Hair care lawsuits in the United States currently span chemical relaxers linked to uterine and other cancers, aerosol dry shampoos contaminated with benzene, shampoos and conditioners containing formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, salon straightening treatments mislabeled as formaldehyde-free, and several brands accused of causing hair loss and scalp injury. Some have already settled for millions of dollars; others are still working toward their first trials. Below is what each case involves, who is named, and where things stand.
Chemical Hair Relaxer Cancer Cases
The biggest active hair care litigation in the country is MDL 3060, the Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, before Judge Mary M. Rowland in the Northern District of Illinois. As of May 2026, about 11,526 cases were pending out of more than 15,600 filed.1MDL Update. MDL 3060 Hair Relaxer
The scientific basis is a 2022 study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Drawing on the Sister Study cohort of 33,947 women followed for roughly 11 years, researchers found that women who used hair straightening products more than four times in the prior year were about 2.55 times more likely to develop uterine cancer than women who never used them. Estimated uterine cancer risk by age 70 rose from about 1.64% in never-users to 4.05% in frequent users.2National Institutes of Health. Hair Straightening Chemicals Associated With Higher Uterine Cancer Risk3Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Use of Straighteners and Other Hair Products and Incident Uterine Cancer Earlier work from the same cohort had also connected straightener use to elevated ovarian and breast cancer risk.
Plaintiffs allege that relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, and bisphenol A, absorbed through the scalp. Claims include uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian and breast cancer, early puberty, and scalp burns. A core theme is discriminatory marketing: plaintiffs allege manufacturers targeted Black women and children with products they knew contained harmful chemicals while advertising them as “organic,” “safe,” and “natural.”4WTHR. MDL Hair Relaxer Joint Answer to Consolidated Class Action Complaint
Primary defendants include L’Oréal USA and SoftSheen-Carson (Dark & Lovely, Optimum, Mizani); Revlon (Crème of Nature, Revlon Realistic); Strength of Nature and Godrej SON Holdings (Motions, Just for Me, Soft & Beautiful, TCB Naturals, African Pride, Dream Kids, Dr. Miracle’s); Namaste Laboratories/Dabur (ORS Olive Oil relaxers); AFAM Concept/JF Labs (Hawaiian Silky); McBride Research Laboratories (Design Essentials); Avlon Industries (Affirm); and Luster Products (Pink Oil Moisturizer No-Lye Relaxer, Smooth Touch Relaxer).5ConsumerShield. Hair Relaxer Lawsuit All defendants deny the allegations.4WTHR. MDL Hair Relaxer Joint Answer to Consolidated Class Action Complaint
The MDL is in its bellwether phase. Judge Rowland personally selected 10 cases for the bellwether pool in April 2026, screening out cases with unusual complications so causation can be tested cleanly. First trials are broadly expected in 2027.6Miller & Zois. Hair Relaxer Lawsuit1MDL Update. MDL 3060 Hair Relaxer
No global settlement exists. The only allocated fund so far is $44 million set aside by Revlon in its bankruptcy reorganization.5ConsumerShield. Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Projected values for individual cancer claims range from roughly $120,000 to $750,000 depending on the source and the strength of the case.1MDL Update. MDL 3060 Hair Relaxer Courts in several states are also considering medical-monitoring classes for users who have not been diagnosed with cancer, and Pennsylvania has opened its own state-level mass tort program.7Sokolove Law. Chemical Hair Straightener
Dry Shampoo Benzene Contamination
A separate wave of cases targets aerosol dry shampoos found to contain benzene, a Group 1 human carcinogen linked to leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and aplastic anemia. These break into two tracks: consumer class actions over refunds, and personal injury suits from people who developed blood cancers.
