to be reshaped into a straighter form. Because these products must penetrate the hair shaft and are often applied directly to the scalp, their ingredients may sometimes be absorbed through the skin.

Many relaxers contain powerful chemicals that help break down the hair structure, but the hazardous nature of these ingredients is now raising major health and safety issues. Some of the compounds found in popular hair relaxer brands contributing to negative health effects include:

These strong alkaline compounds are commonly found in both lye-based and no-lye relaxers. These compounds are scalp irritants and may cause chemical burns and sores during the application process.

Some hair products contain preservatives that release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is a chemical that has been linked to irritation and has been classified as a carcinogen in certain exposure settings.

These ingredients are sometimes used in cosmetics to stabilize fragrances or extend shelf life. Research has raised concerns that they may interfere with normal hormone activity.

Some ingredients found in hair relaxers are considered Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) which block regulating hormones like estrogen. These substances are a concern because they affect the body’s hormone system and have been linked to the development of reproductive cancers.

It is believed that the application process is the main exposure pathway that allows relaxer chemicals to enter the body. Research has found that the combination of application location and frequency of use correlate with cancer rates.

Hair relaxers are applied to, or near, the scalp which contains many hair follicles and blood vessels. When hair straighteners are applied, they must sit for a period allowing the treatment to activate. But this also allows chemicals to contact the scalp and pass through the skin, entering the body through the person’s bloodstream.

Ingredients in hair relaxers are known to cause scalp irritation that can damage the skin barrier. This weakens the body’s resistance to EDCs entering the body. It’s believed that repeated applications compound the damage, allowing exposure to happen more easily over time. Many users touch up their applications every six to eight weeks, compounding their potential health risks from hair relaxers.

Evidence of your application history, including the brands and types, can be instrumental in demonstrating how your hair care routine was unknowingly impacting your health. Your frequency of use is also essential information that your hair relaxer cancer lawsuit attorney will use to establish an exposure pattern that supports your cancer claim.

Hair straightening applications are linked to many acute and chronic health issues because of their hazardous ingredients and harmful formulation. Long-term exposure to toxic ingredients interrupts important biological processes and causes epidemiological changes.

While we’ve discussed how hormone system disruption leads to abnormal cellular activity known to contribute to the development of certain cancers, this action leads to additional biological changes. Studies suggest that epigenetic modification may be heritable, causing a predisposition to cancer or infertility to continue into future generations.

Other potential effects of hair relaxers on health are related to repeated scalp irritation. Regular applications can inflame sensitive skin and potentially create cellular stress. While inflammation alone does not cause cancer, research is beginning to link chronic irritation to tumor progression.

Some scientists believe that hormone-disrupting chemicals may affect tissues that rely heavily on hormonal signals more than others. Reproductive organs such as the uterus and ovaries are particularly sensitive, which helps explain why studies are showing a strong link between hair relaxers and reproductive cancers. But hormonal imbalances may also potentially lead to infertility or altered puberty.

If you used chemical straighteners for years and were later diagnosed with reproductive cancer, you may have questions about whether your illness could be related to these products. Many people are only now learning about the potential health risks of hair relaxers and the growing number of lawsuits involving these products. An attorney experienced in hair relaxer litigation can guide you through the process.

One of the first ways an attorney can help is by reviewing the details of your situation. This may include discussing:

• Your history of hair relaxer use
• The types of products you used
• How often and how long you used them
• Your medical diagnosis and treatment history

This initial evaluation helps determine whether your case may be eligible for the ongoing lawsuit.

Building a strong legal claim often requires supporting documentation. Your hair relaxer cancer lawsuit attorney can help collect and organize important evidence, such as:

• Medical records and pathology reports
• Documentation of your diagnosis and treatment
• Evidence showing long-term use of these products
• Scientific research related to the effects of hair relaxers on the health

These cases are part of complex product liability litigation involving large cosmetic brands and thousands of claims consolidated into a multidistrict litigation. An attorney can help you understand how these cases work and what to expect throughout the legal process. Having experienced representation can help ensure that your case is properly prepared and presented so you can focus on healing.

At Miller Law Group, we understand how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis can be. Our team is here to help you understand whether legal action may be available and walk you through the process. Contact our attorneys for a free case evaluation today.