Motions Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Update: Lawsuit Alleges Chemicals in Motions Hair Relaxer Caused Uterine Fibroids

November 30, 2022 - A New York woman is suing the manufacturers of Motions Hair Relaxer and Olive Oil Girls, alleging that the products caused her to develop uterine fibroids which required a myomectomy operation to treat.

The suit [1] was entered on behalf of Plaintiff Teresa Spencer, who claims she began using Motions Hair Straightener and Olive Oil Girls in 1988 and continued to use them through 2014. Spencer was subsequently diagnosed with uterine fibroids and was forced to have them removed through a myomectomy in June 2021.

The complaint alleges that the defendants knew their hair relaxer products were dangerous due to their endocrine-disrupting chemicals, but failed to adequately warn the public.

Spencer's lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of New York on November 21, 2022, and names Strength of Nature, LLC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Dabur USA Inc, and Namaste Laboratories as defendants.

Study Links Hair Straighteners to Uterine Cancer

Women who used chemical hair straighteners or relaxers frequently (over 4 times in the last year) have a doubled risk of being diagnosed with uterine cancer vs. those who didn’t use the products, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute [2].

While uterine cancer may only account for 3% of cancer diagnoses each year in the United States, studies have found that rates for the disease are increasing — particularly among African American women — with a total of at least 65,950 new cases estimated in 2022.

About 60% of the participants in the study who claimed to use hair relaxers were black women.

“Because Black women use hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently and tend to initiate use at earlier ages than other races and ethnicities, these findings may be even more relevant for them,” said Che-Jung Chang, Ph.D., an Author on the study.

Woman Claims Hair Relaxers Caused Uterine Cancer

A Missouri woman has filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and 5 other cosmetic manufacturers alleging that their hair-straightening products caused her to develop uterine cancer.

The complaint alleges that Plaintiff Jenny Mitchell’s cancer “was directly and proximately caused by her regular and prolonged exposure to phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in defendants’ hair care products.”

Mitchell was diagnosed with cancer in August 2018, at the age of 28, and was forced to undergo a hysterectomy a month after the diagnosis.

“At that time, at the age of 28, my dreams of becoming a mother were gone,” Mitchell said.

Related Article: Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Update

Which Toxic Chemicals Are in Hair Straighteners?

Most hair relaxers and hair straightener products include levels of:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) - Chemical used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics which have been linked to health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children. It can also affect children's behavior.
• Formaldehyde - Colorless, strong-smelling chemical that is a highly toxic systemic poison that is absorbed by inhalation.
• Metals - Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and aluminum are exceptionally toxic and are prohibited in cosmetics to be included deliberately as ingredients.
• Parabens - A group of chemicals that can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.

Related Article: Hair Straighteners Cancer Lawsuits

Is There a Link Between Hair Dyes and Breast Cancer?

In December 2019, a study was published by the National Institutes of Health [3] that linked the use of hair dyes and chemical hair straighteners to an increased risk for breast cancer.

The researchers found that overall, women who used permanent hair dye regularly (every 5 to 8 weeks) were 9% more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who didn’t use the products.

While white women saw an 8% greater risk of the disease, routine coloring with permanent dye was associated with a 60% higher risk for breast cancer among black women, the study found.

What is Motions Hair Relaxer?

Motions Classic Lye Relaxer is formulated for normal, medium-textured, non-resistant hair conditions. The no-base formulation contains cationic conditioners that lock onto each hair to protect and hydrate throughout the relaxer process.

What Happens When You Straighten Your Hair Everyday?

Hair can't re-produce the moisture it loses every time you straighten it, and every time the hair loses the moisture, it weakens. As the hair weakens, it breaks, and finally, it burns. This is why it is bad to straighten your hair every day.

Who is Eligible to File a Lawsuit?

You may be able to participate in a hair straightener lawsuit if you:

• Used chemical hair straighteners or hair relaxers
• Were subsequently diagnosed with uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids

Not sure if you have a case? Simply call (866) 588-0600 or fill out the contact form below to learn more about your legal options.

Related Articles:

• ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
• Ultra Sheen Hair Relaxer Lawyer
• Just For Me Hair Relaxer Attorney

See all related product liability cases our attorneys have covered.

Get a Free Motions 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 Motions Hair Relaxer Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting 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 Motions Hair Relaxer, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Motions Hair Relaxer Lawsuit and our product liability lawyers can help.