Episode Details

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

Maclin joins Rushion McDonald to discuss the serious health risks associated with hair relaxers, permanent dyes, and synthetic braids—particularly among Black women. Drawing from over 25 years of research and patient experience, she explains how chemicals used in these products absorb through the scalp, disrupt hormones, and significantly increase the risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, early puberty, fibroids, and infertility.

The conversation also highlights systemic resistance from the beauty industry, government agencies, and even consumers themselves—primarily due to financial incentives and lack of awareness. Dr. Mac advocates for safer hair practices, increased education, and protective measures to reduce exposure. She also discusses her pioneering internal hair‑health supplements, Bella Nutri, for women (2004) and men (2008), and how she helped introduce the U.S. market to nutritional hair support long before it was mainstream.

Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of the interview is to:

1. Educate listeners about the hidden health dangers

…of chemical hair treatments including relaxers, permanent dyes, and synthetic hair containing benzene.

2. Advocate for informed hair‑care decisions

Dr. Mac wants women—especially Black women—to understand how beauty practices impact long‑term health.

3. Encourage the beauty industry to adopt safety protocols

Such as scalp protection, warning labels, and honest communication about risks.

4. Highlight Dr. Mac’s work and products

Including her Bella Nutri supplements and educational platforms (Ask Dr. Mac).

5. Empower parents to protect children

By avoiding chemical treatments on young girls whose bodies are especially vulnerable.

Key Takeaways 1. Chemical relaxers and permanent hair dyes are strongly linked to increased cancer risks.

• Permanent dyes raise the risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
• Black women exhibit a 45% increased risk of breast cancer when using permanent dyes.
• Combining dyes with relaxers significantly compounds the danger.

2. The danger comes from chemical absorption into the scalp.

• Relaxer chemicals include sodium, calcium, guanine, and lithium hydroxide.
• These chemicals burn through the scalp, entering the bloodstream and disrupting hormones, leading to early puberty, fibroids, infertility, and cancer.

3. Synthetic braiding hair contains benzene—a