The link between hair relaxer use and cancer came to light only a few years ago
In 2021, the results of the Black Women's Health Study, which was conducted over a period of 25 years, were published. The researchers followed 59,000 Black women by sending various questionnaires every two years on factors that might influence their health. Black women who used hair relaxers containing lye at least seven times a year for 15 years or longer had a 30% increased risk of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer compared with more infrequent users. This was one of the first studies involving hair relaxers.
Still, the largest study is currently the one from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which followed 33,497 Black women ages 35-74 for 11 years. Out of the participants, 378 developed uterine cancer due to the use of chemical hair relaxers, while other hair products, such as dyes, highlights, bleach, and perms, were not found to have a connection with the disease. The uterine cancer risk for women who use hair relaxers more than four times a year is double than that of those who never use these products.
In addition to the lack of data on the health impact of hair relaxers, the manufacturers of these products also played a role in keeping women in the dark in this respect. Because they knowingly include toxic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair relaxers, such as phthalates, formaldehyde, and bisphenol A, a lot of companies decide not to include these ingredients on the label out of fear of losing consumers and compromising their business. Since they failed to warn of the health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals, hair relaxer manufacturers might be liable for:
- failure to warn
- improper warning labels
- consumer fraud
- deceptive trade practices
- gross negligence
- fraudulent concealment
- fraudulent misrepresentation
- negligent misrepresentation
- breach of implied warranties
If you are a regular hair relaxer user, we strongly advise you to cease using these products immediately and to look for safer alternatives, such as heat styling. Furthermore, in the unfortunate case that you have already developed uterine cancer or ovarian cancer, we are ready to offer you the legal assistance you need to determine whether you are eligible to file a claim with the manufacturers whose products you used. You can also request non-toxic hair relaxers from the ethical companies we collaborate with by virtue of our Toxic Hair Relaxer Replacement Initiative.
File your toxic hair relaxer claim with our assistance
With over three decades of experience in handling toxic exposure and defective product cases, our knowledgeable attorneys will help you determine whether you are entitled to compensation if you developed uterine cancer or ovarian cancer due to using hair relaxers. All you need to do is send us your medical records and evidence of your use of hair relaxers in the form of receipts or hair salon bills. Since we are aware of the impact ovarian cancer has on physical and emotional health, our compassionate legal team will strive to ease the process for you.
Once we deem you eligible to file a toxic hair relaxer claim, our diligent attorneys will promptly begin working on it and prepare it for submission. If you are too ill to participate in the legal process, a trusted family member can step in and help you. We are dedicated to obtaining the maximum financial compensation you are entitled to from the liable manufacturers for your suffering. Lastly, it is important to know that our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not have to pay anything out of pocket unless we obtain money for you.
