Rethinking Safety: Understanding the Perm Relaxer Lawsuit
A Deep Dive into the Alleged Link Between Hair Straightening Products and Cancer
For years, women and men have used hair relaxers to straighten or manage naturally curly and hairdresser-assisted permanent styles. Part of the beauty of black hair is the many different textures and shapes possible for styling.
The problem is that there is growing evidence chemical hair straightening products, commonly referred to as hair/perm relaxers, lead to breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers. The current research shows women using perm relaxers at least six times a year have a 30% increase in the risk of breast cancer.
With so much added risk, the number of lawsuits is also growing. Let’s take a closer look at the link between hair straightening products like chemical perm relaxers and the relaxer lawsuits occurring in the public eye.
Why are Black Hair Relaxers Potentially Dangerous?
Around 88% of black women rely on chemical straighteners for relaxing hair. While some are moving more toward non-chemical hair relaxers for black hair, the more widely available products you’ll find on big-box shopping counters still have a higher risk of dangerous side effects.
At this point, even the WHO (World Health Organization) is classifying working with black hair relaxers and dyes as possible carcinogens – meaning hairdressers are just as much in danger as individuals at home. While many organizations are out there looking closer at the ingredients inside these products, they are still not FDA-tested for safety.
For example, you could find ingredients like:
Formaldehyde
Guanidine carbonate
Bisphenol A
Parabens
Ammonium thioglycolate
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Cyclosiloxanes
Diethanolamine
The reason there are litigable issues like a lawsuit for hair relaxer is because these are dangerous chemicals that can lead to skin irritation, eye pain, and eventually cancer.
What is the Legal Landscape for Relaxer Lawsuits?
As of November 13, 2023, no litigation concerning a hair relaxer cash settlement or a lawsuit against relaxers has resulted in a verdict. However, that isn’t for lack of trying. This is a new area of law, so thousands of lawsuits are being filed all over the country.
Most of the time, a lawsuit for hair relaxers is looking closer at the health dangers of frequent use. When these black hair relaxer products are put on the shelves, they do not include any form of “risk statement.”
Think of it this way: if you pick up a cleaner for your counter or some kind of laundry detergent, there is usually a warning saying, “Do not ingest” or “dangerous if contact with eyes.”
Chemical hair relaxers do not include these warnings. Without solid evidence that directly links cancer and other ailments to black hair relaxers, there isn’t a lot of ground to stand on. You have to prove you have experienced an injury due to the negligence of the company, either because of product liability or false advertising.
Overview of Relaxer Lawsuits
An excellent example of a current MDL (multi-district lawsuit against relaxers) is Africa’s Best. This is a product well known for black hair relaxers, conditions, shampoos, and styling. They emphasize marketing that is directly focused on people with natural, texture hair who want straightening. In other words, women of African American descent.
The first one of these suits was back in 2017 in Johnson v. Africa’s Best. It was filed in California, and the alleged injury was suffering hair loss and scalp burns from Africa’s Best Relaxer Crème. However, like most other lawsuits for hair relaxers, this is still in the early phases of discovery, litigation, and negotiation.
The Impact on the Industry
More than 7,000 relaxer lawsuits are floating around the U.S. and international scene. These are not solely directed at smaller “mom-and-pop” companies. Major cosmetic brands like L’Oreal (Dark & Lovely black hair relaxer) and Revlon (Crème of Nature relaxer) are being targeted as well.
This has a lot to do with marketing. The vast majority of black hair relaxers are marketed toward black women. Even though companies like L’Oreal and Revlon are reporting their products undergo rigorous safety reviews, they fail to list any form of warning on the packaging.
In one such case, a Revlon spokesperson claimed: “We do not believe the science supports a link between chemical hair straighteners or relaxers and cancer.” They further explain: “We offer products for all skin and hair types, all genders, all identities, all cultures, all ages.”
While that is a significant claim, science says otherwise. A 2021 study in the journal Carcinogenesis and a 2022 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute both point out that using chemical hair straighteners (4 or more times a year) results in twice as likely risk for breast and ovarian cancers. That is in addition to the 2020 study in the British Medical Journal finding a higher risk of ovarian cancer in patients using hair dye with the same chemical composition 100 times or more over their lifetime.
None of this seems to be slowing down the production of chemical black hair relaxers. If anything, major suppliers are pushing harder to ensure their products are safe for everyone. The company byline is that they will continue to push their products until science undeniably shows a direct link.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The battle with relaxer lawsuits is going to be on several fronts. In the lead will be the direct link between any hair relaxer cash settlement and the risk of cancer. As more and more research is funded to study such links, that added evidence will only strengthen the thousands of lawsuits. The second one sets a precedent that will result in us seeing a domino effect of other cash statements.
The other front will be in civil rights. The vast majority of black hair relaxer is marketed toward African American women and those in minorities. Any lawyer worth their salt is going to frame such litigation as a civil rights issue. They will claim companies targeted women in such communities without any care for the damage it may or may not have caused.
Seeing how 23 states have passed some form of litigation protecting hair discrimination, more and more younger consumers will seek out hair straighteners to express their personalities, styles, and desires.
The best way to get around such problems is to lean into a non-chemical hair relaxer for black hair.
Choosing Samuel’s Science as an Alternative
The more people become aware of potential hazards when using strong, chemical-based products, the greater the call for more natural products. Consumers love naturally made products, and Samuel’s Science Modern Relaxer is perfect to answer that call.
With only a single use, you can reduce curl for a 4A-4C look. There are no dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde that will cause chemical burns or cancerous undertones. Based on naturally occurring amino acids, you can get the style and performance you want instead of joining the thousands of other lawsuits against relaxers that have caused so many heartbreaking situations.
Shop now and experience the beauty of a black hair relaxer that is safe, reliable, and effective.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, so many minorities have had to fight hard to get their voices heard. The US is full of examples where people of color have had to endure everything from medical testing to lax safety checks because corporations didn’t do their due diligence.
The controversy over black hair relaxers and their effect on lawsuits will only get more complex. We are at the tipping point of a significant legal battle that will drastically impact the hair care industry.
Balancing beauty practices with your general health concerns is the best way to avoid these challenges. Seek out products that are based on natural ingredients and have a history of safe use. When you’re looking for a natural hair relaxer without chemicals, check out Samuel’s Science and embrace the beauty of your incredible hair.
