Hair Dye, Relaxers And The Increased Cancer Risk For Black Women

On Wednesday, December 4th, 2019, there was an article published stating that hair dye and chemical relaxers increases the risk of breast cancer in women, but especially in black women by a whopping 9%. If you haven’t read the article, here it is: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/12/04/784838430/hair-dye-and-straightener-use-linked-to-higher-cancer-risk-especially-for-black-

The truth about relaxers

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The harmful effects of chemical relaxers: Breakage, scarring, and permanent hair loss.

This article and it’s findings is alarming yet not surprising. Relaxers are made of very harsh chemicals, even if there isn’t any lye in them. Some of the main chemicals used in hair relaxers are sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, and sodium thioglycolate. The fact that these chemicals have been tested and proven to eat through and melt various metals should frighten us. (See Chris Rock’s movie Good Hair) When relaxers are left on our hair and scalp too long, guess what happens? Our scalp burns, and once it heals, you’re left with ugly scabs and patches and loss of hair. When you do this continuously over the course of decades, imagine the damage done to our bodies inside and out? Our body is absorbing these chemicals, and these chemicals are damaging our insides. No one should be surprised at the rise of fibroid tumors, endometriosis, permanent hair loss, and cancer in black women who use chemical relaxers and hair dyes on a regular basis.

An attack on black women and their hair

I’ve read some interesting opinions about this study, and there are those who have stated that the findings was ‘yet another attack on black women and their hair.’ I totally disagree. This article is bringing attention to a problem that still permeates the black community: The dangerous things black women do to have straight hair. More importantly, why we still feel that in order for our hair to be pretty it has to be straight. Also, why aren’t we teaching our young girls that their natural hair is beautiful and enough?

I hate that we’re still willing to overlook doing things that have been proven to be unhealthy for us. We’d rather keep doing things that we know are harmful to our bodies because we’ve been taught that straight hair is the standard of beauty. Basically, we refuse to see the beauty in our natural hair. That is very sad to me. I know women who would rather die than let their natural hair show. The idea of showing their natural hair to the world gives them anxiety. That’s how deep the issue of straight hair versus natural or ‘nappy’ hair is in the black community.

There is no judgment from me as to whether if you choose to get chemical relaxers or have natural hair. The choices we make in life all have consequences. We know eating junk food is bad for our health, yet many of us still eat it, myself included. It’s been proven for years that there are harmful chemicals in junk food that contribute to poor health and preventable diseases. On the flip side, there are numerous reports and studies that show that healthier fruits and vegetables claiming to be organic aren’t organic. Harmful pesticides are still being used on fruits and vegetables that in turn, make us sick. Chemicals are in everything. However, we do have some control over what we put on and into our bodies. We don’t have to use chemical relaxers or hair dyes. We don’t have to eat foods that we know are bad for us. So when we know better, why is it so hard to do better?

Change is hard

Change can be hard. We all know this. Regardless of color, we tend to do things out of habit, tradition, or what we’ve been told and taught. The same goes for black women and straightening their hair. We grew up getting our hair straightened with straightening combs or ‘hot combs.’ When we got a little older, we were introduced to chemical relaxers. Unfortunately, some have been introduced to chemical relaxers at very young ages, some as young as three years old. But WHY?

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African Queens and Princesses

We can’t have this discussion without going back to where this all originated, which is slavery. Our ancestors where kings and queens, princes and princesses in Africa. Our hair was worn in regal, intricate styles that told important stories of what tribe we belonged to, who our family was, and if we were of royal descent or not. When we were kidnapped and shipped to the United States, we were stripped of our identity and heritage. Our hair was shaved off. When we still found ways to braid and adorn our hair, laws were put in place where we legally had to keep our hair covered with rags and scarves. We were told that our hair was nappy, kinky, unkempt and ugly. All of these terms were meant to degrade our hair.

