Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit
(Chemical Hair Straighteners)
Federal litigation alleging chemical hair relaxers and straighteners caused uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and other serious health conditions. An NIH study found frequent users face more than twice the risk of uterine cancer.
Key Takeaways
- Over 12,300 cases pending as of October 2026 with 26% growth
- NIH study found 2.55x higher uterine cancer risk in frequent users
- Formaldehyde classified as carcinogenic (Group 1) by IARC
- Major defendants include L'Oreal, Revlon, and Softsheen-Carson
- First bellwether trial set for September 7, 2027
October 2026 Updates Latest
12,381 cases pending (16,828 total). The court has set the first bellwether trial for September 7, 2027. Fact discovery on the 32-case bellwether pool closed March 18, 2026, and the parties' joint proposed order cutting the current ten-case pool to five is due October 21, 2026. Expert discovery for those five cases closes December 21, 2026. Summary judgment and case-specific expert (Rule 702) motions are due January 11, 2027. Defendants' general-causation expert motion, fully briefed in June 2026, was still awaiting a ruling as of September 30.
Second Wave stay lifted; first bellwether trial set for Sept. 7, 2027
On July 24, 2026, the court lifted the stay for the Second Wave defendants, writing, "It is time to litigate." Case Management Order 24, entered August 27, sets Second Wave discovery deadlines, including third-party document subpoenas by April 1, 2027 and deposition subpoenas by June 1, 2027. A separate August 20 order, also entered August 27, set the bellwether expert schedule: defense case-specific expert reports were due September 25, and plaintiffs' rebuttals are due October 13. On September 24, 2026, the court set the first bellwether trial for September 7, 2027, with monthly status conferences in 2027.
Settlement discussions, deposition disputes & Revlon's reserve
Special Master Ellen K. Reisman continues overseeing settlement discussions, with Judge Rowland encouraging the parties to reach agreement on threshold issues like warnings, product instructions, and marketing in order to streamline 11,000+ cases. Disputes persist over corporate witness depositions, with defendants still offering written stipulations in lieu of live testimony. Revlon's bankruptcy reserve of $44 million remains the only allocated claim fund. No global settlement has been announced, and no per-case values have been established.
Key Facts (October 2026)
| Pending Actions | 12,381+ cases in federal MDL |
| Total Actions Filed | 16,828+ cases |
| Key Defendants | L'Oreal, Revlon, Softsheen-Carson, Strength of Nature, Dabur, Namaste Labs |
| Presiding Judge | Hon. Mary M. Rowland (N.D. Illinois) |
| MDL Created | February 6, 2023 |
| NIH Sister Study (Oct 2022) | Frequent users 2.55x more likely to develop uterine cancer |
| Formaldehyde Classification | IARC Group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer in humans) |
| FDA Ban Status | Proposed October 2023, deadline missed April 2024 |
| Can You Still File? | Yes, lawsuits are actively being filed |
Continued Case Growth
Cases continue to be filed as more women come forward following the NIH study linking hair relaxers to uterine cancer. Case count has grown 26% since January 2025.
Source: JPML MDL Statistics Reports, January 2025-October 2026
NIH Sister Study Finding (October 2022)
A landmark study by the National Institutes of Health found that women who used chemical hair straightening products more than four times per year were more than twice as likely (2.55x) to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not use these products.
"We estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70; but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05%." — Dr. Alexandra White, NIEHS
1 What Is This Lawsuit About?
Thousands of women have filed lawsuits alleging that chemical hair relaxers and straighteners caused them to develop uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, and other serious health conditions. The products, which have been primarily marketed to Black women for decades, contain potentially harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens.
Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers knew or should have known about the cancer risks associated with their products but failed to adequately warn consumers. The chemicals in these products can be absorbed through the scalp and may act as endocrine disruptors—interfering with the body's hormonal system and potentially leading to hormone-sensitive cancers.
2 Harmful Chemicals in Hair Relaxers
Chemical hair relaxers contain multiple compounds that have been linked to serious health problems. Many of these are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can interfere with the body's hormonal system.
Known Carcinogens
- Formaldehyde — IARC Group 1 carcinogen (2004); releases when products are heated
- Methylene glycol — Formaldehyde-releasing chemical often disguised on labels
Endocrine Disruptors
- Phthalates (DEHP) — Hormone disruptors used for fragrance
- Parabens — Preservatives that mimic estrogen
- Bisphenol A (BPA) — Known endocrine disruptor
Active Straightening Agents
- Sodium hydroxide (lye) — Causes skin/scalp burns, lung irritation
- Guanidine carbonate — "No-lye" alternative, still caustic
Other Chemicals of Concern
- Cyclosiloxanes — Endocrine and reproductive effects
- Benzophenone-3 — UV filter, potential hormone disruptor
- Diethanolamine (DEA) — Can form carcinogenic compounds
3 Health Conditions Linked to Hair Relaxers
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found associations between chemical hair relaxer use and serious health conditions. The scientific evidence continues to grow.
