A new study by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Read Here) has found that women who use hair straightening products may be at a higher risk of developing uterine cancer. The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, surveyed over 46,000 women aged 35-74 years and followed them for an average of 8.3 years to identify the potential link between hair products and cancer.
The researchers found that women who used hair straightening products were 30% more likely to develop uterine cancer than those who did not use them. The study also found that the risk increased with the frequency and duration of use of these products. In addition, the chemicals in the hair straightening products, specifically those containing formaldehyde and keratin, were linked to the increased risk of cancer.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen linked to several types of cancer, including leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer. On the other hand, Keratin is a protein commonly used in hair products to strengthen hair and make it look smoother. However, some keratin-based products may also contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that can harm human health.
The study also found that women who used hair dyes and chemical relaxers did not have an increased risk of uterine cancer. However, the researchers caution that more research is needed to understand these products’ potential health effects fully.
The findings of this study are significant because uterine cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and the incidence rate has been increasing in recent years. The study suggests that women should be cautious when using hair straightening products and that regulatory agencies should consider additional safety measures for such chemicals.
In conclusion, this study adds to the growing evidence suggesting that some hair products may be linked to increased cancer risk. Women who use hair straightening products should be aware of the potential health risks and consider alternative hair styling methods or safer products. More research is needed to understand the hehair products’ health effects and develop safer alternatives.