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tallgirlmom t1_j6al2h6 wrote

Reply to comment by Odd-Independent6177 in Black and Hispanic hairdressers are exposed to a complex mixture of chemicals, many of them unknown, potentially hazardous, and undisclosed on product labels, researchers report. There are more than 700,000 hairdressers in the United States, more than 90% of whom are estimated to be women. by MistWeaver80

Is hair relaxer more toxic than perm solution?

Seems to me that all hairdressers are exposed to awful chemicals.

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Odd-Independent6177 t1_j6ata0l wrote

It’s still an active area of research, but quite possibly, yes. There are multiple chemicals involved that are being studied as endocrine disrupters and carcinogens. The background document at the link I posted goes into some detail.

The main chemical in perms, Ammonium thioglycolate, is also not great for you, but mostly functions as a strong irritant and sometimes allergen https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/permwav_lfs11.pdf

Perhaps more importantly, though, perms are generally an option used for variety when they are in fashion. Even as a former fan of the perm, I haven’t had one since the ‘80s. Straighteners and relaxers have been treated as necessary for women of color with curly ethnic hair to be seen as professional and presentable. This means repeated regular use for decades.

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tallgirlmom t1_j6avaey wrote

Perms are a very common thing in Caucasian women once they hit their 60’s and their hair thins out - unless you want to look like a plucked bird. I suppose black women get their poisonous styling done earlier in life.

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