Information to Know: She discusses how hair relaxers are being linked to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and hormone disruption.

Author: iHeartPodcasts December 19, 2025 Duration: 30:23

Comedy Culture Society Society & Culture

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Melanye Maclin.

Purpose of the Interview

The discussion aimed to educate the audience about the health risks associated with hair care chemicals—including relaxers, dyes, and synthetic hair—and to advocate for safer practices. It also highlighted Dr. Maclin’s pioneering work in hair and skin supplements and her ongoing mission to raise awareness about these issues.

Key Takeaways

FDA Ban on Hair Chemicals
- In 2023, the FDA considered banning certain chemicals in hair products due to health risks, but no ban has been implemented yet.
- These chemicals are linked to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and hormone disruption.
High-Risk Chemicals Identified
- Hair Relaxers: Sodium, calcium, guanine, and lithium hydroxide.
- Hair Dyes: Para-phenylenediamine (especially in permanent dyes).
- Synthetic Hair: Contains benzene, posing risks of lung cancer and leukemia.
Impact on African-American Women
- African-American women face a 45% higher risk of certain cancers due to combined use of relaxers and dyes.
- Cultural and aesthetic pressures contribute to continued use despite health risks.
Children at Risk
- Applying relaxers to young girls can cause early puberty, uterine fibroids, infertility, and increased cancer risk.
- Chemicals penetrate the scalp, enter the bloodstream, and disrupt hormones.
Industry Resistance
- Pushback from salons and manufacturers due to financial interests.
- Comparison to tobacco and alcohol industries—profit prioritized over health.
Solutions & Advice
- Avoid chemical treatments when possible.
- If used, protect the entire scalp with petroleum jelly to reduce absorption.
- Space out relaxer applications (every 8–10 weeks, max 10 minutes for children).
Dr. Maclin’s Contributions
- Launched Bella Nutri supplements (2004 for women, 2008 for men).
- Advocates internal nutrition for hair and skin health.
- Website: drmacklin.com and bellabeauproducts.com.

Notable Quotes

On FDA inaction:
“Still to this day, that ban has not occurred… We’re continuously having women going to the next generation of life as a result—next generation cancers.”
On cultural pressures:
“We’re so into wanting to have a certain look versus wanting to be healthy.”
On children’s exposure:
“We’ve got to keep chemicals off of little girls’ hair… It’s causing hormone disruption, early puberty, infertility, and increased cancer risk.”
On industry resistance:
“People care about the green-eyed devil called money… Look at the tobacco industry.”
On her mission:
“I feel like I’m caring more about someone’s health than they’re caring about their own.”

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