What is the Hair Relaxer MDL?

There are now several Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuits that have been filed against cosmetic companies and manufacturers.

The first Hair Relaxer Lawsuit was filed in Chicago back in October 2022.

Since then, there have been an excess of 8,000 total similar Hair Relaxer Lawsuits filed by lawyers.

The large number of Hair Relaxer Lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of hair relaxer products have been grouped into a Hair Relaxer MDL by the US District Court: Northern District of Illinois.

Two bellwether trials have already been selected to occur for the Hair Relaxer MDL case.

The first is scheduled for trial on November 3, 2025, and the second is slated to happen on February 2, 2026.

Contrary to popular belief, there is NOT a Hair Relaxer Class Action Lawsuit.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits consolidated into MDL are often called a “class action lawsuit”, but this term is incorrect.

An MDL does not require a group of people to be classified or combined into one.

Rather, each claim is handled separately and is given an individual outcome depending on the plaintiff’s situation.

This lends more advantages to the plaintiff as each case is given its own unique status and outcome.

As a result, the named cosmetic companies will face more significant legal and financial consequences.

Reach out to our Hair Relaxer Lawyers for more information and to find out if you qualify to join the new Hair Relaxer Litigation.

Our attorneys are currently assessing Hair Relaxer Cancer Cases and determining eligibility for the lawsuit.

Allegations Made Against Cosmetics Companies

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits claim negligence on the part of manufacturers, accusing them of failing to adequately warn consumers about the potential risks associated with the hair relaxer products.

International brands like L’Oreal USA and Revlon have been named as defendants in the lawsuits.

Other hair relaxer manufacturers named as defendants are:

• Dabur International Ltd.
• Namaste Laboratories, LLC
• Strength of Nature, LLC
• Godrej Consumer Products

The allegations against these Hair Relaxer defendants are centered around the claim that their hair relaxer products contain phthalates, including di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, or other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

In addition to uterine fibrosis, the Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits allege that the products caused or increased the risk of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and other injuries to women’s reproductive system.

The plaintiffs also claim that the defendants exhibited a failure to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of users, even exploiting the deep connection between African American women’s hair and identity in their marketing efforts.

According to the Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits, the hair relaxer products continue to be sold without any cancer warnings.

Hair Relaxers and Their Potential for Harm

To help you understand the full scope of the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit, it is important to first understand what exactly chemical hair relaxers are and how they work.

Hair relaxers, also known as hair straighteners or keratin treatments, are chemical products used to temporarily straighten extremely curly, coiled, or textured hair.

Chemical hair relaxers work by breaking down the protein bonds in the hair shaft, allowing for a smoother and more manageable appearance.

Specifically, the chemical hair relaxer products break down the disulfide bonds in our hair’s second layer, the cortex.

Made up of protein, this cortex layer is responsible for the hair’s natural shape and texture.

The hair can be straightened out once the disulfide or protein bonds are broken.

These protein bonds will reform in a straighter pattern or formation after the hair dries.

Common Uses of Chemical Hair Straighteners

Hair straightening products are widely used around the world.

Chemical hair relaxers, in particular, have become a staple in many hair-care routines of Black women.

These chemical hair relaxer products are used for: 

• Managing extremely curly hair
• Achieving natural-like, sleek, and straight hair
• Taming frizz and flyaways
• Ease of styling hair
• Meeting societal beauty standards

Despite their usefulness, it’s important to note that hair straightening products carry associated risks and potential for harm.

As highlighted in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuits, many hair relaxers contain strong toxic chemicals that have adverse effects and severe potential health consequences.

Types of Hair Relaxers and Their Primary Ingredients

There are many different types of hair relaxer products, each with different ingredient formulations.

Most hair straightening products can be classified according to the active ingredient or chemical used to break down the keratin protein bonds in the hair.

Sodium Hydroxide Hair Relaxers

Also known as lye, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong alkaline chemical that breaks down the protein bonds in the hair shaft.

These hair relaxer products are also called lye relaxers.

Sodium hydroxide hair relaxers are ideal for wavy, curly, and kinky hair.

Calcium Hydroxide Hair Relaxers

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) is a milder alkaline chemical that is gentler on the hair and scalp.

This type of hair relaxer offers a less potent alternative to sodium hydroxide, however it can still leave hair dry and more caustic if used for too long.

Guanidine Hydroxide Hair Relaxers

These types of hair relaxers are commonly referred to as no-lye relaxers.

Guanidine hydroxide (C3H7N) is a chemical used to straighten coarse and resistant hair.

