FDA Misses Deadline to Ban Hair Relaxers and Hair Straighteners Formaldehyde

A hair dresses applies chemical hair relaxer to the hair of a young black woman.

FDA’s Proposed Relaxer Ban Background

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed its deadline to propose a ban on the use of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in hair relaxers and straighteners sold in the United States. The agency initially proposed the ban in October 2023, planning for its implementation by April 2024; however, has since missed its own deadline. This FDA relaxer ban was intended to highlight the potential dangers of formaldehyde exposure, particularly for Black women, including veterans, who commonly use these hair straightening products. For many years, People of Color (POC) have used hair relaxers and straighteners to comply with military regulations.

In response to an email inquiry on April 3, the FDA informed NPR that the action date for the proposed ban was set for April 2024 and that officials were “still developing the proposed rule.” However, nearly a month later, when questioned about the ban’s status, an FDA spokesperson reiterated that the proposed rule “continues to be a high priority” but declined to provide further details about its timing or content.

Read on to discover why banning formaldehyde is crucial and understand the risks associated with using hair relaxers.

Importance of a Formaldehyde Ban for Veterans and Public Health

Military regulations often mandated specific hairstyles, such as ponytails, braids, or short and medium-length haircuts, which led to increased use of chemical hair products among Black veteran women to comply with these standards.

A study conducted by researchers at Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) reported that long-term use of chemical hair relaxers is associated with an increased risk of hair straightener uterine cancer. Women who used hair relaxers more than twice a year or for over five years had a greater than 50% increased risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who never or rarely used them.

Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a study concluding that women who used chemical hair straightening products were at a higher risk of hair straightener cancer compared to those who did not use these products. The study found no such association with other hair products like dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms.

These alarming statistics underscore the FDA’s intent to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers. However, with the FDA relaxer ban deadline now passed, the future remains uncertain for veterans in the U.S.

“We estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would develop uterine cancer by age 70; for frequent users, that risk increases to 4.05%,” said Alexandra White, Ph.D., head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group and lead author of the study. “This doubling rate is concerning. However, it is important to put this information into context—uterine cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer.”

Health Risks Associated with Hair Relaxers and Straighteners

Exposure to formaldehyde can cause immediate distressing issues like skin, throat, lung, and eye irritation. Repeated exposure can lead to sensitization, resulting in asthma and painful contact dermatitis for some individuals. Over time, the impact of formaldehyde becomes even more concerning, as it can harm the central nervous system, causing debilitating headaches, depression, mood swings, insomnia, irritability, attention deficits, and difficulties with dexterity, memory, and balance. Chronic exposure is especially alarming for children, who face a longer potential latency period, making them even more vulnerable.

Moreover, the long-term use of chemical hair relaxers has been heartbreakingly linked to a higher risk of uterine cancer in postmenopausal women, though not in premenopausal women. This underscores the need for urgent action, as using hair relaxers might be a preventable risk factor for uterine cancer.

Can You Seek Legal Compensation for Hair Relaxers?

Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, is alarmingly prevalent in various everyday items and materials, including:

  • Resins used in the production of composite wood products (e.g., hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboards
  • Building materials and insulation
  • Household products such as glues, permanent press fabrics, paints, coatings, lacquers, finishes, and paper products
  • Preservatives found in certain medicines, cosmetics, and consumer products like dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners
  • Fertilizers and pesticides

Despite its common use, formaldehyde’s presence in these products poses significant health hazards, highlighting the urgent need for greater awareness and an FDA relaxer ban. If you or someone close to you has been impacted by cancer as a result of using hair straighteners, you may have legal options to seek compensation. Don’t hesitate to contact us for hair straightener cancer lawsuit information and support as you face this difficult time.