Hair Relaxer Side Effects
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Women with black hair use hair relaxers to straighten their hair and achieve a sleek, smooth look. There is growing concern about the serious health risks of hair relaxers. They can cause minor irritation or severe health risks, like cancer and fibroids. It’s crucial to understand the dangers of these products, which are still common in many communities.
This article looks at the health risks of hair relaxers. It discusses their ingredients and your options if you face their effects. You can consider filing a lawsuit or joining the hair relaxer MDL.
What Are The Hair Relaxer Side Effects?
Hair relaxers are popular, especially among women with black hair. They use them to straighten their hair. However, these products can cause side effects, which can range from minor irritations to serious health issues. These side effects often stem from the harsh chemicals used in relaxers.
The severity of these side effects depends on three factors: the use frequency, the individual’s sensitivity, and the time the product stays on the hair and scalp.
Scalp irritation is one of the most common short-term reactions. It can cause itching, burning, or inflammation. It’s worse if someone leaves the product too long or misapplies it. The chemicals in hair relaxers, like sodium hydroxide, are highly alkaline.
Prolonged exposure can cause severe discomfort. Some may also experience hair breakage, which occurs when hair becomes brittle and snaps off easily due to a chemical change in its structure. Allergic reactions are also reported. Symptoms include swelling, rashes, or redness at the application site.
These reactions are often due to an allergy to relaxer ingredients, including fragrances, preservatives, and formaldehyde-releasing agents.
In severe cases, chemical burns can occur. This is more likely if someone leaves the product on too long or is sensitive to the chemicals. These burns can affect the scalp or neck and may require medical treatment to heal properly. In some instances, the damage is extensive enough to cause scarring.
Long Term Side Effects
However, the long-term side effects of hair relaxer use are most concerning. Research shows that frequent use of chemical relaxers can cause serious health issues. Studies mention hair relaxer cancer, especially in frequent users.
Researchers found a significant increase in uterine cancer risk in women who used relaxers regularly. Researchers believe that the chemicals in the relaxers disrupt hormones.
In addition, researchers link chemical hair relaxers to fibroids, i.e., non-cancerous growths in the uterus. These conditions are common in black hair care communities, where relaxers have been in use for decades.
The severity of your condition often dictates the amount you receive from a hair relaxer lawsuit. For instance, the average hair relaxer lawsuit fibroids payout can range from $100,000 to $1.5 million.
These side effects may not appear right away, but hair relaxers can harm the reproductive system and health in the long run. Stay informed. If you have any adverse reactions, consult a healthcare professional.
What Are the Health Risks of These Side Effects?
Hair relaxers pose serious health risks when used repeatedly over long periods. Their side effects are dangerous. Studies raise concerns that chemical relaxers may disrupt hormones. This can cause reproductive health issues and, in some cases, cancer. The scalp absorbs the chemicals in these products. Over time, they may harm the body.
One of the most alarming risks of hair relaxers is an increased chance of uterine cancer. A 2022 study in JAMA Oncology found a link between frequent use of chemical hair relaxers and a higher risk of uterine cancer in women.
Those using relaxers four or more times a year had twice the risk of those who used them less often. The exact mechanism is still under investigation. Researchers believe that hair relaxers may disrupt hormone production, especially for those with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
This disruption could lead to the growth of cancer cells in the uterus. Chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde are endocrine disruptors. They alter normal hormone function in the body. This risk is concerning. Many women of black hair descent have used these products for decades. Uterine cancer is more prevalent in this group.
Women who use chemical hair relaxers have often reported fibroids. These are non-cancerous growths in the uterus. Reports indicate that they have uterine cancer. Fibroids can cause severe menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and complications during pregnancy.
What Does Researches Say?
Research shows that long exposure to relaxer chemicals may cause fibroids. A study in Human Reproduction found that regular hair relaxer use raised women’s risk of fibroids compared to non-users. This research suggests that chemical relaxers may raise fibroid rates in African American women. They use these relaxers more than others.
Researchers have linked hair relaxers to other hormone-related health issues. These include uterine cancer and fibroids. These include hormonal imbalances. They can cause endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and other reproductive disorders. Common hair relaxers contain parabens and phthalates. They disrupt hormone levels, affecting menstrual cycles and fertility.
There are also concerns that hair relaxers may raise the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The link is still under study. Researchers found that chemicals that disrupt hormones could also cause these cancers. These findings raise concerns about chemical hair products’ safety and long-term health effects.
As studies continue, it is clear that chemical hair relaxers pose serious risks. They go beyond cosmetic concerns.
