Hair relaxer - carcinogenic

[notanaturalmum]

I'm in a bit of a quandary.
Has anybody been following these stories.

www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/2023/10/11/first-large-study-of-hair-relaxers-among-black-women-finds-increased-risk-of-uterine-cancer/

www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/21/loreal-urged-to-withdraw-hair-relaxers-after-studies-find-cancer-risk

Here's the thing.
I've been using dark and lovely about 5/6 times a year on average for the past 35 years. I like having relaxed hair. I feel smarter with it (I know this is sad but I guess this is due to years of believing the narrative that natural afros are unprofessional )
We are where we are.

Now, I'm not sure I can just stop having relaxed hair and go natural to reduce my risk of getting cancer.
If I continue to relax my hair and I end up getting ill then I'm always going to wonder if it was the relaxer that caused it.
But if I stop, then what am I going to do with my hair going forward. I don't want to wear wigs or weaves and wearing it natural isn't an option.

How seriously should I be taking these news articles. Is anybody else worried?

I appreciate this may be a first world problem but I'm due to relax my hair soon and I'm now having second thoughts about it.
But also my hair is well overdue and currently I'm just scraping it back in a bun with a massive headband and hoping nobody will see my regrowth.

Please be kind.

Do you think I should get a steam. I'm worried I may get talked into a big chop

@notanaturalmum it's not so much that you would get talked into a big chop, I imagine it will probably be much healthier for your hair in the long run to cut off the relaxer; as your hair must be two completely different textures right now (bottom closest to root Afro, straight ends) so it will be highly prone to breakage at the connection of the two.

When I cut mine years ago, I had a reasonably sized Afro with straggly relaxed bits hanging off; when I revisit old pictures, it looked absolutely awful, I don't know why I was hanging on to the relaxed bits.

It sounds like you are going into panic mode, and a deep condition and steam will do you good. Tell the hairdresser you are looking for some nice Afro styles, and they will help you. If you are anywhere near London, I highly recommend Hype in Clapham Junction for great natural hairstylists.

I style afro hair as a side job. I get your worries I really do, it's hard to part with something that brings us confidence and comfort. Would you be able to post pics of it relaxed vs natural hiding your face of course

@Alabasterbox there is no research to suggest they are damaging.

Also OP life is too short to go around not feeling your best.

Keratin treatments were the best thing I could do for my hair

Other races spend hundreds to change hair colours so if you want your hair straight go for it

Risks of Keratin treatments 😬😬😬

www.healthline.com/health/what-are-the-side-effects-of-a-keratin-treatment#formaldehyde-risk

I personally think natural is always best, everything else is simply just a fad going through the motions. I do understand how you feel, I've been there but as soon as I heard the cancer risks with using relaxer, I never went back and I grew my natural hair and had them loc'd not saying that is without its own issues but I prefer not to have my hair straightened also it just doesn't suit my rather round face. But you do you, it's down to preference after all.

The one I get done doesn't have formaldehyde in it

It's called the Fabriq smoothing system

Tell me you know nothing about chemistry without telling me you know nothing about chemistry; I suggest you download a full ingredients list @OceanStorm and perhaps do a little bit of research.

OP if you do stop the relaxers due to the risks you'd do best for yourself and your health not switching to keratin treatments; while they are not as harmful as relaxers, you'd just be replacing one toxin with another.

Have you done any research or are you just making assumptions?

It's essentially a protein treatment so no more harmful than any other everyday products out there especially those usually market towards black women

If you genuinely believe that the chemical bonds which create Afro hair can be broken down by a bit of protein, a random anonymous poster on MN isn't going to be able to explain this, which is why I suggested reading the ingredients list and doing your own research, @OceanStorm.

It doesn't actually break down the hair bonds only coats it in protein which means it doesn't grow out it only fades away.

So it's semi permanent and you don't get retouches just a full keratin treatment again.

Keratin is already part of our hair

Thanks @OceanStorm 👍🏿

Part of the issue with a lack of real life women wearing their hair natural is that it perpetuates this view that there is something "wrong" or somehow "unkempt" about our natural hair. And we can internalize this message at a young age. It may have originally been meant well to help us be accepted in the workplace, but I think we have come a long way from that.

It takes a long time to unravel that narrative once it is recognized. It is uncomfortable and it is a process.

Ultimately I am fully supportive of ppl wearing their hair as they truly like it as long as it isn't being driven by that particular view. So if that means relaxers then fair play.

In terms of the health component of relaxers - well this is in the realm of making personal decisions about what you are willing to risk.

