Recent studies have confirmed a long-standing suspicion about the urgent and direct link between cancer and hair straighteners used by women of color. These findings have sparked a series of lawsuits across the United States and prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider banning products containing formaldehyde. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ Sister Study offers compelling scientific proof linking these products to various health issues. This discovery sheds light on longstanding racial health disparities that have puzzled scientists.
Over the past years, the discoveries have sparked a significant wave of litigations involving nearly 9,000 plaintiffs nationwide. This is also a potential new action by the federal government.
If you or anyone close to you has used chemical hair straighteners and has subsequently been diagnosed with uterine cancer, the individual may be able to file hair straightener litigation. Your voice and your story matter in this fight for justice. You have the power to make a difference.
Contact People For Law for a review of your case. There are no upfront costs, and we will study your case to assist you the best. We are here to support you through this process.
Leading the Research
Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, has been a critical figure in this research. She has inspired other researchers to conduct studies with tens of thousands of participants in search of explanations.
The scientists who participated in these studies shared their personal experiences with hair straighteners, recalling using harsh chemicals from their childhood to straighten their naturally curly hair. “I knew something was wrong,” James-Todd told The New York Times. “What was burning in my head could not be safe.”
Harmful Chemicals
Scientific testing has revealed that curly hair straightening products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These substances are associated with early menarche and numerous reproductive health problems. Problems range from uterine fibroids and premature birth to infertility and various types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian and uterine cancer.
These health problems are notably more common in women of color, including a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer that contributes to a 28% higher mortality rate than in white women.
The Sister Study identified that women who frequently used hair straighteners were two and a half times more likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not use these products. “We are at a pivotal moment,” James-Todd said, highlighting the importance of research on health disparities and the health of women of color.
In October 2023, the FDA proposed a ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners, although it still needs to implement this measure. If approved, the formaldehyde ban would not solve the problem of the lack of regulation of most relaxers, many of which contain ingredients banned in other countries.
In the United States, the FDA bans or restricts only nine harmful ingredients, and the responsibility for ensuring product safety falls primarily on manufacturers, not the government.
Recent studies have served as a wake-up call about the dangers of chemicals in hair straighteners. The growing number of hair relaxer lawsuits and potential federal intervention reflect increased awareness and concern for public health, especially in black communities.
Hair Straightener Litigation Against L’Oréal and Other Firms
Hair straighteners have been around for over 100 years. In a matter of minutes, these chemicals can straighten curly hair.
But now, more than 100 hair straightener litigations have been filed in the US against the companies that manufacture some of these straighteners.
L’Oréal’s U.S. subsidiary and makers of other hair straighteners are named in the lawsuits. Brands include Dark & Lovely, ORS Olive Oil, and Motions.
The plaintiffs claim the products contain dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer and other health problems. They also allege that the companies knew this but marketed and sold the products anyway.
The first lawsuit was filed days after the National Institutes of Health, a US government biomedical research agency, published a study last October.
Experts investigated a potential link between the use of hair straighteners and uterine cancer.
Nearly 34,000 participants were followed for more than ten years. During that time, 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed.
The study found that people who used relaxers more than four times a year showed a slightly increased risk of developing the disease.
Can I File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
You may be able to file hair straightener litigation against manufacturers of hair-relaxing chemicals. If you have been diagnosed with uterine, breast, or another type of cancer after short- or long-term use of these products, you qualify. The only way to determine if you may have a claim is to work with an experienced attorney. He will be able to review the details of your case and evaluate possible next steps.
At People For Law, our experienced attorneys can review your case by phone, email, text, or video conference. You can also arrange an in-person consultation.
We have handled mass tort cases for over 30 years and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims. Contact us, and we will assist you with your case. You can count on our experienced team to guide you through every step of your legal journey.