Thousand of women across the United State have filed lawsuit against major beauty companies. These women claim that chemical hair relaxers caused cancer fibroid and other reproductive problem. Many of them used these product for year without knowing the risk. The health issues they now face include uterine cancer ovarian cancer and permanent fertility loss.
Most of the women in these lawsuit are Black. They started using relaxer at a young age. Family culture and media often pushed these product as necessary for beauty or acceptance. This led to long term exposure. Doctor and scientists now believe that repeated exposure to certain chemicals in relaxers may raise cancer risk.
All of these lawsuit are now combined into Multidistrict Litigation No. 3060. The case is taking place in the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Mary M. Rowland is overseeing the process. Over 10,000 women have joined this legal battle so far.
This guide explains the lawsuit in full. You’ll learn about the timeline, health risks, brands involved, and what injured users may expect in terms of settlement or trial outcomes.
What Is the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
These lawsuits say that hair relaxers contain dangerous chemicals. The companies failed to warn users. The chemicals are called endocrine disruptors. These can damage hormones.
Many women now suffer from:
Uterine cancer
Ovarian cancer
Endometrial cancer
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Hysterectomy
Breast cancer
Black women appear in most cases. They often used these products from a young age. Many used them often due to beauty standards pushed by media and culture.
MDL 3060 in Detail
This MDL started in February 2023. Over 10,000 lawsuit are now part of the case. As of June 2025, 10,317 case remain active.
Important Dates:
Submit Plaintiff Fact Sheets: February 28, 2025
Finalize Bellwether Case Pool: May 9, 2025
End of Discovery: February 16 2026
Submit expert report by March 2, 2026.
Begin bellwether trials in late 2026 or early 2027.
These first trials will shape the rest of the case. Settlements may follow quickly if verdicts go against the companies.
Brands Named in the Lawsuits
Many well-known brands appear in these claims. Here are the key names:
L’Oréal USA (Dark & Lovely, Optimum)
Revlon (Crème of Nature)
ORS / Namaste Laboratories
Africa’s Best
Strength of Nature
Luster Products (Smooth Touch, Pink)
Mizani, Avalon, AFAM, Bantu, and more
Revlon filed for bankruptcy. That may not protect it from payouts. Insurance may cover those claims.
What Are the Health Risks?
Uterine Cancer
A major government study followed more than 33,000 women for over a decade. The study came from the National Institute of Health . It found a strong link between chemical hair relaxer and uterine cancer. Women who used relaxers four or more times a year faced double the risk. The danger increased with years of use and early exposure.
Ovarian Cancer
The same research team also studied ovarian cancer. Women who used relaxers often had a 50% higher risk than those who never used them. The chemicals may travel through the scalp and enter the bloodstream. Over time this can cause hormonal change that lead to tumor in the ovaries.
Fibroid and Endometriosis
Another long-term study followed 44,000 Black women. The research came from the Black Women Health Study which ran from 1997 to 2019. The data showed that women who used relaxer regularly were more likely to develop uterine fibroid. These growth can cause pain heavy bleeding and long term health problem.
Many women in the study also developed endometriosis. This condition happen when tissue like the lining of the uterus grow outside the womb. It causes severe cramp heavy period and sometime infertility.
Surgery and Permanent Damage
Doctors often had to remove the uterus to treat these conditions. This surgery is called a hysterectomy. It can lead to permanent infertility and early menopause. Many women also needed other surgeries such as removing ovaries or treating internal scarring.
These health issues take a heavy toll. The damage is not just physical. Many women suffer from emotional pain fertility loss and financial strain due to high medical bill.
What Toxic Chemicals Are in Relaxer?
Hair relaxer often contain harmful chemicals. These disrupt the hormone system. Most users have no idea. Labels rarely show these ingredients.
Common examples include:
Phthalates (like DEHP) – disrupt hormones
Parabens – tied to reproductive cancers
BPA – mimics estrogen
Formaldehyde releasers – increase cancer risk
DEA and heavy metals – add toxic load
These chemical enter the body through the scalp. Long term exposure increase the risk of illness.
Who Can File a Claim?
You may qualify if you meet certain rules:
You used hair relaxers four or more times each year.
You received a diagnosis of cancer, fibroids, or endometriosis.
You filed a lawsuit on time.
You completed and submitted the proper legal paperwork.
Most states allow more time under the “discovery rule.” The clock starts when you get diagnosed, not when you last used the product.
Settlement Amounts: What to Expect
These lawsuits are still pending. Early trials will decide settlement ranges. Experts predict these payouts:
| Condition | Payout Range |
|---|---|
| Uterine Cancer | $300K to $1.75M |
| Ovarian Cancer | $400K to $750K |
| Endometrial Cancer | $350K to $1M |
| Uterine Fibroids | $150K to $500K |
| Hysterectomy (Non-Cancer) | $150K to $300K |
Big verdicts could push payouts much higher. Some could pass $10 million in rare cases.
How Are Settlements Calculated?
Courts use a point system in MDLs. That helps give fair payouts based on injury severity. Factors include:
Type of cancer or illness
Stage of disease
Age at diagnosis
How long the person used relaxers
Surgery history
Life impact, including pain and loss of fertility
Each case remains unique. Still, the court applies a structure to manage payouts at scale.
What Will the Companies Say?
The companies plan to deny blame. Their legal teams may argue:
Other factors caused the illness (like weight or genes)
Product ingredients were not clearly linked to cancer
Users may have been exposed to these chemicals from other sources
Plaintiffs will rely on strong studies. That includes the Sister Study, NIH data, and legal precedents that allow such claims to go forward.
Why Black Women Are Hit Hardest
About 89% of Black women have used relaxers
Many began use in early childhood
Use continued into adulthood
Repeated exposure raised the total risk
Black women already face higher rate of uterine and ovarian cancer. Cultural beauty standards made this worse. Ads targeted them more often. The lawsuit now highlights racial injustice in health and beauty.
Is This a Class Action?
No. This is not a class action. This is a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). Each woman files her own lawsuit. The court combines these cases only for pretrial steps. That includes discovery, expert reports, and early rulings.
This process helps move thousands of cases faster. It also avoids repeating the same steps in every case. Each woman still keeps control of her claim. She can present her own evidence, story, and injuries.
The court will choose a few sample cases called bellwether trials. These trials test how juries respond to the facts. The results help both sides decide on settlement amounts. If the first trials go well for the victims, payouts may increase across the board.
Some class-based claims may run in the background. These usually involve requests for refunds or medical monitoring. But the main cases in this MDL involve personal injury. Each one is separate. Each one deserves attention on its own.
What Comes Next?
Here is what the timeline looks like:
End of 2025: Fact discovery closes
Early 2026: Experts give final reports
Late 2026: Trials begin
2027: Settlement talks begin, depending on trial results
A special master, Ellen Reisman, will help with the talks. Large verdict will increase pressure to settle.
Final Thought
This lawsuit could reshape the beauty industry. Big brands may soon face new rules on product safety and labeling. Many victims trusted these products for years. They had no idea the chemicals could cause so much harm.
The science now supports their claims. Studies show real links between relaxer use and cancer. Thousands of women have come forward. Each story adds pressure on the companies to take responsibility.
If you used chemical relaxer and now suffer from uterine cancer ovarian cancer fibroid or endometriosis take action. Waiting too long could cost you the right to file.
Start by gathering your medical records. Find proof of the products you used. Then talk to a qualified lawyer who handles mass tort or MDL cases. Time matters. Missing a deadline could lock you out of the lawsuit.
You may qualify for compensation. You may also help push for change. This fight is not just about money. It about safety fairness and holding companies accountable.
