Case type Product Liability
Chemical Hair Relaxer Injuries
Diagnosed with uterine or another cancer after years of using chemical hair relaxers? Tell us your story.
Many women used chemical relaxers for decades. CBW Law reviews the products, the years of use, the research and the federal litigation, and explains what we see. Tell Us Your Story. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Chemical hair relaxers and straighteners have been used by millions of women, often for decades. A 2022 NIH study found that frequent use of hair straightening products was associated with a higher risk of uterine cancer, and thousands of federal lawsuits are now centralized in Illinois. The research shows an association, not proof that a product caused any one person's cancer. A hair relaxer lawyer looks at the products used, the years of use and the medical evidence.
Relaxers, straighteners and smoothing treatments
Several kinds of products change hair texture, and they are not the same:
- Chemical relaxers, often lye or no-lye creams, that permanently straighten curly hair
- Keratin and other smoothing treatments, some of which release formaldehyde when heated
- Heat tools, which straighten temporarily without chemicals
FDA says many hair smoothing products contain formaldehyde, also listed as formalin or methylene glycol, which is released as a gas when the product is heated1. Research and litigation about relaxers focus on chemical straightening products, and findings about one kind of product do not automatically apply to another.
Short-term injuries
Chemical hair products can cause burns and irritation to the scalp, skin and eyes. FDA reports that formaldehyde-releasing smoothing products have been associated with eye problems, headaches, dizziness, sore throat, cough, wheezing, nausea, chest pain, vomiting and rash1.
What the long-term research shows
A National Institutes of Health study of 33,497 women in the Sister Study found that women who reported frequent use of hair straightening products, more than four times in the prior year, were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as women who did not use them23. The researchers estimated that 1.64% of women who never used straighteners would develop uterine cancer by age 70, compared with 4.05% of frequent users2.
NIH noted that about 60% of participants who reported using straighteners were Black women, and that because Black women tend to use these products more often and from a younger age, the findings may be especially relevant to them2.
Where the hair relaxer litigation stands
Federal hair relaxer cases are centralized in MDL No. 3060, In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, in the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary M. Rowland4. As of November 2, 2026, the Judicial Panel listed 12,743 actions pending in the MDL5. The cases contain allegations that have not been proven. An MDL is not a class action, and each person's claim is separate6.
Who may have a claim
A review considers:
- Which products were used, salon or at home, and for how many years
- How often products were applied
- The diagnosis, date and pathology
- Other medical history doctors noted
- Receipts, salon records or photos of products, if any
Many people do not remember every brand they used over decades. Salon records, family members and old photos can help.
Who may be responsible
- Manufacturers of relaxer and straightening products
- Brand owners and distributors
Product liability claims can reach businesses in the chain of manufacture and sale7.
Filing deadlines for hair relaxer claims
Cancer claims often use discovery rules. Examples:
- Arizona: generally two years for personal injury and wrongful death8.
- California: two years for personal injury9, and for toxic exposure, two years from the injury or from when the person knew or should have known of the injury and its likely cause, whichever is later10.
- New York: three years, measured from discovery of the injury for the latent effects of exposure to a substance11.
- Texas: two years for personal injury12; the 15-year product limit has an exception for some latent diseases from exposure13.
These examples are not complete, and other rules can apply. A product liability attorney can check the rules for your state early.
Records that help
What to gather
Product use
- Brands used and years of use
- Salon names and records
- Photos of products, if any
Medical
- Diagnosis and pathology reports
- Surgical and treatment records
- Treating doctors
Other
- Pharmacy or store receipts
- Family members who remember product use
What happens after you contact CBW Law
How a hair relaxer review works
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You tell us your history
The products, the years and your diagnosis.
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We place it in the litigation
We check how your situation fits MDL 3060.
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We review the records
With your permission, we gather medical and product records.
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We explain what we see
We tell you plainly whether a claim may be possible and which deadlines apply.
Years of relaxer use and a cancer diagnosis raise a fair question. The answer depends on the products, the history and the medical evidence.
Plain English
Medical, Health & Insurance
Terms you may see in a hair relaxer case.
Product terms
- Relaxer
- A chemical product that permanently straightens curly hair.
- Methylene glycol
- A form of formaldehyde listed on some smoothing products1.
Health terms
- Uterine cancer
- Cancer of the uterus, including endometrial cancer.
- Hysterectomy
- Surgery to remove the uterus.
- Association
- A statistical link found in research, not proof of cause in one person.
Claim terms
Questions
Frequently asked hair relaxer questions
Short answers to the questions people ask first.
What did the NIH study find?
Women who frequently used hair straightening products were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as non-users2.
Does that mean my relaxer caused my cancer?
No study can show that for one person. A review looks at your use, your diagnosis and other medical factors.
Where are hair relaxer lawsuits being heard?
Federal cases are in MDL No. 3060 in the Northern District of Illinois4.
Is there a hair relaxer settlement?
We have not found an approved global settlement in official records. Settlement news should be checked against court records.
What if I don't remember the brands?
Salon records, family members and photos can help. Many people used several products over time.
Are keratin treatments part of these claims?
They are different products. FDA has warned that some smoothing products release formaldehyde when heated1.
How long do I have to file a hair relaxer lawsuit?
Discovery rules often apply, such as New York's for latent exposure11. Ask early.
What does a hair relaxer attorney at CBW look at first?
The products and years of use, your diagnosis and your medical records.
How much does it cost to talk to a hair relaxer lawyer at CBW?
Telling us your story costs nothing, and contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Tell Us Your Story
If you used chemical relaxers and were later diagnosed with cancer, you can ask questions without any obligation.
Tell us what happened. CBW Law will review your information and explain what we see. Submitting information does not establish an attorney-client relationship or guarantee representation.
Tell Us Your Story Call (800) 476-2416
This page is general information about chemical hair relaxers. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Product use, a diagnosis or a study association does not, by itself, establish causation or legal responsibility. Allegations in pending lawsuits are unproven. Laws and deadlines differ by state, and no outcome can be promised.