Hair relaxer claim screener

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Chemical hair relaxers and uterine cancer

In October 2022, the National Institutes of Health published a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute finding that women who used chemical hair straightening or relaxer products more than 4 times per year had a 2.5 times higher risk of developing uterine cancer compared to non-users. The study followed over 33,000 women ages 35-74.

Chemical hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals including phthalates, parabens, cyclosiloxanes, and bisphenol A - compounds known to interfere with hormone function. These chemicals can be absorbed through the scalp, especially when the relaxer causes scalp lesions, which is common.

Who is being sued

Lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers including L'Oreal USA, Revlon, Strength of Nature, Namaste Laboratories (makers of Dark and Lovely and ORS products), and other brands. The cases are consolidated in an MDL in the Northern District of Illinois. Defendants are primarily makers of products marketed to Black women, who historically have had the highest rates of hair relaxer use and also face disproportionately high rates of uterine cancer and fibroids.

Uterine fibroids claims

In addition to uterine cancer claims, attorneys are evaluating claims for uterine fibroids that required surgery (myomectomy or hysterectomy) in women with extensive hair relaxer use histories. Fibroids are non-cancerous but can cause serious health consequences. The evidence base for fibroid claims is still developing compared to the uterine cancer claims.

Frequently asked questions

The litigation covers a wide range of chemical hair relaxer brands including Dark and Lovely, Just For Me, ORS Olive Oil, Motions, Optimum, Soft and Beautiful, TCB Naturals, Creme of Nature, African Pride, and others. L'Oreal and Revlon are among the major defendants. The key is that the product is a chemical relaxer or hair straightener containing the relevant endocrine-disrupting compounds - not whether it's a specific brand.

Yes. Both at-home use of boxed relaxers and salon application of professional-grade relaxers are covered. For salon applications, the relevant brands and products used at the salon are part of the claim. If you had regular relaxer treatments at a salon, documenting the salon name, approximate dates, and any known product brands will help your attorney build the exposure history.

There's no strict minimum, but the NIH study found elevated risk specifically in frequent users - defined as more than 4 applications per year. Most attorneys are looking for at least 2 to 5 years of regular use. Longer and more frequent use strengthens the causal link. Women who started using relaxers as children and used them throughout their lives have the most compelling exposure histories.

Uterine cancer is the primary diagnosis being pursued in the MDL. Uterine fibroids that required surgical intervention (myomectomy or hysterectomy) are also being evaluated by attorneys, though the scientific evidence is still developing for fibroids compared to cancer. If you had fibroids requiring surgery and significant hair relaxer use history, it's worth consulting an attorney to assess current eligibility criteria.

State statutes of limitations apply, typically 2 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis or from when you knew or reasonably should have known the connection between your diagnosis and hair relaxer use. Given that the NIH study was published in October 2022, courts may run the discovery clock from around that date for claimants who weren't previously aware of the link. Contact an attorney promptly to confirm your specific deadline.