The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit has picked up a lot of steam and attention across the US over the past couple of years, raising alarm on the dangers posed by the prolonged use of chemical hair straighteners. Women, especially Black women, who have used these products are coming forth with claims that chemical hair relaxers are linked to several cancers, including uterine cancer and breast cancer.
With emerging evidence and ongoing litigations, it is important to note the risks, the brands, and what relief could be provided to the impacted individuals.
Understanding Hair Relaxers
Hair relaxing is a technique that forcibly straightens coiled or curly hair using chemicals that break down the protein structure of the hair. Hair relaxers belong to the following categories:
- High-powered (Lye) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) relaxers
- Calcium hydroxide containing No-lye relaxers
- Ammonium thioglycolate Thio relaxers
These formulations are popular for long-lasting hair straightening, but many contain toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, parabens, Bisphenol A (BPA), DEHP, and cyclosiloxanes chemicals, now under scrutiny for their carcinogenic potential.
Health Risks Associated with Hair Relaxer Use
Some scientific works suggest that the long term use of relaxers can lead to serious conditions such as uterine cancer.
- NIEHS Hair Relaxer Study: The National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences indicated that women who used chemical hair relaxers frequently had more than twice the chances of developing uterine cancer.”
- Black Women’s Health Study: a longitudinal study also shaped the chances of hormone related cancers among black women who used hair relaxers.
- Journal of the National Cancer Institute Hair Relaxer Report: This report further pointed out the increase in cancer among the users of relaxers.
- Oxford University Breast Cancer Study: Discussed the possibility that parabens supplements contained in the hair relaxers increase the possibility of breast cancer.
Cumulatively, all these studies strongly prove the claim about the risks posed by relaxers. Retained and long term usage of chemical relaxers does interfere with the hormonal needs in the body, leading to reproductive cancer risks, multi fold in women after menopausal age.
Brands Named in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
A multitude of iconic cosmetic companies are participating in the active Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit which incorporates:
- L’Oréal
- SoftSheen-Carson
- Strength of Nature
- Dark & Lovely
- Just for Me
- Motions
- ORS (formerly Organic Root Stimulator)
The lawsuit against hair relaxer companies claimed that these brands maliciously marketed products known to contain cancer-causing chemicals, especially targeting Black women, without clear warning labels.
Current Status of the Litigation
As of 2025, the Hair Relaxer Litigation is part of a merged suite of cases being heard at the French District of Illinois. Under the Chemical Hair Straightener lawsuit, several thousand of plaintiffs pose claims about the use of relaxers leading to cancer of the uterus, cancer of the breast, endometriosis and other sicknesses.
Tentatively no decisions have been made concerning reaching some agreements, it does seem that progress has been made on gathering expert opinions, scientific research, and company filings. The litigation has drawn similarities to some recent high impact legal battles with Black women over claims of being exposed to chemicals.
Compensation Sought by Plaintiffs in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
Plaintiffs in the Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit and Hair Relaxer Breast Cancer Lawsuit are compensation claimants for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death (in fatal cases)
- Punitive damages for corporate negligence
The potential value of everyone’s claim of hair relaxers will be based on the degree of ailment suffered, documented usage of the product, and their diagnosed psychological and economic strain caused.
How to Determine Eligibility for Filing a Claim in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
You may be eligible to join the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit:
- You have used over the counter or prescription hair relaxing agents (lye or no-lye) for extended periods
- You have been diagnosed with cancer of the breast, cervix, or ovaries
- You identify as a Black female, given that this group is most likely to suffer from such conditions, as per the research done
- You possess relevant medical documents that can attest to the link between the diagnosis and the use of hair products
With most of these documents, a specialized attorney in relaxer litigation will be able to determine the precise steps to take.
Broader Implications for the Beauty Industry and Consumer Safety After the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
The Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit draws attention to an existing problem in the beauty industry: making products with “toxic” ingredients that adversely impact women of color while also lacking regulation on the ingredient lists. The lawsuit has been triggered:
- Advocacy and consumer action campaigns pushing for beauty product ingredient transparency
- Stricter examination of formaldehyde levels in hair care products
- Switching to non-toxic, organic, or natural alternatives for hair care
- Demands for better labeling and control from the FDA
The result from these cases might change the balance of protective regulations around the safety of cosmetics and the trust of consumers in that industry
Conclusion
With its alleged health consequences not receiving ample attention, the lawsuit has made the public consider it not only an essential legal concern but also a significant public health hazard. The truth about hair cancer caused by hair relaxers, hitherto mostly hidden, is now coming to light, thanks to scientific proof, alongside women’s testimony emerging.
If your family member or you have been diagnosed with cancer after long-term usage of hair relaxers, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
