Sis, Your Hair Might Be Hurting Your Hormones
- Rachel
- May 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 20
For many Black women, our hair is a sacred part of our identity. From box braids to twist-outs and silk presses, we put a lot of time and effort into our crowns.
But if you’re living with conditions like fibroids, endometriosis or thyroid disorders, it’s time to have an honest conversation about synthetic hair and chemically processed wigs- and how they may be impacting our health.
Hair and Hormones: An Overlooked Connection
Dr Habiba sparked outrage in the natural hair community when she released a video linking synthetic braiding hair to reproductive toxicity and increased cancer risk. But the truth is, her message wasn’t wrong.
As Black women, we are disproportionately affected by hormone-driven conditions- and we are also the primary consumers of wigs, weaves, synthetic hair, and chemical styling products. The overlap is no coincidence....
Endometriosis, Fibroids, and Black Women
As Black women, we are 3 times more likely to develop fibroids compared to White women-and we often develop them at a younger age and with more severe symptoms (1).
When it comes to endo, some (not all) studies show that we experience symptoms at similar or higher rates than other groups (2) and some studies have found it to be one of the leading causes of infertility in our community (3).
Both conditions are deeply connected to estrogen dominance and chronic inflammation- which can be made worse by environmental toxins, including those found in hair products and the hair we buy.
Synthetic Hair- Are The Rumours True?
Unfortunately, yes.
Synthetic hair- like kanekalon- exposes us to chemical toxins that can disrupt our already sensitive hormonal systems. Synthetic hair fibers are:
Made from plastic fibers (PVC or acrylonitrile)
Coated with flame retardants and VOCs
Linked to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that mimic estrogen in the body
Wearing synthetic hair, especially for long periods, can increase chemical exposure through both skin absorption and inhalation of fumes- especially when the hair is heated during styling.
If you have fibroids or endometriosis, this added hormonal disruption can trigger flare-ups, heavier periods, cramping and more.
Is Human Hair Any Better? Yes- but Not Always.
While human hair is generally a safer option, many bundles and wigs are:
Chemically relaxed, dyed, or bleached
Coated with silicone or plastic to make them smoother or shinier
Processed to mimic certain curl patterns (like 3B–4C hair)
Unless it’s labeled as raw or virgin human hair, there’s a high chance it is chemically processed. That means even human hair may be exposing us to toxins that disrupt our hormones.
So What Do We Do, Then- Quit Wearing Protective Styles?
I get it- it's hard to give up them up altogether. But we can protect oour hair and our hormones. Here’s how:
Choose raw or virgin human hair, plant-based or banana fibres- look for this labelling on websites . Ask vendors if the hair has been chemically treated, bleached, or dyed. I share some hair brand options in the YouTube video that accompanies this post.
Wash all hair before use- a sulfate-shampoo and/or an apple cider vinegar rinse can help remove surface chemicals.
Avoid wearing synthetic hair for more than 2–3 weeks at a time
Choose glueless lace wigs or headband wigs to avoid latex and formaldehyde-containing glues. Both are hormone disruptors.
Detox your scalp often- use bentonite clay or apple cider vinegar rinses to cleanse your scalp and remove buildup between installs.
And, Let's Not Forget our Beloved Thyroid...
Our thyroid regulates our menstrual cycle amongst other things and is deeply sensitive to environmental toxins.
As black women, we're more likely to:
Be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed with thyroid issues like hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
Be exposed to chemical products (like relaxers, synthetic hair, or glue-on wigs) that may disrupt thyroid function
Experience symptom overlap between thyroid disease, fibroids, and endometriosis
Synthetic hair, hair glues, and processed human hair contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and flame retardants.
These chemicals contribute to estrogen dominance (making fibroid and endo symptoms worse) but also:
Disrupt thyroid hormone production
Increase the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease
Lead to symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, weight changes, and fertility issues
What we can do to support our thyroid while wearing protective styles:
Get your thyroid checked- Ask for a full thyroid panel (not just TSH): TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies.
Reduce toxin exposure- Detox your protective styling preferences just like you would your diet. Prioritize clean, untreated hair options.
Eat to support your liver and thyroid- Cruciferous veggies (lightly cooked), sea vegetables (iodine), selenium-rich foods (like Brazil nuts), and zinc.
Manage stress- Chronic stress can trigger thyroid dysfunction. Start to practice regular grounding practices: breathwork, journaling, gentle movement, or therapy.
Final Thoughts: Beauty, but Not at the Expense of Our Health
The link between wigs, weaves, braids and our hormonal health is real.
It's time we honour our health as deeply as we honour our hair.
Ask questions, read labels, and make hair-styling choices that serve our whole selves- not just our appearance.
Sources:
(1) https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/blog/are-african-american-women-more-likely-to-get-fibroids/ and https://www.mcleodhealth.org/blog/fibroids-greater-in-african-american-women-than-white-but-why/
Reminder: We are not broken. Our bodies are not working against us. With the right knowledge and support, we can move from struggling with symptoms to managing them with confidence and empowerment.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medical or fertility care.
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