Share on Pinterest Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty ImagesThe FDA may ban hair straightening products that contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, a colorless compound, is a known human carcinogen.The FDA proposed a rule that, if approved, would ban formaldehyde-based hair products as soon as April 2024.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may soon ban hair straightening products that contain or emit formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde, a colorless compound thats commonly used in germicides and disinfectants, is a known human carcinogen, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer.

Certain hair smoothing products release formaldehyde gas into the air when heated, which can lead to both short and long-term adverse health effects, including respiratory issues, asthma, and cancer, according to the FDA.

The FDA proposed a rule that, if approved, would ban formaldehyde-based hair products as soon as April 2024.

This proposed rule would ban formaldehyde (FA) and other FA-releasing chemicals (e.g., methylene glycol) as an ingredient in hair smoothing or hair straightening products marketed in the United States, the FDA states.

According to Bunick, the FDA banning these products would be a major achievement in keeping consumers safe from carcinogens used in over-the-counter products.

I sincerely hope lawmakers in Congress continue to fight for improved quality control in the manufacturing of over the counter personal care products, he said. What are the health risks of using products with formaldehyde?

Certain hair straightening or smoothing products release formaldehyde when they are applied to the hair then processed and sealed by using a heat treatment.

The heat releases formaldehyde as a gas, explained Michael T. Kleinman, a professor of environmental toxicology at University of California, Irvine.

If the salon is not properly ventilated, the salon professionals and customers run the risk of inhaling these harmful fumes, according to the FDA.

In the short-term, formaldehyde exposure can lead to irritation of skin and airway membranes, which can trigger asthmatic reactions and other breathing problems, says Kleinman.

The greater the exposure, in regards to both concentration and duration, the higher the health risks, the FDA warns.

Long-term use of formaldehyde-based products is linked to a higher risk of uterine, ovarian, and breast cancers.

In workers with high levels of exposure, formaldehyde is associated with myeloid leukemia and cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx, Kleinman added.

The health risks are greatest among Black women due to higher use of these products, evidence consistently shows.

For example, one study published in 2021 found that 3% of non-Hispanic white women reported hair straightener use during adolescence compared to 75% of Black women, Kleinman highlighted.

Meanwhile, frequent use of straighteners, relaxers or pressing products in the past year at least four times a year is associated with a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer, research shows.

There is evidence that products containing these chemicals are disproportionately found in hair care products marketed to Black women, which wrongly reinforces health care disparities, says Dr. Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, a Yale Medicine dermatologist.

For years, evidence has been building demonstrating the harms of formaldehyde-releasing hair products.

There is more scientific evidence connecting the use of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals with cancer, in particular uterine cancer as well as breast cancer, says Bunick. How to determine if your hair products release formaldehyde

Per guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), any product that contains or is capable of releasing formaldehyde needs to say so on its packaging.

To identify products with formaldehyde-related chemicals, look for the ingredients formaldehyde, methylene glycol, and formalin.

Consumers can immediately evaluate their products in the store before purchase, and avoid those products with formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, says Bunick.

Sometimes formaldehyde isnt explicitly listed on the packaging label, and, in certain circumstances, there may be other chemicals that, when heated, can release the carcinogen.

For example, chemicals that are synonyms for formaldehyde include formalin, methanal, methanediol, or formaldehyde monohydrate, according to the OSHA.

Chemicals that release formaldehyde when heated include, but are not limited to, timonacic acid, dimethoxymethane, or decamethyl-cyclopentasiloxane.

More examples can be found here.

You can also ask your salon professional if the products they use contain formaldehyde or if theres an ingredient list you can look at.

Many salons have alternative hair smoothing products that dont release formaldehyde when heated.

More research is needed to understand which products may be harmful personal care products should help, not harm, people, says Bunick.

There is an important movement in medicine today to make sure all people, regardless of skin color, race, or ethnicity have equal access to timely and quality health care, he said. The bottom line:

The Food and Drug Administration may soon ban hair straightening products that contain or emit formaldehyde. Some hair smoothing products release formaldehyde gas into the air when heated, which can lead to both short and long-term adverse health effects, including respiratory issues, asthma, and cancer. If approved, the proposed rule would ban formaldehyde-based hair products as soon as April 2024.