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Hair Relaxers and Cancer
A major health risk of hair relaxers is cancer, especially uterine cancer. Research has raised alarms about the cancer risks of these chemicals.
A 2022 NIH study examined hair relaxers’ link to uterine cancer. The study tracked the health of over 33,000 women. It found that women who used hair relaxers at least four times a year were twice as likely to develop uterine cancer by age 70, compared to non-users. This alarming finding has heightened concerns about the safety of chemical hair treatments.
Researchers believe that the cancer risk stems from the chemicals commonly found in hair relaxers. These products contain compounds like formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens, which researchers know as endocrine disruptors.
Endocrine disruptors interfere with the body’s hormones. They may cause hormone-dependent cancers like uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer. Relaxers may cause hormonal imbalances. This can promote cancer cell growth, especially in hormone-sensitive tissues.
The link between hair relaxers and cancer is not limited to uterine cancer. Some studies suggest that long-term use of these products may raise the risk of hormone-related cancers. These include breast and ovarian cancer. These early findings have worried healthcare professionals, especially in the African American community. Research is ongoing. Hair relaxers have been widely used there for decades.
If you used hair relaxers and got cancer, especially uterine cancer, consult a hair relaxer lawyer. Product liability experts can assess your eligibility to join a hair relaxer class action lawsuit. They can also help you pursue individual compensation.
These lawsuits are rising as victims seek justice for chemical hair treatments. Legal advice can clarify your options. It can help you hold manufacturers accountable for their role in these health risks.
Major Ingredients in Chemical Hair Relaxers
The ingredients in chemical hair relaxers are key. They explain the products’ potential side effects. These chemicals aim to break down the hair’s texture. But they can also harm the hair and scalp and may even pose serious long-term health risks.
One of the most common ingredients in hair relaxers is lye (sodium hydroxide). This strong alkaline substance breaks the disulfide bonds in hair. It relaxes the curl pattern. While effective, it can also be very harsh.
Prolonged or frequent exposure to lye can cause severe scalp irritation. It may cause burning sensations and chemical burns. This is especially true if someone leaves the product on the scalp too long. Additionally, it can lead to hair breakage and long-term damage to the hair shaft.
Another controversial ingredient is formaldehyde. It is found in some hair straightening treatments, including relaxers. Formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation and is also a carcinogen.
Studies show that formaldehyde exposure may raise cancer risk. This is especially true for uterine and breast cancers. The extensive use of hair relaxers is a significant cause. The IARC has long classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen. It can cause cancer in humans, especially when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Phthalates and parabens are two other common ingredients. They stabilize the product and prolong its shelf life. However, these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, disrupting hormones. This disruption can harm reproductive health, causing fibroids and ovarian cysts. Phthalates and parabens can cause hormone-related disorders, so they worry women who use hair relaxers often.
Lastly, ammonium thioglycolate can cause scalp burns and hair thinning. It can also irritate the scalp in curly hair relaxers. Although it straightens hair well, it is a strong chemical and is risky if mishandled.
Given their harshness, it’s not surprising that hair relaxer side effects can be severe. Frequent use or improper application of these products can cause health problems. These can be immediate or long-term. So, you need to exercise caution when using these chemical treatments.
How Law Karma Can Help
If you had health issues, like cancer or fibroids, after using hair relaxers, you may qualify for compensation from a class action lawsuit.
At Law Karma, we connect clients to a network of experienced attorneys. They qualify to handle defective product cases. Our team can help you. We can check if you qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit. We can also guide you through the legal process. This is true whether you want to join a class action or pursue an individual claim.
We know dealing with the toll of hair relaxer side effects can be challenging. They are both physical and emotional. We’re committed to connecting you with the correct legal representation.
Your attorney will assess your case and its viability. Then, they will explain your options. A skilled hair relaxer lawyer can help you get damages for health issues linked to hair relaxer use. This includes medical costs, pain, suffering, and lost wages.
At Law Karma, we prioritize the needs of our clients. We qualify all claims before proceeding. We do this to ensure they are actionable and your case has the best chance of success. If you or a loved one has experienced the side effects of hair relaxers, don’t wait to take action.
Contact us today for a free case review. Let us help you take the first step to get your deserved compensation.
- Free Case Review: Get expert advice without any upfront costs.
- Pre-Vetted Attorneys: We connect you with top-rated lawyers who specialize in these cases.
- Contingency Fee Arrangements: Pay legal fees only if you win your case.
Don’t let legal issues hinder your recovery. Let Law Karma help you find the right attorney and fight for the compensation you deserve.