Why Black Women Need to Stop Using Relaxers

Black women have used relaxers on their heads for the longest time, but thankfully this trend is dying fast, in favour of natural hair.

Previously, the afro-textured hair community was not as informed as to the harmful effects of chemical relaxers on their overall health. However, thankfully there is now a lot of information and scientific research to show the harmful effects of relaxers on the health of black women.

Let’s spread the news!

We discuss:-

*Pssst, are you thinking of starting your natural hair journey? Get insights on The Big Chop and Your Natural Hair Journey.

1. What do relaxers do to natural hair?

Hair is made up of a protein called Keratin which contains, amongst other atoms, sulphur. The sulphur atoms in Keratin are responsible for the structure of hair and it is this element that determines whether hair is coiled, curly or straight.

In essence, the sulphur bonds give afro-textured hair its unique structure and texture.

Relaxers break the sulphur bonds, causing the Keratin fibres to collapse – hence giving coiled and curly hair that straight look.

2. Why do women relax their hair?

Women relax their hair for one or more of the following reasons: –

• For beauty purposes;
• Social acceptability (in the workplace or community);
• Ignorance from relaxing since childhood;
• Peer pressure and
• Perceived ease of management.

3. What chemicals are in Lye relaxers?

Sodium hydroxide is the active ingredient in Lye relaxers, while no-lye relaxers use sodium hydroxide byproducts. This active ingredient permanently straightens the hair, and needs to be reapplied consistently as fresh growth emerges.

Other chemicals in relaxers are parabens and phthalates, which have been linked to cancer, as well as formaldehyde, whish is used to preserve dead bodies.

4. Why relaxers are bad for you?

Health effects of relaxers on the body

The scalp is part of your skin, and therefore anything that is applied on its surface will penetrate the skin and enter your body.

Notwithstanding the surface damage to your scalp, with some naturals experiencing burns and scabs from relaxers, they also have the following adverse effects: –

• The broken skin from applying a chemical to your sensitive skin is sensitive to other chemicals that may enter the body such as parabens and phthalates.
• These compounds disrupt the endocrine system and potentially raise the risk of reproductive cancers.

Consistently exposing your scalp (which is part of your skin)

Physical effects of relaxers on hair

Using relaxers eventually weakens the health of afro-textured hair, leading to:-

• Hair breakage;
• Frizzy and dry hair;
• Susceptible to traction alopecia due to weakened hair strands;
• Widening bald patches & hair loss at the crown;
• Eventual thinning of hair;
• Increased split ends; and
• Scalp damage.

5. What do the numbers say?

According to the Scientific American, the following findings were observed when it came to chemically straightening hair: –

• A strong correlation was found between long-term hair relaxer use and uterine cancer in postmenopausal women;
• A connection was found between women who used hair relaxers and an increased risk of break cancer.

A study from Boston University found that reproductive cancers disproportionately affect Black Women. It was found that Black women are twice as likely to die from uterine cancer compared to white women and that Black women are 40 percent likely to die from breast cancer compared to white women.

Also, women who used relaxers over a long period of time have disproportionately had fibroids, as well as had hysterectomies.

6. Who are at risk?

Not only are Black women who use hair relaxers at risk from using these chemicals, but a concerning issue is that there are relaxers aimed at young children as well. This is extremely concerning in light of the health risks, known and unknown, related to these products.

Also, hair stylists who are exposed to these chemicals daily, are at risk. In addition to the risk to their reproductive health, they also face allergic reactions to these chemicals such as eye irritations, nose bleeds, headaches and breathing issues.

7. What is the alternative?

The natural alternative is to go natural!

No bigger case can be made than one’s health & that of their loved ones.

There are other alternatives to chemically straightening hair, such as:-

• Flat ironing;
• Using weaves and wigs for that straight look.

Are you convinced to go natural? Read up on 4 Things I Wish I Knew before Going Natural. 

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the choice to relax your hair is a personal decision, however, at least know what you are exposing yourself to when you relax your hair. Also, as small children rely on their parents to make the best decisions for their health, knowing the chemicals and potential health issues you are exposing your children to is key.

But also, there is a growing trend to embrace our authenticity and only by us Black women embracing our hair the way it grows out of our head, can we have positive growth within the natural hair community.

Have you gone off the relaxer bandwagon? What lessons did you learn in this transition? If you are still relaxed, what are some of the reasons you prefer this method? Sound off in the comments, and let’s share our knowledge.

And until the next time, happy naturaling!