Although weaker than other chemical hair straightening products, guanidine carbonate or hydroxide still requires caution when used on hair.

There are many other variants of the hydroxide hair relaxers.

Hydroxide compounds can be used in either lye or no-lye hair relaxer formulations:

• Potassium hydroxide (KOH)
• Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)

Ammonium Thioglycolate Hair Relaxers

Also known as thio or cold wave relaxers, ammonium thioglycolate (NH4SH) is best for curly and wavy hair types, though it is also suitable for permanently straightening most hair textures.

Other Chemicals in Hair Relaxers

Aside from the primary or active ingredient, hair relaxers may also contain other potentially harmful chemicals including:

• Formaldehyde: Used to break down the bonds in the hair, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause skin irritation.
• Phthalates: These chemicals are often used as plasticizers in hair relaxer formulas and have been linked to hormonal disturbances and reproductive issues, including an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Bisphenol A (BPA): One of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals, BPA has been found in some hair relaxers and is said to increase the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
• Parabens: These preservatives are found in some hair relaxers and can disrupt the hormonal system, potentially leading to increased cancer risk.
• Ammonium Sulfite and Ammonium Bisulfite: These chemicals are often used as reducing agents in hair relaxers and can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems.

What Is Uterine Fibrosis?

Uterine Fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive growth of fibrous connective tissue, often arises as the body’s reparative response to tissue injury or damage.

This fibrotic process, while a natural healing mechanism, can lead to complications.

Excessive fibrosis in the uterus may disrupt normal organ function, potentially affecting fertility, causing pain, and leading to various menstrual irregularities.

In severe cases, uterine fibrosis can significantly impact overall uterine health and functionality, necessitating medical intervention.

How Uterine Fibrosis Affects the Body

Uterine fibrosis can profoundly impact the body, primarily affecting the uterus.

Uterine fibrosis can lead to abnormal thickening of the uterine walls, disrupting normal uterine functions and potentially causing fertility issues.

Women with uterine fibrosis may experience irregular or heavy menstrual cycles and pelvic pain.

In more severe cases, this condition can result in complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Uterine fibrosis can also cause discomfort during sexual intercourse and may lead to increased stress and emotional challenges.

The severity of these symptoms often varies, depending on the extent of fibrotic tissue development.

Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids

The symptoms of fibrosis can vary depending on the affected organ and the severity of the condition.

In cases of uterine fibrosis, common symptoms are:

• Inability to urinate
• Constipation
• Pelvic pain
• Chronic vaginal discharge
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Anemia

Chemical Hair Relaxers and Uterine Fibrosis Risk

Over the past few years, researchers have been exploring risk factors and potential causes of fibrosis, including exposure to certain toxic chemicals.

This has led to the discovery of the link between hair relaxers’ harsh chemical ingredients and the increased risk of uterine fibrosis.

How Do Hair Relaxers Contribute to Fibrosis?

Uterine fibroids are fairly common, with nearly 40% to 80% of women being diagnosed with it at some point.

However, statistics show that uterine fibroids disproportionately impact Black women in the U.S.

Compared to white women, African American women can have up to three times greater risk of developing uterine fibroids.

Additionally, Black women tend to develop the condition much earlier.

Several studies identified chemical hair relaxers as the likely connection between black women and higher fibrosis rates.

While hair relaxer use is common among women of all racial backgrounds, hair relaxers are still predominantly used by Black women.

The first study to explore this link was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Findings show that African American women who used hair relaxers exhibited higher incidence rate ratios for uterine fibroids.

The researchers also noted positive trends involving frequency of use and duration of use of chemical hair relaxer products.

A separate study explored the possible link between phthalates, one of the common ingredients in hair straightener products, fibroid size, and uterine volume.

The findings linked two types of phthalates to 26.81% and 33.19% increase in uterine volume.

According to the researchers, uterine volume “may be considered a proxy for total fibroid burden” as it combines the number and size of uterine fibroids.

A more recent study links chemical hair relaxers to uterine cancer as well.

Published in the Journal of Environmental Research, the researchers concluded that long-term and heavy hair relaxer use may increase the risk of post-menopausal women being diagnosed with uterine cancer.

There is also evidence linking hair relaxer use to causing up to two times higher risk of developing uterine cancer compared to women who do not use chemical hair straighteners.

TorHoerman Law: Your Hair Relaxer Lawyers

Our attorneys are currently accepting clients who are eligible to file lawsuits over the links between frequent use of hair straightening chemicals and risk of developing uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and other health problems.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

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You can find out in under 2 minutes by using our website chat on this page.