Eligible for a Hair Relaxer lawsuit?
Dark & Lovely Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Uterine Cancer, Fibroid Risks from Hair Relaxer
Plaintiffs seek refunds and medical monitoring for women who bought and were exposed to Dark & Lovely hair relaxer chemicals
- Chemicals in Dark & Lovely may cause uterine cancer, fibroids and other side effects
- Class action lawsuit alleges Dark & Lovely manufacturers failed to disclose the risks
- Plaintiffs seek medical monitoring and other damages
- Manufacturers also face individual Dark & Lovely lawsuits brought by women diagnosed specific injuries caused by the hair relaxer
- LEARN MORE ABOUT DARK & LOVELY HAIR RELAXER LAWSUITS
Amid growing concerns of hair relaxers and uterine cancer, a group of women from Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey and Texas have filed a class action lawsuit over Dark & Lovely, indicating that manufacturers of the hair relaxer failed to disclose that toxic chemicals in Dark & Lovely may increase the risk of uterine cancer, fibroids and endometriosis.
Dark & Lovely is a widely used chemical hair straightener or relaxer, which has been marketed as safe and effective for Black women to use for decades. However, recent studies have found that products contain a number of toxic endocrine disrupting chemicals, which are known to pose a number of long-term side effects, which were never disclosed by the manufacturer.
The complaint (PDF) was brought by Evelyn Williams, Tabatha Taggart, Tameka M. Meadows, Deborah Taylor and Daphne Valentine in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 3, seeking class action status to pursue damages for themselves and similarly situated consumers.
Each of the women indicate that they purchased Dark & Lovely hair relaxer, unaware it may be adulterated with toxic endocrine disrupting chemicals, and maintain that they never would have paid for the product if they had been warned about the potential health risks. None of the plaintiffs indicate they have been diagnosed with a specific injury, but claim that the manufacturer should be required to pay for medical monitoring and other damages.
Chemicals in Dark & Lovely May Cause Cancer, Fibroids and Endometriosis
The Dark & Lovely class action lawsuit was filed against L’Oreal USA and Softsheen-Carson, Inc., who also face a growing number of similar Dark & Lovely lawsuits now being filed by women who have been diagnosed with uterine cancer, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis and other injuries following regular use of the products. Similar hair relaxer lawsuits have also been brought against the makers of competing products, including Just for Me, Optimum, Motions, Olive Oil Girls and other popular relaxers or perms.
HAIR RELAXER COMPENSATION
Uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer may be caused by chemicals in hair relaxer. See if you are eligible for benefits.
Learn More About This Lawsuit See If You Qualify For CompensationIn this new class action lawsuit over Dark & Lovely, plaintiffs indicate that the manufacturers have made false and misleading statements about the safety of hair relaxers, leading consumers to spend money on a product they would not have otherwise purchased. Many of the women have used the products for years, often starting when they were children.
“Hair products such as relaxers contain hormonally active and carcinogenic compounds, such as phthalates, known to cause endocrine disruption, are not listed separately as ingredients but, instead, are often broadly lumped into the ‘fragrance’ or ‘perfume’ categories,” the lawsuit states. “Relaxer habits usually begin in formative childhood years, and adolescence is likely a period of enhanced susceptibility to debilitating conditions resulting from exposure to these chemicals.”
The lawsuit seeks to establish a multi-state class action for any consumer who purchased any of the defendants’ hair straighteners or relaxers in the U.S. from May 25, 2017, to the present. In addition to medical monitoring, the Dark & Lovely lawsuit seeks a full refund of the purchase price consumers paid for the hair relaxer, and an injunction which would prevent the defendants from continuing to sell products which may be adulterated due to the presence of toxic chemicals.
Hair Relaxer Cancer Risks
In recent years, studies have been published that make a connection between use of hair relaxer and cancer, raising concerns about the wide spread use of the products by Black and other minority women throughout the U.S.
In October, researchers published findings in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which warned that ingredients used in the chemical hair relaxers may cause uterine cancer. Researchers found that the rate of uterine cancer was nearly three times greater among women who frequently used hair relaxer chemicals, compared to women who never used the products.
A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Cancer (IJC) issued similar findings, indicating women who reported regularly using straighteners and permanent hair dyes were 9% more likely to develop breast cancer than non-users.
Over an eight year period, researchers identified 2,794 cases of breast cancer after chemical hair straighteners use. The study revealed those who frequently used hair straightener products were at a significantly increased risk of breast cancer, finding women using hair straighteners at least every five to eight weeks, had a 30% increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers warned that African American women who reported using permanent hair dyes regularly were associated with a 60% increase of breast cancer diagnosis, compared to an 8% increased risk for Caucasian women.
