While a hair relaxer may seem like a great product for straightening your hair, hair relaxers abound in toxic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals that might lead to uterine or ovarian cancer.
Over 10 million women nationwide use chemical hair relaxers, unwittingly increasing their risk of developing cancer.
Black women are the majority of hair relaxer consumers, as their hair is difficult to straighten and needs a strong product to achieve the desired result. If you want straight hair, we advise you to use a safer alternative to chemical hair relaxers, such as the following:
- Heat styling: This is one of the easiest methods to achieve straight hair, and you can use it in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a flat iron or a straightener and a heat-protectant spray to avoid damaging your hair. For the best results, you can divide your hair into tiny sections and straighten them. The only disadvantage of this method is that, in the long run, it might damage your hair because of the heat.
- Keratin treatment: This process entails introducing keratin protein to your natural hair. The protein enters the porous areas of your hair to give you that healthy look. Still, you should be careful about which product you choose, as some formulations contain formaldehyde. Keratin treatments can only be done in a salon, and if maintained properly, your hair can be straight for up to six months. The disadvantage is that keratin treatments are quite expensive.
- Silicone creams: These products help you make your hair frizz-free without using any heat tools. Silicone creams are heavy and have a thick consistency, making them suitable for those with voluminous hair. You should apply these products when your hair is partially dry. Silicone cream can even protect your hair from sun damage. However, they can be difficult to wash out and might clog your follicles.
- Vegetable oil: Since ancient times, people have been using vegetable oils to straighten their hair and nourish it. You should make sure you do not use any cooking oil, as those are processed and might not be beneficial for your hair. Some of the most common oils for your hair include argan, olive, almond, coconut, and jojoba oil. Vegetable oils promote hair growth, relieve scalp inflammations, and protect your hair from sun damage. Still, they might weigh down your hair.
If you are still unsure about which hair straightening method to use, we invite you to check out our Toxic Hair Relaxer Awareness Campaign, by virtue of which you can request a free, safe, non-toxic hair relaxer from ethical companies that do not use harmful ingredients in their products. All you have to do is fill out the form on the page, and someone will contact you shortly for more details.
Quality assistance for women affected by toxic hair relaxers
Atraxia Law has over 35 years of experience in evaluating toxic exposure and personal injury claims. If you have been using toxic hair relaxers and now struggle with uterine or ovarian cancer, we encourage you to contact us, as you might be eligible to file a claim and obtain compensation from the responsible manufacturers. The process is simple, and if we deem you eligible, we will put you in touch with a reliable, specialized attorney.
