(BALTIMORE – June 13, 2025) – The Bottom Line:
Wearing hair weaves does not directly cause cancer. However, many Black women use chemical relaxers, straighteners, and adhesives in combination with weaves that may contain harmful substances linked to health risks, including certain cancers.
Why This Matters
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Black women are more likely than others to use chemical hair products from an early age and more frequently.
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Some of these products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde) linked to higher cancer risks.
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A 2022 NIH study found that frequent use of hair straighteners was associated with a doubling of uterine cancer risk — with Black women disproportionately affected.
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