Uterine Cancer From Hair Relaxers

For decades, millions of women, particularly Black women, were never told that the chemical hair relaxers and straighteners they used regularly could significantly increase their risk of uterine cancer. Groundbreaking research published in 2022 by the National Institutes of Health changed that. Today, thousands of women across the country are pursuing legal claims against the manufacturers of these products.

If you used chemical hair relaxers or straighteners and were later diagnosed with uterine cancer or endometrial cancer, Boling Firm wants to hear from you. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

The Science: Hair Relaxers and Uterine Cancer

What research links hair relaxers to uterine cancer?

The most significant study to date was published in October 2022 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study followed nearly 34,000 women between the ages of 35 and 74 for an average of almost 11 years as part of the NIEHS Sister Study.

The key findings were striking:

• Women who reported frequent use of chemical hair straightening products, defined as more than four times in the previous year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to women who did not use these products.
• Researchers estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would develop uterine cancer by age 70. For frequent users, that figure rose to 4.05% — a more than doubling of risk.
• No similar association was found for other hair products tested in the same study, including hair dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms. The elevated risk was specific to straighteners and relaxers.

This research did not stand alone. Studies published as early as 2012 in the American Journal of Epidemiology had already raised concerns about hair relaxer use and uterine cancer risk. Studies in 2013, 2015, and subsequent years continued to strengthen the body of evidence linking these products to hormone-related cancers.

Why do hair relaxers increase the risk of uterine cancer?

Chemical hair relaxers and straighteners contain a range of substances known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — compounds that interfere with the body's hormonal system. Because uterine cancer is strongly driven by estrogen exposure, chemicals that mimic or amplify estrogen activity can increase a woman's cancer risk over time.

Chemicals identified in hair relaxer products that may contribute to this risk include:

• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives — known carcinogens. In December 2024, the EPA's final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act determined that formaldehyde presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health, with elevated risk for people who use products containing it.
• Parabens — synthetic preservatives with estrogen-mimicking properties
• Bisphenol A (BPA) — a well-documented endocrine disruptor
• Phthalates — plasticizing chemicals linked to hormonal disruption and reproductive cancers
• Heavy metals — including lead and other compounds found in relaxer formulations

One reason chemical exposure from relaxers may be particularly significant compared to other personal care products is absorption. Chemical relaxers are applied directly to the scalp, where they are absorbed into the bloodstream. This process can be intensified by scalp burns, lesions, and micro-abrasions that often result from relaxer application — a well-documented side effect of these products.

Are Black women at disproportionate risk?

Yes and this is a central issue in the litigation. Approximately 60% of the participants who reported using hair straightening products in the NIEHS Sister Study were self-identified Black women. NIEHS researchers noted that because Black women use hair relaxer and straightening products more frequently and tend to begin using them at earlier ages than women of other racial and ethnic groups, the health risks documented in the study are particularly relevant to them.

At the same time, uterine cancer rates in the United States have been rising overall, and are rising disproportionately among Black women. Many legal experts and researchers believe that decades of targeted marketing of chemical relaxer products to Black women and girls, combined with a failure to disclose known health risks, has contributed to this disparity. The hair relaxer litigation addresses this head-on.

The Hair Relaxer Litigation: Where Things Stand

Is there a hair relaxer lawsuit or mass tort already underway?

Yes. The hair relaxer litigation is one of the largest active mass tort cases in the United States. Thousands of women who developed uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer after using chemical hair relaxers have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of these products.

These cases have been consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), known as In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland. As of early 2026, the MDL contains more than 11,000 active cases, making it one of the largest active federal MDLs in the country.

Separate cases are also proceeding in state courts in Illinois, Georgia, New York, California, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere.

Who are the defendants in the hair relaxer lawsuits?

The lawsuits name several of the largest manufacturers and distributors of chemical hair relaxer products, including:

• L'Oréal USA — manufacturer of products including Dark and Lovely and Soft Sheen-Carson's Optimum Salon Haircare line
• Revlon — manufacturer of Realistic and other relaxer lines
• Strength of Nature — maker of Olive Oil brand relaxers and other products
• Namaste Laboratories — manufacturer of Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) and other brands
• Other manufacturers and retailers involved in the sale and distribution of chemical relaxer products

Plaintiffs allege that these companies knew or should have known about the cancer-causing potential of their products' ingredients — and that they failed to warn consumers, particularly Black women and girls who were heavily targeted by their marketing.