Imagine being taught that your hair was beautiful, regal, something to be proud of. Then one day, you’re forcibly taken to a new country and forced into slavery, and told that your hair and your heritage is not beautiful and has no meaning. Many lengths are taken to strip you of your identity. Instead you’re taught that only straight, blonde or brunette hair is beautiful. And over time, you believe this because it has been literally beaten into you, and you in turn pass this down to your children, grandchildren, and so forth. And here we are today.

Wake up call

Articles like this should be a wake up call to the African American community. We should be moved to do better, to educate, and to advocate for natural hair. There are so many things that affect us disproportionately more than any other racial group, and our health is at the top of the list. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can do things to better our health, to give ourselves a chance to live longer, healthier lives. This includes how we care for our hair.

Natural Kids Hair Salon in Richmond, VA

More education on natural hair, how to take care of it and maintain it from birth into adulthood is desperately needed. I feel there should be college courses or resources offered specifically geared towards educating ones on natural African American hair and how to care for it. There needs to be more natural hair salons that offer classes to mothers, fathers, caregivers, non-African American couples who have adopted black children on how to care for African American children’s hair. There is a strong need for education in our community, and if there were more resources in every community, I truly believe more people would see how beautiful natural hair is, and how natural hair is the best option for their overall health.

What are your thoughts on this article’s findings on the connection between chemical relaxers and hair dyes and the increased cancer risk in African American women? I want to hear from you!

Sisterlocks: Breakage and Thinning Locs

The other day I made a video about my one year locversary and my thoughts on it. Of course I spoke on the high’s and low’s and where I am in my journey today. Right after I uploaded the video to YouTube, I was going through my locs and noticed the end of one dangling by a few hairs and I pulled it off. Then I noticed a loc at the crown that had serious slippage/thinning at the base. It was at least an inch and a half worth. So the base of that loc is very thin and weak. Not good.

Surprisingly, I didn’t freak out

I was shocked (sort of) to see such damage, but I didn’t freak out. I say ‘sort of’ because I know I did two things that more than likely contributed to the breakage and thinning: 1. I flat ironed my hair and 2. I washed my hair in the shower recently. Also, I braid my hair every night, and I could be braiding too tight. Now back to washing my hair in the shower, I’m still braiding and banding. I know I’m not fully locked yet. I decided to wash my hair in the shower because I have this nagging feeling that I’m not rinsing the shampoo out of my hair good enough when I wash it over the kitchen sink. My thinking was if I washed it in the shower, the shampoo would rinse out completely. Once again I didn’t factor in the water pressure, and I forgot to adjust the water pressure. I truly believe that accounts for the severe slippage at the base of this one loc. And this is the only loc that has this.

how do i strengthen this weak loc?

Instead of freaking out, I kept thinking of how I could save this weak loc? The only answer to that is to combine it with another loc, but I needed to do some research on how to combine it. In the meantime, to protect it, I gently braided it with other locs and let it blend in with the rest of my hair. I watched many YouTube videos on how to combine your locs. The easiest one I found was simply two strand twisting them and interlocking at the root. My goal is to learn how to interlock so I can self-maintain my locs going forward. Anyway, I two strand twisted the weak loc with a stronger loc, in effect saving that loc. There are various suggestions and ways of how to secure the ends so they don’t unravel after combining them. Some glue them, others sew the ends or secure them with rubber bands. One person suggested just twisting them and leaving them alone IF your ends are still curly (meaning not fully locked). They will join together quicker versus combining locs that are fully mature.

What’s next?

Well, this is the first time I’ve gone a whole month, over a month actually, without a retie. My next retie isn’t until December 9th. So until then, I will continue to wash my hair, oil my scalp as needed to help those dry itchy areas, and keep an eye on the locs I’ve combined. I’ve already been more mindful of how tight I braid my hair at night, making sure I’m not pulling or tugging too hard on them, particularly on the ends. I don’t want any further damage. I’m trying to wash my hair more because I can tell that my locs have not swollen or matured the way they should have at this point in my journey. That’s because I wasn’t washing my hair regularly due to slippage earlier in my journey. When I look at my locs, I still see stringy hair. I know I’m being a little dramatic, but I truly thought that once I reached my one year mark of being sisterlocked, I’d have more mature looking locs. Nope. Washing your hair more and time are the only things that will help your locs mature.

