Chemical Hair Straighteners (Hair Relaxer) & Cancer Lawsuit

In mid-October 2022, the Journal of the National Institute of Cancer published an alarming study on the link between hair straightener products – and other related cosmetics – and several forms of cancer. The study found that hair products may contain hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) properties. 

Not long after the study was published, a Missouri woman filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and several other companies that manufacture hair straightening products and equipment, alleging that exposure to these hair products was responsible for her uterine cancer. Other hair straightener cancer lawsuits have been filed in New York and California. Lawyers representing claimants believe that more people will come forward to join lawsuits against manufacturers of these potentially defective products.

April 16, 2025

Consumer Reports: Alternatives to chemical-based hair straighteners

April 10, 2025

There are new lawsuits claiming that hair dye products cause bladder cancer.

April 7, 2025

Studies show Endometrial and Uterine cancer caused by hair relaxer products.

April 3, 2025

A major study out of Ghana has linked chemical hair relaxers—including non-lye products—used by Black women to a significantly higher risk of breast cancer. The findings strengthen the scientific basis of thousands of ongoing U.S. lawsuits alleging hair relaxers caused uterine and other hormone-related cancers. This international data may be leveraged by plaintiffs' attorneys to demonstrate broader public health concerns and corporate negligence in disclosing product risks.

April 1, 2025

A Georgia woman has joined the growing number of plaintiffs suing manufacturers of hair relaxers, alleging the products contain chemicals linked to cancer. As awareness increases and scientific studies point to potential health risks, more individuals are coming forward with legal claims against major cosmetic brands.

March 27, 2025

Lawmakers and private citizens alike are frustrated at the Food and Drug Administration's delay to enforce the ban on the use of formaldehyde in chemical hair straightening products. While some companies that manufacture chemical hair straighteners have switched to a formaldehyde-free formula, many have not, leaving people who use the products susceptible to certain cancers related to the use of formaldehyde hair straightening formulas. A spokesperson for the FDA said "the rulemaking process takes time" when asked why the ban has yet to be enforced.

March 25, 2025

New media coverage on KGW's Damage Control segment has drawn attention to growing lawsuits against hair relaxer manufacturers, linking their products to an increased risk of uterine cancer. Scientific studies suggest a connection between long-term use and severe health effects, fueling litigation that seeks accountability from major cosmetic companies.

March 20, 2025

Originally, the FDA's ban on formadehyde in chemical hair straightening products was set to take effect in March of 2025. The ban has been pushed back once again, and isn't expected to be put into effect until January 2027, leaving countless women at risk for developing health conditions, including ovarian cancer, following the use of chemical hair straightening products.

March 16, 2025

Nearly 12,000 lawsuits are now a part of the multidistrict litigation alleging a link between cancers and chemical hair straighteners.

March 13, 2025

Hair straightener lawsuit main findings:

• Black women are at greater risk because the products are marketed and used primarily by them.
• As more women claim harm, the number of lawsuits continues to grow.
• The first lawsuits filed against cosmetic companies for hair straighteners were in October 2022.
• Hair straighteners can cause cancers such as ovarian, breast, uterine, and endometrial cancers.
• If you have developed cancer after using hair straighteners, compensation may be available.

March 9, 2025

Chemical hair relaxers are linked to many negative health effects in addition to cancer. A 2024 literature review found that health risks associated with chemical hair straightener use included asthma, acute kidney injury, hormone disruptions, and fertility issues.

March 5, 2025

Research shows that the dangerous, cancer-linked chemicals in hair relaxants can also cause health issues, including early menstruation, in young girls. Other studies have linked early menstruation with a higher lifelong risk of heart attack, stroke, and other adverse cardiac events over the course of their lives.

March 3, 2025

An executive order from the Trump administration has likely indefinitely stalled a Food and Drug Administration ban on the cancer-linked chemicals in hair relaxers. The Administration's order paused all new regulations and external communications from federal health organizations, making it impossible for the FDA to release new information affecting the use of formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals used in hair relaxers.

March 1, 2025

Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits:Cancer Risks & Claims

February 24, 2025

The American Cancer Society has released information on the INTERLACE cervical cancer trial. This treatment protocol combined chemotherapy with chemoradiation and found that, compared to standard cancer treatment, the combination therapy resulted in higher surival rates and slower cancer growth. This new research could potentially help women who developed reproductive cancer after using chemical hair straighteners.

