HAIR RELAXER CANCER LAWSUIT
Recent scientific evidence has pointed to a link between the use of chemical hair relaxers and the development of certain types of cancer. Product liability lawsuits have been filed against major beauty company L’Oreal, alleging that toxic chemicals in their hair relaxers led to an increased risk of uterine cancer. This lawsuit, along with other related claims, will pave the way for victims to pursue a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit.
At Reich & Binstock, our nationally-recognized mass tort attorneys are investigating claims involving certain chemical hair straighteners and their link with adverse health effects. If you have developed one of the following health conditions after using Dark & Lovely or Just for Me, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
- Uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
To schedule a free case evaluation with us, please call our office at 713-622-7271. You can also submit a form on our contact page. We will evaluate your claim and help you determine which steps to take next.
What Is Hair Relaxer?
Hair relaxers are popular lotion or cream hair products that aim to both straighten the hair and make the hair easier to straighten. While some people prefer to straighten their hair with flat irons and heat, others prefer the semi-permanent option of chemical hair straighteners. These hair products work by using powerful chemicals to straighten the hair and relax one’s natural curls. They are typically used by those with very tight curls.
Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that chemical hair relaxers have a significant link with uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Chemicals in Hair Relaxers
In general, there are two popular types of hair relaxers. These types are lye-containing and no lye-containing products. Other names are base and no base relaxers. Many of the chemicals in hair relaxers are very harsh, and certain hair relaxers require a stylist to apply a protective base coating on their client’s scalp, ears, and hairline. Without properly protecting the skin, hair relaxer products can cause scalp inflammation, chemical burns, and hair loss.
Many hair relaxer products contain the following chemicals.
- Sodium hydroxide
- Potassium hydroxide
- Lithium hydroxide
- Guanidine hydroxide
- Calcium hydroxide
- Ammonium thioglycolate
Phthalates and EDCs
Although hair relaxers are used both by black women and white women, the use of hair relaxers is much more common among African American women. The purpose of hair relaxer use is to permanently or semi-permanently straighten hair by changing the chemical structure of it. Nearly all popular hair relaxer brands contain certain chemicals known as phthalates.
According to the CDC, phthalates are “a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable.” They are also known as plasticizers. Many industrial and personal care products contain phthalates. Phthalates are known EDCs, which are endocrine-disrupting chemicals. EDCs interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones.
One specific phthalate that many hair relaxers contain is DEHP, which is Di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate. This is a man-made chemical that is an incredibly toxic probable carcinogen. DEHP has been linked with an increased risk of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Why do companies continue to use products that are known or highly probable cancer-causing agents? Oftentimes, these aggressive chemicals are cheaper while still getting the job done. Rather than opting for safer, more expensive alternatives, large manufacturers opt for the cheaper, riskier route, often at the expense of consumers.
How Do Hair Relaxers Work?
So, how exactly do the chemicals in hair relaxer products straighten hair? Basically, the chemicals hair relaxer creams break certain chemical bonds in the hair. Specifically, they break the di-sulfide bonds in the cortex layer of the hair. When these bonds break, they then reform into straighter strands of protein.
Do Relaxers Cause Cancer?
According to a new study from the National Institutes of Health, women who use hair relaxer products may have an increased risk of uterine cancer. This finding comes from a recent study, the findings of which were published on October 17, 2022 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
More than 33,000 women took part in the study and provided researchers with crucial data. They were asked about their use of hair relaxers, as well as other hair products. Those women who reported using relaxers were found to be nearly twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not use relaxers. Women who used relaxers frequently (more than 4 times in the year before) were around 2.5 times more likely to develop uterine cancer.
Hair Relaxer and Endometrial Cancer Link
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that using certain chemical hair straighteners long-term is linked to a significantly increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Hair Relaxers and Uterine Cancer
Among all women, uterine cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer. Between black and white women, however, the rate of uterine cancer is around twice as high in black women as it is in white women. The study we mentioned previously states that only 1.64% of women who have never used hair relaxers would develop uterine cancer by the age of 70. For those who used relaxer products frequently, this risk sharply rose to 4.05%.
Do Hair Perms Cause Uterine Cancer?
We cannot definitively say whether or not all hair perms may increase breast cancer risk or uterine cancer risk. However, many of the same chemicals are used for both perm products and relaxers. Therefore, we may see studies regarding cancer risks and hair perms in the near future.
Hair Relaxers and Ovarian Cancer Link
The National Institutes of Health has been conducting a “Sister Study” over the past 12 years to evaluate the risk of endocrine disruptors in chemical hair relaxers. This study, with more than 33,000 participants, suggests that frequent use (more than 4 times a year) of hair relaxers can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 50%.
L’Oreal Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Update November 2022
On November 29, 2022, a hair relaxer uterine fibroids lawsuit was filed against L’Oreal, as well as other defendants. This is the first lawsuit filed that alleges injuries other than an increased risk of uterine cancer. However, other claims are steadily emerging that link hair relaxers with other types of cancer, such as endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.
Is There a Hair Relaxer Class Action?
Currently, there is not a hair relaxer class action lawsuit that seeks damages. These cases are still very early in litigation, so many firms are still taking these cases as individual lawsuits. A scientific study that increased awareness of these cases was published very recently. However, a class action or mass tort lawsuit is certainly possible due to widespread hair relaxer use, particularly by black women.
On November 26, 2022, a new kind of class action was filed in Michigan. Rather than paying out damages as a traditional class action suit, the case seeks funding from cosmetic companies for a medical monitoring program. The program will regularly monitor women who are at a higher risk of health problems because of the use of relaxers.
Compensation for Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
It is difficult to determine what compensation could look like for individual lawsuits without careful examination. We highly recommend speaking with a seasoned product liability lawyer about your case. At Reich & Binstock, we offer a free initial case evaluation, meaning you won’t pay a dime unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Our attorneys will carefully evaluate the facts and evidence of your claim, and help you determine the best course of action.
Contact a Product Liability Attorney Today
Product manufacturers have certain duties to consumers, but some manufacturers and companies let their greed get the better of them. The objective of maximizing profits and cutting corners often leads to dangerous products and a lack of adequate warnings. Product manufacturers who are negligent in this way can and should be held accountable for their actions. If you developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer after using hair relaxer products, you may have a valid claim. Contact the personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock at 713-622-7271 to schedule your free consultation with us.
There is never a fee unless we recover on your behalf.
Additionally, clients are not obligated to pay expenses if a recovery is not made.