Uterine fibroids and endometriosis have been associated with phthalate metabolites used in hair relaxers.
For women actually diagnosed uterine cancer, breast cancer or uterine fibroids, product liability lawyers are reviewing individual Dark & Lovely lawsuits to pursue settlement benefits for the actual medical damages and pain and suffering caused by the hair relaxers. Those claims will be handled separately from any potential class action lawsuits brought against the manufacturers, seeking refunds and medical monitoring.
FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DARK & LOVELY SETTLEMENT
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with uterine cancer, breast cancer or uterine fibroids following use of a hair relaxer like Dark & Lovely, settlement benefits may be available. Lawyers provide free consultations and claim evaluations.
Tags:
Breast Cancer,
Cancer,
Chemicals,
Class Action,
Dark & Lovely,
Endocrine Disruptors,
Endometriosis,
Hair Straighteners,
L'Oreal,
Phthalates,
Uterine Cancer,
Uterine Fibroid Removal
Find Out If You Qualify for Hair Relaxer Compensation
26 Comments
ShirleyAugust 1, 2024 at 10:59 am
Not only did I have breast cancer. But I also had to have a hysterectomy.
TraceyAugust 17, 2023 at 3:46 pm
I've been using hair relaxer products for over many many years now I can't get it to grow and I've never had sensitive scalp
JudithJuly 15, 2023 at 9:30 pm
I used Dark and Lovely products for years, (relaxers and hair color) and went through Uterine cancer surgery in 2021. I filled the lawsuit but haven't heard anything in a good while about the case. They don't get back to me when I call. I'm starting to wonder if the lawsuits are legitimate. If not, what's the purpose of filing? It's been 8 months and nothing's come of it.
KatrinaMarch 6, 2023 at 12:41 am
I’ve used Dark & Lovely for several years in 2016-2017 I began to have cramping & irregular cycles. I knew something was wrong as that had never been my experience. I was told I had fibroids, over the next couple of years symptoms were worse. I was told my fibroids had grown to be the size of a fetus if a woman was at 20wks of pregnancy. In July 2019, I had a full hysterectomy.
RobinFebruary 5, 2023 at 5:05 pm
I first started having heavy periods at the start of our marriage, back in 1985. My periods were so incredibly bad. The bleeding and huge blood clots would last 7-10 days. I had to wear super absorbent pads, as well as placing heavy towels in our bed. My husband was such a wonderful man about helping me. Getting the towels, helping me wipe up, clean up etc.… I would feel so bad because when I was [Show More]I first started having heavy periods at the start of our marriage, back in 1985. My periods were so incredibly bad. The bleeding and huge blood clots would last 7-10 days. I had to wear super absorbent pads, as well as placing heavy towels in our bed. My husband was such a wonderful man about helping me. Getting the towels, helping me wipe up, clean up etc.… I would feel so bad because when I was on my period, being intimate was a low priority for me. Now during this time, I was still going to work and very new to Corporate America. I made it a point to have my hair permed/relaxed every 6 weeks. I really liked using Dark and Lovely because it had no lye in it. I continued using relaxers for years. I was diagnosed with fibroid tumors while trying to conceive our first child. Three years into our marriage, we started trying, but for some reason we didn’t get pregnant. My husband was tested and he was good, but after running tests on me, they found that my fallopian tubes were blocked. I had to have two surgeries. One minor and the other major. The minor surgery consisted of dye being pushed through my tubes to see if the dye came through. No dye was going through. After more tests and scans, they found a huge orange sized tumor blocking my tubes. This required a major surgery of opening me up from side to side to remove the tumor. Once the doctors were inside, they found another grapefruit size tumor. After healing for 10-12 weeks, the doctor gave us the okay to try to conceive. In 1992, we had our first daughter and in 1995, we had our second daughter. During those years, I still continued my relaxers and I still had issues with heavy bleeding. My doctor suggested that I have a total hysterectomy, which included my tubes and both ovaries, everything, which put me in early menopause. This brought on new issues of excessive sweating during night, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, itching and pain during sexual intercourse, frequent urinary tract infections, mood swings, and fatigue. Due to more fibroids growing, I agreed to the hysterectomy in 2001. We always wanted one more child and feeling ‘robbed’ was an understatement. I would have never started relaxing my hair if I knew there was a danger of fibroid tumors, endometriosis and uterine cancer. I thank God I haven’t been diagnosed with breast cancer and I thank God for a loving and patient husband of 37 years. I’m sad to say that I’m 1 of 5 daughters who hasn’t been diagnosed with breast cancer. Three of my sisters have passed away in the last few years because of breast cancer. All 3 sisters received perms/relaxers every 6 weeks, like I did. As of 6 years ago, I no longer get perms/relaxers. Could this all have been prevented if we were told of the connection with the Dark and Lovely relaxers and fibroids, breast/uterine cancer?