Questions for my loctician

Dr. Locs Moisturizer

The main question I’ll have for my loctician is what can I use to moisturize my locs? I know how dry and brittle my loose natural hair would get during the winter months, and my locked hair won’t be any different. Avoiding breakage and having healthy locs are my main goals. I’m pretty sure she’s going to have me continue to braid and band because of what happened to my one loc, but I’ll still ask her.

I’ll also bring up the bombshell of me wanting to combine my locs and what’s the best way to begin that process. If she would be willing to start the process, that would be great, but if I have to do it myself, I’m willing to do that as well. I have three people to ask as back up plans to get the traditional locs that I want and to teach me how to interlock. I have some options and some ideas that I plan on exploring, and I’m excited!

Oils That Promote Hair Growth

Since going natural six years ago, I became obsessed with essential oils and organic natural oils that are good for your hair and scalp. I’ve made many serums and butters that can be used from head to toe that are not only good for your skin, but promotes hair growth. For the next four days I will spotlight two oils each day and highlight their benefits and uses.

sandalwood essential oil

Sandalwood oil is extracted from the heartwood of the Santalum tree. It is rich in sesquiterpenes that contain antiseptic, antiphlogistic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, cicatrizant, disinfectant, and various other properties to promote good health, sound mind, and clear skin and hair.

How to use on hair and scalp

Massaging sandalwood oil mixed with a carrier oil (coconut oil, sweet almond oil, or avocado oil) directly to the scalp, it helps stimulate blood circulation for optimal hair growth. Sandalwood oil is commonly used by many people as a hair straightening agent for those with wavy or curly hair. It also helps add extra shine or sheen to dry looking hair. Additionally, it also helps get rid of excess sebum on oily scalp leaving it balanced and dandruff-free. Many shampoos and conditioners contain sandalwood to oil help with dry damaged hair and dandruff.

additional benefits of sandalwood Essential oil

Boosts memory

Sandalwood essential oil helps in improving mental clarity. It also helps in boosting the memory.  Add a few drops of this essential oil to your palm and rub vigorously to release the aroma when you are stressed for a clearer mind and better memory.

Natural astringent

The astringent properties of this essential oil help in healing minor wounds and burns. It is excellent to use as a facial toner and aftershave. It will cleanse the skin and smooth rough skin.

Helps with Skin infections and Inflammation

The antiviral and antiseptic properties of this essential oil helps in alleviating viral infections and easing inflammation. It is very effective in healing various inflammatory skin infections including pimples and acne.

Good for throat and chest infections

Make use of the antiseptic and anti-viral properties of this essential oil to ease various infections affecting the chest and throat. Add a few drops of this essential oil to a cup of warm water and gargle to ease the infections.

Helps to heal insect bites and skin inflammations

Santalol, an ingredient present in sandalwood essential oil, helps in easing the inflammations just like the NSAIDs. Mix a few drops of this essential oil with coconut oil and apply topically to ease insect bites and other skin irritations.

Delays aging

Packed with antioxidants in rich amounts, sandalwood essential oil helps in eliminating the free radicals, thus preventing premature skin aging.

Ylang ylang essential oil

The Cananga Odonata Tree (commonly known as the Canaga Tree) is a tropical tree native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The Canaga Tree produces gorgeous yellow-green flowers know as Ylang Ylang flowers (pronounced as Ee-lang Ee-lang). Ylang Ylang essential oil is extracted by steam distilling the entire flower. Ylang Ylang is used as a sedative and antidepressant and an antiseptic. Its use dates back to the Victorian age when, in England, it was used as a natural hair growth treatment.

how to use on hair and scalp

Used with a carrier oil of your choice, Ylang Ylang oil is great to use as a scalp massage. Massaging Ylang Ylang into your scalp stimulates blood flow and hair growth. It is also very effective in preventing thinning hair. You can also add a few drops of Ylang Ylang oil to your shampoo or conditioner for optimal benefits.

