ATLANTA (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering a ban on certain hair-straightening chemicals that have been used by Black women for years and that research shows may increase the risk of uterine cancer.
But Black hair stylists say such products — specifically the ones being looked at by the FDA, which contain formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals — have fallen out of favor, especially among younger generations.
The possible rule would apply to both salon-grade and at-home products, FDA spokesperson Courtney Rhodes said.
Pressley said in an Oct. 6 statement that the FDA's possible action is “a win for public health — especially the health of Black women."
The risks for Black women could shift with better regulation of chemical hair straighteners, said Dr. Kimberly Bertrand, an author of the Boston University study.
Persons:
“, ”, Kayleigh Butler, Courtney Rhodes, Jasmine Garcia, Jasmine Nicole Xclusives, —, Ayanna Pressley, Shontel Brown, Pressley, Kimberly Bertrand, Dr, Yolanda Lenzy, cosmetologist, there's, who’ve, Lenzy, Robert Wood Johnson
Organizations:
ATLANTA, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, FDA, Associated Press, Reps, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, National Institutes of Health, Boston University, Environmental Research, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP
Locations:
U.S, Atlanta, Ayanna Pressley of, Ohio