The Fight for Our Health: The Battle Against Harmful Chemicals in Hair Relaxers
We need to have an honest conversation about the fight for our health. For years, formaldehyde in hair straightening products has been linked to devastating cancers—cancers that disproportionately affect Black women, like uterine cancer, breast cancer, and other serious health issues. Now, a critical decision on whether to ban these harmful chemicals has been put on hold. Federal regulations have been paused due to an executive order, meaning the FDA will no longer move forward with its proposed ban on products containing formaldehyde or ingredients that release formaldehyde when heated—at least for now.
While states like Maryland, California, and Washington have already taken action, this pause puts the well-being of our community at serious risk. Studies, including those from more than 30,000 Black women, have shown alarming correlations between the long-term use of chemical relaxers and the…