Are There Any Hair Relaxers That Don’t Cause Cancer?

Are There Any Hair Relaxers That Don’t Cause Cancer?

You have used hair relaxer products for years, maybe decades. After all this time, you now hear news that the chemicals in the products may cause cancer.

Perhaps you’ve already experienced some of the negative effects that often go along with hair relaxers. 

If you are concerned about using the same hair relaxer products you’ve used for a long time, you’re not alone. Many women are asking: Are there any hair relaxers that don’t cause cancer?

Many studies of hair relaxer safety are still ongoing. While many of these product safety studies show a clear link between the products and cancer, questions remain about which ingredients are to blame. 

We will discuss what we currently know about the risks, what ingredients are under scrutiny, and whether identifying a "safe" hair relaxer is possible at this time. We'll also explain the hair relaxer lawsuits underway and what they might mean for you.

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Hair Relaxer Studies Raise Giant Red Flags

The conversation around chemical hair relaxers changed quickly after the release of several major health studies. Suddenly, products that had long been a part of many women’s longstanding hair care routines were being linked to serious health conditions. Naturally, women everywhere began reevaluating what they were putting on their scalps.

What recent studies reveal about hair relaxers and cancer

The turning point came with the release of a 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers followed nearly 34,000 women over a period of 11 years. They found that those who used chemical hair relaxers more than four times a year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to women who did not use these products.

Similar studies have suggested a possible connection between chemical hair straighteners and other hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

However, one major limitation is that the studies did not specify which brands or products were used, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly which formulations might be responsible.

Why Black women are more at risk

Black women are disproportionately affected by hair relaxers for several reasons. First, chemical hair relaxers are marketed more heavily to Black women, who tend to use them more frequently, starting at a younger age. Many women have developed a personal style using the products and have used the products for a long time, either at home or in salons.

This higher exposure means Black women are more likely to suffer serious health effects from these chemicals. On top of that, long-standing inequalities in the healthcare system often lead to delays in cancer diagnoses and less aggressive treatment, which heightens the risks even further.

What’s Inside Most Chemical Hair Relaxers?

When you use a commercial hair relaxer, you're applying powerful chemical compounds directly to your scalp. These chemicals are designed to break down the structure of your hair, but they can also seep into your body through your skin. And that is where the risk begins.

The endocrine-disrupting chemicals raising red flags

Many hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These substances can interfere with your body’s hormone systems, mimicking or blocking natural hormones like estrogen. This hormonal interference is what scientists believe may increase the risk of developing certain cancers.

Some of the EDCs found in hair relaxers include:

• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Bisphenol A (BPA)
• Formaldehyde
• Heavy metals like lead and arsenic

These ingredients don’t just stay on the surface. Over time, especially with frequent use, they can be absorbed through the scalp and enter the bloodstream.

Why haven’t manufacturers been transparent?

You might assume that if a product were harmful, it wouldn't be allowed on store shelves. But the truth is, cosmetic products are loosely regulated in the United States. 

Unlike drugs or food, companies are not required to prove their products are safe before selling them. They also aren’t required to list every ingredient on the label, especially if those ingredients fall under broad categories like "fragrance."

This lack of oversight means consumers are often left in the dark. You may have no way of knowing if the relaxer you’re using contains EDCs or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Do "Natural" or "Non-Lye" Hair Relaxers Carry Less Risk?

As concern over chemical hair relaxers grows, many women are looking for safer options. Products labeled "natural" or "non-lye" often appear to be healthier alternatives. But is that actually true?

The truth about non-lye-based relaxers

Non-lye relaxers usually contain calcium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide (commonly found in lye-based hair relaxer products). While they may be gentler on the scalp, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are safer in the long run.

Unfortunately, no scientific evidence exists showing that non-lye relaxers carry a lower cancer risk. In fact, some studies suggest that these products may still contain EDCs and other harmful substances. Just because the formulation is different doesn’t mean it’s free from dangerous ingredients.

Can plant-based or "natural" straighteners still be harmful?

Don’t be fooled by the word "natural." Many so-called natural hair relaxers still include chemical additives, preservatives, and fragrance compounds. The term isn’t regulated, and there’s no guarantee that a product labeled "natural" is safer than a traditional relaxer.

In fact, some of the same problematic chemicals found in conventional products may still be present in these so-called alternatives. Without full ingredient transparency, it’s hard to know what you’re actually applying to your scalp.

The Link Between Hair Relaxer Use and Hormone-Related Cancers

At the heart of this concern is the potential connection between hair relaxer use and hormone-related cancers. While research is ongoing, several studies have identified strong patterns that are too significant to ignore.

