Is Hair straighteners compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Hair straighteners?

Hair straighteners

July 11, 2017 (High Risk)

Some smoothing products contain formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde (see specific info), especially the keratin smoothing or Brazilian Hair Straightening. Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde have mutagenic properties and are potentially carcinogenic. Its use has been limited in many countries.

Other straightening products, such as sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide or ammonium thioglycolate, used in the so-called Japanese Straightening, are not mutagenic and hence considered safe.

It is recommended to limit its use, avoid products containing formaldehyde, meet the safety standards for use that appear in containers, keep clean the chest area and wear short hair or tied hair to prevent the absorption of potentially toxic compounds by the infant.

Hairdressing's workers are more exposed and must strictly enforce safety rules (gloves wearing and time limitation, etc.) along with the use of legally approved products.


See below the information of these related products:
Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • Brazilian hair straightening
  • Brazilian Keratin Treatment
  • Chemical relaxers (hair)
  • Japanese hair straightening
  • Keratin Straightening
  • Rebonding (hair)

References

  1. Peteffi GP, Antunes MV, Carrer C, Valandro ET, Santos S, Glaeser J, Mattos L, da Silva LB, Linden R. Environmental and biological monitoring of occupational formaldehyde exposure resulting from the use of products for hair straightening. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016Abstract
  2. Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Maneli MH, Smith P, Khumalo NP. Elevated formaldehyde concentration in "Brazilian keratin type" hair-straightening products: a cross-sectional study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014Abstract
  4. Van Lerberghe L, Baeck M. A case of acute contact dermatitis induced by formaldehyde in hair-straightening products. Contact Dermatitis. 2014Abstract
  5. Couto AC, Ferreira JD, Rosa AC, Pombo-de-Oliveira MS, Koifman S; Brazilian Collaborative Study Group of Infant Acute Leukemia. Pregnancy, maternal exposure to hair dyes and hair straightening cosmetics, and early age leukemia. Chem Biol Interact. 2013Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Monakhova YB, Kuballa T, Mildau G, Kratz E, Keck-Wilhelm A, Tschiersch C, Lachenmeier DW. Formaldehyde in hair straightening products: rapid ¹H NMR determination and risk assessment. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2013Abstract
  7. Weathersby C, McMichael A. Brazilian keratin hair treatment: a review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2013Abstract
  8. Pierce JS, Abelmann A, Spicer LJ, Adams RE, Glynn ME, Neier K, Finley BL, Gaffney SH. Characterization of formaldehyde exposure resulting from the use of four professional hair straightening products. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2011Abstract
  9. Mazzei JL, Figueiredo EV, da Veiga LJ, Aiub CA, Guimarães PI, Felzenszwalb I. Mutagenic risks induced by homemade hair straightening creams with high formaldehyde content. J Appl Toxicol. 2010Abstract
  10. Galiotte MP, Kohler P, Mussi G, Gattás GJ. Assessment of occupational genotoxic risk among Brazilian hairdressers. Ann Occup Hyg. 2008Abstract