Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

What Is the Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit About?

The hair relaxer cancer lawsuit is a mass tort litigation involving thousands of women who developed cancer or serious reproductive health conditions after regular use of chemical hair straightening and relaxer products. The litigation, consolidated as MDL 3060 in the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary Rowland, alleges that manufacturers knew or should have known that their products contained dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometriosis.

The lawsuits were largely catalyzed by a landmark National Institutes of Health (NIH) study published in October 2022 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). That study found that women who reported frequent use of hair straightening products — defined as more than four times in the previous year — had more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer compared to women who did not use these products.

Chemical hair relaxers contain ingredients such as formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and other compounds that can act as endocrine disruptors — meaning they interfere with the body's hormonal systems. These chemicals can be absorbed through the scalp, particularly when the scalp sustains chemical burns during the relaxing process, which is a common occurrence. Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers about the cancer risks associated with their products. For broader context on environmental chemical exposure lawsuits, see our PFAS forever chemicals lawsuit page.

Scientific and Medical Evidence

The scientific case against chemical hair relaxers rests on multiple peer-reviewed studies and growing epidemiological evidence linking these products to hormone-sensitive cancers and reproductive conditions.

The NIH/NIEHS Sister Study (2022)

The most significant study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in October 2022, using data from the Sister Study — a long-term prospective cohort study of 33,947 women aged 35 to 74 in the United States. Key findings included:

• Women who reported frequent use of chemical hair straightening products (more than 4 times per year) had a 2.55 times higher risk of uterine cancer.
• By age 70, the cumulative risk of uterine cancer was 4.05% for frequent users versus 1.64% for never-users.
• The association was observed regardless of race, though the public health impact was noted to be greater for Black women due to higher prevalence of use.

Additional Supporting Research

• Ovarian cancer link: A 2021 study in the journal Carcinogenesis found that ever-use of hair relaxers was associated with a 28% increased risk of ovarian cancer, with the association being stronger among frequent users.
• Endometriosis connection: Research published in Human Reproduction found associations between chemical hair product use and increased risk of endometriosis, particularly among women with long-term use.
• Chemical absorption: Studies have demonstrated that chemicals in hair relaxer products — including formaldehyde, cyclosiloxanes, and parabens — are readily absorbed through the scalp, especially when chemical burns occur during the straightening process.

For another example of consumer products linked to cancer, see our page on the talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson.

Products Named in the Lawsuit

The hair relaxer litigation encompasses a wide range of chemical hair straightening and relaxer products sold by multiple manufacturers. Both lye-based (sodium hydroxide) and no-lye (calcium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide) relaxer formulas are included. The following products and brands have been identified in the litigation:

This is not an exhaustive list. If you used any chemical hair relaxer or straightening product regularly and have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition, you should consult an attorney about your potential claim regardless of the specific brand you used.

Who Qualifies for the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

You may qualify to file a hair relaxer lawsuit claim if your history matches the following criteria. While each case is evaluated individually, the general qualification factors include:

Lawsuit Timeline

The hair relaxer cancer litigation is relatively new compared to other mass torts, but it has moved quickly since the publication of the key NIH study in 2022. Here are the major milestones:

Settlement Amounts and Projections

As of early 2026, no global settlement has been reached in the hair relaxer litigation. The cases are still in the discovery and bellwether preparation phase. However, based on the nature of the claims, the strength of the scientific evidence, and precedent from comparable mass tort cases (such as the talcum powder litigation), legal analysts have projected potential settlement ranges:

Individual settlement amounts depend on multiple factors including the specific diagnosis, severity and stage of cancer, duration and frequency of product use, age at diagnosis, and the strength of documentation linking product use to the condition. For a general overview of how settlement amounts are determined, see our guide on mass tort settlement amounts.

How to File a Hair Relaxer Claim

Filing a hair relaxer lawsuit claim involves several steps. An experienced mass tort attorney can guide you through the entire process. Here is what to expect:

For a detailed overview of the filing process, read our guide on how to join a mass tort lawsuit.

Named Defendants

The hair relaxer lawsuit names multiple manufacturers and distributors of chemical hair straightening products. The primary defendants include:

• L'Oreal S.A. / L'Oreal USA — Manufacturer of Dark & Lovely, Mizani, and other relaxer brands through subsidiaries including SoftSheen-Carson.
• Revlon Inc. — Manufacturer of Motions, African Pride, and Creme of Nature relaxer products.
• Namaste Laboratories LLC — Manufacturer of Just For Me and ORS (Organic Root Stimulator) relaxer products.
• Strength of Nature Global LLC — Manufacturer of TCB Naturals, Soft & Beautiful, and other relaxer brands.
• Dabur International Ltd. — Manufacturer of various hair care products named in the litigation.

Plaintiffs allege that these companies knew or should have known about the cancer risks associated with the chemicals in their products and failed to provide adequate warnings to consumers.

Disproportionate Impact on Black Women

While the health risks of chemical hair relaxers affect all users, the public health impact falls disproportionately on Black women. Research indicates that approximately 89% of Black women in the United States have used chemical hair relaxer products at some point, compared to far lower usage rates among other demographic groups. Many Black women begin using these products as children or teenagers.

Plaintiffs' attorneys and public health advocates have emphasized that this lawsuit has significant environmental justice implications, as chemical hair relaxer products have been predominantly marketed to Black communities for decades. The NIH researchers specifically noted that their findings were "relevant" to the public health of Black women given the higher prevalence of use.

It is important to note that the scientific evidence suggests the health risk is related to the chemicals in the products, not the race of the user. Women of any race or ethnicity who used chemical hair relaxer products regularly and were diagnosed with a qualifying condition may be eligible to file a claim.