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.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Melanye Maclin.
<hr>
Purpose of the Interview
The discussion aimed to educate the audience about the health risks associated with hair care chemicals&mdash;including relaxers, dyes, and synthetic hair&mdash;and to advocate for safer practices. It also highlighted Dr. Maclin&rsquo;s pioneering work in hair and skin supplements and her ongoing mission to raise awareness about these issues.
<hr>
Key Takeaways
<ol>
<li>
FDA Ban on Hair Chemicals
<ul>
<li>In 2023, the FDA considered banning certain chemicals in hair products due to health risks, but no ban has been implemented yet.</li>
<li>These chemicals are linked to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and hormone disruption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
High-Risk Chemicals Identified
<ul>
<li>Hair Relaxers: Sodium, calcium, guanine, and lithium hydroxide.</li>
<li>Hair Dyes: Para-phenylenediamine (especially in permanent dyes).</li>
<li>Synthetic Hair: Contains benzene, posing risks of lung cancer and leukemia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Impact on African-American Women
<ul>
<li>African-American women face a 45% higher risk of certain cancers due to combined use of relaxers and dyes.</li>
<li>Cultural and aesthetic pressures contribute to continued use despite health risks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Children at Risk
<ul>
<li>Applying relaxers to young girls can cause early puberty, uterine fibroids, infertility, and increased cancer risk.</li>
<li>Chemicals penetrate the scalp, enter the bloodstream, and disrupt hormones.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Industry Resistance
<ul>
<li>Pushback from salons and manufacturers due to financial interests.</li>
<li>Comparison to tobacco and alcohol industries&mdash;profit prioritized over health.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Solutions &amp; Advice
<ul>
<li>Avoid chemical treatments when possible.</li>
<li>If used, protect the entire scalp with petroleum jelly to reduce absorption.</li>
<li>Space out relaxer applications (every 8&ndash;10 weeks, max 10 minutes for children).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Dr. Maclin&rsquo;s Contributions
<ul>
<li>Launched Bella Nutri supplements (2004 for women, 2008 for men).</li>
<li>Advocates internal nutrition for hair and skin health.</li>
<li>Website: drmacklin.com and bellabeauproducts.com.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li>
On FDA inaction: &ldquo;Still to this day, that ban has not occurred&hellip; We&rsquo;re continuously having women going to the next generation of life as a result&mdash;next generation cancers.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
On cultural pressures: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re so into wanting to have a certain look versus wanting to be healthy.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
On children&rsquo;s exposure: &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to keep chemicals off of little girls&rsquo; hair&hellip; It&rsquo;s causing hormone disruption, early puberty, infertility, and increased cancer risk.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
On industry resistance: &ldquo;People care about the green-eyed devil called money&hellip; Look at the tobacco industry.&rdquo;
</li>
<li>
On her mission: &ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;m caring more about someone&rsquo;s health than they&rsquo;re caring about their own.&rdquo;
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/afadd6b8-d7ba-434b-8d06-b3ad0177a280/transcript