FDA Considers Ban on Harmful Hair Straightening Chemicals, Championed by Black Women

The FDA is investigating the potential health risks of hair straightening products, particularly for Black women who have been the most extensive users of these products. Research has linked the long-term use of these products to an increased risk of cancer and other health concerns. Thousands of women, including Janita "Gigi" Hayes, have blamed hair straighteners for damaging their reproductive health, leading to conditions such as uterine fibroids. The FDA has proposed a rule to ban formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from these products. The agency is soliciting public comment on the proposal, and if a final rule is issued, the products could be removed from shelves. This comes as some Black women have already stopped using relaxers and straightening products due to concerns about hair damage and societal acceptance of natural hair.