A while ago, I was reached by a lady named Daniela from Consumer Notice, an organization that is dedicated to providing consumers with reliable health and safety information. Daniela appreciated my work on endometriosis and asked me to discuss the risks of chemical hair straighteners and help them raise awareness. At first, I thought it was a prank. Because I was very surprised that my work could reach and impact people outside my immediate circle. But I finally seized the opportunity. And I'm delighted to share my work today with you guys.
The first chemical hair relaxer:
In 1909, a guy named Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr. (March 4, 1877—July 27, 1963) was just an American inventor, doing his thing in his repair shop. He noticed that the sewing needle was burning wool fabric because it was going too fast. So, he whipped up a chemical solution to make the threads smoother, and, surprise, surprise: It also had straightened his hair. He tested it out on himself and his dog (lucky pooch!) and it worked like a charm. The Black community really liked it, so Morgan started his own company called G.A. Morgan Hair Refining.
What is hair relaxer and how does it work?
Chemical hair straighteners work by using a special cream to break the protein bonds in your hair, known as disulfides. The curlier your hair is, the more of these bonds you have, so stronger chemicals are needed to break them. Once the bonds are broken, the stylist will use a neutralizer to bring them back together. While doing this, they'll also style your hair into its new straight shape.
There are three (3) types of hair straighteners, including:
Traditional Chemical Straighteners: First, there are traditional chemical straighteners that use sodium hydroxide to permanently straighten hair. These can cause scalp irritation and hair damage.
Japanese Heat Straighteners: Also known as thermal reconditioning, which uses ammonium thioglycolate and lasts for about four to six months. While still damaging to hair, they are slightly less harmful.
Brazilian Straighteners: Also known as keratin treatments, they are not suitable for very curly hair and last for about three months. These treatments smooth hair without breaking protein bonds and some may contain formaldehyde.
Chemical hair straighteners can be grouped into different categories based on their ingredients. Lye-relaxers, no-lye relaxers, and thio relaxers are the main types. Lye relaxers are the strongest and can potentially cause the most damage to hair in the long run. On the other hand, milder chemical hair straighteners use weaker chemicals, but they don't last as long and may not work well on very curly hair. Some straightening methods, like Japanese straightening or keratin straightening, require you to avoid getting your hair wet or washing it for a few days afterward.
The side effects of chemical hair straighteners:
Using chemical hair straighteners can cause a range of short-term issues like allergies, burns, hair damage, eczema, frizz, hair discoloration, hair loss, scalp inflammation, irritation, and pain, and skin problems. There are also long-term risks, such as a higher chance of developing endometriosis.
Studies have shown a connection between hair straightening products and cancer. Many of these products contain formaldehyde, which is released into the air when stylists apply heat to the hair with a flat iron. Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that can be harmful if inhaled or if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says that formaldehyde is a human carcinogen because of studies on nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Hair straighteners also have other chemicals like parabens, bisphenol A, and metals. These things can also really up your chances of getting cancer.
Some alternatives to chemical hair straighteners:
The best way to straighten your hair without chemicals is by using heat styling and hair serums that don't have harsh chemicals. These methods won't last as long, maybe just a day or two, but they're much safer than chemical straightening. Heat styling can still cause damage to your hair, but at least it doesn't come with the risk of cancer or other reproductive problems. To minimize damage from heat styling, make sure to use a heat protectant, set the right temperature for your hair type, and give your hair some TLC with good conditioning afterward.
I would like to thank Daniela for the opportunity she gave me to talk about the subject. And thank you, my people, for your time and attention. I hope the info I shared can be helpful to you or someone you know. Feel free to share this post and help us raise awareness. May God bless you, take care.
Getting to know Consumer Notice:
Consumer Notice is an organization that aims to provide reliable health and safety information to consumers and help them assert their legal rights. They work with consumer advocates and legal experts to educate the public on harmful products and provide information on lawsuits and legal assistance. They are based in Orlando, Florida and collaborate with experts across the U.S. to analyze product recalls and emerging risks for consumers.
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