Recently, a Missouri woman filed a product liability lawsuit against French-cosmetic giant L’Oréal, claiming the company’s hair-straightening products contained dangerous chemicals that caused her to develop uterine cancer. Not only that, but her complaint also alleges that as early as 2015, L’Oréal knew that its products contained a dangerous chemical and failed to do anything about it. While this is the first L’Oréal hair-straightening product lawsuit to date, many in both the legal and haircare industries believe that this case is only the tip of the iceberg.

If you or a loved one used L’Oréal hair-straightening products, such as Motions, Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Relaxer or Dark & Lovely and subsequently developed uterine cancer, your diagnosis may have been caused by cancerous chemicals that you had no idea were contained in the hair products you regularly used. While the evidence suggests that L’Oréal knew that these chemicals were present in its products, it did not include a warning on the products’ labels, preventing you from making an educated decision about the products you use. State and federal law allow victims injured by dangerous products to pursue a legal claim against the manufacturer. To learn more about product liability lawsuits and the case against L’Oréal specifically, please see our recent post on the topic here.

Is There a Link Between L’Oréal Hair Straightening Product and Uterine Cancer?

While it has not yet been conclusively determined, there is medical research suggesting that some of the chemicals contained in certain L’Oréal hair straightening products can increase a woman’s chances of developing cancer of the uterus. More specifically, a recent study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that the risk of developing uterine cancer in women who use chemical hair-straightening products was 4% by age 70. However, the risk of developing uterine cancer among women who had not used these products was just 1.6%. Thus, according to this study, women who use these products are at more than two times the risk of developing uterine cancer.

What Dangerous Chemicals Are in L’Oréal Hair Relaxer Products?

L’Oréal and other companies that manufacture chemical hair relaxers use phthalates, or plasticizers, in these products to create a “softer” feel to the product. However, research suggests that these phthalates can interrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which is the bodily system that regulates the production of hormones. In fact, phthalates are known as “endocrine disrupting chemicals (“EDCs”) due to the effect they have on the body.

Did L’Oreal Know the Company’s Hair Relaxers Contained Potentially Dangerous Chemicals?

Yes, the evidence suggests that, as early as 2015, L’Oréal was aware of the harmful effects of the chemicals used in the company’s hair straightening products. However, under existing FDA regulations, the company was not required to obtain prior approval before releasing the products to market. Additionally, hair product manufacturers are not required to specifically list each chemical contained in their products and instead lump them together under “fragrance” or “perfume” ingredients.

Thus, those who purchased L’Oréal hair straightening products would have no idea that the product contains a dangerous chemical. However, L’Oréal knew that its products contained dangerous phthalates and that these chemicals can lead to severe health conditions, which is the basis of the recently filed lawsuit against the company. Specifically, the plaintiff is claiming that L’Oréal “actively and intentionally concealed and/or suppressed material facts, in whole or in part, to induce consumers, including Plaintiff, to purchase and use the Products and did so at her expense.”

What Are the Potential Harms of Using L’Oréal’s Chemical Hair Relaxer Products?

L’Oréal hair relaxer products contain endocrine disrupting chemicals known as phthalates, which can interfere with the body’s normal functioning. These substances enter the body because hair relaxers are applied to the base of the hair and necessarily come into contact with the scalp. It is common for those who use these products to develop “burns” from the product. These harmful chemicals can seep into the body through the openings caused by the burns.

Current scientific and medical research suggests that there is a link between exposure to phthalates and the following medical conditions:

• Uterine cancer,

• Uterine fibroids,

• Breast cancer,

• Endometriosis, and

• Preterm delivery.

Unfortunately, those who suffer from these conditions may have no idea that they could have been caused by the use of L’Oréal hair straightening products. However, now that the case against L’Oréal is gaining national publicity, it is likely that other women, as well as the family members of women who have since died due to any of these conditions, will seek justice against the company for their losses.

Proving a Product Liability Claim

Companies that manufacture personal care items bring in over $42 billion in revenue each year. Without a doubt, these large corporations have the resources to conduct the necessary studies to ensure their products are safe. And, when a company learns that its product contains a potentially harmful substance, such as phthalates, the company has a duty to consumers to inform them. However, that is not what appears to have happened with L’Oréal and its hair relaxers. Rather than pull the potentially dangerous products from shelves and conduct further research—or at least issue a warning to consumers—the company continued selling these products.

Product liability claims are one of the only ways consumers have to hold large corporations accountable for the harms their products cause. In many cases, those injured by a dangerous product do not need to establish that the manufacturer was negligent; however, if negligence can be shown, it may open up the possibility of punitive damages.

Those who believe that they suffered a diagnosis of uterine cancer or other serious health condition after using a L’Oréal chemical hair relaxer should consult with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about their rights and how they can hold the company financially responsible for their harms.