UPDATE (January 5, 2026): The way forward for the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA)‘s proposed ban on hair-straightening merchandise containing formaldehyde is now unsure, because the group simply missed its self-imposed deadline of December 2025 to behave.
The proposal, which was launched in 2023 and has been paused a number of occasions since, would primarily ban the usage of formaldehyde (FA) and different chemical compounds that launch formaldehyde, corresponding to methylene glycol, in hair-smoothing and straightening merchandise corresponding to chemical relaxers and keratin remedies.
Underneath the Trump administration, the FDA has launched an up to date danger evaluation concerning the usage of formaldehyde and the way a lot publicity is protected; the Environmental Working Group acknowledged in a press launch that these up to date tips may “practically double the quantity of formaldehyde it [currently] says is ‘protected’ to inhale,” regardless of a wealth of scientific proof linking formaldehyde to most cancers.
A consultant for the FDA advised CNN by way of e mail that the ban continues to be thought-about a piece in progress. “FDA’s proposed rule, ‘Use of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Chemical compounds as an Ingredient in Hair Smoothing Merchandise or Hair Straightening Merchandise’ continues to stay a precedence for the Company,” an company spokesperson advised the information outlet. “FDA might regulate the anticipated publication date of this and different proposed guidelines when acceptable.”
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) simply proposed a ban on hair-straightening merchandise containing formaldehyde after years of dialogue concerning the security of the chemical.
The proposal would primarily ban the usage of formaldehyde (FA) and different chemical compounds that launch formaldehyde, corresponding to methylene glycol, in hair-smoothing and straightening merchandise corresponding to relaxers and keratin remedies. In line with the FDA’s proposal, “Use of hair-smoothing merchandise containing FA and FA-releasing chemical compounds is linked to short-term hostile well being results, corresponding to sensitization reactions and respiratory issues, and long-term hostile well being results, together with an elevated danger of sure cancers.”
Relaxers and smoothing or straightening merchandise are primarily utilized by Black ladies, placing them at greater danger for potential well being points. In October 2022, a examine by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being discovered that “ladies who used chemical hair-straightening merchandise have been at greater danger for uterine most cancers in comparison with ladies who didn’t report utilizing these merchandise.”
For a lot of specialists, these findings don’t come as an enormous shock. “Hair merchandise, corresponding to dye and chemical straighteners, comprise various totally different chemical compounds that will act as carcinogens or endocrine disruptors [molecules that mimic or mess with hormonal function], and thus could also be necessary for most cancers danger,” Dr. Alexandra White, an epidemiologist on the US Nationwide Institute of Environmental Well being Security, advised Attract in 2022. “Straighteners, particularly, have been discovered to incorporate chemical compounds corresponding to phthalates, parabens, cyclosiloxanes [a type of silicone, used as a solvent, which have also been classified as endocrine disruptors], and metals [like nickel and cobalt, which can at certain levels and in some compounds likely become carcinogenic] and will launch formaldehyde when heated.”
Formaldehyde has lengthy been a sizzling subject within the magnificence world. When Brazilian Blowout smoothing remedies grew to become well-liked within the late 2000s, they have been flagged for his or her use of formaldehyde and the state of California required hazard warnings be printed on packaging. In line with a New York Occasions report from 2020, the FDA wished to ban the Brazilian Blowout and its fellow smoothing remedies because of the presence of formaldehyde or methylene glycol, contemplating them “unsafe,” and commenced engaged on a proposed ban in 2016, although nothing got here of it on the time.
