Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit

Women are filing lawsuits because they developed a form of reproductive cancer after using hair straightener or hair relaxer products. The plaintiffs in the hair straightener lawsuit claim the defendants:

1. Were aware of the risks of hair straightening chemicals and used them in their products anyway
2. Marketed the products without warning consumers of the dangers 
3. Misrepresented the products as “safe” and “natural”
4. Used discriminatory language and promoted the virtues of straight hair

These lawsuits started after research showed that the chemicals in these products could be dangerous. Dangerous ingredients like phthalates, parabens, cyclosiloxanes, di-(2-ethylhexyl), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, lye, formaldehyde, and other toxic chemicals were found in some hair straightening products. These chemical ingredients may disrupt the endocrine system ultimately leading to cancer. Consumers were never warned about the dangers or potential risks associated with these products.

Recent research suggests that the chemicals in hair straightening products could cause ovarian, uterine and endometrial cancers. Some of these potentially dangerous hair straightener products are meant to straighten or “relax” women’s hair. Others were for keratin treatments to strengthen the hair or perms to curl it.

The hair straightener lawsuits are part of a fast-growing multidistrict litigation with more than 8,390 pending actions as of November 2024. The suits allege that women developed ovarian, uterine and endometrial cancers as a result of the defendant companies’ failure to warn consumers about the dangerous chemicals in their products.

Motley Rice lawyers are in the process of reviewing potential cases that involve these three types of reproductive cancers.

Is there a hair straightener class action lawsuit?

Motley Rice is not currently litigating any hair straightener class action lawsuits. But class actions have been filed in which the class representatives are asking for the money they spent on defective hair straightening products to be refunded to them. 

In a class action lawsuit, plaintiffs file a lawsuit on behalf of a larger group who experienced the same harm, in the same way by the same defendant(s). In an MDL, several or many plaintiffs file lawsuits that are later consolidated or grouped together under one court and one judge for pre-trial matters, but the details of individual plaintiff’s cases are maintained. If the cases go to trial, they are tried as individual matters, unlike a class action.

Motley Rice attorneys are involved and hold leadership roles in the Federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in which plaintiffs allege harm from hair straightening products from companies like L‘Oréal, Strength of Nature and others. 

If you’re a woman who has developed uterine cancer, endometrial cancer or ovarian cancer after using chemical hair straighteners, reach out to a Motley Rice attorney to learn about your legal options.

Uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancers may be strongly linked to chemical hair straighteners. Researchers have documented chemicals in the products that include parabens and phthalates, which are believed to disrupt the endocrine system. One other common ingredient is formaldehyde which is a known cancer-causing chemical. 

One analysis of 1,177 beauty and personal care products found that one in twelve of the products were designated as highly hazardous on EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. These products were largely marketed to black and brown women.

The chemicals used in hair straighteners may be endocrine-disrupting. Endocrine disruption interferes with the body’s ability to regulate its hormones. If a woman’s hormones are out of balance, she may have an increased risk for a variety of health issues like cancer, reproductive impairment, obesity and cognitive deficits.

One study found that using hair straighteners four times in a year was related to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Another group of researchers found that uterine cancers were more common in women who had used hair straighteners in the last 12 months. Women have also reported developing endometrial cancers after using hair straightening products.

Black women now have higher rates of aggressive uterine cancers and are twice as likely to die from their diagnosis. In one study, nearly 45,000 women with no history of cancer were interviewed about their use of hair straighteners and were monitored for 22 years. At the end of the study, the researchers noted that the number of postmenopausal women who used hair straighteners and later developed uterine cancer was significant. Postmenopausal women who had never used hair straighteners were less likely to develop uterine cancer. 

Are there safe hair straighteners?

There are non-chemical hair straighteners that may be safe to use. However, chemical hair straighteners are potentially dangerous and unsafe. Based on current research, these products may cause cancer due to harmful ingredients. There are ways to straighten hair without dangerous or potentially cancerous chemicals, though.

Non-chemical hair straighteners:

• Hot combs: A metal fine tooth comb that is heated and combed through the hair to straighten it. 
• Silk Press: A professional hair care service that uses a flat iron to straighten the hair.