What stage is the litigation at right now?

As of early 2026, the federal MDL has entered a critical phase. Key developments include:

• Both sides have disclosed general causation experts, and a "Science Day" was held in January 2026 in which plaintiff and defense experts presented their views on the scientific evidence to Judge Rowland.
• The court has set April 2026 as the deadline for Daubert hearings — legal proceedings in which the judge will evaluate the admissibility of expert testimony on causation. These hearings will significantly shape the trajectory of the litigation.
• A pool of 32 bellwether cases — representative cases selected to go to trial first to give both sides a sense of how juries respond to the evidence — has been identified. Early trial dates are expected in 2026 or 2027.
• In December 2025, a New York Supreme Court judge refused to dismiss a hair relaxer lawsuit, allowing a plaintiff's claims that the products were falsely marketed as safe to proceed.
• In October 2025, the Georgia Supreme Court reinstated a previously dismissed hair relaxer lawsuit alleging a link between chemical relaxers and endometrial cancer.

The litigation is active and moving forward. Women who believe they have a claim should act now — filing deadlines and discovery cutoffs are approaching.

Do You Have a Claim? What You Need to Know

Who may be eligible to file a hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit?

You may have a viable legal claim if:

• You used chemical hair relaxers or straightening products, and
• You were subsequently diagnosed with uterine cancer (also called endometrial cancer or uterine corpus cancer), endometrial cancer, or ovarian cancer

Cases involving uterine fibroids — non-cancerous growths in the uterus — may also have merit, particularly in women who required a hysterectomy as a result. The Boling Firm is evaluating fibroid cases on an individual basis.

The more frequently and the longer you used these products, the stronger your potential claim may be. Long-term, frequent users — particularly women who began using relaxers in childhood or adolescence — are especially encouraged to reach out.

What compensation may be available?

Women who successfully pursue hair relaxer cancer claims may be entitled to recover damages including:

• Past and future medical expenses (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, ongoing care)
• Costs of a hysterectomy and related procedures
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress
• Loss of fertility and the ability to have children
• Loss of consortium for spouses and partners
• Wrongful death damages if a loved one died from cancer linked to hair relaxer use

Given the evidence that manufacturers may have known about these risks for years without adequately warning consumers, courts may also award punitive damages in appropriate cases.

How long do I have to file a claim?

Statutes of limitations — the legal deadlines for filing a lawsuit, vary by state. In most product liability and toxic tort cases, the clock begins when you knew or reasonably should have known that your illness was connected to the product at issue. For many women, that date is tied to the publication of the 2022 NIEHS study and the resulting news coverage.

Regardless of when you first learned about the link, time is a factor. Evidence can be lost, witnesses' recollections fade, and statutes of limitations can cut off claims even in cases involving serious injuries. If you have been diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer and used hair relaxers, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How do I prove my cancer was caused by hair relaxers?

Product liability cases of this type rely on a combination of evidence, including:

• Your usage history — documentation or recollection of which products you used, for how long, and how frequently
• Your medical records and pathology reports confirming your cancer diagnosis and type
• Expert testimony from medical oncologists and toxicologists who can link your diagnosis to the chemicals in these products
• Epidemiological evidence — including the NIEHS Sister Study and subsequent research — establishing the population-level link between relaxer use and uterine cancer risk
• Corporate documents showing what manufacturers knew about ingredient risks and when they knew it

You do not need to have saved receipts or product packaging to pursue a claim. The Boling Firm works with clients to reconstruct product use history and build the strongest possible case from available evidence.

What if a family member died from uterine cancer after using hair relaxers?

If a loved one passed away from uterine or endometrial cancer and had a history of chemical hair relaxer use, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. These claims can seek compensation for the deceased's medical expenses, lost income, and the family's loss of companionship and financial support.

Wrongful death statutes and the family members eligible to bring claims vary by state. Deadlines in wrongful death cases are often shorter than in personal injury cases, making it important to consult an attorney promptly.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Boling Firm. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. If you believe you have a legal claim, please contact our office for a confidential consultation.