Use of Hair Straightening Chemicals and Uterine Cancer

Abstract

Dear Editor,

Hair care products have been on the rise in recent years. The utilization of straightening chemicals, dyes, conditioners, and serums is noticed in men and women alike. Around 50% of women are reported to use various permanent hair chemicals in the United States and Europe alone. The composition of these products includes formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, oxidized para-phenylenediamine, and 4-aminobiphenyl, all of which cause damage and desecration of hair follicles and roots and have a potential role as carcinogens suggesting a strong relation between the usage of these chemicals and possible cancer. Studies have disclosed alarming associations with breast, ovarian, and uterine tumors with the latter being the most common. Moreover, research revealed greater than 65950 new cases with approximately 12550 deaths in the United States due to uterine cancer in 2022¹. Thus, it is pertinent to highlight the impelling connection between the frequent application of hair straightening chemicals and malignancy involving the uterus.