February 19, 2025

UC San Diego Health is working to expand research to help women who have been diagnosed with reproductive cancers. Currently, eight clinical trials are open and actively accepting new participants who have been diagnosed with reproductive cancers, and women who developed cancer after using chemical hair relaxants may be eligible.

February 12, 2025

New ovarian cancer treatments are currently being studied in hopes of offering new hope to those diagnosed with reproductive cancer, including treatments for those who have advanced forms of cancer that has metastasized to other areas of the body. UC San Diego Health is running a trial testing the effectiveness of drugs including cabozantinib S-malate and nivolumab on advanced uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, anc carcinomas. The research is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

February 11, 2025

A 2025 article published in the academic journal Environmental Health Perspectives showed that there may be a link between chemical hair straighteners and the development of uterine fibroids. While fibroids are non-cancerous, they may cause ongoing pain, bleeding, and urinary issues.

February 9, 2025

Both plaintiffs and defendants in the chemical hair relaxer lawsuits are struggling to agree on guidelines for discovery and case selection, potentially pushing back the start date of bellwether trials.

February 6, 2025

170 new lawsuits were recently added to the MDL case against the manufacturers of chemical hair relaxants. The judge presiding over the cases has begun to set discovery deadlines for the upcoming hearings. Written discovery is to be completed by February 28, 2025, and oral discovery is to be completed by September 30, 2025.

February 1, 2025

A proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair products has been delayed again. Studies link formaldehyde in chemical straighteners to cancers, especially in Black women. Some states have bans in place, but a presidential pause on new regulations has put federal action on hold.

January 27, 2025

As of January 1, 2025, the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act is in effect in California. This law bans a dozen harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, from personal care products sold in The Golden State. Lobbyists are working to push the Food and Drug Administration follow suit.

January 26, 2025

Attorneys for plaintiffs in the chemical hair straightener trial are asking for a February selection of 16 cases to begin bellweather trials. This would allow trials to begin in September 2025. Defendants are also proposing a 16-case selection, however, they are asking for a more intricate selection process.

January 15, 2025

Plaintiffs and defendants in the hair relaxer multidistrict litigation have submitted proposals for managing the bellwether trial process. While plaintiffs aim for trials to begin in 2025, defendants advocate for a lengthier timeline, potentially delaying the first trial to 2026. The MDL judge’s decision will shape the next steps in this high-profile litigation.

January 14, 2025

The MDL added 170 new lawsuits in December 2024. This brings the total number of pending cases to almost 10,000. This constant increase is a reflection of the growing concern and awareness about the possible dangers associated with long-term use of hair products.

January 8, 2025

There are now almost 10,000 cases in the hair relaxer multidistrict litigation (MDL) and the number of new lawsuits keeps growing The cases involve claims that chemical hair straightening products caused serious health problems — including cancer — to users. The case is expected to be settled as the litigation progresses, potentially aligning with earlier predictions for case resolution.

• January 1, 2025 - GA high court to decide time limit on hair relaxer health lawsuits.
• December 1, 2024 - Hair Relaxers Lawsuits Moving Forward Simultaneously In Federal MDL Courts and State Courts.
• November 1, 2024 - What to Know About the Connection Between Hair Relaxers and Uterine Cancer.
• October 1, 2024 - FDA stalls ban on hair product linked to cancer
• September 1, 2024 - Studies link chemical hair relaxers to health risks, spurring shift among Black women
• August 1, 2024 - Thousands of women got cancer. Now they are suing top beauty industry brands.
• July 1, 2024 - The Disturbing Truth About Hair Relaxers: They’ve been linked to reproductive disorders and cancers. Why are they still being marketed so aggressively to Black women?
• June 1, 2024 - FDA discussing ban of formaldehyde in hair straighteners.
• May 1, 2024 - The FDA move to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners.
• April 1, 2024 - WSB-TV Gets Real: FDA proposal would ban chemical in hair straighteners reportedly linked to cancer.
• March 1, 2024 - L'Oréal Faces Lawsuit Over Phthalates in Hair Straightening Product: A Growing Trend of Chemical Accountability.
• February 14, 2024 - Woman in L'Oreal lawsuit shares photos of hair damage
• February 1, 2024 - 4 Georgia Black women sue for millions after study finds health impacts of hair relaxers.
• January 21, 2024 - Three GA women file lawsuits against hair straightener companies.
• January 1, 2024 - The FDA needs to get to the root of hair-straightener carcinogens. Cancer has been linked to chemicals used to relax hair and smooth it. The regulators should take them off the shelves.
• December 1, 2023 - A study found that using straighteners and curling irons with common hair styling products could release toxic chemicals linked to fertility.
• November 8, 2023 - The FDA proposed a ban on hair straighteners with formaldehyde over cancer concerns.
• November 1, 2023 - The FDA plans to propose banning the use of formaldehyde in hair straighteners, which have been linked to increased cancer risk.
• October 16, 2023 - FDA Proposes Banning A Dangerous Chemical In Hair Relaxers Due Potential Risks To Black Women.
• October 1, 2023 - The Cost of Straight Hair The products Black women rely on to give their locks body and shine are now alleged to give them cancer.
• September 1, 2023 - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Newsletter - Women who regularly used hair straighteners and dye were 9% more likely than women who did not to develop breast cancer. Among Black women, using permanent dyes every five to eight weeks or more was associated with a 60% increased chance of developing breast cancer, as compared with an 8% increased risk for white women.