Ylang Ylang is also great as a hot oil treatment. Heat three table spoons olive oil and five drops of Ylang Ylang oil and massage into hair and scalp. Wrap a hot towel around your head for about 30 minutes. The heat will help the oil to penetrate the hair follicle to promote hair growth. You can also cover your hair with a plastic shower cap and sit under a hooded dryer on medium heat for 30 minutes.

additional benefits of ylang ylang essential oil

Stress Reducer

Stress is a major contributor to hair loss. One of the beneficial uses of Ylang Ylang oil is as a sedative. It is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and relax an individual. The oil’s calming fragrance has a euphoric effect on the nervous system, and reduces anxiety, tension, fear, thus reducing hair fall loss due to stress.

Head Lice Repellant

Ylang Ylang oil mixed with coconut oil is a great one two punch for getting rid of had lice. Coconut oil penetrates the shaft of the hair and its follicles, repelling lice and preventing the eggs from attaching themselves to the hair. Add apple cider vinegar, and battling lice becomes a much easier task. Ylang Ylang EO is included in many recipes for the treatment of lice.

some precautions

• If used too much, Ylang Ylang oil can cause skin irritation, headache, or nausea
• Ylang Ylang oil should not be used on children or pregnant women.
• Do not use on inflamed or irritated skin or if you have dermatitis.
• Do not use if you have low blood pressure.

If you decide to add sandalwood essential oil or Ylang Ylang essential oil to your hair care routine, be sure to use them with a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, avocado, etc. A few drops go a long way, so be sure you don’t use too much Ylang Ylang oil. Both oils are great to add to your DIY hair growth serums and body butters. May you achieve beautiful hair growth and health!

Do you use sandalwood or Ylang Ylang in your hair care routine? Share how you use them and the results you’ve achieved!

Sisterlocks Update After 9th Retie

Hair growing outside of the loc

This past Friday, I had my 9th retie. I’m also two weeks away from being ten months sisterlocked. Some of the issues noted by my loctician were slippage of one loc at the nape of my neck. She also noticed that my hair is growing outside of my loc. She said she would have to keep an eye on that and I should too because sometimes that can mean dun-dun-dunnnn BREAKAGE! Of course, my heart began to palpitate, and worry began to consume me at the mere mention of the “b” word.

My fears were quickly put to rest as she assured me that she doesn’t believe it’s breakage, but how my hair grows. So not only does my hair grow outside of the grid, but it also grows out of the loc. She said as long as I don’t mind the look of having fuzzy locs that I shouldn’t worry about it. What I forgot to ask her was is hair growing out of my loc going to be a permanent thing or will this go away after I’m fully locked, because at this point I’m not fully locked. I will ask her at my next retie appointment.

Length check after 9th retie. Two weeks from being 10 months sisterlocked.

important questions

My loctician then asked if I was still braiding and banding when I wash (I do) and if I sleep with a bonnet or a satin pillowcase (I told her a satin pillowcase). I explained to her that I’m making more of an effort to plait my hair up at night due to my sweating. Also, I believe not braiding my hair at night contributes to the fuzzy locs. As far as washing my hair, I only wash my locs twice a month or as needed because of my fear of slippage, and I know certain areas of my head are prone to slippage.

Hormones & Hair loss

Before my surgery and after, my loctician and I discussed the possibility of hair loss following a hysterectomy. She asked if I was on any hormone replacement drugs and if I noticed any thinning or hair loss, to which I answered no. She began to examine my hair at the crown of my head, which is where hair loss typically happens. She said everything looked good and there were no signs of hair loss. I still have a problem area on my right temple, and that has always been a problem area for me from years ago.

Even though my hair looks good and there aren’t any signs of hair loss, I’m going to continue to keep an eye on my crown area. I’m also going to ask if it’s okay to use castor oil on the problem area on my right temple, or a lighter oil that promotes hair growth.

New retie schedule

Remember how I wanted to see if I could push my reties to seven weeks? Well, we agreed on six weeks. My loctician is leaving the decision up to me as to how far I want to push out my reties, and I’m happy about that. Now that my locs are maturing more and I’m not having any significant issues, she’s okay with me going longer between reties. After my next retie, I may even go to seven weeks.

