Advocacy for Patients

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Hair relaxer lawsuits are currently being filed by product liability lawyers in all 50 states. The lawsuits claim that hair relaxers, also known as hair straighteners, contain chemicals that can cause a variety of serious, life-threatening side effects such as:

  • Endometrial cancer
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Uterine cancer
  • Uterine fibroids

Free Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Review

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with cancer or suffered from another serious side effect after using a hair relaxers? If so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation by filing a hair relaxer lawsuit.

For a no-cost, no-obligation review of your potential case, please start your instant hair relaxer case review below.

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History of Hair Relaxers

Hair relaxers have a long and complex history, dating back to ancient Egypt and the use of alkali-based substances to straighten hair. In the early 1900s, African American entrepreneur Garrett Morgan invented a hair straightening cream called the “G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Cream,” which was marketed primarily to African American women.

The 1940s and 1950s saw the rise of the “conk,” a popular hairstyle for African American men that involved using a mixture of lye and potatoes to straighten hair. This was also a time when hair straightening became more popular among African American women, with products like “Luster’s Pink Oil” and “Royal Crown Hair Dressing” gaining popularity.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the civil rights movement and the rise of the Black Power movement led to a renewed interest in natural hair, with many African Americans choosing to wear their hair in afros and other natural styles. However, hair straightening products continued to be popular among some African American women, and new products like “Mizani” and “Affirm” were developed to cater to this market.

Today, hair relaxers continue to be widely used by African American women, although there has been a growing movement towards embracing natural hair and avoiding chemical straightening treatments. The potential health risks associated with hair relaxers have also led to increased scrutiny of these products and calls for greater regulation of the cosmetics industry.

Timeline of Studies Linking Hair Relaxers to Cancer

  1. A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention in 2007 found a possible link between hair relaxer use and increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women.
  2. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2012 found that women who used hair relaxers every five to eight weeks had a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who did not use hair relaxers.
  3. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2017 found that women who used hair relaxers were at a slightly increased risk of developing uterine fibroids.
  4. A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2018 found that women who used hair dyes and hair straighteners had a higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who did not use these products.
  5. A study published in Carcinogenesis in 2019 found that exposure to some chemicals found in hair relaxers was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in laboratory animals.
  6. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2017 found that black women who used hair dyes and hair relaxers had higher levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in their bodies compared to those who did not use these products.
  7. In 2022 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study that investigated the association between hair relaxer use and uterine cancer among a diverse group of women (see following section). Participants self-reported their hair product use and were followed up for an average of 10.9 years. The study found that the use of hair relaxers was linked to a higher incidence of uterine cancer.

STUDY: Hair Relaxers Linked to Uterine Cancer

Hair relaxers are an extremely popular product among African American women as they help straighten and flatten hair.

Most hair relaxers contain hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties.

There have been studies in the past linking the use of hair relaxers to a higher risk of hormone-sensitive cancers including breast and ovarian cancer but a recent study linked the use of hair relaxers to an increased risk of uterine cancer.

In 2022 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study titled, “Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer”.

What they found was shocking …

The authors of the study examined the usage of hair relaxers and the subsequent development of uterine cancer. They had access to 33, 947 Sister Study participants aged 35-74 years.

What did they find?

Over an average of 10.9 years of follow-up, 378 uterine cancer cases were identified. There was a higher incidence among women who used hair relaxers greater than four times in a 12 month period.

The authors concluded that the findings are the first epidemiologic evidence of the association between use of hair relaxer products and uterine cancer.

Which hair relaxers cause cancer?

There is evidence to suggest that the chemicals found in some hair relaxers may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Specifically, hair relaxers that contain phthalates, such as diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), have been linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer. DEHP is also considered a probable human carcinogen and has been shown to cause developmental abnormalities, reproductive dysfunction, and infertility.

Some of the straightening products that hair relaxer lawyers are currently investigating include:

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus, which is called the endometrium. It is also sometimes referred to as uterine cancer or cancer of the womb.

Endometrial cancer is the most common type of cancer of the female reproductive system. The symptoms of endometrial cancer can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or a mass or lump in the pelvic area.

The exact causes of endometrial cancer are not fully understood, but risk factors include the use of hair relaxers, obesity, hormonal imbalances, a family history of the disease, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Treatment for endometrial cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the stage and severity of the cancer.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus, typically in the pelvic region. This tissue can grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, or other areas in the pelvis. The tissue that grows outside of the uterus responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, causing it to break down and bleed just like the tissue inside the uterus. However, since this tissue has no way to exit the body, it can cause inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue and adhesions.

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary from mild to severe and can include painful periods, pain during sex, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility.

The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully known but recently the use of hair relaxers has been linked to endometriosis.

Treatment options can range from pain management to hormone therapy to surgery, depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s individual needs.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. Ovarian cancer can start in the cells on the surface of the ovary, in the cells that form the eggs, or in the cells that produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

The symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and may include abdominal bloating, discomfort or pain in the pelvic region, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, and changes in bladder or bowel habits.

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages, which is why it is often referred to as the “silent killer”. Ovarian cancer has been linked to the use of hair relaxers.

There are different types of ovarian cancer, and treatment options may vary depending on the stage of the cancer, the type of cells involved, and the patient’s overall health.

Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these approaches.

Uterine cancer

Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is a type of cancer that starts in the lining of the uterus, which is called the endometrium.

The uterus is a female reproductive organ where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus during pregnancy. Uterine cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the endometrium begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor.

The symptoms of uterine cancer can include abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, and pain during sex.

Risk factors for uterine cancer include obesity, a history of endometrial hyperplasia (an overgrowth of cells in the uterus), a family history of certain cancers, certain genetic conditions, and the use of hair relaxer products.

Treatment options for uterine cancer may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the stage and type of cancer and the patient’s individual needs.

Uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus, which is the female reproductive organ where a fertilized egg implants and grows into a fetus during pregnancy. Uterine fibroids can range in size from small pea-sized growths to larger ones that can be several inches in diameter. They are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue and can be located inside or outside the uterus, or within the uterine wall.

Uterine fibroids are very common and can affect women of any age, but they are most commonly found in women between the ages of 30 and 50. While some women may not experience any symptoms from uterine fibroids, others may experience heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, constipation, or pain during sex.

The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not fully known, but they are thought to be influenced by hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Recently, the use of hair relaxers has been linked to uterine fibroids.

Treatment for uterine fibroids may depend on the size and location of the growths, as well as the severity of symptoms. Treatment options can include medications, noninvasive procedures, or surgery to remove the fibroids or the entire uterus.

Find Out if You Qualify For a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with cancer or suffered from another serious side effect after using a hair relaxers? If so, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation by filing a hair relaxer lawsuit.

For a no-cost, no-obligation review of your potential case, please start your instant hair relaxer case review below.