Research Results

Beta Version

Use the search bar below to find studies, or apply one or more filters to narrow your results. See our list of keywords to guide your search.

Search by keyword

Try these: air pollutionalcoholbisphenolshormonespersonal care productspesticidesplastic

Filter by Risk Factors
Filter by Protective Factors
Filter by Exposure Sources
Filter by Chemical Classes
Clear Filters

Sort By

  • Relevance
  • Title (A to Z)
  • Title (Z to A)
  • Publication Year (Ascending)
  • Publication Year (Descending)
  • Authors (A to Z)
  • Authors (Z to A)

Associations of hair dye and relaxer use with breast tumor clinicopathologic features: Findings from the Women’s circle of Health Study.

Rao et al,

2022

Environ Res

Chemicals in products| Hair Dye| Race/Ethnicity| Personal Care Products| Human| Carcinogenic| Aromatic Amines| Chemicals in Products| Epidemiological Studies| Human Studies| Race/Ethnicity|

This case-only study included 2,998 women with breast cancer from the Women’s Circle of Health Study and examined how characteristics of hair dye and hair relaxer use were related to tumor features. Compared with women who only used salon-applied permanent hair dye, those using home dye kits or both salon and home dye had higher odds of having poorly differentiated (more aggressive) tumors, especially among Black women (for Black women: home kits OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.21–5.00; combination use OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.21–5.00) and among women with ER-positive tumors (combination use OR 2.98, 95% CI: 1.62–5.49). Combination use of hair relaxers was also associated with larger tumors (>2.0 cm vs <1.0 cm; OR 1.82, 95% CI: 1.23–2.69). Although some associations did not remain statistically significant after strict multiple-comparison correction, the overall pattern suggests that frequent, mixed use of hair dyes and relaxers may be linked to more aggressive breast tumor characteristics.

Adolescent use of hair dyes, straighteners and perms in relation to breast cancer risk.

White et al,

2021

Cancer Epi

Chemicals in products| Hair Dye| Race/Ethnicity| Personal Care Products| Human| Carcinogenic| Aromatic Amines| Formaldehyde| Chemicals in Products| Epidemiological Studies| Human Studies| Timing of Exposures/Windows of Susceptibility

This study of nearly 48,000 women found that frequent use of chemical hair straighteners and perms during adolescence (ages 10-13) was associated with more than double the risk of premenopausal breast cancer, though no increased risk was seen for postmenopausal breast cancer. Black women who used permanent hair dye during adolescence had a 77% increased breast cancer risk, though permanent dye use was uncommon overall in the study population. The findings are particularly concerning because adolescence is a critical developmental window when breast tissue may be more vulnerable to chemical exposures, and these hair products contain hormonally active and potentially carcinogenic compounds that may have long-lasting effects on breast cancer risk decades later.

Hair dye and chemical straightener use and breast cancer risk in a large US population of black and white women.

Eberle et al,

Cancer Epidemiol

Chemicals in products| Hair Dye| Race/Ethnicity| Personal Care Products| Human| Aromatic Amines| Chemicals in Products| Epidemiological Studies| Human Studies

A study of 46,709 women in the Sister Study found that use of permanent hair dye and chemical straighteners was associated with increased breast cancer risk, with particularly strong associations among Black women. Permanent hair dye use was linked to a 45% increased risk in Black women, while chemical straightener use showed an 18% increased risk overall, with higher risks associated with more frequent use. Women who applied semipermanent dyes to others showed a 28% increased risk. These findings suggest that endocrine-disrupting chemicals and carcinogens in hair products, which are often present at higher concentrations in products marketed to Black women, may contribute to breast cancer development.

Hair Dye and Relaxer Use among Cisgender Women in Embu and Nakuru Counties, Kenya: Associations with Perceived Risk of Breast Cancer and Other Health Effects.

Llanos et al,

2024

Int J Env Res Pub Health

Chemicals in products| Hair Dye| Personal Care Products| Human| Endocrine/Reproductive Toxin| Aromatic Amines| Chemicals in Products| Epidemiological Studies| Human Studies| Occupation

This study surveyed 746 Kenyan women about their hair product use and found that nearly 60% had used chemical relaxers and one-third had used hair dyes, despite many expressing concerns about health risks including breast cancer. Older women and those working in sales and service industries were more likely to use these products, which may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to breast cancer. Surprisingly, women’s awareness of potential health risks did not consistently lead to reduced use of these products, suggesting that concern alone may not be enough to change behavior. These findings are particularly important for Kenya, where breast cancer rates are rising, and highlight the need for better education about chemical exposures in hair products and strategies to reduce potentially harmful exposures.

A review of hair product use on breast cancer risk in African American women.

Stiel et al,

2016

Cancer Med

Chemicals in products| Hair Dye| Race/Ethnicity| Personal Care Products| Human| Aromatic Amines| Chemicals in Products| Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals| Human Studies| Race/Ethnicity|

A review examining breast cancer disparities in African American women—who now have similar incidence rates to non-Hispanic White women but significantly higher mortality—found growing evidence linking hair product use to breast cancer risk through exposure to estrogen-like chemicals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The review identified three converging lines of evidence: environmental estrogen and EDC exposures increase breast cancer risk, these chemicals are present in personal care products including hair products, and certain hair products used disproportionately by African American women may contribute to elevated breast cancer risk in this population. The findings highlight an understudied environmental justice issue and call for additional research using community-collaborative approaches to better understand how culturally specific beauty practices may contribute to health disparities, representing what researchers term the potential “cost of beauty.”

No results found.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This