This article was co-written by Madeleine Clavier, Associate Attorney and Elisa Detloff, Director of Litigation Management 

For decades, millions of women, primarily women of color, have relied on hair relaxers to achieve smooth, straight hair. But now, an increasing number of lawsuits are exposing the dangerous health risks associated with these chemical products. Major beauty companies like L'Oréal and Revlon, which have long marketed hair relaxers as safe and effective, are facing mounting litigation after it was revealed that these products can cause life-threatening cancers.

The Hidden Dangers of Hair Relaxers

Hair relaxers and straighteners use harsh chemicals designed to break down the disulfide bonds in the hair shaft to make it straight. While these products are marketed as providing an easy path to sleek, manageable hair, they often come with serious, hidden risks. Recent epidemiological studies have shown that regular use of hair relaxers significantly increases the risk of developing uterine, fallopian tube, and ovarian cancers. In fact, women who regularly use these chemical treatments are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who avoid them.

The chemicals in hair relaxers, including formaldehyde and other toxic substances, can wreak havoc on the body, especially with repeated use. Over time, exposure to these harmful ingredients can lead to severe health complications, including the cancers linked to their use. Yet, for years, many of these products were marketed without adequate warnings about their potential dangers, leaving consumers unaware of the risks they were taking.

Discriminatory Marketing and Harm to Women of Color

One of the most troubling aspects of the hair relaxer litigation is the way these products were specifically marketed to women of color. The beauty industry has long promoted a narrow, Eurocentric standard of beauty that prioritizes straight, "manageable" hair while devaluing natural textures. Hair relaxer manufacturers reinforced this damaging idea by offering a quick fix to achieve a particular "ideal" look. These companies targeted Black women and children in their advertisements, all while downplaying the potential health risks associated with their products.

The Lawsuits and the Fight for Justice

As more victims come forward, lawsuits are being filed across the United States, attempting to hold manufacturers accountable for the harm their products have caused. These lawsuits allege that the companies failed to adequately warn consumers about the risks of their products, particularly the link between hair relaxers and uterine, ovarian, and fallopian tube cancer. The consolidation of these cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Illinois, under the supervision of the Honorable Mary M. Rowland, is a critical development in the ongoing fight for justice. Wagstaff Law Firm Partner Aimee Wagstaff serves on the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee for this MDL.

However, the legal battle is far from straightforward. One of the most contentious aspects of the litigation has been the discovery process. L'Oréal USA, which is named in a majority of the pending lawsuits, has pushed back against certain discovery requests. The company argues that personal jurisdiction over L'Oréal SA, its parent company, has not been established, and therefore it should not be required to comply with all discovery demands. This dispute highlights the complexity of the legal proceedings and the lengths to which the defendants are going to avoid full accountability.

Taking Action: Know Your Rights

If you or someone you know has used hair relaxers and developed uterine, ovarian, or fallopian tube cancer, it's important to understand your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for the harm caused by these dangerous products. If you think you may have a claim, don't hesitate to reach out to the team at Wagstaff Law Firm for a consultation.