Beauty - Hair Care - Fashion : Study Links Hair Relaxers to Fibroid Tumors And Early Puberty

[MsInterpret]

Study Links Hair Relaxers To Fibroid Tumors and Early Puberty In African American Females

Added by blacklikemoi on February 22, 2012.​

A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology has linked hair relaxers to uterine fibroids, as well as early puberty in young girls.
Scientists followed more than 23,000 pre-menopausal Black American women from 1997 to 2009 and found that the two- to three-times higher rate of fibroids among black women may be linked to chemical exposure through scalp lesions and burns resulting from relaxers.
Women who got their first menstrual period before the age of 10 were also more likely to have uterine fibroids, and early menstruation may result from hair products black girls are using, according to a separate study published in the Annals of Epidemiology last summer.
Three hundred African American, African Caribbean, Hispanic, and White women in New York City were studied. The women’s first menstrual period varied anywhere from age 8 to age 19, but African Americans, who were more likely to use straightening and relaxers hair oils, also reached menarche earlier than other racial/ethnic groups.
While so far, there is only an association rather than a cause and effect relationship between relaxers, fibroid tumors, and puberty, many experts have been quick to point out that the hair care industry isn’t regulated by the FDA, meaning that there’s no definite way to fully know just how harmful standard Black hair care products really are.
READ MORE: http://blacklikemoi.com/2012/02/study-links-hair-relaxers-to-fibroid-tumors-and-early-puberty-in-african-american-females/

 

[MimiBelle]

Well, this isn't news but I'm glad that this article actually included the whereabouts of the study.
...'cause most don't and what with your link being from a black site?
Now you know you're in for some bias! *laugh*

********************

...as I've said before on this forum: A woman can do whatever she wants to her hair but she has no earthly business throwing a relaxer in the head of child.

It's not just a 'uterine issue', but a 'follicular one'... as well.
(though the latter is worse)
Ask a reputable beautician (the study of hair is their job) and they'll tell you the same.
No ethical beautician that cares about the health/appearance of hair would put a relaxer on a child.

*********************

The study? Meh.
I don't tell adults what to do or what to put in/on their bodies. You can present information and it's for the adult to make informed decisions about their well-being.
People will do... what they will.
*shrug*
And...it's their right. Right or wrong. For those that choose to be hard-headed (like me), it's best to make sure that they know how to maintain their hair properly in the meantime. I do.
Just because this or that black women doesn't know how to manage a relaxed head doesn't mean that we're all bald-headed with broken ends and sores in our head.
Hell -- hair is dead. *laugh*
So, hair that's 'healthy-looking' is about the best that you can strive for (in either case... natural/relaxed)
You can relax and have healthy looking strands if you understand what processing does to the hair, in the first place.

Whether relaxed or natural, hair length is retained when more black women begin to understand that the devil in building long hair? Lies in taking care of the hair ENDS and not in using aids to promote hair growth.
Hair will grow, regardless...but it typically grows best when you leave it alone.

Anyway --
I'll use myself as an example. Now - I relax:
1. ... 'cause I want to (and I'm grown).

Yeah, basically....*laugh*

If I came to suspect that relaxers were a problem (for me...with 'me' being the operative, here. *laugh*), I'd stop.
It isn't. I don't have fibroids. Menarche did not begin early for me. I was 13.

Don't worry. If I collapse to the ground grasping at my lower abd in pain, these rabid naturals will get to have their gleeful 'i told ya so' moment.
*laugh*
It's not likely to happen, though.
I'm 31. If the relaxer/health issue links were applicable (to me)?
Trust that manifestations would already be present.
*shrug*
...which makes sense since there is no causality - no cause/effect relationship present between relaxer usage and the health issues mentioned.
*shrug*

So, if I seem dismissive about the whole thing? It's pretty much because I am... *laugh*

2. ... for the sake of manageability + maintenance.
I'm not a 'puff girl'. I'm really not a 'fro girl'. I sure as hell am not a 'TWA girl' (that's why I transitioned).
So, 'advanced styling' is required. *laugh*
The problem? I can't cornrow. I'm not willing to spend 1 hour and a half every other night braiding my hair in plaits for a fresh braid out. I'm not going to be screwing around with straws or sitting under a dryer every 3rd day for 2 hours.
To some, it may not be much.

For me (in accordance with MY personal style)? It is. I don't put much energy into my relaxed look:
-- Wash 1-2 times a week. DC or apply protein treatment in the shower...'cause I'm lazy. *laugh* Air dry. Put cream/conditioner on 'ends'.
-- Flat iron.

