Chemical Hair Relaxers

Chemical straightening and relaxer treatments.

59Moderate burden · out of 100
Cleaner swapSkip chemical straightening; heat-style sparingly

How this score is built

  1. 100Start
  2. 77Chemical hazard 5 × 4.6−23
  3. 66.8Everyday exposure 3 × 3.4−10.2
  4. 59Persistence 3 × 2.6−7.8
  5. ModerateThe band59 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
InputRatingEvidence
Chemical hazard5/10
  • Among 33,947 Sister Study participants, use of straightening products in the previous year was associated with higher uterine cancer incidence (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.12-2.88), and 2.55 for use more than four times a year.

    Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer · J Natl Cancer Inst 2022

    DOI 10.1093/jnci/djac165 · PMID 36245087 · Abstract, Results · read 2026-10-16

Everyday exposure3/10unsourced input
Persistence3/10unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

Large studies link frequent chemical hair-straightener use to hormone-related health risks, and some release formaldehyde. Reducing frequency lowers the exposure.

Evidence strength: strong

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Lower-exposure choices