Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Hairdresser / salon worker
Chronic exposure to hair dye, straightening chemicals, and formaldehyde-releasing products.
Also known as: salon worker, stylist, beautician
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of hairdresser / salon worker causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- FormaldehydeIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Exposure from · high confidence
Chronic occupational exposure to hair-straightening chemistry.
Evidence source: IARC
- Hairdresser or barber (occupational exposure as a)IARC Group 2AIARC Group 2AExposure from · high confidence
IARC classifies occupational exposure as a hairdresser or barber as Group 2A, based on limited evidence for bladder cancer.
Evidence source: IARC
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.