That's it.
I'm not willing to spend hours doing my hair every other day and...for the sort of 'natural' girl that I'd be? This would be required...and while I do like hair? *shrug*
It's just some f'in' hair.

I couldn't care less about black folks on here/in general going on and on (and on) about culture and the history of black hair and all about how relaxers are 'da debil'. *laugh*
...and I say this because...y'know - I'm not gonna act 'brand new' on the subject. I just know that someone's sitting around with rocks in their jaw, all shocked and appalled, that I not only admitted to being relaxed but dared to speak in favor of relaxers.

I know, right? Like, how DARE I! *laugh*

Well...I did. *smirk*
I'm not some Sista Souljah-esque Badu-istic afrocentrist. I never came on this site pretending to be Martin Luther King Jr, reincarnate.
In accordance with MY lifestyle, relaxing suits me best. Now, what's wrong with saying that if it's the truth? I'm not about to be struggling with my hair every morning to make other black folks feel more secure.
*shrug*

I get to define what's most important to/for me. That's the beauty of individuality.
I... don't have a problem with moi. Actually, it's most correct to say that certain black folks take issue with me (or my hair choices) and try to turn that into my problem.
All I'm doing is what I should be doing: Pushing what's projected onto me... back towards it's rightful owner.
I don't claim issues that I don't personally own. Sorry.
For these issues (with black self identity...black beauty, etc...) are not mine. Not my hangups.
Pick up the load and carry it yourselves. *shrug*

Instead, I'll say that there's definitely more to me than the 1 million and 1 dead strands of keratin that rest atop my cranium.
...and this is why I can say, "It's just hair..."
To me, it is.

I cut my hair 4 1/2 months back to an angled jaw-length bob. It was APL (arm pit). At one of my jobs, every black women (with hot mess hair) in my dept gasped. "Why'd you cut your hair?!"
I wanted short hair and (as previously stated, since being natural) I feel funny wearing a weave now. So, I have to cut it. I don't see the big deal. It'll grow back. Hell, it's already mid-neck.
I'll hit SL (shoulder-length) by fall, I believe.
Ironically, I get the same reaction when I run out in the rain without a cover. What's wrong with a little rain. Black hair thrives on moisture.

...but it's not 'just hair' to them.
They ask about our regimen (me and the other black women with healthy-looking hair. One is relaxed and approaching BSL-length) but they don't even listen to direction.
That's how it is.

I may cut it again. Who knows? My black hair is unique and lovely...because it's most unique and interesting of all women. It's not my entire identity, though. It's not that serious.
Hair... is not that serious.

Ask any cancer pt undergoing chemo what's most important in life.
Trust me, they'll tell you.

 

[Kemetstry]

.o0( You and your studies )






..

 

[ang-EL]

Yeah God already perfected you. 9 ether lamb whooly beautiful kinky, strong, dominant traited. There is no need to alter to perms or relaxers. But then again if brothers wasnt so in love with the german shepard we probably wouldnt have this problem!

 

[dunwiddat]

Study Links Hair Relaxers To Fibroid Tumors and Early Puberty In African American Females



Added by blacklikemoi on February 22, 2012.

A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology has linked hair relaxers to uterine fibroids, as well as early puberty in young girls.
Scientists followed more than 23,000 pre-menopausal Black American women from 1997 to 2009 and found that the two- to three-times higher rate of fibroids among black women may be linked to chemical exposure through scalp lesions and burns resulting from relaxers.
Women who got their first menstrual period before the age of 10 were also more likely to have uterine fibroids, and early menstruation may result from hair products black girls are using, according to a separate study published in the Annals of Epidemiology last summer.
Three hundred African American, African Caribbean, Hispanic, and White women in New York City were studied. The women’s first menstrual period varied anywhere from age 8 to age 19, but African Americans, who were more likely to use straightening and relaxers hair oils, also reached menarche earlier than other racial/ethnic groups.
While so far, there is only an association rather than a cause and effect relationship between relaxers, fibroid tumors, and puberty, many experts have been quick to point out that the hair care industry isn’t regulated by the FDA, meaning that there’s no definite way to fully know just how harmful standard Black hair care products really are.
READ MORE: http://blacklikemoi.com/2012/02/study-links-hair-relaxers-to-fibroid-tumors-and-early-puberty-in-african-american-females/

This research is interesting and I have no doubt that there is a link. I remembered one of my managers at my work place, had this habit of dyeing her hair every TWO WEEKS. Her family grey very early...and she had what was similar to a smoker's cough. I believe that these chemicals have some kind of negative effect on our health.

I have a kind of curly hair, and the last few months I have opted for a short hair cut. I use no chemicals at all.. Just wash and a little moisturiser and that is it. Hopefully will post a new picture.