When looking for safe hair straightening products, you may also choose to avoid potentially dangerous chemical ingredients like: 

• Cyclosiloxanes
• Di-(2-ethylhexyl)
• Lye 
• Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
• Parabens
• Phthalates

You should also avoid known carcinogens such as formaldehyde. 

It’s also important to note that some chemicals may not be explicitly listed on an ingredients label and instead could be listed as “fragrance” or “perfumes.”

Chemical hair straighteners may be closely linked to uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Recent studies suggest that uterine cancer may be the most strongly linked between the three types of cancer when hair straighteners were used frequently.

Uterine cancer

Uterine cancers happen when cells multiply too rapidly in the top part of the uterus. Uterine cancers include endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Treatment for uterine cancer may involve chemotherapy, radiation or even surgery such as a hysterectomy to remove the uterus.

Uterine cancer is the most common reproductive cancer affecting women in the United States. Roughly 65,000 people receive a uterine cancer diagnosis every year. It’s important to know the potential signs of uterine cancer so you can seek medical care early.

Potential signs of uterine cancer

There are several potential signs of uterine cancer. If you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to ask your doctor about them. The symptoms of uterine cancer typically have to do with vaginal bleeding in between periods or after menopause. 

Signs of uterine cancer:

• Any spotting or vaginal bleeding after menopause, even small amounts
• Bleeding in between periods before menopause 
• Cramping in the pelvis or lower abdominal pain 
• Intense or drawn-out periods of vaginal bleeding after age 40
• Vaginal discharge that is clear or thin and white  post menopause

If you experience any of these signs of uterine cancer, you should reach out to your doctor. 

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer begins when the DNA of cells in or near the ovaries change or mutate. The cells then multiply until they create a tumor. 

Symptoms range from fatigue to pelvic or back pain. It’s also possible that no symptoms will be detected. For that reason, it may be easy for ovarian cancer symptoms to be written off or misdiagnosed. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of ovarian cancer so you can seek medical care early.

Treatment for ovarian cancer typically involves chemotherapy or surgery.

Potential signs of ovarian cancer

There are potential signs for ovarian cancer that you should be aware of. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to take your concerns to your doctor as soon as possible. 

Signs of ovarian cancer:

• Back pain
• Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
• Bowel movement changes like constipation
• Fatigue
• Feeling full quickly while eating
• Pelvic area discomfort 
• Unexpected weight loss
• Urinate frequently

If you experience any of these signs of ovarian cancer, you should speak to a doctor.

Endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer develops as cells overproduce in the uterine lining and is a form of uterine cancer. It is often detected early due to its symptoms. Irregular vaginal bleeding may be one of the first symptoms. It’s important to know the signs so that you can get a diagnosis early. 

Potential signs of endometrial cancer

There are several signs of endometrial cancer to look for if you think something may be off with your health. If you’re dealing with these symptoms, it’s important to reach out to your health care provider as soon as possible. 

Signs of endometrial cancer:

• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after menopause
• Pelvic area pain

If you notice signs of endometrial cancer, you should reach out to your doctor. 

Companies named in the hair straightener lawsuit allegedly manufactured, marketed and sold dangerous chemical straighteners to consumers. Some of the companies named are individual brands while others are parent companies to many brands. 

Companies named in the chemical hair straightener lawsuit currently include: 

• Avlon
• Dabur
• Godrej SON Holdings
• House of Cheatham
• JF Labs
• L’Oréal
• Luster
• McBride
• Namaste Laboratories
• PDC Brands
• Revlon Inc.
• Sally Beauty
• SoftSheen-Carson
• Strength of Nature

The companies listed above allegedly made and sold hair products with cancer-causing chemicals in them under various brand names. These brands are responsible for potentially dangerous products like:

