An Overview of Chemical Straightening of Human Hair: Technical Aspects, Potential Risks to Hair Fiber and Health, and Legal Issues

October 2013 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”

Ana Luisa Miranda‐Vilela, A. J. Botelho, Luís Alexandre Muehlmann

chemical hair straightening hair breakage scalp disorders carcinogenic effects formaldehyde hair morphology hair structure safer alternatives regulatory measures hair straightening hair damage scalp issues cancer risks formalin hair types hair texture safe products regulations

TLDR Chemical hair straightening can damage hair and health, needing safer alternatives and stricter regulations.

The document reviewed the technical aspects, potential risks, and legal issues of chemical hair straightening. It explained that chemical straightening products, while effective in altering hair appearance, posed risks such as hair breakage, scalp disorders, and potential carcinogenic effects, particularly with chemicals like formaldehyde. The review emphasized the importance of understanding hair morphology and the differences in hair structure among ethnic groups for effective treatment. It also highlighted the need for safer alternatives and stringent regulatory measures to minimize health risks. The study was supported by the Brazilian National Council for Technological and Scientific Development and the company 'Beleza Natural'.

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An Overview of Chemical Straightening of Human Hair: Technical Aspects, Potential Risks to Hair Fiber and Health, and Legal Issues

Research cited in this study

research Structure and Function of Skin, Hair, and Nails

research Hair Care Practices and Their Association With Scalp and Hair Disorders in African American Girls

research Introduction: Human Hair, Skin, And Hair Care Products

research Biology of Human Hair: Know Your Hair to Control It

research Structure and function of skin, hair and nails

research Wnt Signaling in Skin Organogenesis

research Human Hair Keratin Network And Curvature

research Worldwide Diversity of Hair Curliness: A New Method of Assessment

research Ethnic Hair Update: Past and Present

research Human Hair: A Unique Physicochemical Composite

research Hair Care Products: Waving, Straightening, Conditioning, and Coloring

research The Biology of Hair Care

research The Catalog of Human Hair Keratins

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research Mechanism of Hair Straightening

research Human hair keratins

research The complement of native α-keratin polypeptides of hair-forming cells: A subset of eight polypeptides that differ from epithelial cytokeratins

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