Procter & Gamble
In December 2021, P&G voluntarily recalled aerosol dry shampoos and dry conditioners across the Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Waterless, Old Spice, and Hair Food brands after benzene was detected in the propellant.8U.S. Food and Drug Administration. P&G Issues Voluntary Recall The company later settled more than 20 consolidated class actions for $8 million without admitting wrongdoing. Consumers who bought affected products between November 2015 and December 2021 could claim up to $3.50 per product without receipts, or higher voucher amounts with proof of purchase. P&G also agreed to test raw materials and finished products for benzene going forward.9Personal Care Magazine. Procter Gamble Agrees $8M Benzene Lawsuit Settlement
Unilever
Little et al. v. Unilever United States, Inc. covers dry shampoos sold under Dove, Suave, TRESemmé, Nexxus, TIGI, Bed Head, and Rockaholic. A proposed $3.625 million settlement would have paid full refunds with proof of purchase and $3 per product (capped at four per household) without. In February 2026, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea denied preliminary approval, calling the class “impermissibly broad” because the proposed class period ran well beyond the timeframe supported by third-party testing. Plaintiffs were told to rework the deal.10Legal Newsline. Judge Finds Problems With $3.6M Dry Shampoo Settlement11ClassAction.org. $3.6 Million Unilever Dry Shampoo Settlement
Batiste
Church & Dwight settled Evans et al. v. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. over Batiste dry shampoo for a $2.5 million cash fund and $600,000 in product vouchers. Full refunds were available with proof of purchase for the “Bare” line, or $2 per product up to five without receipts. Church & Dwight denied wrongdoing.12KTLA. Use Batiste Dry Shampoo? You Could Claim Part of $2.5M Settlement13ClassAction.org. Carcinogen Benzene Detected in Certain Batiste Dry Shampoos
IGK
Henning et al. v. Luxury Brand Partners, LLC settled for $850,000, covering IGK Direct Flight, Jet Lag, and First Class dry shampoos. Final approval came on November 13, 2024, in the Northern District of California. Claimants without receipts could recover $4 per product up to five; those with receipts could get full refunds.14Top Class Actions. $850K IGK Dry Shampoo Contamination Class Action Settlement
Not Your Mother’s
Class actions filed against DeMert Brands in late 2022 cite independent testing by Valisure that reportedly found benzene levels up to 158 parts per million in some products, far above the FDA’s 2 ppm limit. Named products include Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo, Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, and Plump for Joy Body Building Dry Shampoo. No settlement has been publicly reported.15WSOC-TV. Class Action Lawsuit Sparks Concerns About Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoos
Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives in Shampoos
Another cluster of cases targets DMDM hydantoin, a preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde, in ordinary shampoos and conditioners. Plaintiffs allege it caused hair loss and scalp irritation without adequate warnings.
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth
The lead case, Lipetz et al. v. Unilever United States, Inc., was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with related actions in Illinois, New Jersey, and Canada. Plaintiffs point to a pattern: Unilever recalled its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit in May 2012 and later paid $10.25 million to settle claims that the product caused hair loss and scalp burns despite being advertised as containing “no Formaldehyde.” The Seventh Circuit upheld that Suave settlement in March 2016.16Top Class Actions. Class Action Claims Maker of TRESemmé Liable for Hair Loss, Scalp Burns17Courthouse News Service. Unilever’s $10M Hair Loss Settlement Upheld
In a related case, Candelaria v. Conopco, Judge Frederic Block denied class certification in July 2025 for a proposed class of 717 TRESemmé buyers, ruling the claims involved “too many individualized issues” of causation and state law differences.18Law360. TRESemmé Buyers’ Claims Too Tangled for Class Cert Unilever maintains that its products are safe and that DMDM hydantoin is approved by industry scientists and regulators.19TRESemmé. TRESemmé DMDM Hydantoin Hair Loss Lawsuit
Other DMDM Hydantoin Investigations
Investigations and lawsuits also touched OGX, Keratin Complex, It’s A 10, Paul Mitchell, TIGI (Bed Head), Finesse, Got2b, Maui Moisture, Aussie, Dove anti-dandruff formulas, Nexxus, and Mane ‘n Tail. Most of these investigations were closed by October 2022 with what one tracker described as “varying results.”20ClassAction.org. DMDM Hydantoin Formaldehyde Shampoo Lawsuit
Brazilian Blowout
One of the earliest major hair care cases involved Brazilian Blowout, a professional salon-straightening treatment from GIB, LLC. The company marketed the products as “formaldehyde-free,” “100% salon safe,” and free of “harsh chemicals,” but independent testing said otherwise. A California salon sample contained roughly 13% formaldehyde, and a 2011 NIOSH investigation found 11% formaldehyde in a bottle labeled “Formaldehyde Free.” In August 2011, the FDA issued a warning letter calling the product “adulterated” and “misbranded.”21Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Hair Salons – Background
The California attorney general sued GIB in November 2010 and settled in January 2012 with a consent judgment barring deceptive advertising and requiring $600,000 in fees and penalties.22Environmental Working Group. Timeline: FDA’s Failure to Regulate Brazilian Blowout Hair Treatments A private class action, In Re Brazilian Blowout Litigation, settled for $4.5 million, with $4.225 million earmarked for consumer injury claims. Reported side effects included burning eyes, nose, and throat, breathing difficulties, nosebleeds, and hair loss.
