What are Hair straighteners/ relaxers?

Hair relaxers are chemical products often used by people with curly or kinky hair who prefer a softer, straighter look. They work by breaking down the hair´s natural protein structure, making it more flexible and easy to straighten.

The active ingredient in most hair relaxers is sodium hydroxide (also known as lye), which can be very caustic, causing chemical burns if not used correctly.

Hair relaxers may also contain other chemicals, including phthalates, used as plasticizers to help the product distribute evenly through the hair.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften and make plastic more flexible. It is used in many products, such as toys, personal care products, food packaging, and building materials.

Phthalates can be harmful to human health, as they can affect the body´s hormonal system, specifically the endocrine system.

This can lead to imbalances in hormone levels and a variety of negative health effects.

How to qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit?

Have you used a chemical hair straightener for many years? Did you suffer from uterine fibroids or any breast or uterine cancer diagnosis? If both questions are yes, you may be able to take legal action against the companies that make the product.

To do this, contact us here and tell us about your experience. Then, an expert adviser on this case will evaluate the information and will be able to guide you in the steps to follow.

Do Hair Relaxers Cause Uterine Fibroids Or Cancer?

Hair products have been under scrutiny for several years for their potentially harmful effects on women´s health. Despite evidence linking these hair products to uterine fibroids and even breast and uterine cancer, nothing has changed.

Key Research Findings:

• ✔ A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2019 found that women who used hair relaxers had an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
• ✔ The American Journal of Epidemiology in 2017 found a possible link between hair relaxer use and an increased risk of uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) in African American women. The study found that women who used hair relaxers had a 30% increased risk of developing fibroids, compared to women who did not use hair relaxers.
• ✔ On October 17, 2022, a NIEHS study was published, which says that women who reported frequent use of hair straightening products were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who did not use them.