Hair Relaxer Cancer MDL Grows Despite Slowdown in New Filings

While lawsuits alleging cancer risks from hair relaxers have slowed in recent years, one multidistrict litigation docket continues to grow exponentially. The MDL, over allegations that certain hair smoothing products cause cancers like uterine and breast cancer, has seen a surge of new plaintiffs. This is despite a decline in newly filed individual cases.

Thousands of women claim that popular hair relaxer brands permanently altered their lives by triggering aggressive forms of cancer.  In this article, we learn all about the lawsuit.

Potential Harmful Chemicals in Hair Straightening Products Linked to Higher Uterine Cancer Risk

A 2022 study published by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found an association between the use of chemical hair straightening products. The study also revealed an increased risk of uterine cancer linked to these products. 

The study looked at data from over 33,000 women. The researchers discovered that women who reported frequent use of hair straighteners had a higher risk. 

Women who used hair straightening products more than four times annually were found to have a significantly higher risk of developing uterine cancer. The study revealed that these frequent users had over double the likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease compared to non-users. 

While women who abstained from using straighteners faced an estimated 1.6% chance of uterine cancer by age 70, regular users saw their risk increase to approximately 4%.

The research highlighted that a majority of straightener users in the study, about 60%, were Black women. Although the investigation didn’t uncover racial disparities in cancer correlations, it suggested that Black women might bear a greater health burden. This potential disparity stems from the tendency for Black women to start using these products earlier and more frequently throughout their lives. 

This study adds to evidence that chemicals in straightening products may contribute to rising uterine cancer rates. Further study is still needed to identify specific chemicals of concern and fully understand potential health disparities.

Lawsuits Over Hair Products and Cancer Risk

Many legal cases, known as hair relaxer lawsuits, focus on the health risks of hair straighteners and relaxers. As we saw earlier, recent scientific research has linked the long-term use of these chemical hair products to higher risks of various cancers. It has also been associated with other health issues. Specifically, studies have found associations with uterine, breast, and ovarian cancers.

As per Cleveland Clinic, one major published study involved a large national cohort project called the Sister Study. This research effort enrolled over 50,000 women across the United States who had sisters diagnosed with breast cancer. Data collected over ten years found that those regularly using hair dyes and straighteners faced elevated cancer risks.

Given this growing body of evidence, legal actions challenge companies that manufacture and sell hair straightening and relaxing products. 

According to TorHoerman Law, the central argument is that these businesses failed to adequately warn consumers. They also did not inform them about the known health hazards associated with long-term use. Plaintiffs argue they had a right to understand potential cancer and other risks so they could make informed choices.

As litigation progresses, these legal cases seek to hold corporations accountable. These corporations promoted hair products for cosmetic purposes without disclosing research linking the products to cancer.

The ultimate goal is to determine if inadequate safety communications violated consumer protection laws and harmed public health. Outcomes could influence both regulatory oversight and consumer awareness of chemical risks from certain beauty industry offerings.

Current Status of Chemical Hair Product Lawsuits

As of mid-2024, over 7,900 legal cases regarding chemical hair relaxers have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation in federal court in Illinois. This centralized gathering of claims allows for coordinated pre-trial proceedings.

Drugwatch says that just under 9,200 individual lawsuits have been filed in various state and federal courts nationwide to date. Legal teams anticipate this number may continue growing as public awareness increases.

No jury trials pertaining to these allegations have commenced yet through the Illinois MDL process. Additionally, no overarching settlements have been negotiated to resolve all pending cases simultaneously.

FAQs

1. Are hair perms dangerous? 

A: Hair perms can pose health risks if not applied properly. Potential side effects include skin irritation, hair damage, and, in severe cases, scarring that leads to hair loss. The chemicals used may also cause oral toxicity if accidentally ingested. Research indicates that young people, particularly those aged 10-13, who use chemical perms may face an increased risk of breast cancer later in life. Due to these risks, perms are generally not recommended for younger individuals.

2. How do relaxers differ from perms?

 A: While both alter hair texture, they serve different purposes. Relaxers are primarily used to straighten curly hair or loosen tight curl patterns, making them popular among women with naturally curly or coily hair. Perms, on the other hand, add curl or wave to straight hair. The choice between a relaxer and a perm typically depends on one’s natural hair texture and desired style.

3. Can I achieve straight hair without using relaxers? 

A: Yes, it’s possible to straighten hair temporarily without chemical relaxers. A common method involves using a flat iron or hair straightener along with a heat-protectant product to minimize damage. For best results, divide your hair into small sections before straightening. However, be aware that frequent use of high heat can potentially cause long-term damage to your hair’s health and structure.

As scientific research continues to highlight the health risks associated with long-term chemical hair product use, these MDL lawsuits seek to hold corporations accountable. These corporations may have failed to properly warn and protect consumers. While the litigation process remains ongoing, it serves an essential public purpose. 

It provides a pathway for women to have their voices heard regarding lasting health impacts. Perhaps most critically, the litigation also incentivizes regulators and manufacturers to thoroughly investigate product safety. It encourages prioritizing informed choices over commercial interests. This is particularly important for personal care items with potentially serious consequences.