In 2022, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) published a study highlighting the link between using chemical straightening products and having a higher risk of being diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer.

Hair relaxers often have ingredients like formaldehyde, metals, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic chemicals that can disrupt hormones, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). When using hair relaxers, the scalp might get small burns or cuts, allowing these harmful chemicals to enter the body. This exposure is particularly concerning for cancers tied to hormones, such as ovarian and uterine cancer.

It was found that women who used these straightening products more than four times a year were twice as likely to develop cancer compared to those who did not use them.

Shortly after the NIEHS study was released, people began filing hair relaxer cancer lawsuits. Notable defendants include L’Oréal USA, Inc., Revlon and various other products and brands.

The list of defendants continues to grow. On March 7, 2024, U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland added eight new defendants to the multidistrict litigation (MDL). This will play a huge role in future proceedings.

New Defendants Added

• Roux Laboratories
• Advanced Beauty Systems, Inc.
• RNA Corporation
• Wella Operations US, LLC
• Wella AG
• Murrays Worldwide, Inc.
• John Paul Mitchell Systems
• Bronner Brothers, Inc.

Other Recent Developments:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Proposes New Rule: The FDA is proposing a new regulation that would ban the use of formaldehyde in all hair relaxer products.

We continue to investigate claims on behalf of women who regularly used hair relaxers and developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer after years of using hair relaxers.

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