Chemical Hair Relaxers & Cancer: Know Your Rights

Owen, Patterson & Owen is helping victims who have been diagnosed with ovarian, endometrial, or uterine cancer after using a chemical hair relaxer.

Hair relaxer products typically contain a combination of chemicals, such as sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, or ammonium thioglycolate. These chemicals work by penetrating the hair shaft and breaking down the protein bonds that give curly hair its shape. The relaxer is then rinsed out and the hair is neutralized to stop the chemical process.
It is important to note that hair relaxers can be damaging to the hair and scalp if not used properly. Overuse or improper application can result in hair breakage, scalp irritation, and hair loss.

Hair relaxers typically contain chemicals that break down the protein bonds in hair, making it straighter and easier to manage. The active ingredients in hair relaxer products may vary depending on the brand and type of relaxer, but some chemicals that might be found in these products include:

1. Sodium hydroxide (lye): This is a very strong alkaline compound that can break down the protein bonds in hair, leading to straightening. It is commonly found in “lye relaxers.”
2. Guanidine hydroxide: This is another alkaline compound that is used in “no-lye” relaxers. It is milder than sodium hydroxide but still effective in straightening hair.
3. Ammonium thioglycolate: This is a reducing agent that can break down the protein bonds in hair, leading to straightening. It is commonly found in “thio relaxers.”
4. Lithium hydroxide: This is an alkaline compound that is often used in “no-lye” relaxers for sensitive scalps. It is milder than sodium hydroxide but still effective in straightening hair.
5. Formaldehyde is not a typical ingredient found in hair relaxer products, as it is a highly toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemical. However, some hair smoothing treatments, also known as keratin treatments, may contain formaldehyde or a related chemical called methylene glycol. These treatments work by coating the hair with a protein solution that is then sealed in using heat from a flat iron. The formaldehyde or methylene glycol helps to crosslink the proteins, making the hair smoother and more manageable. Some hair smoothing treatments have been found to contain levels of formaldehyde above the safe limit set by regulatory agencies.

Hair relaxer products typically contain a variety of chemicals that can be harmful to the body, including formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Other chemicals found in hair relaxers, such as sodium hydroxide and guanidine hydroxide, may also be linked to an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, hair relaxer products can be absorbed through the skin and scalp, which may increase the risk of cancer in these areas.

Call Owen, Patterson & Owen at 800-676-5295 or submit the FREE consultation form to discuss your Chemical Hair Relaxers & Cancer with an experienced attorney. Your story and any other information you share with our office is kept in the strictest of confidence.