Hair Straightener Lawsuit

Recently, a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that using popular hair-straightening products and relaxers significantly increased women’s risk of developing uterine cancer. Specifically, the startling findings determined that women who reported using hair-straightening products more than four times in the previous year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not use the products.

The study followed more than 33,000 women ages 35-74 over an approximately 11-year period. Over that time, 378 cases of uterine cancer were diagnosed among the group.

What is the cause of the Increased Risk? 

With respect to the results of the study, Alexandra White, PhD, the head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group and the lead author of the study stated “[w]e estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70; but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05%.  Dr. White further stated that “[s]traighteners in particular have been found to include chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, cyclosiloxanes, [and] metals, and can release formaldehyde when heated.”  Researchers noted that straighteners, in particular, may be riskier than some other hair products due to higher rates of absorption in the scalp, as compared with other skin such as the forearm or palms.  Additionally, researchers indicated that the use of straighteners can cause burns and abrasions on the scalp, increasing the chemical absorption and heating processes such as flat ironing or blow drying during straightening treatment could release further chemicals from the products, leading to potentially higher exposure. 

The study was the first to examine the relationship between the use of hair-straighteners or hair-relaxers and uterine cancer. However, previous studies have found that the products increased the risks of breast and ovarian cancer.

What manufacturers are involved?

Although study researchers did not collect information on specific brands, many large hair care companies manufacture, produce and market straightening products that contain the chemicals highlighted in the study. Such brands include:

• • L’Oreal
  • Revlon
  • Clairol
  • Unilever (VO5, TRESemme)

What should I do if I used one of these products?

If you or a loved one developed uterine cancer, breast cancer and/or uterine fibroids with premenopausal hysterectomy and had used hair-straightening products, you may be eligible to bring a claim.  To learn more information or to see if you or your loved one qualifies to bring a claim, please do not hesitate to contact HGSK Lawyers for a free consultation.