Africa’s Best Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

First Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuit Filed in Chicago

A Missouri woman on October 21, 2022, filed a product liability lawsuit in Chicago Federal Court alleging that her use of chemical hair-straightening products caused her to develop uterine cancer.

According to the lawsuit, Plaintiff Jennifer Mitchell began using hair relaxers in 2000, when she was just 10 years old. She was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2018 at the age of 28. She underwent a full hysterectomy a month following her diagnosis.

The complaint states Mitchell can no longer have children and has suffered “extreme pain and suffering and extreme emotional distress.”

Defendants named in the lawsuit include L’Oreal USA Products Inc., Strength of Nature Global, Soft Sheen/Carson Inc., Soft Sheen Carson Inc., Dabur International Ltd, Dabur USA Inc., and Namaste Laboratories, LLC.

Mitchell claims that the defendants' products contain phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and her exposure to these chemicals over decades resulted in her development of uterine cancer.

Related Article: Hair Straighteners Cancer Lawsuit

New Study Links Relaxers to Uterine Cancer

Mitchell's lawsuit was filed just days after a groundbreaking study was published by the National Institutes of Health [1] which found an 80% higher risk of uterine cancer among women who used hair-straightening products, with the risk more than double for participants who used the products more than 4 times in the previous year.

For the study, researchers examined findings from the Sister Study [2], which involved nearly 34,000 participants between the ages of 35 and 74 who did not have breast cancer but had at least one sister diagnosed with the disease. The study evaluated their self-reported use of hair products, such as hair dyes, straighteners, relaxers, and body waves within the prior 12 months.

Over an average follow-up of nearly 11 years, at least 378 uterine cancer cases were found by the study. The researchers speculated that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals contained in the hair products could contribute to uterine cancer risk “because of their ability to alter hormonal actions.”

Related Articles: Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits

Do All Hair Straighteners Contain Formaldehyde?

Most hair smoothing or straightening products release formaldehyde gas, a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance), into the air during the hair straightening or smoothing process.

Formaldehyde is a highly toxic poison that is absorbed by inhalation. The vapor is a severe respiratory tract and skin irritant which may cause dizziness or suffocation. Contact with formaldehyde may also cause severe burns to the eyes and skin.

Is Hair Dye an Endocrine Disruptor?

Many hair dyes contain toluene, a well-established neurotoxin that has been linked to birth defects, pregnancy loss, and allergic reactions. Some dyes also contain resorcinol, a chemical that has been associated with endocrine disruption, which means that it impacts the body's normal hormonal functioning and signaling.

Also Read: Hair Relaxer Endometriosis Suit

Can Hair Products Affect Hormones?

Chemicals in women's hair care products have also been linked to many hormone-related conditions, including early puberty, preterm birth, obesity, and diabetes. The health implications of hormone-altering chemicals could be particularly adverse when hair care products are used frequently and/or in combination.

What is Africa's Best Hair Relaxer?

Originals by Africa’s Best Coconut Crème Ultra-Conditioning Relaxer System is a single-strength chemical straightening system designed for at-home use. The product contains coconut milk, flaxseed extract, grapeseed oil, avocado oil, argan oil, and aloe.

Related Articles:

• Luster's Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
• African Pride Hair Relaxer Litigation
• Creme of Nature Hair Relaxer Attorney

See all related product liability lawsuits our lawyers have taken on.

Get a Free Africa's Best Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Attorneys

The Products Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Africa's Best Hair Relaxer Lawsuits. We handle individual litigation nationwide and accept new cases in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one was diagnosed with uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids after using Africa's Best Hair Relaxer, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing an Africa's Best Hair Relaxer Lawsuit and our product liability lawyers can help.