Uterine Cancer
NIH Sister Study (2022): Women who used hair straighteners 4+ times/year were 2.55x more likely to develop uterine cancer. Risk increased from 1.64% to 4.05% by age 70.
Black Women's Health Study (2023): Postmenopausal Black women who used relaxers more than 2x/year or for more than 5 years had >50% increased risk.
Ovarian Cancer
NIH Sister Study (2021): Frequent use (4+ times/year) of hair straighteners was associated with a 2.19x higher risk of ovarian cancer (HR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.12-4.27).
Breast Cancer
Black Women's Health Study (2021): Black women who used lye-based hair relaxers 7+ times/year for more than 15 years had a 30% increased risk of breast cancer.
Uterine Fibroids
Black Women's Health Study (2012): Women with 10+ years of frequent relaxer use had elevated fibroid occurrence. Other studies found 2-3x higher risk for routine users.
Early Puberty & Hormonal Disruption
Hair relaxer use by children has been linked to early onset of puberty. The endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause hormonal imbalances, which may increase later risk for metabolic syndromes, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
4 Regulatory & Scientific Timeline
International Agency for Research on Cancer determines "sufficient evidence" that formaldehyde causes cancer in humans.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health discovers Brazilian Blowout contains 100x the formaldehyde allowed by OSHA despite "formaldehyde free" labeling.
Black Women's Health Study publishes findings connecting long-term hair relaxer use to increased uterine fibroid risk.
Internal FDA emails (obtained via FOIA) reveal scientists deemed hair straighteners with formaldehyde unsafe. FDA labels formaldehyde as human carcinogen.
Landmark study in Journal of the National Cancer Institute finds 2.55x higher uterine cancer risk for frequent users. Triggers wave of litigation.
Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 passes, giving FDA its first major cosmetics authority since 1938. Requires adverse event reporting, facility registration, and grants mandatory recall powers.
JPML consolidates 50+ lawsuits into MDL-3060 in Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary M. Rowland.
FDA proposes banning formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair straighteners, with April 2024 implementation target.
FDA fails to finalize formaldehyde ban by self-imposed deadline. Agency states rule remains "high priority."
California's Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act takes effect, banning formaldehyde in personal care products.
Initial bellwether trial milestones; trial dates have since shifted to 2027. Special Master appointed for settlement negotiations.
Court sets the first bellwether trial for September 7, 2027, in a September 24, 2026 order that also schedules monthly status conferences in 2027.
5 Do You Qualify for Compensation?
You may be eligible to file a claim if you meet these criteria:
Eligibility Requirements
- Regular use of chemical hair relaxers or straighteners — Used products 4 or more times per year for an extended period (multiple years)
- Diagnosed with a qualifying condition — Uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or uterine fibroids
- Diagnosis occurred after product use — The health condition was diagnosed after a period of using hair relaxer products
- Within statute of limitations — Generally 2-3 years from diagnosis, but varies by state
6 Frequently Asked Questions
What did the NIH Sister Study find?
Why are Black women disproportionately affected?
Are keratin treatments and Brazilian Blowouts included?
What products are named in the lawsuits?
What compensation is available?
Has the FDA banned these products?
When will bellwether trials begin?
Sources & References
12 official sources cited• Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) — Official MDL statistics and transfer orders
• Chang C, et al. "Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer." J Natl Cancer Inst. 2022;114(12):1636-1645 (PMID: 36245087)
• Schildroth S, et al. "Hair product use and urinary biomarker concentrations..." Chemosphere. 2024;361:142442 (PMID: 38810806)
• Bertrand KA, et al. "Hair relaxer use and risk of uterine cancer in the Black Women's Health Study." Environ Res. 2023;239(Pt 1):117228 (PMID: 37821068)
• Wise LA, et al. "Hair relaxer use and risk of uterine leiomyomata in African-American women." Am J Epidemiol. 2012;175(5):432-40 (PMID: 22234483)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) — News release: "Hair straightening chemicals associated with higher uterine cancer risk" (October 2022)
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) — Sister Study and Environmental Factor Newsletter
• International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — Formaldehyde classification (Group 1 carcinogen, 2004)
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) 2022; Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) — Brazilian Blowout formaldehyde findings (2010)
• California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) — Chemicals in Hair Straightening Products report
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois — MDL No. 3060 docket, No. 1:23-cv-00818 (orders of July 24, August 27 and September 24, 2026, via CourtListener)
Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content.
Every case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Past settlement amounts and case outcomes do not guarantee similar results in your case. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction who can evaluate your specific situation.