For how long human hair extensions will stay straight after straightening?

[Anonymous]

Do they stay straight until they get washed

[caring__1]

I can't say how long it stays straight, but here's some information you may want to read before straightening your hair:

Straight Hair, Do Care
The Story

The use of chemical hair straighteners may lead to a higher risk of uterine cancer.

Since when?

Yesterday, the National Institutes of Health released a study that found women who frequently used hair straightening products (think: at least four times a year) more than doubled their risk of developing uterine cancer. That’s after the study tracked over 33,000 women between the ages of 35-74 for about 11 years. During that time, 378 uterine cancer cases were diagnosed. And it comes as rates of uterine cancer are on the rise in the US, particularly among Black women. While the research didn’t find a link between straightener use and uterine cancer with race, the risk may be greater for Black women.

Why?

Of the study participants who reported using straighteners, 60% self-identified as Black women. And researchers say that in addition to using hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently, Black women also start using them at an earlier age than other races and ethnicities. (Worth noting: Black shoppers, according to one report, spend around $473 million annually on hair care, which is a $4.2 billion industry.) While another study found that frequent use of permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners can lead to an increased risk of developing breast cancer — with products predominantly used by Black women containing more potentially hazardous ingredients.

What else do I need to know?

The study doesn’t specify which brands or ingredients participants used, but it does say several chemicals that've been found in straighteners — including parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde — could be contributing to the increased risk. Not to mention that chemical exposure in hair products is absorbed at a higher rate through the scalp. And burns caused by straighteners could make things worse. But researchers say more studies are needed to identify which chemicals may be increasing the risk of cancers.

theSkimm

Growing up, straightening your hair was a rite of passage for many. But in recent years, there’s been a movement to embrace what’s natural. Now, these findings could raise further awareness of the risks — and encourage even more women to go au naturel.