HAIR RELAXER GUIDE · SAFETY
Are Hair Relaxers Safe?
Last updated: June 9, 2026
This question became more pressing after a 2022 NIH study linked frequent use of chemical hair straighteners to a higher risk of uterine cancer. There is no simple yes or no, and this page does not rank or recommend products. Instead, it lays out what the research has reported, which chemicals have drawn scrutiny, and how to think about personal risk, so you can have a better-informed conversation with a professional.
This page provides general educational information only and does not constitute medical or legal advice, and it does not recommend or rank specific products. Discuss personal use and any health concern with a qualified medical professional.
- Research has linked frequent use of chemical straighteners to higher uterine cancer risk; this is an association, not proven causation.
- Some products can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have drawn research scrutiny.
- Reported risk has generally tracked frequency and duration of use rather than any single brand.
- This page does not recommend products; personal decisions belong with a professional.
Why the Question Comes Up
Chemical hair relaxers and straighteners have been used for decades, particularly among Black women. The safety question moved to the foreground after a 2022 study from the National Institutes of Health reported that women who used these products frequently had a higher rate of uterine cancer than those who did not. That finding, covered widely in the news, is why many people now search whether these products are safe. For the detail on that study, see The Hair Relaxer Cancer Studies, Explained.
What "Safe" Does and Doesn't Mean Here
Safety is not a single switch. The research describes an association between frequent, long-term use and a higher relative risk of an uncommon outcome, not a guarantee of harm for any individual. At the same time, an association from a large, credible study is a real signal worth taking seriously. Holding both of those ideas at once is the honest way to read this, and it is why a blanket "safe" or "unsafe" label would be misleading.
The Chemicals That Have Drawn Scrutiny
Researchers have focused on endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can be present in some products, including certain phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and bisphenol A. These compounds can interfere with hormone pathways, which is the leading proposed explanation for why the cancers studied, which are hormone-related, might be affected. Not every product contains the same ingredients, and labeling can vary, which is part of why reading ingredient lists and asking questions matters.
Why "Which Relaxers Are Safe" Has No Clean Answer
A common follow-up is which specific relaxers are safe. This page deliberately does not publish a ranked list, for two reasons. First, the research has generally examined frequency and duration of use rather than testing individual brands and declaring them safe or unsafe. Second, product formulations and labeling change over time. A more reliable approach than any online list is to read current ingredient labels and discuss your specific products and usage with a professional.
How to Think About Personal Risk
Personal risk depends on factors no general page can know: how often and how long you used these products, your overall health, and your family history. If you have concerns, especially if you have a symptom or a relevant diagnosis, the right step is a conversation with a qualified medical professional. For the conditions discussed in the research and litigation, see Does Hair Relaxer Cause Cancer? and Hair Relaxers and Fibroids.
If You Have Already Been Diagnosed
If you used chemical relaxers and have been diagnosed with uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, that is first a medical matter for your care team. If you also want to understand any legal dimension, see Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit for the overview of the litigation and who may be affected.
