The Hidden Dangers of Hair Relaxers: Black Women Speak Out

Thousands of Black women have filed lawsuits against cosmetic companies, including L'Oreal and Revlon, alleging that hair relaxers containing chemicals have increased their risk of developing uterine cancer and that the companies failed to provide adequate warnings. The lawsuits come after a study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health found an association between frequent use of chemical hair relaxers and uterine cancer. The companies deny the claims and argue that the study did not establish a definitive link. The success of the legal claims will depend on proving that the products were harmful and that the companies knew or should have known about the risks. The cases have been consolidated in a Chicago federal court.