Breaking the Beauty Myth: The Toxic Truth About Hair Relaxers

Client receiving chemical hair relaxer treatment

They say beauty is pain, but I don't believe it should cost you your health. Personally, my twin sister and I had the unfortunate experience of getting chemical relaxers every eight weeks since the age of 16. My mother had to work and maintain our household and our 4C kinky, coily hair was extremely difficult to manage on top of having to handle her own roots. I distinctly remember the foul odor of the chemical and the gradual burning sensation of my scalp intensify as my mother had to quickly apply it throughout my hair. It doesn't bring up fond memories. Even throughout undergrad, we continued getting relaxers due to convenience and not having the proper education on how to take care of chemically treated hair. It wasn't until I woke up one morning during my junior year of college that I discovered a patch of hair that was missing in the back of my head. After having a complete meltdown, I realized I needed to put an end to the "creamy crack" epidemic and learn to embrace my natural roots. Now, being eight years natural, I still see many of our African American women continuing to use these products, without understanding the damage it is costing their health.

Hair relaxers are permanent hair straightening treatments that, if improperly applied, can harm the scalp and long term health. These products contain harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide (lye), formaldehyde, and ammonium thioglycolate, all of which break down the protein links in hair, creating a straighter and sleeker hair texture that requires a touch up every 6-12 weeks to maintain the style. Not only can these chemicals literally fry your scalp if left applied for too long, but it can also make the hair more fragile and prone to breaking. This can result in damage to hair follicles and irreversible hair loss. We must understand that our skin is our largest organ and these chemicals are easily absorbed into the bloodstream through the scalp. Uterine fibroids, a prevalent health concern for women, have been related to the harsh chemicals found in relaxers. The connection between relaxers and uterine cancer raises yet another concern. 

Federal lawsuit targets hair-straightening products

According to studies from the NIH, women who use chemical relaxers multiple times a year are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than non-users of these products. This is due to the fact that a large number of the chemicals in relaxers have endocrine (hormone) disrupting properties, such as phthalates and parabens, which can affect the body's normal hormonal balance and can trigger the growth of fibroids and cancer. African American women are the largest consumers of these products and with the increasing rates of uterine cancer affecting Black women, it is imperative that we find healthier alternatives to manage our hair without putting our health on the line. Well known companies such as L'Oréal USA, Inc and Strength of Nature Global LLC are currently in a federal lawsuit, with plaintiffs alleging that these companies sold their products to consumers knowing it contained dangerous chemicals. Popular brands such as Dark & Lovely, Optimum, Just for Me, and Motions are just a few of their hair relaxer products that are being called to the stand. 

Fortunately, we can maintain our hair without endangering our health and well-being by using healthier alternatives to chemical relaxers. Other options include protective styles such as braids or twist outs that do not require heat or chemical manipulation. Plant-based product lines such as shea butter and herbal infused hair oils are examples of natural haircare products that can aid in moisturizing and softening hair to make it easier to manage and promote healthy hair growth. Looking back on the days when I used to get hair relaxers, I realize now how much it was affecting not only my confidence but also my health. It was alarming to learn about the harmful chemicals and potential risks associated with the process, especially for women. So I made the decision to stop, and while it wasn't easy at first, I now feel more confident than ever before embracing my natural hair. It's a journey, but one that's definitely worth it! 

In conclusion, even though chemical relaxers may appear like a practical and convenient way to manage our hair, they come with a number of concerns and dangers to our health. Chemical relaxers have harmful side effects that can range from severe scalp burns to irreversible hair loss and an increased risk of fibroids and uterine cancer. Luckily, we don't have to jeopardize their health by using unsafe and natural alternatives to maintain our hair. We can look and feel our best without compromising our health by making safe and natural haircare a top priority.