The hair product cancer report published in the Journal of the National Institute of Cancer was created by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). While it is possible that the new study acted as a catalyst for the latest hair straightener lawsuits filed in the fall of 2022, it’s worth remembering that it is not the first significant study to propose a link between cancer and these products. For instance, another study published in 2020 in the International Journal of Cancer made similar claims, linking hair dyes and hair straighteners to breast cancer. The information in these studies has caused interest in the hair straightener lawsuits, prompting lawyers to call others to come forward if they believe they have been affected.

It’s also important to point out that some of the media reports covering the hair straightener lawsuits recently have picked up on lawyers’ claims that the issue is linked to race. Women of color are much more likely to use hair straightening products, and those participating in the NIEHS hair product study were found to have higher rates of cancer. Still, lawyers make it clear that race, ethnicity, or gender are not barriers to joining these hair straightener lawsuits. Anyone who has had cancer and has used these products in the past should contact an experienced hair straightener attorney to see if they are eligible to join the hair straightener and cancer lawsuits.

The allegations in the lawsuit are against the following companies: Namaste Laboratories, L'Oreal USA Inc. and L'Oreal USA Products Inc., Dabur International Ltd., Dabur USA Inc., Strength of Nature Global LLC and Soft Sheen Carson Inc.

The following companies produce the following chemical hair straightener brands:

• L'Oreal
• TCB Naturals
• Strength of Nature Global LLC
• Soft & Beautiful
• Optimum
• Olive Oil Girls
• Namaste
• Motions
• Just for Me
• Dark and Lovely

L’Oréal Straighteners Breast Cancer

Do L’Oréal straighteners cause breast cancer? We don’t know for sure, but L’Oréal is listed as a defendant in at least one of the current lawsuits for potential hair straightener cancer risk.

Remington Straightener Cancer Warning

There have been conflicting reports in the media and social media about whether Remington hair straighteners cause cancer. Remington is a prominent manufacturer of chemical hair straighteners, but it’s not clear whether the company will be named in upcoming lawsuits.

GHD Straightener Breast Cancer

GHD (Good Hair Day) is another prominent manufacturer of hair straighteners. Like Remington, the company has not been named specifically in any lawsuits. However, this might change as more information becomes available.

CHI Breast Cancer Hair Straightener & Conair Pink Breast Cancer Crimper

CHI (Ceramic Hairstyling Iron) and Conair are two other brands that produce hair straightening and related products. While neither has been specifically mentioned in the hair straightener lawsuits 2022, it’s interesting to note that both brands released special editions of their hair care electrical products in pink with the intention of raising breast cancer awareness.

Hair relaxers, also known as hair straighteners, are products that are used to change the texture of curly hair. Like any chemical product, hair relaxers may cause side effects. 

Possible side effects of hair relaxers include:

• Scalp irritation, including redness, itching, and burning
• Dry, brittle hair
• Damage to the hair, including breakage and split ends
• Hair loss
• Changes in hair texture, such as hair becoming limp or limp and wavy

It is important to follow the instructions on the hair relaxer packaging and to avoid leaving the product on for longer than recommended. Using a hair relaxer that is too strong for your hair type can increase the risk of side effects. If you experience any side effects after using a hair relaxer, it is recommended that you stop using the product and consult a healthcare professional.

Many people are asking how the government is working to protect people who unknowingly use hair straightening products linked to cancer. The FDA, the governmental body responsible for a hair straightener recall, has provided warnings for hair care products. There was a push from the FDA to warn users about using hair straightening products known to release formaldehyde, which is classed as a Group 1 carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical).. The FDA has not yet issued a recall of specific hair straightening products, but it has contacted hair straightener manufacturers to warn them about safety issues.

