Health Canada May Investigate Hair Straighteners Linked to Cancer

New Study: Hair Relaxer Products May Cause Cancer

CANADIAN CONSUMER ALERT: February 8, 2023 – In a recent U.S. study released by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on October 17, 2022 indicates there is high risk of developing uterine cancer from some commercially available hair relaxers. The National Institutes of Health has released its own warning for these products on the same date. Based on these studies Health Canada (Canada’s FDA) may begin its own investigation.

The researchers found no associations with uterine cancer for other hair products that the women reported using, including hair dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms. 

According to the new study, they may contain hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties. These findings are the first epidemiologic evidence of association between use of straightening products and uterine cancer. 

Several known chemicals in straighteners may contribute to the uterine cancer risk includes: Parabens, bisphenol A, some heavy metals, and formaldehyde.

Analysis of the data:

The study looked at associations between common hair product use and incident uterine cancer among 33,947 Sister Study participants aged 35-74 years who had a uterus at enrollment (2003-2009). The study population consists of 7.4% Black/African American, 4.4% Hispanic/Latina non-Black, 85.6% non-Hispanic White, and 2.5% all other race and ethnicity.

In questionnaires the participants in this large, racially and ethnically diverse group, self-reported their use of hair products in the prior 12 months, including hair dyes; straighteners, relaxers, or pressing products; and permanents or body waves. 

According to Chandra Jackson, who co-authored the study issued these statements:

“Sixty percent of the participants who reported using straighteners were Black women. The bottom line is that the exposure burden appears to be higher among Black women.”

“Based off of the body of the literature in this area, we know that hair products marketed directly to Black children and women have been shown to contain multiple chemicals associated with disrupting hormones, and these products marketed to Black women have also been shown to have harsher chemical formulations”

What the study concluded:  Over an average of 10.9 years of follow-up, 378 uterine cancer cases were identified. 

Here are the actual numbers from the study: 

“Ever vs never use of straightening products in the previous 12 months was associated with higher incident uterine cancer rates (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.88). The association was stronger when comparing frequent use (>4 times in the past 12 months) vs never use (HR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.46 to 4.45; Ptrend = .002). Use of other hair products, including dyes and permanents or body waves, was not associated with incident uterine cancer.”

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The NBC TODAY newscast highlights the problems and risks associated with hair straighteners, please watch this important video.

What common brands of hair relaxers are possibly linked to uterine cancer?

While this is currently being investigated by our law firm, the following list of manufacturers, brands and products may or may not include some of the possible hazardous chemicals linked to uterine cancer. As facts are discovered we will amend or edit this product list. 

If your brand of hair relaxer isn’t listed doesn’t mean we can’t accept your case, we’re accepting cancer victims who have used these products or others currently on the market, even if you’re unsure of the brand you may still file a claim. 

The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization devoted to highlighting known chemicals in consumer products, has created a database of over 1,000 hair products marketed to people of color. Its Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database shows that the 15 hair relaxers listed scored an average of 8.1 meaning it’s best to avoid these products. Some products claimed not to contain lye, which presumes to be a safer alternative. 

Godrej Consumer Products

• Strength of Nature®
• African Pride®
• Soft & Beautiful®
• Motions®
• Just For Me®

Africa’s Best

• No-Lye Relaxer Kit-Regular®
• No-Lye Relaxer Kit-Super®

Mizani

• Classic Rhelaxer®

Revlon Inc.

• TCB Relaxer®
• Crème of Nature®

L’Oréal USA Products, Inc.

• Soft Sheen®
• Dark & Lovely®
• Optimum®

SoftSheen Carson Inc.

• Soft Sheen®
• Dark & Lovely®

Namaste Laboratories LLC / Dabur USA Inc.

• ORS Haircare®
• Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Relaxer®

Were you diagnosed with uterine cancer or another form of cancer, and regularly used hair relaxers?

The attorneys at Schmidt National Law Group are currently accepting and filing claims against the manufacturers of these products for failing to warn consumers of the toxic ingredients in some hair relaxers.

No matter what province you may live in if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with any of the cancers listed, and have been using any of these products, you may be entitled to a cash payout in the form of legal settlements.  Hair Relaxer Claim Form here.

Call the experienced lawyers & attorneys at Schmidt National Law Group today to see if you qualify for the hair relaxer lawsuit by either using the secure form on this page or by calling us direct: 1-800-631-5656. Take Action Today as there are statute of limitations that apply. We offer a Free Case Review, and no money out of pocket.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/chemical-hair-straighteners-linked-higher-risk-uterine-cancer-black-wo-rcna52576

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hair-straightening-chemicals-associated-higher-uterine-cancer-risk

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/category/Hair_relaxer/?category=Hair+relaxer&sort=reverse-score

https://academic.oup.com/jnci/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jnci/djac165/6759686?searchresult=1