Do hair relaxers cause fibroids in Women?, Find out!
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Natural hair can be difficult to maintain; that’s why most women prefer to use relaxers to manage their hair. However, relaxers are dangerous and can cause fibroids.
Fibroids are a non-cancerous growth in the middle layer of the womb that can lead to fertility issues and birth complications.
Do hair relaxers cause fibroids?
Black women are disproportionately affected by fibroids. The rate of hospitalisation for fibroids is three times higher for black women than for Caucasians.
Additionally, they are also two to three times more likely to undergo a hysterectomy and seven times more likely to have a myomectomy—a surgery to remove fibroids.
A study carried out on 7000 women found that black women who regularly used chemical hair straighteners were two to three times more likely to get fibroids.
A different study assessed the levels of hormone-interfering chemicals in 18 hair products like leave-in conditioners, root stimulators, hair relaxers, hot oils, and anti-frizz treatments.
The conclusion was that some chemicals found in black women's hair products were linked to asthma and endocrine disruption.
Some of the products that are considered harmful and you should look out for in your relaxers include phthalates, formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide (Iye), and parabens.
The scalp receives these products during application, and it is directly linked to the body system, so it absorbs some products into the body.
If you want to straighten your natural hair, you can use many different techniques:
1. Blow-drying with a comb attachment
Always use a cool shot. This is a style-setting tool that makes your hair smoother and helps the style last longer.
2. Silk press
To achieve sleek, shiny hair, start with clean, deep-conditioned hair. Use a high-quality heat protectant and ensure the hair is dry before applying heat.
Divide the hair into small sections and use a flat iron at medium setting. Run the iron slowly from roots to ends, combing through the hair with a paddle brush.
Avoid passing the iron over the same section multiple times to prevent heat damage.
To create a bouncy, straight look, apply setting lotion or mousse to damp hair, section hair, and wrap each section around a large roller.
Allow hair to air-dry naturally or use a hooded dryer. After drying, gently comb through hair to achieve a bouncy, straight look without direct heat.
These steps help to manage hair without actually damaging it to prevent cancer and fibroids.
Here is the harsh truth about relaxers.
More and more women of colour are waking up to the dangers of relaxers and choosing instead to embrace their natural hair. Many still do not understand the devastating effects that relaxers can have, not only you hair, but on your health too.
As more women are embracing their natural hair and are , a large percentage still regularly use relaxers.
The misconception is that if a relaxer is burning then it's working but in reality, if a relaxer is burning then it is doing more damage than you could possibly imagine.
The harmful chemicals in relaxer seep through our skin and cause untold havoc with our physical health.
Keep reading to find out exactly why we should ditch the relaxers!
Who invented relaxers?
Contrary to popular belief, relaxers were invented by Garrett Morgan not Madam CJ Walker. He was the son of a former slave. In 1910 he was originally trying to create a new lubrication for the sewing machine needle. The lubrication accidentally touched the hair on his arm and he noticed that the hair began to lay straight.
By total accident, Morgan developed a hair topical for black people to chemically force their naturally curly hair straight. He called this invention the “Relaxer.”
What are they made of?
Relaxers are made of chemicals that counteract the natural chemical makeup of curly hair. Sodium hydroxide or “lye” is the most hazardous ingredient. The soap company, Certified Lye, cautions users that “substances with large amounts of lye can cause chemical burns, permanent injury or scarring, and blindness. Lye (sodium hydroxide) may be harmful or fatal if swallowed”.
Though there are some relaxers, such as Dark and Lovely, African Pride, and Optimum Care, who exclude lye from the ingredient regimen, there are other chemicals used that are still hazardous.
Another ingredient is guanidine carbonate. Chemicalbook.com says that when handling guanidine carbonate “only use in chemical fume hood.” Also, relaxer ingredient, succinic acid should be kept out of contact with skin clothes and eyes. Bio-amber, a company that manufacturers renewable chemicals, states in their website that “it (succinic acid) may be harmful if absorbed through skin.”
This warning is startling because a relaxer directly comes in contact with the users scalp.
What are the dangers?
Scientific research has shown there is cause for concern with the use of the ingredients found in Black hair care products. These products enter our body via the scalp and can lead to many complications.
Studies show relaxers cause life-threatening ailments such as reproductive problems, heart disease, different forms of cancer, early puberty, fibroids, and mental health disorders. Relaxers have been found to disrupt the chemical balance of our bodies by entering our system via cuts and burns.
