Choosing new hair products is never easy. Whether you’re picking up a great value bottle or picking one that promises to best complement your hair type, the list of ingredients printed on the back plays a big role in this decision-making process. Worryingly, chemicals spelled out in small black print may mask the names of carcinogens.
Before frantically googling all the additives in shampoo, Dr. Deborah Lee of Dr. Fox Online Pharmacy explained that hair straightening products are considered particularly high-risk products.
A doctor said:
Chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A are also known by other names, endocrine disruptors.
Dr. Lee said:
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“These are generally industrial chemicals that, once in the body, interfere with certain cellular receptors, such as estrogen receptors.
“Such products, often known as xenoestrogens, can bind to estrogen receptors and stimulate the production of estrogen.
“Some authorities believe that xenoestrogens increase the risk of breast cancer.”
However, excessive and long-term estrogen exposure is also associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
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To make matters worse, doctors explained that these “carcinogenic” chemicals don’t need to be ingested in food or drink because they are “harmful.”
Cancer Research UK’s official position is that British hair care products do not cause cancer because UK law is “very strict” about cosmetic ingredients.
What does the latest research say?
A 2022 American study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported an increase in uterine cancer among women using hair straightening products.
Looking at 33,947 people already recruited for another study called the Sister Study, the research team asked women between the ages of 35 and 74 about their use of various hair products, including hair straightening products. .
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During the 10-year follow-up period, approximately 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed, with most women having endometrial cancer.
The research team found that people who used hair straightening products four or more times a year in the past 12 months had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing uterine cancer.
Additionally, approximately 59.9% of the women in the study who used these hair care products identified as black or of African descent.
“These results are very interesting, but medical research is always open to criticism and interpretation,” Dr. Lee added.
how to protect yourself
Luckily, if you want to play safer, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk.
Experts say: House.
“Your stylist will advise you on how to care for your hair. After that, do not use dye on your hair for at least two weeks.
“You may prefer to look at natural products that help straighten your hair, such as coconut milk, hot oil, milk and honey.