I've done the TWA stage 4 times and I also didn't like it much. Once it reached the stage of being able to twist I was much happier. I had one fab hair dresser who could grip ultra short hair for braids, she was a blessing!

The secret to dealing with your natural hair is a process of discovery. Some are lucky and can throw their hair into a bun and bonnet and be fine. Some of us need to braid it a bit before we fall asleep and keep silk pillow cases. For others braiding it wet means it is easy to wear a "wash and go" style for most of the week and just refresh it towards the end with a light lick of oil and mist of water.

Like @oceanstorm I have also been getting the Fabriq treatment on my hair. I wash and straighten it once a week and it's much more manageable - I have 4C hair and it stays straight and looks so much thicker and healthier.

I will look more into the ingredients now I've just seen someone mention formaldehyde and I'm not sure what I'll use as an alternative.

Texture release. It's a game changer.

I stopped using relaxers after watching Chris Rock's film/documentary. IIRC he referred to it as 'creamy crack'. Having said that it's been a long road. If you don't want to immediately consider braids, nor have the patience or wherewithal to maintain them especially when it comes to your hairline then you could ease into going natural with a texture release. I see them as a mild relaxer so still not great but better.

I see a lot more Black women with their natural hair these days of varying lengths and it's increasingly less remarkable iyswim. For me it's been about healthy hair is good hair which helped to undo my previous bondage with relaxer.

I still feel incredibly uncomfortable wearing my natural hair and it’s something I know I need to work on but actively avoid because it makes me sad.

I have keratin treatments done and if I’m honest I love them. My hair looks very shiny, it’s long and I have no breakage. BUT no one can convince me they’re not toxic in some way. My hairdresser says she uses a formaldehyde free formula and it still gets very smoky. I don’t know which one it is but like an idiot I didn’t realise most weren’t vegetarian and are a bit gross so I’m going to need to see if the vegan alternatives are suitable for Afro hair.

I relaxed my hair years and once decided to go natural so stopped relaxing and started to train my hair to go natural/afro after a while I decided that I actually didn't like the natural hair & wanted straight hair but didn't want to keep relaxing it so I blow dry my hair straight & use very good strainers & it does the trick!! I know straightening isn't good for your hair but it's better than relaxing

It will take time to find what works for your hair and then there is the merry go round of finding a product you love only for the manufacturers to change it when European curlies jump on the band wagon and complain.

You need to work on reframing your lens from the damaging 'straight and shiny is best' to 'afro hair is amazing'. The more you see people rocking their natural hair the easier it will be. I stopped processing my hair about 7 years ago. It gets seriously matted between washes if I don't keep on top if it, but I much prefer it. Its longer than it has ever been... for a few hours on wash day😂 The shrinkage is real but I have never been happier.

"You need to work on reframing your lens from the damaging 'straight and shiny is best' to 'afro hair is amazing'"

This.
It's so hard. I can appreciate it on other people but not so much on myself.
My hairdresser is fully booked until the end of Feb.
I went into a white salon this morning and asked if he would do a deep condition and he was like "er no we don't have your sort of products". I didn't have the energy to argue that a basic conditioner would be alright.
So I exist in this hybrid state of having a single cornrow headband and feeling like I look completely different to how I think I'm supposed to look.

I've got a night out planned on 15th March and I've no idea what to do with my hair. Usually I'd curl it in ringlets or wear it poker straight in a bob.
But if I'm going to try natural, I want to find a style that will look nice and I can't seem to see anything that works.

Argh I'm so conflicted

Depends on how long your hair is. I found thee nice styles just googling, I'm sure you could find something you like:

ahh I still am a bob length with frizzy roots.
When I had an afro the last time, my hair did not go into those styles - my curls were too tight.
I know I sound like I'm being mega fussy, but my hair just doesn't play ball.
Thankyou though for taking the time to suggest them though.

I went into a white salon this morning and asked if he would do a deep condition and he was like "er no we don't have your sort of products". I didn't have the energy to argue that a basic conditioner would be alright.

And then what would he know what to do afterwards? Some European hairdressers may know how to care for natural afro hair (a minute number) so it would be advisable to call them beforehand. It is a shame that your regular hairdresser is booked up. It is a pain, but it would be worth travelling that bit extra to get your hair done before then.

@LadyKenya I’ve noticed this actually some of the white salons in London are now employing one or two people who can do Afro hair. A white friend who quit her job to study hairdressing, said there’s actual modules now and the problem is finding work experience.

If you tell us where you are around OP maybe somebody can suggest an alternative interim salon.