I love the progress that my locs are achieving. Even though I may feel anxious about being able to do certain things with my locs, I see the benefits of waiting, being patient, and communicating with my loctician. My loctician always explains in detail when I have questions or when she’s instructing me on something. Once I understand, it makes following her instructions and having patience easier.

Hysterectomy and Hair Loss

This is a rarely discussed subject that I feel needs to be out in the open more. Women can experience a myriad of issues relating to the female reproductive organs starting as early as their teens well into their 50’s. Some of these issues are fibroid tumors (which is experienced by African American women at higher rates than other races), endometriosis, cancers of the ovaries, uterus or cervix, etc. All of these can require surgery of some kind. One of the most common surgeries is a partial or full hysterectomy.

During my last retie, my consultant and I spoke at length about hysterectomies. She informed me that many women experience hair loss at the crown of their heads after a major surgery like a hysterectomy. She strongly recommended keeping the ovaries or even one ovary to avoid hair loss and loss of hormones after a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, for some women keeping their ovaries isn’t always an option. I thought back to when my mother had her hysterectomy when she was 46 years old, and she never lost any hair.

Seeing that I’m knocking on 46’s door myself, it has me wondering what will happen to me if and when that time comes. No, I’m not wishing doom on myself. It’s just that female issues run rampant with the women in my family, particularly on my mom’s side. In addition to my mom, both of my older sisters have had surgeries to address fibroid tumors, endometriosis, and other issues. I too have my own issues, so my time is coming.

Doing some research on the correlation between hysterectomies and hair loss, I’ve learned the following from https://reliawire.com/hair-loss-hysterectomy/

“The hysterectomy itself is not the main cause of the hair loss that woman may be experiencing; rather it is a side effect of the hormone replacement treatments that she is taking. The exact cause of hair loss is not known and there is no cure for hair loss, however, it is thought that testosterone and the way that is it converted to dihydrotestosterone (otherwise known as DHT) is the underlying cause of the problems.

Most hair loss is attributed to genetics and the way that the testosterone is metabolized. The same is true for those who have had a hysterectomy. The body is completely changed and the hormones that are created are dramatically different.

The body will cease to make the hormones needed for normal functioning after a hysterectomy and a woman will be forced to take what is called hormone replacement therapy.

With hormone replacement therapy, a doctor will prescribe the estrogen and testosterone in either a pill form or an injection. The body will react differently to these new forms of the hormones and it may have an effect on the way that the body metabolizes those hormones which lead to hair loss.

So you see, it isn’t the actual hormone that is responsible for hair loss in women after a hysterectomy, it is the way that the body transforms that testosterone into DHT. There is nothing that you can do to prevent this hair loss since you do not know whether your body will react in this manner or not after the surgery, however, if you do experience hair loss, there is hope.”

What is that hope? Rogaine or Propecia – drugs that can help grow your hair back. It is important to note that these methods don’t always work for everyone, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. The last resort would be to have hair replacement surgery, which many women have done. Hair loss for women can be devastating and a huge blow to our self-esteem and ego, so it’s not surprising that many are willing to go to great lengths to have hair again.

If you are experiencing female health issues, be sure to discuss all of your options with your OB-GYN. Also, inform your loctician/consultant, or hairdresser. My consultant is also a trained trichologist (a trichologist is someone who has been trained specifically about scalp and hair conditions. Qualified trichologists undergo intensive training in trichology — the scientific study of hair and scalp disorders.), so she can offer informed and educated advice when it comes to hair loss and scalp issues.

If you are having a hysterectomy, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible about all the side effects you may experience after the surgery. Including possible hair loss. It is imperative that you discuss hormone replacement options with your OB-GYN. There are several options out there and it’s important that you make an informed decision with your physician on which one is best for you. Hair loss can be devastating, but there are options out there. Don’t give up hope if you experience it after a major surgery like a hysterectomy.