Studies have proposed that women who used these products, particularly over long periods of time, are more likely to develop uterine cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. The NIEHS study demonstrated that 4% of women who used hair straightener products frequently developed uterine cancer by age 70. The rate of uterine cancer by age 70 for women who never used these products was 1.6%. It is possible that other studies will demonstrate links between hair straightener use and other cancers.

Several studies show that  hair straightener use may be linked to an increased cancer risk, specifically cancers of the uterus, breast, and ovaries. It’s likely that this risk is heightened if these products are used over long periods of time. 

Researchers point to certain chemicals in hair straighteners that are linked to cancer, and have demonstrated an increased rate of these cancers in women who have used these products for many years. If you are concerned at all about using hair straighteners, you should contact your provider for further advice.

Compensation for plaintiffs in hair straightener lawsuits will depend on several factors. Jenny Mitchell, a Missouri woman who brought a lawsuit against L’Oreal and several other hair straightener companies, is asking for$75,000 in compensation. Hair straightener cancer payout awards will depend on evidence uncovered during the lawsuits, including how much these companies knew about the potential dangers of these products.

It is possible that hair straightener companies will come to a settlement agreement with claimants pursuing compensation. If there is evidence of wrongdoing or negligence on the part of big brands like L’Oreal or Remington, it may be more pragmatic to settle out of court. Right now, the focus of law firms is to bring more claimants into the proceedings so that they can hear their stories and build a stronger case against hair straightener companies.

Hair straightener cancer law firms are calling for more people to come forward who have been adversely affected by these products. In particular, lawyers have asked for women who have certain types of cancer – ovarian, uterine, breast – or related illnesses and who have been using hair straightener products for a prolonged period of time to come forward to pursue compensation. 

The first step is determining your eligibility, which you can do by filling in a free evaluation form. If you may qualify for compensation, we will connect you with an experienced personal injury lawyer to begin your journey toward justice.

Currently, the hair straightener cancer lawsuits refer to a handful of cases taken by individuals against hair straightener manufacturers. However, as lawyers are asking more people to come forward to file lawsuits, it is possible that the cases are consolidated. Class action lawsuits are usually reserved for a large number of claimants with identical grievances.. Due to the complexity of the case and allegations of serious injury caused by hair straighteners, it is likely that the lawsuits would become mass tort litigation. This means the cases are grouped together for reasons of efficiency and to create a standard of legal precedence. Unlike a class action, each claimant’s case is judged independently when it comes to awarding settlements.

Can hair straighteners cause cancer?

Several studies have linked hair straightener use to cancer, specifically, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer.

Does Japanese straightening cause cancer?

Experts have raised concerns about specific hair straightening treatments, including some of the chemical processes involved with Japanese straightening techniques. Generally, Japanese hair straightening is recognized as a safe treatment.

Does keratin hair straightening cause cancer?

Keratin is a natural protein that does not cause cancer in and of itself. However, some keratin-based hair treatments include other potentially harmful chemicals, including the known carcinogen formaldehyde.

Is straightening hair with chemicals harmful?

Studies have shown a strong link between cancer rates and the use of hair straighteners over long periods of time.

Is it safe to use a hair straightener daily?

Styling tools that use heat to straighten hair are safe to use daily. Chemical straighteners are not. 

Is keratin linked to cancer?

Keratin is a natural substance found in your hair, nails, and skin. The issue is that some keratin-infused hair care products contain other potentially harmful chemicals that may cause cancer.

What chemicals are in hair straighteners?

There are numerous types of hair straightening procedures,  and its important to read the ingredients label to fully understand the ingredients of the product you’re using. The issue cited in the hair straightener lawsuits for cancer is the possible connection between hair straightening and the release of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which may be carcinogenic.

What are the side effects of chemically straightening hair?

There can be numerous side effects of chemical hair straightening, some of which are cosmetic rather than truly harmful. However, studies have pointed to a higher rate of cancer (breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer) among women who have used chemical hair straighteners for many years.

Can I straighten my hair without damaging it?

Yes, and some hair straighteners might be safe to use. There are many different treatments available, both natural and cosmetic. If you are worried, you should speak to a healthcare provider for further advice.

How can I straighten my hair naturally?

You can find lots of tips and recommendations online for straightening your hair naturally. But remember that not all treatments are safe. Speak to an expert at a salon before trying any procedure that you are unsure about.

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.