Lawsuits Allege Hair Relaxers, Straighteners Cause Cancer

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are pursuing legal action on behalf of consumers who were diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer after using a hair relaxer or hair-straightening product.

Several studies have linked the use of hair straighteners and relaxers to an increased risk of cancer, and now lawsuits are being filed that allege the manufacturers knew about these health risks but failed to warn consumers.

To find out more, fill out the form on this page. An attorney may reach out to you directly to answer your questions and help determine whether you can file a lawsuit to recover money for medical expenses and more.

Studies Show Hair Relaxers, Straighteners Linked to Cancer, Health Problems

On October 17, 2022, the National Cancer Institute published a study that found that the use of hair straightening products is linked with a higher risk of developing uterine cancer.

According to the study, certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are often found in straighteners and other hair products may have contributed to this cancer risk. Endocrine disruptors, such as formaldehyde and phthalates, interfere with how the body’s hormones function and could potentially lead to reproductive problems, altered development, disrupted sexual development, low birth weight, a weakened immune system, and cancer.

Additionally, the use of hair straighteners and relaxers can cause scalp lesions and burns, which make it even easier for harmful chemicals to pass into the body. The study also pointed out that applying heat through flat ironing or blow drying during straightening treatments can release or decompose the damaging chemicals, leading to higher exposure.

Several earlier studies have linked hair relaxers and straighteners to health problems, including breast cancer, uterine fibroids and early puberty.

In the wake of the National Cancer Institute study, the manufacturers of certain hair straighteners and relaxers have been hit with lawsuits alleging they should have known about these health risks and properly warned consumers.

Which Hair Relaxer Brands Are Under Investigation?

Who Can File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit in 2024?

Generally, consumers who have used chemical hair relaxers or straighteners and were subsequently diagnosed with endometrial, ovarian or uterine cancer (and possibly other health problems) may be able to file a hair relaxer lawsuit. People who lost a family member whose cancer stemmed from regular hair relaxer use may also be able to take legal action.

Consumers who might qualify for a lawsuit over hair relaxer injuries are not limited by whether they used chemical hair relaxers at a salon or at home.

What’s Involved with Filing a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? 

First, your attorney will ask you some questions and gather information to support your claim that hair relaxers caused your cancer. You may be asked about which specific products you used and how often, and you may need to provide documentation such as receipts. Your attorney may also gather your relevant medical records. 

Your attorney will then file a “complaint” with the court that will specify which company/companies you are suing and describe your injuries. Your complaint will be filed as part of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) against hair relaxer manufacturers, meaning you will join thousands of others who have already filed lawsuits seeking to hold the companies accountable for their injuries.

Lawyers heading up the MDL will then work with the attorneys representing the defendants to gather information, a process called “discovery,” and attempt to resolve the litigation.

If a resolution is not reached, a handful of cases may proceed as “bellwether trials”—essentially “test runs” to see how juries may rule. For instance, if the juries side with the plaintiffs in most of the bellwether trials, the defendants may decide to reach a global settlement to avoid the risk and expense of litigating the rest of the lawsuits. If the defendants win most of the bellwether trials, they may not pursue a settlement, and you and your attorney will need to decide whether you want to withdraw your lawsuit or proceed to trial.

What Chemicals Are Found in Hair Relaxers and Hair Straighteners?

The potentially dangerous chemicals found in hair relaxers and hair straighteners may include, but are not limited to, formaldehyde, lye, parabens, phthalates, Bisphenol A, ammonium thioglycolate, diethanolamine and others.

Has the FDA Banned Formaldehyde in Hair Relaxers?

According to an October 2023 Associated Press report, the FDA has gotten the ball rolling on a possible ban of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals as ingredients in hair-straightening and -smoothing products. 

The agency stated that these chemicals, when used in certain cosmetic products, have been linked to allergic reactions, breathing problems, fibroids, fertility issues and an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly among Black women, to whom hair straightening products are often marketed. 

Per the AP, the FDA intends to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, which would apply to salon-grade and at-home products, by April 2024, though potential rules may stay on the agency’s agenda for years, the publication noted. 

In a video post on the official FDA Instagram account, the agency, in an attempt to combat misinformation about the proposal, emphasized that no action has been taken yet and that it plans to work with the cosmetics industry to develop formaldehyde-free straightening products.

