Hair Straightening Chemicals Linked to Uterine Cancer
Women who used chemical hair straightening or relaxer products frequently (more than four times in the last year) may have twice the risk of developing uterine cancer compared to those who didn’t use the products, according to a new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
While uterine cancer may only account for 3% of cancer diagnoses each year, studies have shown that the rates for this cancer are rising — particularly among Black women — with 65,950 new total cases estimated in 2022.
Approximately 60% of the participants who claimed to use hair straighteners in the study identified as Black women.
“Because Black women use hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently and tend to initiate use at earlier ages than other races and ethnicities, these findings may be even more relevant for them.”
– Che-Jung Chang, Ph.D., an Author on the New Study
Historically, hair straightening and relaxer products were intentionally marketed toward communities of color as a way of achieving an unfair Eurocentric beauty standard.
At Sokolove Law, we know the pain and suffering that people experience when injuries and injustice occur. We have a long track record of holding those responsible for that suffering accountable.
Lawsuits have already been filed against L'Oréal® and other hair straightener manufacturers — but there’s still time for you to take action if you or a loved one were diagnosed with uterine cancer.
See If You Can Take Action
If you used chemical hair straighteners and developed cancer, you can learn about your legal options — for free. Take the first steps toward justice now.
Latest Hair Straightener Lawsuit Updates 2023-24
At Sokolove Law, we are committed to providing our clients with significant, up-to-date information regarding the hair straightener litigation.
Recent chemical hair straightener lawsuit updates include:
- December 2024: Plaintiffs have until February 2025 to correct missing or incomplete information in their Plaintiff Fact Sheets (PFS). Failure to do so could result in their claims being dismissed from the hair straightener litigation.
- November 2024: Many new hair straightener claims were added to the class action lawsuit or multidistrict litigation (MDL) over the past month, bringing the total number of pending cases to more than 9,400.
- October 2024: Victims' lawyers are pushing courts to force L’Oréal USA to share their parent company's documents about the safety and formulation of L’Oréal hair straightener products.
- September 2024: Plaintiffs have accused Revlon® of delaying litigation by failing to produce key documents before a court-ordered deadline. The company claims the delay is due to the large volume of documents involved in the case.
- July 2024: L'Oréal lost an appeal to dismiss a hair straightener lawsuit filed in Georgia. The case, which alleges the company failed to warn users about the risk of uterine fibroids, will now proceed in the state court.
- June 2024: A judge appointed Maura Grossman as the Special Master for the hair straightener lawsuit. She has decades of experience in technology-assisted reviews and plans to help improve evidence analysis in this case.
- May 2024: Judge Rowland issued an order to simplify the process of submitting documents to the court by using a third-party vendor, which can avoid potential delays caused by the federal court electronic filing system.
- March 2024: Additional victims have come forward to join the hair straightener MDL, with 8,373 lawsuits now pending against the companies that manufactured and sold these products.
- January 2024: Nearly 8,100 hair straightener lawsuits are currently pending in the MDL against multiple chemical hair straightener manufacturers.
- December 2023: Manufacturers were ordered to provide product labels, regulations, and safety studies about the products they sold in other countries as evidence is gathered for cases nationwide.
- November 2023: A federal judge in Illinois has ruled against the companies that filed a motion to dismiss the MDL, which means thousands of claims will be allowed to proceed in court.
- October 2023: Nearly 6,000 claims are pending against L'Oréal and the other companies named in the MDL or chemical hair straightener class action lawsuit.
- September 2023: A Master Complaint for the chemical hair straightener cases has been filed. This document combines all of the allegations made across the hair relaxer lawsuits and evidence linking chemical hair straighteners to different health concerns.
- July 2023: L'Oréal, Revlon, and other companies involved in the chemical hair straightener lawsuits have filed a motion to dismiss the claims filed against them. The companies argue the link between chemical hair straighteners and health issues is vague and unsupported.
- February 2023: Nearly 60 hair straightener lawsuits have been consolidated into an MDL in Illinois. There is still time to join the hair straightener class action lawsuit.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. See if we can help you file a chemical hair straightener lawsuit now during a free case review.
Who Can File a Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
You may be able to file a chemical hair straightener lawsuit if you:
- Used chemical hair straightening products or hair relaxers
- Were later diagnosed with endometrial, ovarian, or uterine cancer
Not sure if you have a case? Simply call (800) 995-1212 to find out your legal options for free.
Uterine Cancer Signs & Symptoms
It’s important to speak to your health care provider as soon as possible if you notice any of these uterine cancer symptoms:
- Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area below your belly
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods before menopause
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting postmenopause to any degree
- Very frequent, heavy, or prolonged vaginal bleeding over the age of 40
- White or clear vaginal discharge in postmenopausal women
If you used hair relaxers and were later diagnosed with uterine cancer, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from a chemical hair straightening lawsuit.
Filing a Lawsuit for Hair Straighteners
When a product is put on the market, it should be safe for consumers to use — but sadly, that’s not always the case.
By filing a chemical hair straightener lawsuit, you can take a stand against the companies that made these products and seek compensation that can help pay for your medical treatment.
At Sokolove Law, we understand how difficult this situation must be for you and your family. Our attorneys work to make the legal process as stress-free as possible for you by handling every step on your behalf.
