A recently concluded research conducted by Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) scientists, has confirmed formaldehyde; a harmful neurotoxin that has an ability of causing brain cancer and memory loss, in many relaxers widely used in the country.
The report lists at least 8 brands of hair relaxers widely used in the cosmetics and beauty industry in Kenya, however, the finding report does not reveal the names of the affected brands. Of the 8 brands, 6 are locally manufactured while two are from Uganda and South Africa.
Further, the report says petrolatum and sodium hydroxide were present in the products by over 87.5% while relaxers from the same manufacturer contained both formaldehyde and isoeugenol.
The researchers after testing components used to manufacture and contained in the products as indicated on their labels, conclude that there’s need to educate the public about the chemical composition of Personal Care Products (PCPs) and their likely adverse effects on health.
In 2022, US Department of Health & Human Services published a separate research finding which linked hair straightening chemicals to higher uterine cancer risk.
The research found out that women who used chemical hair straightening products were at higher risk for uterine cancer compared to women who did not report using these products.
The researchers found no associations with uterine cancer for other hair products that the women reported using, including hair dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms.
