Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits and Claims

January 11, 2023 | By Riddle & Brantley Accident Injury Lawyers
Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits and Claims

Do You Have a Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Claim?

Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits - If you suffered from ovarian cancer after using a chemical hair straightener, you may qualify for compensation.

Many women with natural hair opt for relaxer application as a styling option. However, recent data has suggested a connection between hair relaxers and a heightened chance of ovarian cancer. Riddle & Brantley is actively investigating these claims and filing hair relaxer ovarian cancer lawsuits and claims on victims’ behalf.

For a FREE case review, please call the experienced hair straightener ovarian cancer claim attorneys at Riddle & Brantley at 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below. There are no upfront costs, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Hair Relaxers and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Relaxers are composed of substances that break down the hair's bonds, allowing it to become straight. Unfortunately, these same elements can also affect the hormones and tissue of the uterus and ovaries, which many researchers believe could result in a greater likelihood of ovarian cancer.

If you believe you have contracted ovarian cancer due to the use of hair relaxers, you should stop using them right away and consult a doctor about alternative styling options and treatment.

Does Using a Hair Relaxer Cause Ovarian Cancer?

The link between hair relaxers and ovarian cancer has been a source of much debate in recent years. While there is no conclusive evidence to suggest a direct correlation between hair relaxers and ovarian cancer, some studies suggest a possible link.

For example, a 2020 study titled the "Sister Study" found that women who use hair relaxers were twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not.

This study's overall purpose was to evaluate many factors that affect women's long-term health, and the surprise discovery of a link between hair relaxers and uterine cancer has opened up more questions about other reproductive system cancers that these products may cause.

What Are the Chemicals in Hair Relaxers?

Common chemicals found in relaxer formulas include:

  • Methyl hydrate
  • Calcium hydroxide
  • Guanidine hydroxide
  • Thioglycolic acid
  • Phthalates
  • Sodium hydroxide (lye)

Lye is one of the chemicals that concerns consumers and researchers, as it's a very caustic substance that can cause burns and irritation when not used in moderation. Many hair relaxers are lye-free, which are largely regarded as "safer" and gentler than their lye-containing counterparts. However, eliminating lye may not have helped consumers avoid potentially dangerous chemicals in these products.

In addition to lye, many hair relaxers contain chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals have been tied to many health problems in people exposed regularly and may be one of the links between hair relaxers and ovarian cancer.

What are Phthalates?

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used in many items, such as cosmetics, toys, and other consumer products. Unfortunately, it has been observed that these chemicals can have a detrimental effect on health, including reproductive issues and cancer.

They can easily enter the body through the skin or by being inhaled and can disrupt the body's hormonal balance, which is why many researchers link long-term phthalate exposure with uterine, breast, and ovarian cancer.

Evidence for Hair Relaxers and Ovarian Cancer Risk

Data found in the "Sister Study" was the first link between hair relaxers and their potential to cause reproductive cancers in women. In this study, a clear link was established between hair relaxer use and an increased risk for uterine cancer.

Since ovarian cancer and uterine cancer are both cancers of the reproductive system that can be caused by hormone imbalances (among other things), many researchers now suspect that whatever chemicals in hair relaxers may be causing uterine cancer may also lead to an increased risk for ovarian cancer.

Another group evaluated the Sister Study findings and discovered that there was enough data to suggest a link between hair relaxers and ovarian cancer. According to the researchers, "our novel findings suggest that frequent use of hair straighteners/relaxers or pressing products, which are primarily used by African American/Black women, and possibly permanent hair dye, may be associated with the occurrence of ovarian cancers."

"[Hair relaxers] may be associated with the occurence of ovarian cancers."

There is additional evidence linking exposure to phthalates with an increased risk for cancers and other reproductive issues like uterine fibroids. This ability of phthalates to disrupt the reproductive system in multiple ways is pushing researchers to look for more evidence to link hair relaxers to many cancers and other health issues in women, including ovarian cancer.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

In October 2022, Jenny Mitchell presented the first hair relaxer lawsuit against cosmetics firms that she argued endangered women's lives by producing chemical relaxers for their hair that contained phthalates and other hormone-interfering compounds.

The litigants included L'Oréal, Namaste Laboratories LLC, Dabur International Ltd., and Godrej Consumer Products. This lawsuit alleges that Mitchell developed ovarian cancer because of her prolonged and regular exposure to phthalates and additional endocrine-disrupting chemicals in these products.

“Can I File a Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Claim or Lawsuit?”

Many more lawsuits are expected to be filed as consumers become aware of the potential relationship between hair straighteners and potential risks of uterine, ovarian, and other cancers.

You may qualify for a lawsuit if you have used chemical hair relaxers and later developed ovarian cancer (or another qualifying cancer or condition). Call Riddle & Brantley at 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE case review with one of our experienced attorneys, who can review the details of your case and advise you on the next steps.

You may qualify for compensation in a hair relaxer claim or lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:

Call for a Free Case Review

The hair straightener ovarian cancer attorneys at Riddle & Brantley can help eliminate the legal guesswork and work hard to get you maximum compensation in a potential hair relaxer ovarian cancer claim. We care about each client that brings their case to us, and we want to show anyone who's been injured by dangerous products that Justice Counts.

Since 2000 alone, we've recovered $700+ million on behalf of injured victims.

Call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE, no-obligation case review and let’s talk.

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.