If you used chemical hair straighteners or hair relaxers at least four times in a year and later developed ovarian or uterine cancer, you may be eligible for compensation.
What are hair straighteners or relaxers?
Hair straighteners or relaxers are creams or lotions meant to chemically change the texture of a person’s hair. People apply these products for a set period before washing them out. Individuals with tight curls often use hair straighteners to “relax” their curls, making their hair easier to straighten and style.
African American women and girls use hair relaxers and chemical straighteners disproportionately more than other ethnic groups. Companies also tend to market these products most heavily to them, promoting a Eurocentric beauty standard that can influence personal and cultural perceptions of beauty.
The link between hair relaxers and cancer
Several recent studies suggest that hair relaxers may increase the risk of cancer. Specifically, repeated exposure to the chemicals in hair relaxers and straighteners has been linked to a higher risk of developing uterine and ovarian cancer. These hair straightening products may contain “endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties,” including phthalates, one study stated.
Hair relaxers and uterine cancer
A study led by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH) followed over 33,000 women for more than a decade. Sixty percent of the women in the study self-identified as black. Results showed that while a woman who does not use hair relaxers has about a 1.64% chance of developing uterine cancer by age 70, women who frequently use these hair chemicals more than doubled their risk, with a 4.06% chance of developing uterine cancer.
What are the hair relaxer cancer lawsuits?
A Missouri woman filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal, Namaste Laboratories LLC, Dabur International Ltd., and Godrej Consumer Products, claiming that the hair straightening products she used since childhood caused the uterine cancer she developed at age 28.
The complaint alleges that, since at least 2015, the companies knew their products were harmful but chose not to inform consumers of the risks.
Two similar cases have been filed in California and New York against L’Oréal and other cosmetics companies that make hair straighteners and relaxers. The number of related hair straightener and relaxer cancer lawsuits is expected to increase.
Products named in these complaints include:
- Dark & Lovely
- Motions
- Olive Oil Relaxer
- Organic Root Stimulator
Get help with your hair relaxer cancer case
If you used hair straighteners or relaxers at least four times in a year and later received a diagnosis of uterine or ovarian cancer, you may have a case.
Hair relaxer lawsuit contact
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The above products are registered trademarks of L’Oréal, Godrej Consumer Products, Dabur International Ltd., and Namaste Laboratories, LLC, and are used here only for the purpose of identifying the products in question. Woods & Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or associated with L’Oréal, Godrej Consumer Products, Dabur International Ltd., or Namaste Laboratories, LLC.
