Recent Evidence Links Dark & Lovely Hair Relaxer to Uterine Cancer

Recent scientific evidence has linked prolonged usage of chemical-based hair relaxer products, such as the hair relaxer brand “Dark & Lovely,” to an increased risk of developing uterine cancer and other hormone-related health conditions in women. These findings have triggered hair relaxer lawsuits against multiple cosmetic companies, including the world-renowned cosmetic company, L’Oreal.

Health Risks Associated With Using These Products

Hair relaxing products like Dark & Lovely contain numerous strong chemicals. Many of these chemicals found in Dark & Lovely are hazardous and have been known to have carcinogenic properties and to cause disruptions in the body’s endocrine system, which interferes with hormone production.

In October 2022, findings were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which warned that ingredients used in the chemical hair relaxers may cause uterine cancer. Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health reviewed data on nearly 34,000 women in the United States between the ages of 35 and 74 who completed questionnaires on their use of multiple hair products, including hair dyes, straighteners, relaxers, or pressing products, and permanents or body waves. A 10-year follow-up on the incident rate of uterine cancer diagnosis was performed.

According to the results, researchers identified 378 cases of endometrial cancer or uterine cancer, finding participants who used hair straightening products at least once had the highest rate of cancer diagnosis compared to any other hair products involved in the study. They also had a higher rate of uterine cancer when compared to women who used no hair straightener products.

Prolonged and chronic exposure to the chemicals found in hair relaxers has also been linked to increased risks of breast cancer, and other health conditions involving the female reproductive system such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

Lawsuits Stemming From Injuries Sustained From Using These Products

Many women who have used these products over time have already begun filing lawsuits against the manufacturers claiming that their long-term usage of relaxer products like Dark & Lovely caused them to develop uterine cancer and other related diseases such as uterine fibroids.

In fact, on November 3, 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed by multiple women against L’Oreal USA and Softsheen-Carson, Inc. for injuries they sustained after prolonged use of “Dark & Lovely” hair relaxer,” manufactured by Softsheen-Carson, Inc. and L’Oreal. In this particular class action, plaintiffs claim the manufacturers made false and misleading statements regarding the safety of the hair relaxers, leading these consumers to spend their hard-earned money on a product they would not have otherwise purchased. Many of the women have used the products for years, and frequently began using these products when they were children.

However, this particular lawsuit is not the only one facing these same companies and other cosmetic companies, for damages sustained after regularly using similar hair relaxer products over prolonged periods of time. Similar claims have been brought against the makers of competing products including Just for Me, Optimum, Motions, Olive Oil Girls and other common hair relaxers. Among other claims, these lawsuits allege that the cosmetic companies, such as L’Oreal, marketed their hair relaxer products as safe, when they knew or should have known that they could potentially increase the risk of uterine cancer.

A motion has already been filed seeking to have the various hair relaxer lawsuits consolidated into a new MDL class action. This motion will most likely be granted as thousands of lawsuits could potentially be filed against L’Oreal and other companies alleging that their hair relaxer products caused uterine cancer or other injuries.

It is early in this litigation. Even though these hair relaxer lawsuits are new, and liability has not yet been determined, more and more details concerning these cases and their potential settlement value are developing daily.

How A Product Liability Lawyer Can Help

Our top-rated product liability lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard, LLP are currently investigating product liability cases for claims alleging that chemicals contained within L’Oreal’s Dark & Lovely hair relaxer cause uterine cancer, breast cancer, and various other debilitating medical conditions. If you have developed uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine cancer, or breast cancer after using these products, specifically L’Oreal’s Dark & Lovely hair relaxer, please give us a call today at (800) 489-2216 for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation.