Hair Relaxer Uterine Fibroids Lawsuit

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Claim Chemicals Cause Uterine Fibroids and Other Issues

Lawsuits have been filed by women who developed cancer after using hair relaxers and other chemical hair straightening products. These lawsuits claim L’Oreal and other manufacturers sold hair care products they knew were dangerous and failed to warn consumers about the harmful side effects. 

The companies advertised hair relaxers as “gentle” when quite the opposite was true. These hair straightening products contained toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and phthalates. Studies have shown these chemicals can disrupt the body’s hormone-production process and cause uterine fibroids. 

A 2012 American Journal of Epidemiology study noted the risk of fibroid formation associated with using hair relaxers. Shirley McDonald of the Hair and Scalp Clinic acknowledged that “many hair products contain chemicals that are considered carcinogenic and/or hormone disruptors” and said using these products can increase your risk of developing health issues such as fibroids. 

Fibroids can cause infertility and lead to other issues like chronic pain and heavy bleeding, which may require surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). 

Research has also linked hair straightener products to uterine cancer, endometriosis, and breast cancer. A significant study involving over 33,000 women showed those who used these hazardous products were twice as likely to develop uterine cancer by age 70 as those who did not. The study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in October 2022.

Another study discovered a 30% increased risk of breast cancer in women who used hair relaxers regularly.  After research studies revealed these findings, women suffering from these serious health issues realized their conditions were likely related to their use of these hair products and started suing the manufacturers.

What are Hair Relaxers?

Hair relaxers are products that are used regularly (every few months, on average) by millions of women to straighten naturally curly hair. These straighteners contain harsh chemicals that break down proteins in the hair. This chemical reaction relaxes curly hair, making it smoother and straighter. 

Many of these products come in “do-it-yourself” kits that women use at home. Women may also go to beauty salons to have professional stylists apply chemical hair straightening products. These products are usually commercial strength and are applied with high heat from a flat iron.

How Hair Relaxers Cause Uterine Fibroids

Hair relaxer products contain harsh chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer. Unlike other hair treatments, these products are applied directly to the scalp, and the chemicals commonly burn and irritate the skin. Once an abrasion occurs on the scalp, chemicals can enter the bloodstream and disrupt the endocrine system. 

When these chemicals disrupt the endocrine system, they can mimic estrogen in the body. This can cause life-threatening side effects like uterine and breast cancer and women’s reproductive health issues like endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are growths that occur in the uterus and can lead to cancer in some cases.

How to Know if You Are at Risk

Uterine Fibroids do not always cause symptoms, but when they grow larger, they can potentially cause the following symptoms:

• Chronic pain
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting (such as bleeding after menopause, bleeding in between periods, or very long menstrual bleeding)
• Pressure or pain in the pelvis
  

If you have used hair straightening products, watch for these symptoms and contact a medical specialist immediately.  If you frequently used hair straightener/relaxer products and have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, uterine or breast cancer, or any other reproductive health issues, contact Scout Law Group to discuss filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation. 

How Much Can I Recover in a Lawsuit?

If you have used hair relaxers and qualify to file a lawsuit, the lawyers at Scout Law Group will help you seek justice and financial compensation. We will help you obtain payment for your medical expenses, permanent injuries, lost income, decreased quality of life, pain and suffering, or the wrongful death of a loved one.  The amount of money you may recover will depend on your situation, as every case differs. The attorneys at Scout Law Group will gladly discuss this with you in a free consultation.