Top beauty brands face lawsuits over hair product concerns

According to The Street, What began as a beauty dream has turned into a nightmare for many women who used chemical hair relaxers. With millions of consumers spending tens of billions on hair products annually, hair relaxers have long been a popular choice. However, now thousands of Black women are suing the manufacturers, claiming the products are linked to serious health risks.

The Controversial History of Hair Relaxers

Hair relaxers have been around since the early 1900s, initially praised as a revolutionary solution for hair management. However, the industry’s success underscores societal pressures. As one plaintiff stated, “I wanted a job … going to an employer with an afro back in those days would not have cut it.”

A 2023 study by Dove and LinkedIn found that Black women’s hair is 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as “unprofessional” compared to white women’s hair. The study also highlighted the following:

• 66% of Black women change their hair for job interviews.
• 41% switch from curly to straight hair.
• 54% feel they must straighten their hair to succeed in job interviews.
• 25% believe they’ve been denied a job interview because of their hair.

Also read: FREE CASH: Women may get $1000 a month in free money from new program – Just Know How To Apply

Fidelma Fitzpatrick, an attorney leading the lawsuit, pointed out that many Black women used relaxers due to societal pressures, family traditions, or the allure of advertising that promoted Eurocentric beauty standards.

The Allure of Hair Relaxers

TV ads, magazines, and product packaging have long showcased women with sleek, straight hair, promising “salon-worthy, silky, smooth hair.” The marketing is appealing, and with a price of $7.49 at stores like Target, these products seem accessible. Yet, there is no mention of the potential health risks involved.

Health Risks Linked to Chemical Hair Relaxers

A 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that women who regularly used hair relaxers were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to non-users. Previous studies have also linked relaxers to breast and ovarian cancer, fibroids, and aggressive tumor growth.

Alexandra White, head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group, cautioned that while the doubling rate is concerning, uterine cancer remains relatively rare. However, its increasing incidence, particularly among Black women, is alarming.

The NBC News segment covering the lawsuits featured five plaintiffs, all of whom had undergone hysterectomies after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. All had used hair relaxers for years.

One plaintiff, Marnita Ballard, recounted her emotions after being diagnosed with cancer at age 37 and ultimately needing a hysterectomy. “It made me feel like my womanhood was taken away,” she said.

Also read: FAST CASH: Dental company will pay customers $300 from $27.5m overcharge settlement

L’Oréal’s Role in the Controversy

L’Oréal, one of the companies being sued, issued a statement in November 2023, claiming that its “highest priority is the health and wellbeing of all our consumers.” However, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization that evaluates consumer products for safety, found that L’Oréal’s Dark & Lovely Hair Relaxer received a “health hazard score” of 10 out of 10.

The lawsuits accuse L’Oréal of marketing these products as safe while allegedly knowing, or having reason to know, that they contained harmful chemicals.

A Growing Legal Battle

These lawsuits fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers accountable for defective or dangerous products. As of August 2023, over 8,200 active cases have been filed, making this one of the fastest-growing mass lawsuits in recent history.