Those most likely to use hair straightening creams and lotions are most likely to face its adverse effects and, for that reason, African women and women of African descent face a higher risk of developing fibroid and cancers of the female genital tract. This can lead to infertility.
Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, cellular Pathologist and Lifestyle Wellness consultant, explained to Graphic.com, that many hair straightening creams on the market contain Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals often will destroy the female endocrine system. This includes hormones, estrogen, and follicles.
According to the nonprofit, Environmental Working Group, an organization focused on health and environmental safety, the average woman uses 12 health and beauty products each day which could contain over 164 chemicals. While the European Union may have banned or regulated use of at least 1,300 toxic chemicals that is often used in cosmetics, the United States, startlingly, has only banned eleven.
Black women, on average, use a disproportionately higher amount of personal and hair care products than other women. Studies have found that the products most often marketed towards the African American female audience contain higher amounts of toxic chemicals than those marketed to any other group.
Some argue that this unbalanced number is mostly due to the nature of the specific products themselves. Many used by Black women require a much more aggressive chemical makeup for straightening and chemically reacting. Others point to the fault of society in perpetuating an image of beauty that often makes women feel this is their only recourse.
Even riskier is the fact that these straightening products are routinely applied to the hair of children. The damage it can cause is devastating and, as a result, fibroids have become an issue in the Black race. By the age 25, many women have reported having them.
A study published by Silent Spring Institute, a top scientific breast cancer research organization , discovered five banned E.U. chemicals in "kiddie relaxers" like “Just for Me” which are marketed for children.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths on the uterus that most often appear during a woman's childbearing years. Also referred to as leiomyomas or myomas, these fibroids aren't associated particularly linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer and hardly ever turn into cancer themselves.
At some point in their lives, many women develop uterine fibroids,but might not know they even have them as no symptoms are noticed. For some, it may take a doctor to come across them during a routine pelvic exam or prenatal ultrasound.
While fibroids aren't known to interfere with the possibility of getting pregnant, it is possible that they, especially the submucosal variations, might lead to infertility or pregnancy loss. Also, for those who are pregnant, it could cause certain pregnancy complications, like placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth.
Sources: Graphic.com, Mayo Clinic, Montgomery Advertiser