Chemical Hair Straighteners Linked To Uterine And Ovarian Cancer

RPWB attorneys represent dozens of women nationwide who developed uterine (including endometrial) and ovarian cancers after using chemical hair straighteners or chemical hair relaxers.

The hair relaxers manufactured by L’Oreal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen, Dabur and Namaste Laboratories contain potentially dangerous chemicals that could increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine and other cancers. Brand names of the hair relaxers include: Motions, Dark & Lovely, Soft &  Beautiful, Optimum Care, Just for Me, Carson Soft Sheen, Hawaiian Silky, Ultra Sheen, TCB and ORS Olive Oil.

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that regular users of chemical hair straighteners or relaxers are twice as likely as those who don’t use the products to develop uterine cancer. The study defined regular use of chemical hair straighteners or relaxers as four or more times per year.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common types of uterine cancer and is particularly prevalent among African American women.

The recent study follows others that demonstrated that hair products can increase the chances of other cancers, including ovarian cancer.

If you have used chemical hair straighteners or hair relaxers and have developed uterine cancer, endometrial cancer or ovarian cancer please contact us without delay to begin a free, no obligation case review. RPWB is one of the top mass tort law firms in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Please fill out the form below to get started or give us a call 24/7 at 843-727-6500.

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Hair Straighteners Can Lead to Dangerous Chemicals Entering the Body

Hair straighteners or relaxers are used by many women to change their hair type. The products contain chemicals that break down the external structure of the hair so that it appears more flat. As the hair grows out, many women reapply or “re-touch” near the roots of the hair throughout the year to maintain their look.

Hair products do not require FDA approval for being sold to consumers, but they are supposed to be safe for consumers to use. However, hair straighteners or relaxers contain potentially dangerous chemicals including sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, guanidine carbonate and thioglycolic acid salts – all of which can damage the scalp. It is believed that this damage to the scalp allows cancer-causing chemicals such as phthalates to enter the bloodstream, resulting in an increased risk of uterine cancer.

Phthalates are commonly found in fragrances used in hair care products and are known to be “endocrine disrupting chemicals,” which can affect hormone levels in the body.

First Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit Filed

The first hair straightener lawsuit was filed in October 2022 in federal court in Illinois in the days after the release of the groundbreaking study that demonstrated a link between uterine cancer and hair straightening products.

News of the potential link between chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer comes as a shock to many women who used these products without being made aware of possible risks including uterine and endometrial cancer. RPWB expects that many additional women diagnosed with uterine cancer will begin to come forward and that additional lawsuits will be filed in the coming months.

If you have been diagnosed with uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer, please contact us for a free case review. RPWB represents people nationwide who have been harmed by dangerous products. Our firm is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top mass tort law firms in the country and we would be honored to represent you in this very important case that has the potential of helping many women who were unaware of the risks.

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