Uterine cancer and chemical hair straightening

Uterine cancer rates are rising, particularly among Black women. A National Institutes of Health study found that women using chemical hair relaxers more than four times annually doubled their risk of uterine cancer compared to non-users. 

The first large hair relaxer safety study from Boston University's Black Women’s Health Study found that Black women who frequently used chemical hair relaxers after menopause had over 50% greater risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who seldom or never used them.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in hair relaxers may interfere with estrogen levels, leading to uncontrolled cell growth in the uterine lining.

Unnaturally high levels can lead to uncontrolled cell growth—a known risk factor for cancer.

Related article: Hair Straightener Products Leading to Uterine Cancer

Ovarian and breast cancer concerns

The risk isn’t limited to uterine cancer. Some studies also point to a connection between hair relaxer use and breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Both are hormone-driven cancers, meaning they are sensitive to estrogen and other hormones that EDCs may mimic or disrupt.

Again, researchers stress that while we can’t say for certain which chemicals or products are to blame, the patterns are troubling enough that many health experts now urge caution—especially for women who have used relaxers regularly for many years.

So, Are There Any Hair Relaxers That Don’t Cause Cancer?

As much as we would like to provide a list of hair relaxer products known to be safe, we can’t, given the often-overlapping mystery chemicals in the products. A better question to ask might be, “Have any hair relaxers been proven not to cause cancer?” because the answer would be a strict “No.”

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the products, even amid all of the scientific research. None of the major studies conducted so far have named specific brands, products, or formulations. That means researchers haven’t confirmed which ingredients—or combinations of ingredients—pose the most risk. Even products marketed as “natural” or “gentle” may contain harmful substances, especially if their full ingredient lists are withheld.

The lack of transparency from manufacturers and the absence of regulatory oversight make it nearly impossible to say with confidence that any one product is entirely safe. Until more rigorous product-specific studies are completed, most health experts recommend limiting or avoiding chemical hair relaxer use altogether.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

Hundreds of women have filed lawsuits against companies that manufacture and sell chemical hair relaxers. These lawsuits are not just about personal injury—they’re also about holding manufacturers accountable for their products so they don’t continue to harm others.

In 2023, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) was established in the Northern District of Illinois to handle these growing claims. The MDL consolidates more than 8,200 lawsuits and growing. These cases, which plaintiffs filed in federal courts throughout the U.S., are gathered for pre-trial proceedings in one U.S. District Court. This process streamlines the litigation. 

The hair relaxer lawsuits allege that manufacturers, such as L’Oréal, SoftSheen Carson, SoftSheen-Carson, Dabur International, Action Beauty Supply, Dark & Lovely, and many others, failed to warn consumers about the cancer risks associated with their products.

The plaintiffs claim that the companies either knew, or should have known, that their relaxers contained harmful chemicals linked to hormone-related cancers. Some lawsuits also argue that the products were defectively designed or lacked adequate testing.

Related article: What Evidence Is Needed to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Who may qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit?

You may qualify to file a claim if:

• You regularly used chemical hair relaxers (especially more than four times per year)
• You were later diagnosed with uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer
• You used products from companies named in the litigation

Even if you’re unsure of the specific brand, you may still qualify based on usage history and diagnosis.

Damages that may be recoverable in a Hari Relaxer Claim

Women who file claims may be eligible to recover:

• Medical expenses related to cancer treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of fertility or other long-term health impacts

An experienced hair relaxer lawyer can review your claim with you and calculate all of your damages and losses. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Relaxers and Cancer

Taking the Next Step with a Hair Relaxer Claim

Many women are now rethinking their beauty routines, health choices, and even their legal rights because of the risks associated with chemical hair relaxers. As the link between these products and cancer grows clearer and stronger, you may start to feel overwhelmed. How will it affect you? What are your legal options?

You deserve answers. And if you’ve been harmed, you deserve justice and compensation for all your pain and suffering and other damages.

While researchers work to uncover more data, you can take action now—by limiting your exposure, asking questions, and exploring legal options if you've been diagnosed with cancer after regular use of chemical relaxers.

Talk to Lawsuits.com About Your Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

If you’ve been diagnosed with uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer after using chemical hair relaxers, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Lawsuits.com will connect you to a results-driven personal injury lawyer in your area from our network of tried and trusted product liability and personal injury law firms. 

The lawyers in our network understand what you’re going through—and they’re ready to help you fight for the support and financial recovery you need.

There’s no cost to speak with a qualified attorney, and you’re under no obligation to act. We offer real guidance from legal professionals who truly care about their community and the clients they serve. 

Call Lawsuits.com today at (888) 984-6195 or fill out the contact form on this page to discuss your case and your legal options.