Is it safe to use chemical hair relaxers during the reproductive years?

What's actually in it

Chemical hair relaxers break the disulfide bonds in hair using sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or guanidine. They also commonly contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, and fragrance chemicals. The scalp is thin, often gets scabbed or broken during the process, and absorbs directly into the bloodstream. Black women are disproportionately affected because these products are marketed heavily to them.

A lifetime of relaxer use is the exposure pattern in most at-risk adults.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Natl Cancer Inst looked at chemical relaxer use and non-reproductive cancer incidence. The study found elevated risk for several cancers among regular users. This adds to earlier findings linking relaxers to uterine and ovarian cancer. The dose-response pattern was consistent: more frequent use meant higher risk.

Going fully natural takes time and work, but it ends the exposure. Heat-styling with lower-chemistry products (low-poo, co-wash, leave-in conditioner) is a middle path. When relaxing is the choice, salon application beats home kits (better ventilation and cleaner technique), stretch to every 10-12 weeks instead of every 6, and avoid products with formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing ingredients (DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15). Protective barrier on scalp and edges cuts direct skin contact.