Consider this before using hair relaxers.
- Mouniirah DEME
- Aug 24, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
A while ago, I was contacted by Daniela from Consumer Notice, an organization dedicated to providing reliable health and safety information to consumers. Daniela appreciated my work on endometriosis and invited me to discuss the risks associated with chemical hair straighteners to help raise awareness. At first, I was surprised—it felt almost like a prank—but I soon realized the impact my work was having beyond my immediate circle. I embraced the opportunity and am delighted to share this important work with you today.
The first chemical hair relaxer:
In 1909, Garrett Augustus Morgan, Sr. (March 4, 1877—July 27, 1963), an American inventor, was working in his repair shop when he noticed that the sewing needle was burning wool fabric because it was moving too fast. To solve this, he created a chemical solution to make the threads smoother. As a surprising side effect, the solution also straightened hair! Morgan tested it on himself and even on his dog (lucky pooch!), and it worked like a charm. The Black community loved it, and Morgan soon launched his own company, G.A. Morgan Hair Refining.
What is hair relaxer and how does it work?
Chemical hair straighteners work by applying a special cream that breaks the protein bonds in your hair, specifically the disulfide bonds. The curlier your hair, the more disulfide bonds it contains, which means stronger chemicals are needed to break them down. After these bonds are broken, a neutralizer is applied to reform and lock the bonds back together—while also setting your hair into its new, straight shape.
There are three (3) types of hair straighteners, including:
Traditional Chemical Straighteners: First, there are traditional chemical straighteners that use sodium hydroxide to permanently straighten hair. These can cause scalp irritation and hair damage.
Japanese Heat Straighteners: Also known as thermal reconditioning, which uses ammonium thioglycolate and lasts for about four to six months. While still damaging to hair, they are slightly less harmful.
Brazilian Straighteners: Also known as keratin treatments, they are not suitable for very curly hair and last for about three months. These treatments smooth hair without breaking protein bonds and some may contain formaldehyde.
Chemical hair straighteners can be grouped into different categories based on their ingredients. Lye-relaxers, no-lye relaxers, and thio relaxers are the main types. Lye relaxers are the strongest and can potentially cause the most damage to hair in the long run. On the other hand, milder chemical hair straighteners use weaker chemicals, but they don't last as long and may not work well on very curly hair. Some straightening methods, like Japanese straightening or keratin straightening, require you to avoid getting your hair wet or washing it for a few days afterward.
The side effects of chemical hair straighteners:
Using chemical hair straighteners can cause a range of short-term issues like allergies, burns, hair damage, eczema, frizz, hair discoloration, hair loss, scalp inflammation, irritation, and pain, and skin problems. There are also long-term risks, such as a higher chance of developing endometriosis.
Studies have identified a link between hair straightening products and an increased risk of cancer. Many of these products contain formaldehyde, which is released as a gas when heat is applied during styling with a flat iron. Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that can be harmful if inhaled or if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen based on evidence linking it to nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Additionally, hair straightening products often contain other potentially harmful chemicals such as parabens, bisphenol A (BPA), and various metals, which may further increase the risk of cancer.
Some alternatives to chemical hair straighteners:
The safest way to straighten your hair without using chemicals is through heat styling combined with gentle hair serums free of harsh ingredients. While these methods typically last only a day or two, they avoid the serious health risks associated with chemical straighteners. Although heat styling can still cause damage, it doesn’t carry the same risks of cancer or reproductive issues. To protect your hair, always use a heat protectant spray, adjust the temperature according to your hair type, and follow up with deep conditioning treatments to keep your hair healthy and nourished.
I would like to sincerely thank Daniela for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important subject. And thank you, everyone, for your time and attention. I hope the information I’ve shared will be helpful to you or someone you know. Please feel free to share this post and help us raise awareness. May God bless you all—take care!
Getting to know Consumer Notice:
Consumer Notice is an organization that aims to provide reliable health and safety information to consumers and help them assert their legal rights. They work with consumer advocates and legal experts to educate the public on harmful products and provide information on lawsuits and legal assistance. They are based in Orlando, Florida and collaborate with experts across the U.S. to analyze product recalls and emerging risks for consumers.
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