EricaFebruary 1, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Used perm to straighten my hair for as long as I can remember. Although I was new told that I was infertile, I experienced heavy bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis which lead to me having a hysterectomy.
MelindaJanuary 17, 2023 at 4:49 pm
I have had problems for years and yes like everyone else got perms starting in my teen years throughout my 20s and I'm 53 had 4 miscarriages and 2 myomectomies. I have numerous fibroids and still suffer with them. I have endometriosis as well... I was diagnosed with both fibroids and endometriosis in my early 20s.
DesireeDecember 9, 2022 at 1:34 pm
I started perming my hair with Dark & lovely products at age 9. Endured heavy periods and pelvic pain for years. I'm 32 and had 15 fibroids removed earlier this year; one fibroid was extremely large. I was cut open vertically as well as bikini cut. I will always have this scar and I cannot give birth vaginally. I was told I will have to have c-sections and cut open yet again. I haven't had the cha[Show More]I started perming my hair with Dark & lovely products at age 9. Endured heavy periods and pelvic pain for years. I'm 32 and had 15 fibroids removed earlier this year; one fibroid was extremely large. I was cut open vertically as well as bikini cut. I will always have this scar and I cannot give birth vaginally. I was told I will have to have c-sections and cut open yet again. I haven't had the chance to have a baby. I feel robbed.
KarlaDecember 9, 2022 at 12:09 am
I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a bilateral mastectomy a year later my uterus shown so,e cancerous changes and fibroids and cysts all through my fallopian tubes and ovaries. I had to have a hysterectomy. I am still on medication for breast cancer and it is wreaking havoc on my body. I went natural. I used these products all my life. I permed my hair every month and also dyed ev[Show More]I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a bilateral mastectomy a year later my uterus shown so,e cancerous changes and fibroids and cysts all through my fallopian tubes and ovaries. I had to have a hysterectomy. I am still on medication for breast cancer and it is wreaking havoc on my body. I went natural. I used these products all my life. I permed my hair every month and also dyed every month. I wish I would have known.
ChandaDecember 7, 2022 at 4:07 pm
I have used these hair straightening relaxers for years. Unfortunately I developed uterine fibroids that ultimately lead to two miscarriages and a hysterectomy.
RashondaDecember 6, 2022 at 3:10 pm
I used Dark and Lovely since it was a teenager and I had Endometriosis. I had to end up having a Hysterectomy due heavy bleeding and clotting.
ShericaDecember 5, 2022 at 10:43 pm
I have been using dark and lovely and Affirm perms which u can only have applied at the beauty shop.I have done my twin daughter's hair and both of them have the problem of heavy bleeding.I have no insurance and they won't give me Medicaid to remove them.I have since found out I have 4 uterine fibroids since 2004 after the birth of my twins. They have grown in centimeters and still growing and I b[Show More]I have been using dark and lovely and Affirm perms which u can only have applied at the beauty shop.I have done my twin daughter's hair and both of them have the problem of heavy bleeding.I have no insurance and they won't give me Medicaid to remove them.I have since found out I have 4 uterine fibroids since 2004 after the birth of my twins. They have grown in centimeters and still growing and I bleed and hurt for 15 days out of a month stop for a few and start bleeding again I am always bleeding and it hurts so bad but nothing I can do no help and no one cares.
TamelaDecember 4, 2022 at 5:46 pm
I have been using relaxers since I was in my early 20’s I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and had surgery to remove them. Since I’ve had my surgery the fibroids have grown back could this be caused by the use of the hair relaxer?
MoniqueDecember 2, 2022 at 2:55 pm
I have been using dark and lovely products and been diagnostic with cancer now.
DedrainDecember 1, 2022 at 10:07 am
Endometriosis
FeliciaNovember 30, 2022 at 11:10 pm
I have been usein dark and lovely every since I was a little girl I have always use perms just in April I was diagnosed with a mask on my uterus that was 18 centimeters they removed the mask and my whole uterus my right ovary, and my left tub I can not have any more kids
EdithNovember 26, 2022 at 12:47 am
I had a hysterectomy because of heavy bleeding and endometriosis with fibroids and I’ve used dark and lovely perm’s since I was nineteen years old and I switched to ultra sheen products in 1996 , I also used the same products on my girls hair not knowing that they would develop the same condition.
M.November 24, 2022 at 1:13 am
I began getting Dark and Lovely Products at 15 years old. I had horrible periods, heavy bleeding, cramping, and even fainting due to the loss of so much blood. In 2009, I suffered with uterine fibroids for over 2 1/2 years, my doctor advised hysterectomy due to the size of the fibroids.