• Affirm®
• African Pride®
• Africa’s Best®
• Cantu
• Crème of Nature®
• Dark & Lovely®
• Design Essentials®
• Dr. Miracle’s®
• Dream Kids
• Hawaiian Silky®
• Just for Me®
• Mizani®
• Motions®
• Optimum Care®
• Organic Root Stimulator™
• ORS Olive Oil™
• Pink Conditioning No-Lye Relaxer®
• Profectiv Mega Growth®
• Revlon Realistic®
• Roots of Nature®
• Silk Elements®
• Smooth Touch No-Lye Relaxer®
• Soft & Beautiful®
• TCB®
• TCB Naturals®

Potentially harmful marketing efforts

The plaintiffs in the hair straightener litigation allege that companies knowingly marketed dangerous products and did so disproportionately to women of color. These products were marketed in ways that promoted discrimination against people of African descent. 

Women with black and brown hair textures may be discriminated against due to how their hair looks. Straight, untextured hair is often (mistakenly) considered to be more hygienic or standard in professional and social settings. This standard promotes eurocentrism and may disenfranchise people of color. Hair straightening companies have allegedly capitalized on this form of discrimination and in the process caused harm to many women of color in the process.

Companies named in the lawsuit market their products as “organic” and “safe” despite the presence of harmful chemicals. Perhaps because the products are marketed as safe, families may use the same brand of chemical hair straighteners for generations.

Each person’s case may be different, but in general, you may have a claim for a hair straightening products lawsuit if you or a loved one: 

• Used chemical hair straighteners in the past
• Used hair straighteners frequently (multiple times a year)
• Developed ovarian cancer, uterine cancer or endometrial cancer after using chemical hair straighteners. 

If you think you may be eligible, reach out to a Motley Rice attorney today. 

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, please work with your doctor to establish your treatment plan first and foremost. We know that life after a cancer diagnosis can be frightening and stressful, but please know you’re not alone. 

If you were diagnosed with uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer and have used chemical hair straighteners in the past, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the cosmetic companies that made the products. 

If you've experienced harm after using a chemical hair straightener, you may have questions about the risks and litigation status. We’ve included the answers to a few frequently asked questions to help. 

How much are people being compensated in hair straightener lawsuits?

Because litigation is still ongoing, no compensation has been offered or paid for cases filed in the hair straightener MDL as of November 2024.

Over 8,390 lawsuits have been filed against hair straightening manufacturers as of November 2024. The lawsuits have not gone to trial and are currently being litigated as of November 2024. Because the litigation is still in process, no settlements or award of verdicts have been paid out at this time. There are never guaranteed levels of compensation before a lawsuit is resolved.

Could I get cancer from using hair straighteners?

Chemical hair straighteners may be linked to uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers according to some studies. Uterine cancer may be the most closely linked to hair straighteners since frequent use of these products can lead to a higher risk of uterine cancer. 

Who are the plaintiffs of the hair straightener lawsuit?

The majority of the plaintiffs suing chemical hair straightener manufacturers are women who self-identify as Black and have used straightening products for several or many years. These women claim that after using the products regularly and without being aware of the health risks, they developed reproductive cancers. 

If you have a loved one who passed away from health issues caused by chemical hair straighteners, you may be able to file a claim on their behalf and receive compensation if awarded. As of November 2024, the federal MDL is in the discovery phase of litigation. 

Speak to a Motley Rice hair straightener attorney today to learn more about case criteria, eligibility and next steps if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a reproductive cancer and meet the MDL requirements.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a reproductive cancer, we understand how challenging this time can be. Motley Rice is dedicated to helping those who have suffered life-altering health problems after using dangerous products. Our attorneys have led litigation brought by thousands of women harmed by defective products. 

In the past, we’ve worked with people who have suffered major health issues as a result of defective products, such as:

• Women who developed ovarian cancer after talc-based baby powder
• Women who suffered breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) allegedly caused by Allergan implants
• Women who endured complications allegedly caused by Essure® and Paragard® birth control devices and complications from transvaginal mesh
• Women who had children with birth defects as a result of prescription drugs and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer after using chemical hair straighteners, consider discussing your options with an attorney who has experience with multidistrict litigation and toxic exposure matters. Litigation with multiple defendants and thousands of plaintiffs is very complex. 

Read more on our women's health litigation experience.