A recent study by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute confirms that using hair straighteners or relaxers doubles the risk of uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer in women. This disturbing revelation disproportionately impacts black women who are the main consumers of hair straighteners and relaxers as marketing used to push these products reinforced Eurocentric beauty standards, which have long been used to oppress communities of color.
What is in Hair Relaxers?
Hair relaxers contain chemicals that straighten or relax natural hair. These chemicals, including Phthalates and formaldehyde and other parabens, disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormone receptors. The particular chemical in hair relaxers, called Di-2-ethyl hexyl Phthalate or DEHP is a probable human carcinogen.
What Products are Included in the Hair Straightener Lawsuits?
- L’Oreal Products including Cream of nature, SoftSheen Carson, SSC Dark and Lovely and Mizani
- Coppola products including Keratin Smoothing Therapy and Brazilian Smoothing Treatment
- Strength of Nature Global, including Just for Me, Soft & Beautiful, African Pride
- Africa’s Best Including Herbal Intensive Dual Conditioning Relaxer, Touch-up Plus Moisturizing No-lye New Growth Relaxer, and Olive Oil No-Lye relaxers
- IBS Beauty, including IStraight Keratin Advanced Keratin Treatment
- Revlon products, including Conditional Crème Relaxer.
- Soft & Beautiful Product, Botanical Regular Texturizer, No-Lye Regular Texturizer and No Lye Sensitive Scalp Relaxer
- Silk Elements products including Magasilk Shea Butter Relaxer and Luxury Moisturizing Shea Butter Relaxer.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates
2022- November
In November of 2022, a motion was filed with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (”JPML”) requesting consolidation of the hair relaxer lawsuit into a new litigation. The Motion included 13 individual plaintiffs pending in four different federal district courts. The Plaintiffs in those lawsuits named L’Oreal USA and a handful of smaller companies.
2022- December
Defendants responded to the motion pending before the JPML and opposed consolidation. The JPML set a hearing for January, 2023.
2023- February
After hearing the arguments, the JPML decided to consolidate the litigation in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. The Case has been assigned to Judge Mary Rowland.
If you were diagnosed with uterine, ovarian or endometrial cancer and used hair relaxers consistently for at least a year, contact the hair relaxer attorneys at Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn today at 202-792-7927 for a free consultation.