LaJoyceNovember 22, 2022 at 9:31 pm
I use dark and lovely products from the age of 11 up till now and I'm 50 the relaxer and the hair dye and in 2007 I had to have a hysterectomy because of fibroids
TramekaNovember 22, 2022 at 8:46 pm
Yes I've been using those products also, I've had a perm since I was 15 years old, I went nautural at 46 years old, I've had fibroids for years,heavy bleeding , anemia and unfortunately had a miscarriage as well.
LisaNovember 18, 2022 at 10:40 pm
I was diagnosed with fibroids, endometriosis in 2010 had heavy bleeding and had to get a hysterectomy in 2011. I regular got my hair dyed and use relaxer for years. It’s funny because I wondered why I was bleeding so heavy it was horrible. I was an anemic because of it that at one time I had to get my iron checked everyday. Because I had to wear pads and so many I would get an infection. I could [Show More]I was diagnosed with fibroids, endometriosis in 2010 had heavy bleeding and had to get a hysterectomy in 2011. I regular got my hair dyed and use relaxer for years. It’s funny because I wondered why I was bleeding so heavy it was horrible. I was an anemic because of it that at one time I had to get my iron checked everyday. Because I had to wear pads and so many I would get an infection. I could not go to church call our from work blood would go through my pants. I had to get a hysterectomy because my doctor said it would improve my life and I my new husband wanted me to have a child for him but we opted for the surgery because it was horrible.
SamanthaNovember 18, 2022 at 2:55 am
I had been using Dark n Lovely since I was I was 12 yrs old and recently Decided to go natural at age 49.I am 51 now. I have been diagnosed with fibroids and endometriosis in 2015 maybe 2016 After terrible terrible pain heavy bleeding so bad that I couldn’t go anywhere because I’d bleed thru the heaviest, thickest of pads and mess up my clothes….headaches,rapid heartbeat and low blood ( in betwee[Show More]I had been using Dark n Lovely since I was I was 12 yrs old and recently Decided to go natural at age 49.I am 51 now. I have been diagnosed with fibroids and endometriosis in 2015 maybe 2016 After terrible terrible pain heavy bleeding so bad that I couldn’t go anywhere because I’d bleed thru the heaviest, thickest of pads and mess up my clothes….headaches,rapid heartbeat and low blood ( in between having my cycle ) sent me to the emergency room.I did a follow up to that visit with my primary care physician and she put me on Estrogen pills, and ibuprofen to control or stop the bleeding and pain.I haven’t typed about everything I have been through and am still goin through.Too bad the ingredients in Dark n Lovely is associated because they were Numero UNO when it came to relaxers.
WillieNovember 17, 2022 at 10:39 am
Yes I have used dark and lovely since I've been in my early 20s and now I'm 54. I was diagnosed with uterus cancer at age 24 when I was living in Newark NJ from 1986 to 2003. The doctors was strapping my cervics every Thursday in each month. February 28 1997 the doctor said they caught it quick because I was young. So I thought that it was gone. But it came back when I was 32 years old I was havin[Show More]Yes I have used dark and lovely since I've been in my early 20s and now I'm 54. I was diagnosed with uterus cancer at age 24 when I was living in Newark NJ from 1986 to 2003. The doctors was strapping my cervics every Thursday in each month. February 28 1997 the doctor said they caught it quick because I was young. So I thought that it was gone. But it came back when I was 32 years old I was having problems with pain , bleeding, and clothing even when having sex... That went on for years with me having ultra sound done over and over and biopsy done. The doctors were giving me pills to keep from the cancer coming back. So when I got in my 50s it even was getting worse. I was bleeding even harder heavier and clots coming faster then ever. And the server pain was constantly... When I turned 54 that's when the doctors tried again giving me pills to stop the bleeding and clots. And to keep me from getting cancer. But it was nothing else for them to do other than having a hysterectomy..But she said she wasn't giving me no hysterotomy that I had to get a hysteroscopy.. That mean they was removing a tumor. Hysteroscopy Diagnostic procedure Hysteroscopy is the exam of the inside of the cervix and uterus using a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a hysteroscope. Your healthcare provider inserts the device through the vagina. Your provider may use hysteroscopy to: Take a tissue sample (biopsy) Remove polyps or fibroid tumors.
SherriNovember 17, 2022 at 10:28 am
I used Dark and Lovely, I've got a mass of fibroids.
LiaNovember 16, 2022 at 2:40 am
I myself have used Dark & Lovely products on my hair. I have not had any diagnosis of cancer however it doesn't exempt me from possible future diagnosis.
ENovember 12, 2022 at 9:15 pm
I have used Dark and Lovely for myself, and Just for Me for my daughter. What should we do?