Hair Relaxer Hysterectomy Lawsuit (2024)

A hair relaxer is a product that attempts to change the texture of hair from tightly curled to straight or slightly wavy. It is a cream or lotion containing chemicals that change the natural structure of the hair to straighten it.

Hair relaxers contain some commonly found chemical compounds, such as:

• Ammonium thioglycolate
• Emulsifiers
• Lithium hydroxide
• Mineral oils
• Petroleum jelly
• Potassium hydroxide
• Sodium hydroxide
• Sodium thioglycolate
• Water

However, these products also may contain some dangerous chemicals. Some of the most common harmful chemicals in hair relaxer products include:

• Cyclosiloxanes
• Di-(2-ethylhexyl)
• Formaldehyde
• Lye
• Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
• Parabens
• Phthalates

Recent studies found an association between hair relaxing products that contain dangerous chemicals and increased health risks, including various reproductive cancers. Often, a step for treating these cancers is to perform a surgical procedure called a hysterectomy.

Women who regularly use hair relaxer products have an increased risk of several health problems. The dangers come from chemicals in the products that can disrupt the human endocrine system.

The endocrine system regulates hormone release, development, blood sugar levels, metabolism and the nervous system. Studies found that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the relaxers can cause hormone levels to become unbalanced. Some of the health problems people can suffer through hormone level imbalances include:

• Cognitive deficits
• Endometrial cancer
• Infertility
• Immune disorders
• Metabolic syndrome
• Ovarian cancer
• Pain
• Reproductive impairment
• Uterine cancer

Multiple studies indicate some chemicals in hair relaxer products are linked to uterine cancer. A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study of 34,000 women discovered the risk of developing uterine cancer is three times greater for women who regularly use hair relaxer products.

What is uterine cancer?

Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that grows in the tissues of the uterus. The two types of uterine cancer are endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.

• Endometrial cancer is the more common form of uterine cancer. It develops in the inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. About 95% of uterine cancers are endometrial cancers.
• Uterine sarcoma is a rare form of uterine cancer that develops in the muscle wall of the uterus, called the myometrium.

Symptoms of uterine cancer

Symptoms of uterine cancer can mimic other health problems related to the reproductive system. As a result, some people may ignore the early signs. Uterine cancer symptoms include:

• Lower abdominal pain in the pelvis
• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• Vaginal bleeding of any amount after menopause
• Vaginal bleeding that’s heavy or frequent (in women older than 40)
• Vaginal discharge that’s white or clear (in postmenopausal women)

If you use or used hair relaxer products regularly and experience any of these uterine cancer symptoms, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Studies showing a link between uterine cancer and hair relaxer products

In October 2022, the NIH published a comprehensive study, called the Sister Study, that monitored 34,000 women over an 11-year period. Less than 2% of women who did not use hair relaxer products developed uterine cancer by age 70. Among the women who did use hair relaxer products, the chances of receiving a uterine cancer diagnosis by age 70 were three times higher.

A hysterectomy is the main treatment option for uterine cancer. In this procedure, a surgeon removes the uterus and cervix.

Multiple studies indicate a link between some of the EDCs found in hair relaxer products and ovarian cancer. A 2021 NIH study showed that women who use hair relaxer products at least four times per year have twice the chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and endometrial cancer all appear to have a connection to hormonal-disrupting compounds. This means using chemicals that disrupt the balance of a woman’s hormones creates a higher risk of developing ovarian and other cancers.

The risk of developing these types of cancers from the use of hair relaxers is highest among women of color. One study indicates that about 90% of Black women use or have used hair relaxer products. This is the highest percentage of any race.

A 2023 study from Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) found that women who used hair relaxers more than twice a year had a 50% greater risk of developing uterine cancer.

One of the most common treatments for ovarian cancer is a hysterectomy.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer can be especially dangerous because it doesn’t show early signs. It’s possible to develop an advanced form of cancer by the time you see obvious symptoms. Ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Back pain
• Changes in bowel habits
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Feeling full after eating
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms after using hair relaxers, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

There are three types of hysterectomy.

• A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix.
• A partial hysterectomy removes only the uterus.
• A radical hysterectomy removes the uterus, cervix and upper part of the vagina.

Although hysterectomies are safer than some other types of surgeries, they still have potential complications, including:

• Blood clots
• Excessive blood loss
• Infection
• Injuries to other organs
• Poor reactions to anesthesia

Some of the side effects after a hysterectomy include:

• Difficulty urinating or defecating for several days after surgery
• Fatigue from surgery
• Soreness at the site of the incision
• Vaginal bleeding and drainage for several weeks after surgery

Women who haven’t yet experienced menopause may suffer long-term health problems from a hysterectomy, especially if doctors removed the ovaries during the surgery. Such long-term problems may include:

• Hot flashes
• Insomnia
• Loss of libido
• Vaginal dryness

A hysterectomy also means that women cannot become pregnant. For some people, this can be emotionally upsetting. As a result, some hair relaxer plaintiffs claim their hysterectomy caused emotional distress, pain and suffering.

People who used hair relaxer products at home or at a hair salon and developed a cancer that led to a hysterectomy could qualify to be part of a hair relaxer hysterectomy lawsuit.

Multiple studies show a link between the chemicals in hair relaxer products and health problems that can lead to a hysterectomy as a treatment. Such illnesses can include cancer, severe pain and reproductive impairment.

Companies that previously manufactured or still manufacture these hair relaxer products could be liable in the lawsuits related to hair relaxers. Some of the defendants include:

• Avlon
• Dabur International
• Godrej SON Holdings
• Beauty Bell Enterprises, LLC f/k/a House of Cheatham, Inc.
• House of Cheatham
• AFAM Concept Inc. d/b/a JF Labs, Inc.
• JF Labs
• L’Oréal
• Luster
• McBride
• Namaste Laboratories
• PDC Brands
• Revlon Inc.
• Sally Beauty
• SoftSheen-Carson
• Strength of Nature

As of November 2024, more than 9,400 actions were pending in the hair relaxer multidistrict litigation (MDL). Motley Rice lawyer Fidelma Fitzpatrick is co-lead in this MDL, which is MDL 3060 In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing Sales Practices And Products Liability Litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.

At Motley Rice, we have a history of working to help women who suffered harm from defective and dangerous products. These women did nothing wrong. Yet they suffered life-altering injuries because they used products from manufacturers that knew about the health dangers but didn’t disclose it in marketing materials.

We have a track record of helping women in their product liability lawsuits for multiple dangerous products, including the use of:

• Birth control devices like Essure® and Paragard® that lead to health complications
• Breast implants from Allergan that lead to breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
• Talc-based baby powder that has a link to ovarian cancer
• Transvaginal mesh used for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that lead to health complications

Injury lawsuits involving defective products for women can involve complexities. Establishing the link between the use of the dangerous product and your injury is necessary. An injury law firm that has a history of establishing this link can potentially lead to a better outcome.

Read more about our experience with women’s health lawsuits.