Texas Hair Relaxer Lawyer

Hair relaxer lawsuits allege that the chemicals used by women to straighten their hair could cause uterine cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancer, and more.

Need a Texas Hair Relaxer Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one used hair relaxers or chemical hair-straightening products, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.

UPDATE: 50+ Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Centralized in MDL

In February 2023, a panel of federal judges agreed to centralize more than 50 hair relaxer lawsuits into a single federal court, under one judge, for coordinated pre-trial proceedings.

The hair relaxer Multi-District Litigation (MDL #3060) will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago – In Re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation. Click here to read more.

Lawsuits Filed After Hair Relaxers Linked to Uterine Cancer

In October 2022, black hair relaxers were linked to a doubled risk for uterine cancer in a major study involving nearly 34,000 women.

Days after the study was published, the first lawsuit was filed by a woman who used hair relaxers for decades before developing uterine cancer. Her lawyers claim that toxic chemicals in hair relaxers could cause uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and more.

What is the Risk?

Hair Relaxers Could Double Your Risk of Cancer, Researchers Warn

In a study published on October 17, 2022, in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers estimated that 4% of women who used hair relaxers at least 4 times per year would develop uterine cancer by age 70, versus just 1.6% of women who did not use hair relaxers.

The conclusions of the study could be more consequential for Black women, the researchers warned, because most of the women in the study who reported using hair relaxers were African American.

“Because Black women use hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently and tend to initiate use at earlier ages than other races and ethnicities, these findings may be even more relevant for them, said Che-Jung Chang, Ph.D., an author of the study.

Why Are Hair Relaxers So Risky?

The researchers found no risk of uterine cancer for women who used other hair treatments, such as hair dyes, highlights, bleach or perms.

Why? They theorized that hair relaxers could be riskier than these other hair treatments because the chemicals in hair relaxers commonly cause skin irritation, abrasions, and burns, which could provide a pathway for toxic chemicals to get into the body.

1st Lawsuit Filed by Black Woman in Missouri Who Used Hair Relaxers

L’Oreal and several other beauty companies have been sued by a woman from Missouri who was diagnosed with uterine cancer and underwent a hysterectomy after decades of using hair relaxers.

The lawsuit was filed by Jennifer Mitchell, a woman who said she started using hair relaxers when she was only 8 years old. She continued using them until she was unexpectedly diagnosed with uterine cancer at the age of 28, despite no family history of cancer.

“My dreams of becoming a mother were gone,” she told CNN.

In her lawsuit, she accuses L’Oreal and other companies of failing to warn her that chemical ingredients in hair relaxers (such as phthalates) may increase her risk of cancer. These chemicals can mimic estrogen and cause endocrine-disrupting health problems such as uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and more.

How Do Hair Relaxers Work?

Hair relaxers have been around for decades. They were originally formulated to contain lye, a harsh chemical that dissolved proteins in the hair so that it could be combed straight.

Since the 1980s, top beauty companies have marketed “gentle” hair relaxers that do not contain lye. Instead, these products may contain olive oil, botanical and herbal ingredients.

What Chemicals Are in Hair Relaxers?

The problem is that many “gentle” hair relaxers also contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, parabens, bisphenol A, metals, or phthalates like DEHP. Few women who use these products (or their hair stylists) are aware of the health risks.

Popular Types of Hair Relaxers & Chemical Hair-Straightening Products

Ultra Precise
Dark & Lovely
Bantu
Optimum
Motions
Just for Me
ORS Olive Oil
African Pride
TCB Naturals
Luster’s
Africa’s Best
Creme of Nature
TCB
Mizani Rhelaxer
Soft & Beautiful
Ultra Sheen Supreme

What is Uterine Cancer?

Uterine cancer occurs when cells grow and divide uncontrollably in the uterus (or womb). It is the most common type of cancer affecting the female reproductive system. There are two main types of uterine cancer: Endometrial Cancer, which occurs in the inner lining of the uterus, and Uterine Sarcoma, which is very rare (less than 4% of uterine cancers) and occurs in the muscles or connective tissues.

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer

Vaginal bleeding
Abnormal bleeding (heavy or long menstrual bleeding, bleeding or spotting in between periods, post-menopausal bleeding, etc.)
Pelvic pain or pressure
Abnormal results from a Pap test
Unusual vaginal discharge (bloody, foul-smelling, etc.)
Pain during sexual intercourse
Unintentional weight loss
Fatigue
And more

Need a Hair Relaxer Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.