Are Hair Relaxers Safe?

Research indicates that hair relaxers aren’t safe. Multiple studies highlight the link between chemical hair straighteners and the development of serious health problems, including reproductive cancers. These studies also found that even occasional use of these products at home or a salon could increase the risk of developing side effects.

Who is most at risk for illnesses related to hair relaxers?

Black women are most at risk for illnesses related to hair relaxers because they commonly straighten their hair. Research found that in the United States, 94% of Black women under age 45 and 89% of Black women over age 45 have reported using chemical hair straighteners.

Hair straightening products have been overwhelmingly marketed to women of color. They have historically faced discrimination based on their natural hair texture and style. They have also felt pressure to meet European beauty standards, which often focus on straight hair.

Advertising for these products often uses words like “safe,” “organic” and “botanical.” However, data from several studies show that chemical hair relaxers aren’t safe.

The dangers of hair relaxers center on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs in these products can affect a user’s hormone levels and cause health issues. Many studies link EDCs to various health concerns, like uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer. Hair relaxers also contain carcinogens.

Some harmful chemicals found in hair relaxer products include:

• Carcinogenic gas
• Cyclosiloxanes
• Di-(2-ethylhexyl)
• Formaldehyde
• Metals
• Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
• Parabens
• Phthalates

Treatment for reproductive cancers associated with hair relaxer health risks includes hysterectomy surgery. After this procedure, a woman is unable to become pregnant. The surgery itself can also cause side effects, including injury to the bowel tract or nearby organs, blood clots, bleeding and infection.

Multiple studies indicate a strong link between the use of hair relaxers and an increased risk of long-term health complications like some forms of cancer. Some of the studies that highlight potential hair relaxer cancer risks include:

• A 2021 study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This study compared women who used the products at least four times a year with women who didn’t use the products. They found that users had double the risk of developing uterine cancer than non-users. Sixty percent of the women who reported using relaxers self-identified as Black. Researchers in the study previously found that the use of hair relaxers may also increase the risk for ovarian cancer.
• The 2022 NIH Sister Study. Researchers compared female product users and non-users. Research showed the risk of developing uterine cancer by age 70 was about three times higher for frequent users than non-users. The Sister Study followed 34,000 women over an 11-year period.
• A 2023 Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS). Researchers compared women who used hair relaxers more than twice a year for at least five years and those who didn’t use these products. They found that users had a 50% higher risk of being diagnosed with uterine cancer than non-users. They also found that Black women have higher rates of aggressive subtypes of uterine cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared to non-Hispanic white women.

Various studies show that people who use or previously used hair relaxer and hair straightener products may also be at risk for serious short-term health complications.

The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Reviews conducted a broad review of these products. They linked these products with several short-term side effects and health risks:

• Allergic symptoms: Sneezing, congestion, asthma-like symptoms and skin irritation
• Burns: Noticeable chemical burns to the skin and eyes, including inflammation on the scalp
• Central nervous system: Feelings of dizziness, nausea, headaches and drowsiness
• Eye irritation: Feelings of burning, itching and watering and the appearance of redness
• Hair loss: Possible because of damage to the hair shaft
• Lung irritation: Difficulty breathing, coughing and shortness of breath
• Nose irritation: Congestion, runny nose and itching
• Skin irritation: Itching, rashes, redness or dry skin symptoms
• Throat irritation: Feelings of burning or scratchiness in the throat

Yes, many hair relaxer lawsuits are in progress. Thousands of women have filed claims against the manufacturers of chemical hair straightening products. They allege that hair relaxers caused them to develop uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer and other health conditions. The lawsuits also allege that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the health risks of hair relaxers and didn’t warn consumers.

Hair relaxer claims have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois: In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3060. U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland is presiding over the MDL. As of March 2, 2026, it had 11,440 cases pending.

Motley Rice lawyer Fidelma Fitzpatrick is co-lead in the multidistrict litigation. Additionally, Motley Rice attorney Tope Leyimu was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the MDL, while attorney Mike Daly was appointed as one of two plaintiffs’ liaison counsels in the Philadelphia hair relaxer mass tort.

Motley Rice attorney Carmen Scott serves as co-lead of the Leadership Development Committee for the MDL.

The MDL continues to add new suits.

Who is eligible to file a hair relaxer lawsuit?

If you suffered an injury potentially related to your use of hair relaxers, such as ovarian, endometrial or uterine cancer, you may qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit. Women who used any of these products at home or at a salon and suffered an injury may qualify.

Family members of loved ones who died from an illness or complication related to hair relaxers may also be eligible to file a claim.

A Motley Rice hair relaxer attorney could review your case. If you qualify, you may be able to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical treatment, lost wages and related costs.

Find answers below to common questions about hair straightening products and the dangers of chemical hair relaxers.

Are there any safe hair relaxers?

Some hair relaxer products claim to have removed some harmful chemicals and are marketed as safe for Black hair. Though such relaxers claim to be safer alternatives, they may still contain other dangerous chemicals. Products that do not contain lye (no-lye) can still cause scalp burns, for example.

Is there an FDA ban on hair relaxer products?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed banning hair relaxer products that contained formaldehyde in October 2023. However, it has still not implemented the ban. It allowed another deadline for doing so to pass on December 31, 2025, but said the rule is still in the works.

The FDA does not typically regulate cosmetic products like hair relaxers. Any marketing claims from these products have no backing from federal government sources.

Who are the defendants in hair relaxer lawsuits?

There are numerous hair relaxers that may not be safe to use. Products and manufacturers named in the hair relaxer MDL include, but are not limited to:

• Advanced Beauty, Inc.
• AFAM Concept Inc. d/b/a JF Labs, Inc.
• Avlon
• Beauty Bell Enterprises, LLC f/k/a House of Cheatham, Inc.
• House of Cheatham
• JF Labs
• John Paul Mitchell Systems
• L’Oréal
• Luster Products, Inc
• McBride Research Laboratories, Inc.
• Namaste Laboratories
• PDC Brands
• Revlon, Inc., Revlon Consumer Products Corporation
• Sally Beauty Supply LLC
• SoftSheen-Carson
• Strength of Nature
• Wella Operations US LLC

The above list is not exhaustive. If you’ve used any brand of hair relaxer and have been diagnosed with health problems associated with chemical straighteners, consider consulting with a Motley Rice attorney.

Are hair relaxers safe during pregnancy?

Though some hair relaxers market themselves as safe, many contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. Research has found that EDCs can pass from mothers to babies through the placenta and breast milk. Exposure in the womb can potentially cause long-term or permanent adverse health effects in the baby. Conditions can include organ dysfunction and chronic disease.

Many people have been impacted by ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and other health conditions allegedly caused by using chemical hair relaxers. If you believe you have been similarly impacted, consider discussing your options with a Motley Rice attorney with experience in multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Our law firm has a history of supporting women and families facing life-altering health problems. We have knowledge that can help you weigh your legal options.

Beyond hair relaxer products, some of the other products and situations where we’ve helped women in the past include the following:

• Birth control devices: We’ve helped women who suffered health complications from using birth control products, like Essure® and Paragard®.
• Breast implants: We’ve helped women who developed breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) after using breast implants made by Allergan.
• Feminine hygiene products: We’ve helped women who developed ovarian cancer after using talc-based baby powder for feminine hygiene.
• Transvaginal mesh: We’ve helped women who suffered health complications after using transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Please reach out to us to discuss a potential case. Fill out our online contact form or call today at 1.800.768.4026.

Read more about our experience with women’s health lawsuits.