Uterine and Ovarian Cancer Linked to Hair Products

Recently published scientific studies have found that frequent users of chemical straightening or hair-relaxing products develop uterine and ovarian cancer. 

These chemical relaxers, which are used commonly by Black women to straighten curly or tightly coiled hair, were the subject of a recent research review of information found in the Black Women’s Health Study.  In that study, 44,798 Black women with an intact uterus were followed from 1997 until 2019.  The study concluded long term use of chemical hair relaxers was associated with increased risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal women.

Two separate studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported use of chemical hair relaxers as increasing by two to four-fold (greaterthan100%) the risk of endometrial/uterine and ovarian cancers.

In all these studies, the researchers determined the presence of chemicals called “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” (EDCs) as the offending agent in the hair relaxer products. EDSs are substances in the environment, food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of a body’s endocrine system. A female’s endocrine system includes her ovaries, thyroid, and adrenal glands. EDCs mimic estrogen and overload the body, leading to the formation of Uterine Fibroids (UF) and uterine and ovarian cancers.  

High concentrations of EDCs have been detected in urine samples from women who use chemical hair relaxers. Alarmingly, the manufacturers of these products, including L’Oréal, Softsheen-Carson, Luster, ORS, Unilever, Godrej, and others, market the products (e.g., JustForMe®, OliveOil™ ,Dark & Lovely®, Motions®, etc.) without warning of these potentially deadly cancers.

Any of the following diagnoses may be linked to Hair Straighteners/Relaxers:

• Uterine Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Endometrial Cancer
• Uterine Fibroids

If you were diagnosed with any of these diagnosis after frequent use of a Hair Straightener/Relaxer product you may be eligible for compensation from the hair care manufacturer.