Millions of women use hair relaxers. These products help flatten curly hair. They promise a smooth, sleek look. Many women rely on them every month. They trust them to keep hair straight and manageable. Some start using them as young girls. They keep up the routine for decades. This means countless applications over a lifetime. Each time, harsh chemicals soak into the scalp. Many never question it. They believe these products are safe.
New research shows that trust may be misplaced. Scientists now say hair relaxers can cause serious harm. Studies link them to uterine cancer ovarian cancer and even breast cancer. These findings shock many. Women see that something they used for beauty may have damaged their health. This changes how people view hair relaxers. It also raises hard questions about why companies never warned them.
What’s Inside Hair Relaxers?
Hair relaxers break down hair structure. This makes hair flat and straight. The process uses strong chemicals. Many people repeat it every few weeks. Each application means more exposure.
Relaxers often hide dangerous chemicals. Phthalates are one example. These chemicals disrupt hormones. DEHP is a phthalate found in many relaxers. It copies estrogen in the body. This can cause hormone problems. Women may face infertility, cancer, or other serious issues. Companies often list these under vague labels like “fragrance.”
What Research Shows
The National Institutes of Health studied the risks. Their “Sister Study” followed over 50,000 women. It tracked health outcomes over many years. The results shocked experts and the public. Women who used hair relaxers more than four times a year had a 150% higher risk of uterine cancer. That number was too big to ignore. The study also linked relaxers to ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
Researchers pointed to chemicals in the products. These include phthalates and other hormone disruptors. These substances can throw the body’s hormone balance off track. That leads to higher cancer risks over time.
In 2019, another study added to the concern. It found that chemical straighteners increased the risk of breast cancer. The danger was even greater for Black women. Many used relaxers more often and started at younger ages. These patterns led to higher exposure and more serious health outcomes.
Why Women Are Suing
Thousands of women have filed lawsuits. They aim at some of the world’s biggest beauty companies. They say these companies failed to warn them about serious risks. Brands named in the suits include L’Oréal, Dabur, and Godrej. Popular products like Dark & Lovely, Africa’s Best, and Motions sit at the center of these claims.
Many women used these relaxers every month. Some started when they were little girls. They trusted the products for years. Then came the shock. Doctors told them they had uterine cancer or ovarian cancer. Some also faced breast cancer. These women believe the products caused it.
Their lawsuits say the companies knew the dangers. They still told women the products were safe. They kept selling them even as evidence of harm grew. Women now want justice. They want these companies to pay for hiding the truth.
What’s Happening in Court
So many women filed lawsuits that a federal court stepped in. It created a special case group called an MDL. This groups similar cases together. The court set it up in Chicago in 2023. Judge Mary Rowland handles it.
Fewer than 50 cases started the MDL. Now there are over 10,000. The number keeps climbing.
Important updates show how serious this is:
The court picked early “bellwether” cases. These test how juries react.
Lawyers are digging through company documents. They want to see who knew what and when.
The first trial date is November 3, 2025. Another starts in February 2026.
Trial dates scare companies. They often lead to settlements. Many experts think there may be a global deal before juries hear evidence.
What Settlements Could Look Like
Lawyers expect big payouts. Uterine cancer cases sit at the top. They could pay between $300,000 and $1.75 million each. Ovarian cancer cases could range from $400,000 to $750,000.
Thousands of women have sued. Even a $100,000 average payout would cost companies $1 billion. A $500,000 average jumps the total to $5 billion. Many expect settlements to come soon.
Why Black Women Face Bigger Risks
Relaxers mainly target Black women. Ads and magazines push straight hair as the goal. Many Black girls start using relaxers early. They see it as normal. They keep using these products for decades. That means more years of chemical exposure.
This long history of use brings higher health risks. Some expert say this pattern help explain why Black women often face more aggressive cancer. Studies show Black women get uterine and ovarian cancer at younger age. Their cancer also tend to be harder to treat.
Relaxers may be one reason why. The chemicals seep into the scalp again and again. Over time, they build up in the body. This raises the odds of serious disease. That’s why doctors and researchers pay close attention to how these products affect Black women.
What Companies Are Saying
Companies claim their products are safe. They point to gaps in the studies. They argue that science does not prove relaxers caused cancer. They also fight to keep court demands small. They push for short fact sheets and fewer deep reviews of their records.
These companies want to control how much they must share. They hope to avoid opening up too many documents. That way, fewer secrets come out in court.
In May 2025, a judge took L’Oréal’s French parent off the case. The court said it did not have the right to hear claims against the overseas company. The U.S. branch of L’Oréal still faces serious claims. Other big brands remain tied up in these lawsuits. They all now stand under growing pressure as the trials move closer.
What Could Happen Next
Trials create big risks for these companies. Juries could decide to award huge sums to women harmed by relaxers. That threat hangs over the entire industry. Companies know juries often side with people who got sick. They fear losing control over the final payout.
This pressure could push them to settle. A special mediator now guides talks between both sides. The goal is to reach a fair deal without long trials. Mediators often speed up the process. They help companies avoid the spotlight of a courtroom.
Many lawyers believe a global settlement may come soon. That would set aside money to pay current and future claims. It would also give women some closure. Trials could still happen if talks fail. Then juries will decide what these companies must pay.
Should You File a Claim?
Women who used hair relaxer and later learned they had uterine or ovarian cancer should think about filing a claim. Many law firms still accept new clients. They know how to handle these cases. They guide women through each step.
Even if you feel unsure a quick call to a lawyer can help. They will ask about your medical history and how long you used relaxer. They check records to see if your case looks strong. This first review often costs nothing.
Some women wait too long. They miss the chance to hold companies accountable. It is better to get answers now. A simple conversation could show if you have a valid claim.
Bottom Line
Hair relaxers promise beauty. They give smooth hair that many admire. They also bring hidden dangers. Science now ties these products to cancer. That changes everything.
Women across the country have stepped up. They want clear answers. They demand justice for what happened to their bodies. The next few years could bring those answers. Trials will test the companies’ claims.
Courts may force these brands to pay billions. That money could help women rebuild their lives. More important, it sends a message. Women deserve to know the risks. They deserve honest warnings. No one should pay with their health for a promise of beauty.