A Boston University study published in October 2023 in the journal Environmental Research found that, among thousands of postmenopausal Black women followed for the study, those who used hair relaxers more than twice a year for over five years had a greater than 50 percent increased risk of uterine cancer compared to those who “never or seldom used them.” 

If the FDA eventually issues a final rule banning formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from hair-straightening and -smoothing products, it would be published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits: Are They Class Action Cases?

Although several proposed class action lawsuits have been filed, those cases are looking to repay consumers for the cash they spent on the hair relaxers and straighteners – and not for any monetary damages associated with developing cancer or other health problems.

The attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking to file individual hair relaxer lawsuits on behalf of people who used products from the brands mentioned on this page and developed uterine cancer or ovarian cancer.

Since these cases are being handled on an individual basis, that means you’ll need to file your own lawsuit and be represented by your own attorney, who will attempt to resolve the matter on your behalf.

What Can I Get from a Perm Lawsuit?

While there are no guarantees as to how much women could receive for their injuries – or even if the litigation will be successful - some law firms estimate settlement payouts could be between $100,000 and $400,000 on the low end.

How Much Does Filing a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Cost?

The attorneys are handling these lawsuits on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you will only pay if they win your case. In these situations, your attorney will typically collect a portion of the money you receive.

How Much Can I Get From a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlement?

It’s impossible to guarantee the amount of financial compensation a consumer could receive from any potential hair relaxer cancer settlement. This is because a number of individual factors will determine how much money, if anything, a person may be entitled to.

Any settlement stemming from a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit will likely take into account the severity of the consumer’s injuries, the total approximate costs of medical bills (including the cost of a hysterectomy, chemotherapy or other related medical care), how much time the individual needed away from work, whether the cancer was fatal, and many other factors.

One law firm estimates the average amount for a hair relaxer lawsuit settlement to be between $100,000 and $1.5 million. Another speculates that settlements could be worth anywhere from $400,000 to $1.75 million.

Ultimately, there is no way to tell how much a hair relaxer settlement might be – or even if the litigation will be successful – until the legal process has run its course.

When Will Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Be Settled?

It is unknown at this time if or when hair relaxer cancer lawsuits will be settled. The litigation over chemical hair relaxers is still relatively new, and new cases are being filed on a regular basis.

Remember, it can take years from the time a lawsuit is filed before a deal is reached, if at all, especially with complicated mass torts that involve many thousands of injury claims.

Often, the picture going forward becomes clearer when a bellwether trial—essentially a test trial—is scheduled. This kind of trial can give both parties in a lawsuit a sense of how their arguments will play out. If the plaintiffs are successful over the course of several bellwether trials, it’s possible the defendants may consider negotiating a settlement.

Is There a Deadline for Filing Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits?

Every state has its own statute of limitations limiting the amount of time a consumer has to file a personal injury claim. Generally, for each state, an injury lawsuit must be filed within one to six years from the time the injury occurred, though there are some exceptions.

For hair relaxer cancer lawsuits, it is critical to talk to an attorney as they will know about your state’s particular statute of limitations. To learn more about your eligibility for a hair relaxer lawsuit, fill out the form on this page.

For a hair relaxer lawsuit, the clock typically begins to run on the statute of limitations when a person has discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) that they developed cancer after regular use of chemical straightener products.

For instance, if a woman used chemical hair relaxers for most of her life and was diagnosed with cancer nine years ago, in most states it would not be too late for the woman to file a lawsuit. Even though the woman’s diagnosis was nine years ago, the clock did not begin to run on her claims until she realized, or should have realized, that her cancer may have been caused by her use of hair relaxers.

Generally, the public knowledge that chemical hair relaxer products could cause cancer dates back to October 2022, when the findings of what’s known as the Sister Study were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

It is important to remember, however, that there are some states in which the foregoing might not apply, as a state may have a maximum time limit on bringing an injury lawsuit, regardless of when an individual may have discovered that their cancer or other adverse health condition is linked to chemical hair relaxers.

What You Can Do

After you get in touch, an attorney may reach out to you directly to answer your questions and explain what’s involved with filing a lawsuit. It costs nothing to get in touch, and you’re not obligated to take legal action if you later change your mind.

Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Update 2024: The Latest

Below is a comprehensive timeline of major developments in the history of hair relaxer cancer litigation. ClassAction.org will regularly update this timeline with the latest updates.

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