Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

If you, or a loved one, sustained harm due to chemical hair relaxer or straightener products, contact Parker Waichman LLP to find out if you are eligible to file a civil lawsuit seeking compensation. To receive your free consultation with one of our Ovarian cancer attorneys, simply call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today or simply fill out our contact form to receive your free consultation. Our trial attorneys will help you understand your rights. If our firm can take your case, our attorneys will fight vigorously for the economic compensation that your case truly deserves.

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Chemical hair straightener ovarian cancer lawsuits
Chemical Straighteners Lawsuit

What is Hair Relaxing?

Now that there is a prominent hair relaxer cancer lawsuit, what is a hair relaxer? A hair relaxer is a chemical lotion or cream, applied to the scalp, to chemically straighten curly or coily hair. Designed to straighten a curl pattern, relaxers break down the bonds in the hair shaft at the cuticle or cortex layer. To maintain straight hair, a touch up at the roots is usually necessary every six to eight weeks.

Two types of relaxers have dominated the market: lye-based and no-lye. Lye-based relaxers, with sodium hydroxide, are the stronger formulation, and are generally used by professionals. Milder no-lye kits, with calcium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, are generally used at home.

Relaxer products are marketed primarily to Black women, who have hair that typically curls tightly into “kinks” or “naps.” Relaxers are sometimes referred to as “perms” in the Black community (they are the opposite of a “perm” for straight hair, which is designed to create curls, waves or textures).

Since the late nineteenth century, many Black women have used chemicals or heated tools to “relax” their hair. A 2022 study found that 89% of Black women have used relaxers or straighteners on their hair. Studies suggest that many factors play into a Black woman’s decision to straighten her hair. Straight hair has been viewed as a sign of professionalism or sophistication. A 2020 Michigan State study found that 80% of Black women consider it essential to social and economic success. A 2020 Duke study found that women with natural hairstyles are less likely to get job interviews.

In the past decade, society has increasingly embraced curls and natural hair, reducing relaxer use. Recent legislation has supported the natural hair movement. CROWN Act legislation (Creating A Respectful And Open World For Natural Hair) was first introduced in 2019 in California, prohibiting race-based hair discrimination, allowing natural hair in the workplace and schools. Other states, including New York, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Colorado have enacted similar laws.

Who Makes Hair Relaxers?

In 1902, Annie Malone, influenced by an aunt who was an herbalist, created a hair straightening recipe for afro-textured hair. Sarah Breedlove, aka Madam C.J. Walker, began using Malone’s hair products soon after. Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower made her a millionaire and created the channels to sell hair products to the African American community.

Garrett Augustus Morgan invented many things, including the automatic traffic signal and the gas mask. He also discovered the first hair straightening solution. The story, as passed on by his granddaughters, is that he was trying to protect fabric from the heat of a sewing machine needle. When he wiped one of the chemicals off his hands, it completely straightened the wavy fibers in a woolen fabric. He went on to straighten his neighbor’s dog’s fur, then his own hair. In 1913, he organized the G. A. Morgan Hair Refining Co., to sell the cream he developed.

George E. Johnson released Ultra Wave, the first “no-lye” relaxer, for men in 1956. He went on to launch Ultra Sheen for women in 1957. Dark & Lovely, founded in 1972 specifically for Black women, was the first company to launch a non-lye relaxer.

Since then, “creamy crack” (slang often used by the Black community to describe relaxers) has grown in to a large business. L’Oreal acquired Dark & Lovely in 1998. Sales peaked around 2011, when chemical relaxer sales to hair professionals reached $71 million. In 2021, they had fallen to $30 million, as the natural hair movement took hold among younger Black women. In 2021, post-pandemic, relaxed styles made a comeback.

Parker Waichman LLP | NeuroBlate Brain Surgery Lawsuits

NeuroBlate Brain Surgery Lawsuits

The NeuroBlate System, a brain surgery probe using laser therapy to remove cancerous tumors, may overheat and cause serious damage to brain tissue.

Parker Waichman LLP | Monteris Medical NeuroBlate Probe Lawsuit Lawyers

Monteris Medical NeuroBlate Probe Lawsuit Lawyers

If you have been injured or if your loved one has passed away due to the NeuroBlate Probe, call our Monteris Medical NeuroBlate Probe Lawsuit Lawyers as you could be entitled to receive monetary compensation.