Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits

For generations, women have used a variety of chemical hair products to relax or straighten their hair. Recent studies show a link between hair relaxers and certain cancers. With these hair products often being introduced to women at a young age, many women have received these harmful treatments for decades.

What is Chemical Hair Straightening?

Chemical hair straightening is a treatment many women choose to undergo to straighten their natural hair. On average, women have this treatment performed every four to eight weeks. Hair stylists apply a creamy mix to the hair and scalp and allow it to sit long enough to produce a “tingle” but not too long to risk burning the scalp. This tingling sensation is often caused by a mix of harmful chemicals being absorbed into the skin.

What Chemicals are Used in Hair Straighteners?

Chemical hair straighteners typically contain formaldehyde, metals, phthalates, parabens, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (which are all associated with cancer risk). These chemicals may be absorbed more quickly by the body through scalp burns and abrasions often caused by chemical straighteners. Scalp exposure is highly problematic as the scalp absorbs higher concentrations of harmful chemicals than any other area of the body, such as the forearms, palms, or abdomen.

Do Hair Straightening Products Cause Cancer?

In short, yes. Hair straightening products have chemicals that cause cancer. Regular and prolonged exposure to hair straightening chemicals can cause devastating conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, preterm deliveries, and reproductive organ cancer.

A recent study surveyed 33,947 U.S. women aged 35-47. Participants answered questions about their use of various hair care products including dyes, straighteners, relaxers, pressing products, permanents, and body waves. The study concluded that the risk of developing uterine cancer by age 70 is around 4 percent in women who used hair relaxers at least four times in one year and just 1.6 percent in women who hadn’t used them. Dyes, permanents, and waves were not found to increase the risk of cancer.

It also noted that the link between the products and the cancer was most pronounced for Black women, who made up just 7.4 percent of the overall participants but almost 60 percent of those who reported using straighteners. Uterine cancer is the most common type of gynecological cancer in the country, with rates among Black women rising especially fast.

Do You Have a Case?

You may have a case if you meet the following criteria:

1. You used a hair straightening or relaxing product

2. You experienced at least one of the following cancers:

● Uterine cancer

● Endometrial cancer

● Ovarian cancer

● OR have Uterine Fibroids IF you have had one of the following procedures: hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometrial ablation, or uterine artery embolization.

Let an Experienced Chemical Hair Straightening Attorney Help You

At Bryant Law Center, we are committed to fully investigating and prosecuting cases for women with reproductive organ cancers following exposure to toxic chemicals in their hair care products. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and suspect it is due to your use of hair straightening products, call us for a free consultation at (270) 550-1230.

Our experienced product liability attorneys can help you win your case. We handle cases nationwide.

Additional Sources

Uterine cancer deaths are rising in the United States, and are highest among Black women