This process generally involves your hair straightener lawyers and legal team:
- Confirming your case qualifies for legal action
- Building your case by collecting evidence, like medical records and testimony
- Filing your hair straightener claim within any legal deadlines
- Negotiating a hair straightener lawsuit settlement with the defendant(s)
- Pursuing a verdict during a trial in court
Chemical Hair Straightener Settlements & Verdicts
Filing a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit can result in compensation in one of two potential ways:
- Hair Straightener Settlements: When your legal team and the defendant(s) can agree to an amount of compensation for your injuries, it’s known as a hair straightener settlement.
- Trial Verdicts: If a hair straightener settlement isn’t reached, your case may proceed to a trial in court, where a judge or jury will hear the claim and decide the outcome in a verdict.
Our chemical hair straightener lawyers will fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to. Contact us now to get started.
Billions Recovered Nationwide
At Sokolove Law, we’ve recovered over $9.6 Billion for thousands of injured clients nationwide. Let us get you the results you deserve.
What to Look for in a Hair Straightener Lawyer
Not every attorney or law firm has the experience and resources needed to take legal action against several large cosmetic companies at the same time. These companies often employ powerful legal teams of their own that may try to protect their profits and shield themselves from liability if possible.
At Sokolove Law, our attorneys fight to level the playing field between victims and the institutions or companies that harmed them.
Why choose Sokolove Law for your hair straightener claim?
- Established & Experienced: For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has fought for compensation and justice on behalf of injured clients.
- Billions of Dollars Recovered: We’ve secured over $9.6 Billion because our team is committed to fighting for the results our clients deserve.
- Legal Help Available Nationwide: Regardless of where you’re located in the U.S., Sokolove Law can help. As a national product liability law firm, we have offices and attorneys in nearly every state.
- No Hourly Fees or Out-of-Pocket Costs: Our hair relaxer lawyers only get paid if your case results in compensation, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
You want a lawyer who will fight for you — and that's just what our team will do. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you. Call (800) 995-1212 now for a free case review.
Get Help Filing a Hair Straightening Cancer Lawsuit
Through our legal services and decades-long commitment to providing equal access to the justice system, Sokolove Law is deeply committed to assisting victims who need help the most.
What happened to you wasn’t fair — but we’ll work to make it right. Our firm is proud to have stood up for the voiceless in the face of harm for more than 45 years.
Let us help you hold the companies that made and marketed these dangerous hair products accountable for their greed and negligence.
See if you have a case for free by calling (800) 995-1212 or filling out our contact form. We’re here to listen to your story and help you navigate the legal process during this difficult time.
Note: All brands are trademarks of their respective companies.
Hair Straightener Uterine Cancer Lawsuit FAQs
Is there a hair straightener class action lawsuit?
Yes. Over 9,600 hair relaxer lawsuits against L'Oreal USA Inc. and other companies have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) or class action lawsuit.
That said, there's still time for you to join the hair straightener class action lawsuit — but you have to act fast. Call (800) 995-1212 now to get started.
Is chemical hair straightening safe?
Not entirely. In addition to a range of superficial side effects like scalp burns or hair loss, chemical hair straightening products have recently been linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer.
What chemicals are in hair straighteners?
Depending on the specific brand and product, the chemicals in hair relaxer and straightener products can often include:
- Bisphenol A (BPA): An industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic
- Formaldehyde: A flammable gas and potential carcinogen used in the production of many different products, including various construction materials
- Metals: Cosmetic products may contain trace amounts of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, and nickel
- Parabens: A group of chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical products
While the FDA maintains these chemicals pose little to no risk in low doses, the results of this new study raise concerns about how safe they may be when used frequently — especially in such a sensitive and high-risk location as the scalp.
Can you get cancer from relaxing or straightening your hair?
Potentially, yes. Chemically relaxing or straightening your hair has been linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer.
While the link isn’t fully understood yet, the scalp is a particularly sensitive area of the body, and chemical straighteners may often cause burns and lesions that can allow the chemicals to absorb more readily.
If you chemically straightened your hair and have since been diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer, you may be eligible to file a hair straightener cancer lawsuit to pursue compensation that can help lessen the financial burden of receiving medical care.
Call Sokolove Law at (800) 995-1212 now to get started.
How long do I have to file a hair straightener lawsuit for uterine cancer and fibroids?
Unfortunately, you only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit over chemical hair straightening products and uterine cancer — due to state laws called statutes of limitations.
Once the deadline passes, you won’t be able to take legal action over your injuries again.
This makes it important to contact us as soon as possible to see if you have a case.
How much do lawyers for a hair straightener lawsuit cost?
At Sokolove Law, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. Our chemical hair straightener lawsuit lawyers only get paid if your case successfully results in compensation.
This way, there’s no financial investment or risk to taking legal action.
What can chemical hair straightener settlements be used for?
A chemical hair straightener lawsuit settlement can help pay for cancer treatments, medical expenses, rent or mortgage payments, travel to specialists, and more.
If you’ve had to take time off of work or been unable to work because of your illness, you may also be able to recover compensation for your lost wages or the loss of your earning capacity.
