The Danger of Hair Relaxer Use

Ladies important information, please read!

                 Hair Relaxer use and the Risk of Uterine Leiomyomata in African American women

                   

Uterine leiomyomata are tumors(Uterine Fibroids) of the myometrium that are responsive to estrogens and progesterone. Although benign, uterine leiomyomata are associated with significant gynecologic morbidity and are the leading indication for hysterectomy in the United States. The incidence of uterine leiomyomata is 2-3 times higher in US black women than in US white women and the lifetime risk of uterine leiomyamata based on ultrasound evidence of preclinical and clinical disease is estimated to be as high as 80% in US black women.

Hair relaxers (straighteners) have been used by millions of US black women, often for long periods of time. Hair relaxers can cause burns and lesions in the scalp facilitating entry of hair relaxer constituents into the body. THe main ingredient of "lye" relaxers contain thioglycolic acid salts. No-lye relaxers are advertised to cause fewer scalp lesions and burns than lye relaxers, but there is little evidence to support this claim. Products may also contain hormonally active compounds, such as phthalates, which are not required to be listed separately as ingredients and are often reported under the term "fragrances" or "perfume".

Cosmetic products are not required to be listed separately as ingredients and are often reported under the term "fragrances" or "perfume". Cosmetic products are not subject to per market approval by the FDA(Food Drug Administration), and a complete list of ingredients is not mandatory, making it unclear what types of chemicals they contain. However, because the vast majority of hair relaxers list "fragrance" as an ingredient, and 100% of popular fragrances tested in a 2002 study were found to contain phthalates, most hair relaxers likely contain these chemicals.

*Ladies please be advise of what type of products you are using whether it be for you hair, body, etc.. Their are so many products these days that have deadly chemicals that can and will harm your well being. I hope this inspires some women to kick the relaxer to the curb and revert to being all natural. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment or you can send an email*