Hair Dye Coloring Bladder Cancer Lawsuit

The potential dangers of a large range of popular hair dye products used in salons nationwide are being examined in a range of cancer lawsuits. Lawyers representing many hairdressers and other salon workers claim ingredients contained in hair dyes from well-known brands like L’Oréal and Wella have caused bladder cancer. As awareness spreads, more salon workers are coming forward to join the lawsuits against several hair-styling brands.

Lawyers representing hairstylists and salon workers believe the manufacturers of the hair dyes should have done more to warn of the cancer risks. The focus of the lawsuits is on several major hair cosmetics companies behind popular salon hair dyes. They include:

L'Oréal USA, Inc.
The world’s biggest beauty and cosmetics company, L'Oréal faces allegations that its hair dye products contain carcinogenic substances linked to cancers. L’Oréal produces and markets a vast range of hair dyes under its own branding and operates several subsidiary brands.

Matrix Professional Hair
A subsidiary of L'Oréal, Matrix is known for supplying salons with professional hair color products. The brand is included in lawsuits asserting that its dyes contain harmful chemicals contributing to cancer risks among salon workers.

Redken
Also under the L'Oréal umbrella, Redken offers a range of hair dye products, including Color Gel, which has been named in the hair dye lawsuits.

Wella Professionals
Wella has several hair dye product lines, including  Koleston Perfect and Illumina Color, both of which have been cited in the cancer lawsuits.

Coty Inc.
Coty Inc. is the parent company of the well-known brand Clairol, which has multiple hair dye products, including Nice 'n Easy and Natural Instincts. Clairol products are used both at home and in professional settings in salons.

KKR & Co.
KKR & Co. is not a manufacturer of hair dye products. It is a global investment firm that previously owned Wella Professionals. While not a manufacturer, KKR is named in lawsuits due to its past ownership and alleged role in distributing potentially carcinogenic hair dye products.

Clairol
A subsidiary of Coty Inc., Clairol is a well-known brand with products like Nice 'n Easy and Natural Instincts. It faces the same accusations as the parent company, Coty Inc.  

Bristol Myers Squibb
Historically involved in the beauty industry, Bristol Myers Squibb, like Procter & Gamble (see below) is named in the lawsuits due to its previous ownership of major hair dye brands.  

Procter & Gamble Hair Care, LLC
Previously owning Clairol before selling it to Coty Inc., Procter & Gamble is also named in the hair dye cancer lawsuits by way of its previous ownership of the Clairol brand.

Joico
Owned by Henkel, Joico is a brand name behind various hair color products. The Joico brand is named in the current hair dye cancer lawsuits. ​

Henkel
This multinational company owns brands like Joico. As the parent company, it will ultimately be responsible for hair dye cancer lawsuit payouts and compensation should the cases be successful.

John Paul Mitchell Systems
Known for its professional hair care products, the company is also named in the lawsuits claiming that prolonged exposure to its hair dyes has resulted in bladder cancer among salon workers. ​

All-Nutrient
While it is marketed as a provider of natural hair care products, All-Nutrient is facing allegations that its hair dyes contain harmful chemicals linked to cancer diagnoses in hair professionals. ​

A link between hair dyes and cancer was first established in the 1970s. Hair dye products were found to contain chemicals that are carcinogenic (cause cancer). These include chemicals called aromatic amines. Manufacturers took steps to eliminate these chemicals from their hair dye formula, yet it is still possible that modern hair dyes contain cancer-causing chemicals. Indeed, studies in recent years have expanded broadly to examine the dangers of other hair treatments, including the cancer risks of hair straighteners. You can find out more about the hair straightener lawsuits here.

There have been studies across the globe that have established a link between repeated exposure to hair dyes and cancer, particularly bladder cancer, yet studies have also looked at possible links between hair dyes and breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Not all studies have been conclusive, but some analyses have pointed to patterns between cancer risks and long-term exposure to hair dye treatments, something that would disproportionally impact hair salon workers. A 2010 meta-analysis (a breakdown and analysis of combined studies) found that the longer someone worked as a hair stylist, the more likely they would oner day be diagnosed with cancer. The meta-analysis found that those working in salons for more than 10 years were twice as likely to get bladder cancer.

One of the key aspects of the hair dye cancer lawsuits is the fact that the hair dye manufacturers would have been aware of the outcome of these studies, yet they made no effort to warn salon workers of the potential cancer risks. Indeed, hair dye cancer lawyers cite the aggressive marketing of these hair dyes through television advertisements, which can almost make them seem like wellness products.

As pointed out by the American Cancer Society, one of the challenges of scientific investigations into hair dye cancer links is the vast number of chemicals used in hair coloring products. Moreover, each hair dye brand will have different chemicals. Not all studies have been conclusive, but some have reported a consistent pattern between long-term exposure to hair dyes and bladder cancer. In 2019, the National Institutes of Health reported on a study published in the International Journal of Cancer that suggests a link between not just hair dye and cancer, but hair coloring products & chemical hair straighteners and breast cancer. Other studies published by the American Journal of Epidemiology have suggested possible links between hair dye exposure and blood cancers, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

While several cancers have been linked to significant exposure of hair color products, the most commonly cited cancer with links to hair dye exposure is bladder cancer. That’s been the focus of several major studies across the globe. While the studies remain inconclusive, and we can’t say with certainty that permanent hair dye causes bladder cancer, there is statistical evidence that suggests a link between repeated exposure to permanent hair dye chemicals and bladder cancer. The links have been repeatedly found in studies for years now, and it’s a key consideration in the hair dye lawsuits that salon workers were not properly warned of the risks.

Does Hair Dye Cause Cancer?

It’s not clear. However, some studies have shown that repeated exposure to the chemicals in permanent hair dyes may increase the risk of certain cancers.

Is there a link between hair dye and bladder cancer?

Several studies have shown a link between hair dye chemical exposure and bladder cancer. For example, the studies show more cases of bladder cancer among long-term salon workers.

Is it safe for cancer patients to dye their hair?

There are possible risks. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about this issue.
Why are hairdressers at risk for bladder cancer?

Some studies have shown that repeated exposure to chemicals in hair dye may be linked to bladder cancer.

Does hair dye get absorbed into the bloodstream?

Yes. Chemicals in hair dye may be absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream.

What chemical exposure causes bladder cancer?

Numerous chemicals can cause bladder cancer. There is a possibility that some of the many 1000s of different chemicals contained in hair dye products may be carcinogenic.

What is the safest hair dye on the market?

It’s a matter of opinion, but the safest hair dyes normally do not contain chemicals like ammonia, PPD (para-phenylenediamine), resorcinol, and parabens. Again, if you are worried, speak to a healthcare expert.

What hair dye brands should I avoid?

It’s a matter of choice, and it’s worth remembering that many of the brands in the hair dye cancer lawsuits will offer various hair color alternatives without high levels of the chemicals mentioned above. If you are worried about the risks, speak to your healthcare provider.

Why we should not use hair dye?

Some experts have warned that repeated use of permanent hair dyes can increase the risk of cancers. In addition, the constant use of permanent hair dyes may lead to other issues, such as allergic reactions and hormonal imbalance.

Does L'Oreal hair dye contain PPD?

L’Oreal has numerous hair dye products, some of which contain PPD.

It can be devastating to imagine that a company you trust could knowingly release products containing carcinogenic chemicals. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer after using chemical hair straightening products, it’s important that you reach out to learn more about whether you may be eligible for compensation. When you fill out the form below, we’ll review your case details and connect you with a chemical hair straightener lawyer who will be able to guide you through the next steps. You don’t have to figure this out on your own–we’re here to help.