A National Institutes of Health study linking frequent use of hair relaxers to increased uterine cancer risk has sparked thousands of lawsuits in the United States, while sales of these products continue to climb in some African countries.
The October 2022 study found that women who used hair relaxers more than four times a year had a higher risk of uterine cancer. This research has become a tipping point, building on over a decade of scientific evidence suggesting a correlation between women’s exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in these products and the development of uterine and breast tumors.
In response, many Black women in the U.S. are rejecting chemical straighteners and filing lawsuits against manufacturers. However, sales of these products are growing in African countries like Tunisia, Kenya, and Cameroon.
The global hair relaxer market is expected to grow from $718 million in 2021 to $854 million annually by 2028. Popular brands like Dark & Lovely, ORS Olive Oil, and TCB Naturals are among those named in the lawsuits.
Health experts and activists are calling for greater transparency about ingredients and potential health risks. Mary Cunningham, whose daughter died of uterine cancer, is among those suing haircare companies. She believes endocrine disruptors in relaxers caused her daughter’s death and her own health issues.
While some countries have banned or restricted certain chemicals in relaxers, regulations vary. In the U.S., a federal judge has allowed a multi-jurisdictional litigation against several companies to proceed, setting the stage for a significant legal battle.
See “The truth about hair relaxers: in the US, lawsuits over cancer. In Africa, soaring sales” (April 10, 2024)
