The Fight for Our Health: The Battle Against Harmful Chemicals in Hair Relaxers
We need to have an honest conversation about the fight for our health. For years, formaldehyde in hair straightening products has been linked to devastating cancers—cancers that disproportionately affect Black women, like uterine cancer, breast cancer, and other serious health issues. Now, a critical decision on whether to ban these harmful chemicals has been put on hold. Federal regulations have been paused due to an executive order, meaning the FDA will no longer move forward with its proposed ban on products containing formaldehyde or ingredients that release formaldehyde when heated—at least for now.
While states like Maryland, California, and Washington have already taken action, this pause puts the well-being of our community at serious risk. Studies, including those from more than 30,000 Black women, have shown alarming correlations between the long-term use of chemical relaxers and the prevalence of uterine cancer among women who use these products multiple times a year. The evidence is overwhelming.
This isn't just about hair—this is about our lives, our families, our futures. We are talking about a legacy of harm that has been allowed to continue for far too long. Thousands of women are already joining a federal class-action lawsuit against the makers of these chemical relaxers, citing serious health consequences.
This is a wake-up call.
We have to keep our voices loud and clear, pushing for stronger protections and standing up for what’s right. Our health should not be at the mercy of corporations seeking profit over safety. We must advocate for safer alternatives and demand that those in power protect us, especially when studies and personal experiences show the significant toll on our bodies.
Let’s stay informed, stay resilient, and keep pushing for a future where we are protected, not exploited. We deserve better, and we must demand it.
If this issue matters to you, like, comment, and share to spread the word. We must stay united in the fight for safer products and better protection for our health. Let’s ensure that no woman—especially within our community—has to suffer due to harmful chemicals in the products we use.