My hair is always a stringy, hot mess. It’s dry, frizzy, brittle, coarse, untamed, wild, broken — damaged. Think of the untamed and snakelike hair of Medusa. My daughters seem to like to point this out and give me advice whenever they see me. “Mom, you should try a new conditioner.” “Mom, you should use a flat iron and NATURAL ARGAN OIL.”
Even my pals have noticed on the torn and unkempt strands coming out from behind my baseball cap. I am self-conscious.
I took my children’ and friends’ advice and now only wash it once a week, using moist olive oil on the ends in between. I’m on my third day, and it doesn’t look good; also, I smell like a terrible day in Pia Nonna’s kitchen. It, my hair, has a consciousness of its own, defying all attempts at control. It is a stubborn follicular rebellion. Yes, my hair and I are at odds—a struggle of wills that mocks all I try to keep it under control.
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Hair similar to mine
Table of Contents
My buddy Anne used to have hair similar to mine. Her hair was a dishwater-brown, worn-out mop atop her head, with knotted knots ideal for hiding rats. Not that she had any to my knowledge, but it always reminded me of a high school janitor’s dirty mop drenched with sweaty testosterone left in the corner of the arena after a basketball game.
Then, one day, her hair transformed. It was smooth, sleek, and drenched in golden sunshine. What happened? Who was this individual? Where was Old Raggedy Annie? Was she kidnapped by Chaz Dean Studio and treated with beautiful chemicals? Was she wearing a wig similar to the one Gayle King wears on the CBS morning show?
I was so intrigued with Anne’s new haircut that I hit myself in the chin with my pickleball paddle. I complemented her lock makeover and told her how “beautiful” she looked, before questioning her about the what, how, and who.
Desperate to blend in with my sleek-haired female pals, I scheduled an appointment with the same hairdresser as Anne’s without understanding what the make-my-hair-sixteen-year-old-again product was. I didn’t care. I wished to turn back the clock on my hair.
The Miracle Hair NATURAL ARGAN OIL
The miraculous product offered me hope for a healthier, more youthful appearance. No more grandma hair! Bring it on! I glanced at the commercials, which promised strength and structure, smoothness and shine, manageability, repair, restoration, and overall hair integrity, and who doesn’t want that?
Discover The Secret Behind Argan Oil That Cosmetic Giants Won’t Tell You ..
Too good to be true?
Yes? A quick search indicated that “Hair straightening chemicals were associated with higher uterine cancer risk.” According to the National Institutes of Health, women who use keratin products more than four times a year are twice as likely to get uterine cancer.
According to Dr. Alexandra White, director of the NIEHS environment and cancer epidemiology group:
We calculated that 1.64 percent of women who never used hair straighteners would acquire uterine cancer by the age of 70; however, for frequent users, the risk increases to 4.05 percent.
What? My Uterus or my hair? I have to choose.
If I didn’t already have endometriosis, a thickening of the uterine lining that needs to be examined and biopsied every year to ensure it doesn’t develop to cancer, I’d probably give it a go, get it done, and be done with it. However, since the majority of Keratin-related malignancies that begin in the uterus are endometrial cancers, I became concerned.
Keratin and other carcinogenic materials, such as Permanent Hair Dyes, which have estrogen-like qualities, are absorbed by the scalp and into the circulation, where they travel through other human systems to disrupt the reproductive system.
Keratin is a natural protein present in human nails, skin, and hair; however, synthetic keratin hair straightening treatments include carcinogenic chemicals, including Formaldehyde. According to the American Cancer Society, formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen that may cause malignant cells to develop and thrive, among other detrimental consequences.
Breastcancer.org study reveals that the influence of hair color and chemical straighteners on cancer risk varies by race. In the United States, “black women” have significantly higher incidence of uterine cancer, highlighting the need of understanding how certain cosmetic products may disproportionately harm different ethnic groups.
The Resilient Sisterhood Project, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of black women’s reproductive health, identifies major discrepancies between black and white women in terms of uterine cancer. Researchers believe that the consequences are disproportionately worse for Black women “because they’re more likely to use these products.”
According to their findings, black women had a greater risk of advanced uterine cancer and “are more prone to aggressive tumor types, including clear cell, serous, high-grade endometrioid, and malignant mixed Mullerian tumors,” compared to white women.
Although the study found no difference in the connection between straightener usage and uterine cancer risk by race, the impact may be greater for Black women since they are more likely to use these items.
Investigation of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology investigated the link between endometrial cancer death rates and discovered that black women are more likely to develop severe types of uterine cancer. The study identified two main factors leading to this increased risk:
- Black women are more likely to have molecular and genetic markers associated with more severe types of endometrial cancer.
- Black women are less likely than white women to receive competent care for the disease, and it is frequently detected at later and more aggressive stages.
My research trip has been eye-opening. From Keratin to racial differences in cancer incidence, the topic is complicated and need further investigation. More research isn’t just important; it’s critical.
I have not informed my buddy Anne about the hazards of Keratin… yet. For all I know, she was probably aware of the hazards and went ahead nonetheless. Women are sensitive about assessing the health risks and advantages of cosmetic procedures. So I’m waiting for the appropriate moment when she asks about my hair. I will tell her the truth about my uterine cancer fears.
Conclusion
Women talking to women may help us bridge knowledge gaps, challenge the safety of goods marketed to women, and fight for a more holistic approach to women’s reproductive health.
Regarding my bad-hair-everyday-hair, I’ve realised that my vanity should not come at the price of my physical wellbeing. The choice isn’t just about my hair or my uterus; it’s about taking a holistic approach to beauty – one that promotes women’s health, celebrates women’s diversity, and investigates the hidden health dangers in female cosmetic products.
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