Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits

Updated October 2026

More than 12,000 lawsuits allege that chemical hair relaxers and straighteners exposed long-time users to chemicals linked to uterine and ovarian cancer, and that the companies selling them did not warn customers.

Where the Litigation Stands

• Case: In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3060, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, before Judge Mary M. Rowland.
• Size: 12,381 cases were pending as of October 1, 2026.
• Trials: the first federal bellwether trial is set for September 2027. Related cases are also moving forward in Illinois state courts.
• Other action: in October 2026, Minnesota’s Attorney General sued L’Oréal over its Dark and Lovely, Optimum and Mizani relaxers.

Who May Qualify

• You used chemical hair relaxers or straighteners regularly, often over many years
• You were later diagnosed with uterine (endometrial) cancer or ovarian cancer
• Family members may have a claim if a loved one died from one of these cancers

Companies Named in the Lawsuits

Defendants include L’Oréal USA (including SoftSheen-Carson), Strength of Nature, Namasté Laboratories, Luster Products, House of Cheatham, Revlon, McBride Research Labs, Avlon and others. If you do not remember the exact brand, we can help you piece it together.

What to Gather

• The brands you used and roughly when and how often
• Your cancer diagnosis and treatment records
• The names of your doctors and treatment centers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need receipts or old product packaging?

No. Most people do not have them. Your own account of which products you used, supported by family members or salon records, is often enough to start.

Is this a class action?

No. Each person has an individual claim, coordinated with other cases before one judge.

Is there a deadline?

Yes. California deadlines usually run from when you learned, or should have learned, that the product may have caused your cancer. Ask as soon as you can.