Using certain hair products may put your health at risk. Hair treatment products, such as chemical hair straighteners, relaxers and dyes, are commonly used by women with textured hair. Continued and repeated use of these products can put your health at risk, so it is important to stay aware of these risks if you use them frequently.
Toxic hair products
In 2019, there was a study done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about toxic hair products and published in the International Journal of Cancer. They found a correlation between the use of certain hair products and cancers.
The NIH linked the increased risk of hormone-related cancers, such as breast, ovarian and uterine cancer, with chemical hair products in chemical hair straighteners. They determined potential health issues with toxic chemical hair products and harsh ingredients, like parabens and formaldehyde. As a result, prolonged exposure to these chemicals may lead to serious health problems.
Some women are raising concerns about specific types of hair products. In October 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal, claiming chemical hair straightening products contributed to her developing cancer due to the products containing harmful compositions of chemicals.
There are many products marketed toward women. Unfortunately, some products like hair relaxers and dyes have harsh chemicals that may be toxic if you use them for a long time. To lessen the potential poisonous risks associated with chemical hair products, consider using natural alternatives that do not contain harmful substances that may make you sick.
That said, even when you are careful, you can still get hurt by products you do not realize may be dangerous. In these cases, legal action can be an option worth considering.