The Hair Products You Trusted Were Poisoning You. Now There's a Reckoning.

What Is the Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit?

For decades, manufacturers sold chemical hair relaxers and straighteners to millions of women — products containing formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These companies aggressively marketed their products to Black women and girls, sometimes promoting use from as young as age five.

In October 2022, a landmark study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — the Sister Study — confirmed what many suspected: women who used chemical hair straightening products more than four times per year had 2.55 times the risk of uterine cancer compared to women who didn't use them. The study followed 33,497 women for approximately 11 years.

Uterine cancer rates in the United States have been rising for years, and they have risen disproportionately among Black women. Now, more than 11,000 women have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers — and that number grows every week.

Why Black Women Were Targeted — and Why It Matters

This lawsuit is not just about product liability. It is about environmental justice and racial equity. Chemical hair relaxers were manufactured and marketed almost exclusively to Black women and girls. The companies that made these products knew their customer base — and they knew the risks.

Hair in the Black community carries deep cultural meaning. For generations, Black women faced systemic pressure — from schools, workplaces, and society — to straighten their hair to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards. These companies exploited that pressure for profit, creating products that made billions of dollars while potentially damaging the health of the women who trusted them.

Many women started using relaxers as children. By the time they received a cancer diagnosis, they had used these products for 20, 30, or even 40 years. The manufacturers never adequately warned them about the potential cancer risk hidden in the chemical formulas.

The NIH Sister Study: What the Science Shows

Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in October 2022, the NIH Sister Study is the most comprehensive research to date on hair relaxers and cancer risk. Key findings include:

• Women who used hair straightening products more than 4 times per year had 2.55× the risk of developing uterine cancer
• The study tracked 33,497 women over approximately 11 years
• The association was stronger with frequent and long-term use
• The researchers noted that Black women were disproportionately represented among frequent users
• The connection is believed to be caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the products that interfere with hormone function

Which Conditions Qualify?

The strongest scientific evidence links hair relaxers to:

The Chemicals in Hair Relaxers That Cause Cancer

Chemical hair relaxers contain a combination of harmful substances that disrupt the body's hormonal system. These are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — substances that mimic or block natural hormones and interfere with normal biological processes.

• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents — a known carcinogen used to straighten hair fibers
• Parabens — preservatives that mimic estrogen and have been found in breast tumors
• Phthalates — plasticizers linked to hormone disruption, uterine fibroids, and reproductive harm
• Bisphenol A (BPA) — an estrogenic chemical linked to cancer and endocrine disruption
• Cyclosiloxanes — chemicals that accumulate in fatty tissues and disrupt endocrine function

Brands Named in the Lawsuit

The following brands have been named in hair relaxer cancer litigation:

• Dark & Lovely — made by SoftSheen-Carson (L'Oréal)
• Just for Me — made by Namaste Laboratories
• ORS Olive Oil — made by Dabur International
• Motions — made by Unilever
• TCB Naturals — sold by Alberto-Culver/Unilever
• African Pride — made by Godrej Consumer Products
• Soft & Beautiful — made by Strength of Nature
• Optimum Care — made by SoftSheen-Carson (L'Oréal)

Where the Lawsuit Stands Today — MDL 3060

All federal hair relaxer cancer cases are consolidated in MDL 3060 in the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary Rowland. As of 2026:

• 11,000+ cases filed and growing
• 32 bellwether cases selected for early discovery and trial preparation
• Daubert hearings scheduled for mid-2026
• Punitive damages approved by Judge Rowland in September 2024
• No global settlement has been reached — claims can still be filed
• First trial not expected before 2027

Frequently Asked Questions