Hair Straighteners and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCS): What You Need to Know
With over 8,300 lawsuits pending in the US against cosmetics brands such as L’Oréal for possible links between chemical hair straighteners and hormone-sensitive cancers, we’re asking these questions: can a hair product cause cancer? And what rights do you have if you’re a product user facing a cancer diagnosis? Let’s consider what we know as of April 2024.
What Are Chemical Hair Straighteners?
Chemical straighteners are hair products designed to change the hair structure. They relax and remodel hair strands so that curly hair becomes smooth and straight. Such products are especially popular among Black women, who typically begin using them earlier and more frequently than other females.
The issue is that chemical hair relaxers may contain potentially toxic ingredients, including formaldehyde. When used often enough, there’s a possible link between developing a hormone-sensitive cancer, such as breast or uterine cancer, and exposure to formaldehyde from chemical straighteners.
Chemical Hair Straighteners and Hormone-Sensitive Cancers
Hormone-sensitive cancers rely on hormones to grow. In women, this typically means they rely on estrogen. Uterine, breast, and ovarian cancers are hormone-sensitive.
Hormones are produced by the endocrine system in glands around the body. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormone production by causing the body to make too much – or too little – of a hormone. They may even “mimic” a hormone and cause the body to overreact.
Formaldehyde and its derivatives may be considered EDCs. This means they could make the body produce more of certain hormones, including estrogen. Higher than desirable levels of estrogen could increase the risk of developing cancer.
What does this mean for chemical hair straightener users? While not definitive, there are clear links between products containing ingredients such as formaldehyde and developing hormone-related cancers.
Chemical Hair Straightener Cancer Diagnosis and Your Rights
You may have a claim against a chemical hair straightener manufacturer if you develop breast, ovarian, or uterine cancer after using their products. Of course, it will be necessary to prove a link between the cancer and the product use, but an experienced injury lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if there are grounds for legal action.
If you have a case, it may be possible to claim losses, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other related costs. The legal team at Madeksho Law can explain what you may recover should you have a claim.
Get the Support You Deserve at Madeksho Law
A hormone-sensitive cancer diagnosis can be devastating – for you and your loved ones. If you are diagnosed with breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer after using chemical hair products, contact Madeksho Law. Our experienced attorneys care about what happened to you. We will listen, explain your legal options, and help you get the medical support you deserve. We do not charge anything unless we win your case, and every first meeting is free.
Your health is too precious to leave anything to chance. Call Madeksho Law at 888-910-6376 or contact them online to discuss hormone-sensitive cancer lawsuits.
