The FDA Plans To Issue A Ban On Hair-Straightening Chemical Products

The US Food and Drug Administration intends to suggest a prohibition on specific hair-straightening items, including chemical relaxers and pressing products.

According to spokesperson Courtney Rhodes, the agency is preparing to introduce a regulation banning hair-straightening products that include formaldehyde and other substances, such as methylene or glycol. If the regulation is passed, the FDA will welcome public input on it. Following the review of these comments, the agency will determine whether additional measures are required.

“Based on the comments, we might decide to end the rulemaking process, to issue a new proposed rule, or to issue a final rule. If we decide to issue a final rule, we publish the final rule in the Federal Register,” the FDA says.

The FDA is likely to mention that hair-straightening chemical products have been associated with short-term health effects. This includes sensitization reactions and respiratory issues. Additionally, the regulation may emphasize that these chemicals are used in specific cosmetic products for human hair.

For quite some time, scientists have observed a correlation between hair-straightening chemical products and the development of specific hormone-related cancers. These include ovarian and breast cancers, with an emphasis on their prevalence among Black and Latina women. Studies indicate that approximately 50% of products marketed to Black women contain these chemicals. In contrast about 7% of products are targeted at White women.