05/07/2026
Hair Straightener & Cancer Risk
Women who use hair straightening products more than 4 times a year have a significantly higher risk of developing uterine cancer than non-users, according to a new study. Similar research also suggests a 30% increase in risk of breast cancer among frequent users. The latest study, which tracked more than 46,000 women for 13 years, found that participants using hair relaxers or straighteners had 2.7 times the risk of pancreatic cancer and a 71% higher risk of thyroid cancer than non-users. These products often contain formaldehyde, phthalates and parabens, which, when absorbed into the bloodstream through the scalp, may disrupt the endocrine system and/or potentially damage DNA.