Key TakeawaysThe FDA is considering a ban on hair-straightening products that contain or emit formaldehyde.Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical that is linked to increased risks of uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer.Some products that are labeled “organic” or “formaldehyde-free” may also contain formaldehyde.

Key Takeaways

The FDA is considering a ban on hair-straightening products that contain or emit formaldehyde.Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical that is linked to increased risks of uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer.Some products that are labeled “organic” or “formaldehyde-free” may also contain formaldehyde.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)proposed a banon hair straightening products or relaxers that contain or release formaldehyde, a harsh chemical that’s linked to long-term adverse health effects and cancer.

The proposed ban came after a 2022 National Institutes of Health study showed a strong connection between the frequent use of chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer.

Studies have also linked the use of chemical hair straighteners to increased risks of ovarian and breast cancer.

“I commend the FDA for taking steps to protect people from the potential harms of chemicals in everyday personal care products,” saidChristopher Bunick, MD, PhD, an associate professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. “This narrative keeps occurring, and it is time for action.”

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. When it’s present in the air, some people may have watery eyes, irritated nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation.

Over 150 chemical hair-straightening and hair-smoothing products contain formaldehyde, according to the New York State Department of Health. The labels are also unreliable: some products that are labeled “organic” or “formaldehyde-free” may also contain formaldehyde.

Are There Safer Alternatives for Hair Straighteners?

The FDA ban is only a proposal at the moment, meaning products containing this harmful chemical are still available on the market.

Bunick recommends speaking to your stylist before opting for a hair treatment and reading product ingredient labels.

“But there’s a catch,” he said. “Different companies may list the same product ingredients differently on the label, making it harder for consumers to understand what they are purchasing.”

For example, methylene glycol and formalin are just liquid forms of formaldehyde. Bunick said formaldehyde is sometimes listed as formaldehyde monohydrate, while methylene glycol could be listed as methanal or methanediol.

Terri Rehkopf, a Texas-based hairstylist and owner ofIppodaro Salon, said she uses an organic hair smoothing system called Oway Hstraighten to produce a semi-permanent hair straightening effect without damaging or irritating the hair and scalp.

“Another option is to start to embrace your natural curls, with guidance from your stylist on how to take care of your curls,” Rehkopf said. “The best thing to do is learn about best products for your curls and hair type.”

What This Means For YouThe FDA proposed a ban on hair-smoothing products that contain or release formaldehyde. No action has been taken yet, and these products are still available on the market.

What This Means For You

The FDA proposed a ban on hair-smoothing products that contain or release formaldehyde. No action has been taken yet, and these products are still available on the market.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang CJ, O’Brien KM, Keil AP, et al.Use of straighteners and other hair products and incident uterine cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(12):1636-1645. doi:10.1093/jnci/djac165Coogan PF, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Cozier YC, Lenzy YM, Bertrand KA.Hair product use and breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(7):924-930. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab041White AJ, Sandler DP, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, O’Brien KM.Use of hair products in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(9):1189-1195. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab056American Lung Association.Formaldehyde.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chang CJ, O’Brien KM, Keil AP, et al.Use of straighteners and other hair products and incident uterine cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(12):1636-1645. doi:10.1093/jnci/djac165Coogan PF, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Cozier YC, Lenzy YM, Bertrand KA.Hair product use and breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(7):924-930. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab041White AJ, Sandler DP, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, O’Brien KM.Use of hair products in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(9):1189-1195. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab056American Lung Association.Formaldehyde.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Chang CJ, O’Brien KM, Keil AP, et al.Use of straighteners and other hair products and incident uterine cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(12):1636-1645. doi:10.1093/jnci/djac165Coogan PF, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Cozier YC, Lenzy YM, Bertrand KA.Hair product use and breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(7):924-930. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab041White AJ, Sandler DP, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, O’Brien KM.Use of hair products in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(9):1189-1195. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab056American Lung Association.Formaldehyde.

Chang CJ, O’Brien KM, Keil AP, et al.Use of straighteners and other hair products and incident uterine cancer.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(12):1636-1645. doi:10.1093/jnci/djac165

Coogan PF, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR, Cozier YC, Lenzy YM, Bertrand KA.Hair product use and breast cancer incidence in the Black Women’s Health Study.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(7):924-930. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab041

White AJ, Sandler DP, Gaston SA, Jackson CL, O’Brien KM.Use of hair products in relation to ovarian cancer risk.Carcinogenesis. 2021;42(9):1189-1195. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgab056

American Lung Association.Formaldehyde.

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