Hair Loss Brand Cases
DevaCurl
Thirteen class actions against DevaCurl were consolidated in the Southern District of New York as In re Deva Concepts Products Liability Litigation. Plaintiffs alleged that “sulfate-free” products caused hair loss, thinning, shedding, and scalp irritation. Named products included No-Poo Original, Low-Poo Delight, One Condition Original, and Ultra Defining Gel, among others.23ClassAction.org. DevaCurl Hair Loss Scalp Irritation Lawsuits In January 2022, Judge Gregory H. Woods granted final approval of a $5.2 million settlement. Over 54,000 claims were submitted. Undocumented claims for minor reactions could receive up to $20; claims with medical documentation of severe effects such as baldness could receive up to $19,000. DevaCurl also agreed to labeling changes, including QR codes for product information.24Bloomberg Law. DevaCurl $5.2 Million Hair Products Injury Deal Gets Final Nod
Wen by Chaz Dean
Wen “cleansing conditioners,” sold through Guthy-Renker, faced a major class action alleging hair loss, scalp irritation, and balding. More than 200 customers joined the initial suit, with roughly six million people identified as potential class members. A preliminary $26.25 million settlement won approval in a Los Angeles federal court in late 2016, with individual awards up to $20,000. The FDA reported 127 consumer complaints tied to Wen products, which the agency described as the largest number ever associated with a cosmetic hair cleansing product; the company itself reportedly received an additional 21,000 complaints.25CBS News. Class Action Lawsuit Over Wen Hair Products Gets Preliminary Settlement Approval26People. Wen Hair Care Lawsuit Moves Forward
MONAT
MONAT, a multilevel-marketing hair care company, faced multiple class actions beginning in 2015 over allegations of scalp inflammation, burning, hair breakage, and bald spots. Several cases were consolidated into an MDL in the Southern District of Florida in June 2018, focused largely on false advertising. The Florida attorney general reached a voluntary agreement requiring refunds for customers who felt misled and barring certain claims, while taking “no position” on whether MONAT had done anything wrong. The FDA reviewed more than 300 complaints, and the Better Business Bureau temporarily disabled reviews after receiving hundreds of complaints within three days in 2018. Products most often named included the Intense Repair Treatment Shampoo, Intense Repair Treatment Leave-In Conditioner, and Rejuvenique Oil Intensive Treatment.27Truth in Advertising. Monat Hair Care Products28Healthline. Hair Loss Monat
Olaplex
Albahae et al. v. Olaplex Holdings, Inc. et al. alleged that products across the Olaplex No. 0 through No. 9 line caused hair loss, scalp irritation, and brittle hair. The complaint pointed to lilial as an irritant, alleged failure to warn of fertility risks tied to Olaplex No. 3, and claimed the products could form benzene through the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid. In July 2023, a federal judge denied class certification, citing too much variation among plaintiffs. The remaining claims were dismissed, and the first named plaintiff voluntarily dropped her case. There is no active class action against Olaplex.29ConsumerShield. Olaplex Lawsuit30Olaplex. Health and Safety
Madison Reed
Moore v. Madison Reed, Inc., filed in New York federal court, alleged the direct-to-consumer hair color brand falsely marketed its dye as “salon-quality,” “gentle,” and “safe” while causing hair loss, breakage, and scalp irritation. The complaint targeted three ingredients: ethanolamine (an ammonia derivative alleged to be more harmful than ammonia), PTDS (alleged to cause allergic reactions in about 50% of people already allergic to PPD), and 2-methylresorcinol (alleged as a possible endocrine disruptor). The court denied Madison Reed’s motion to dismiss, finding that whether the marketing misled consumers was a factual question. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case in November 2024 following a private settlement whose terms were not disclosed.31Bloomberg Law. Madison Reed Denied Early Exit From False Ad Suit Over Hair Dye32ClassAction.org. Chemicals in Madison Reed Hair Coloring Products Cause Hair Loss, Scalp Irritation, Class Action Claims
Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss
Taxotere is not a consumer hair care product, but its litigation is one of the largest mass torts tied to hair loss and often turns up in the same searches, so it belongs on the map. Taxotere (docetaxel), a Sanofi chemotherapy drug approved for breast cancer treatment in 1996, is the subject of MDL 2740 in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Approximately 30,000 plaintiffs allege Sanofi failed to warn patients and oncologists that the drug could cause permanent, total hair loss. The U.S. label was not updated to include that risk until December 2015. A separate eye-damage MDL established in 2022 added roughly 12,000 more cases. Both MDLs are before the same judge, and neither has produced a global settlement.33National Trial Lawyers. Mass Tort Judge Signals Settlement in Taxotere Hair Loss MDL34U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Taxotere
If You Think You May Have a Claim
Two things separate a live claim from a closed one. First, the type of case. Refund-style class actions (the dry shampoo cases, Batiste, IGK) typically had short claim windows tied to court-approved settlements, and those windows are largely closed. Personal injury claims, particularly the relaxer cancer cases and Taxotere hair loss cases, remain open in active MDLs.
Second, the evidence you can document. Product names, approximate purchase dates, medical records tying a diagnosis or injury to the product, and any photographs or receipts strengthen a claim. For the relaxer MDL specifically, plaintiffs generally must show frequent use of a named product and a qualifying diagnosis such as uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, or uterine fibroids. State law and statutes of limitations vary, so timing matters.