Hair Relaxer Lawsuits and Racism: The hair relaxer suits are a kind of product liability lawsuit which asserts that products used to relax hair have caused cancer or caused other health issues. Hair relaxers are chemicals that can be employed to smooth curly hair.
The hair relaxer suits are a kind of product liability lawsuit which asserts that products used to relax hair have caused cancer or caused other health issues. Hair relaxers are chemicals that can be employed to smooth curly hair. They are laced with a variety of harsh chemical compounds, like lye, which irritates the eye and skin. Certain studies have linked the use of hair relaxers to a higher chance of developing cancer, such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and breast cancer.
Sister Study in October 2022
The first lawsuit for hair relaxers was filed in the year 2017. The case lasted only a short time. This changed in October 2022. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published an unpublished study that showed the increased risk of developing Uterine cancer among women who regularly utilize chemical hair straighteners and relaxers. This is not a small-scale study by researchers who aren’t full-time. The research was carried out by experts from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and examined information from more than 33,000 women who participated in the vast, long-term study that focuses on women’s health. It’s dubbed”the ” Sister Study.”
The research showed that women who used hair relaxers at least once a month have twice the chance of developing cancer than women who had never used the products. The risk increased with the increasing use of relaxers for hair. For example, women who used hair relaxers four times a month had three times the chance of getting uterine cancer compared to women who stayed away from the products altogether.
The study’s authors suggest that the possibility of carcinogenicity from hair relaxers is linked to the deterioration of hormone balance in the body. Since hormones are a significant contributor to the development of Uterine cancer, any disruption in hormonal balance could increase the risk of developing the disease.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuits That Followed
Since then, many suits have been brought against the manufacturers of hair relaxers, including L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. The lawsuits claim that the companies involved knew the dangers to the health of hair relaxers but did not inform consumers. In 2022, Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation combined the lawsuits against hair relaxers into multidistrict litigants (MDL). It means that a single judge would hear each of those cases.
The class action lawsuit for hair relaxers lawsuit is in its beginning stages. However, it is expected to go to trial within about 18 months. If you’ve used hair relaxers and have had a diagnosis of cancer or a different health issue, you could be able to file an action against a hair relaxer. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer for advice on your options in the legal realm. Here are a few of the most frequently reported health issues that have been associated with the use of hair relaxers:
- Uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
Hair Relaxers and Racism
The relation between hair relaxers and racism is founded in the norms and expectations of society, which have traditionally favored Eurocentric aesthetics, which frequently marginalize and devalue natural Black hair texture.
From a historical standpoint from a historical perspective, in the time of slavery and even into the period of discrimination and segregation in the United States, straight, smooth hair was commonly associated with White people and was viewed as the norm of beauty. Afro-textured hair, on the contrary, was perceived as “unruly,” “unprofessional,” as well as “unattractive.” This led to societal pressure on Black people to adhere to the Eurocentric appearance standard, typically using straighteners and hair relaxers.
One of the first actions enslavers took upon the arrival of slave Africans on American shores was cutting their hair. This was a way to control their spirit and aid in their control. Hair, once a source of significant significance in terms of cultural pride and symbolism, was discarded and frequently utilized as a punishment tool.
The conditions of slavery required long hours of labor, which left enslaved people without time to take care of personal grooming or hair care. Hair, once a sign of self-confidence and identity, was frequently covered in a cloth to protect it from the elements and conceal its dirty condition.
White American citizens failed to see and appreciate the beauty of African or Black hair and often compared it to sheep wool. The once-appreciated hairstyle becomes a source of embarrassment. It was often concealed or trimmed off.
The Governor of Louisiana, in 1786, Don Esteban Miro, implemented the ” Tignon Law,” which required Black females to cover their locks with the Tignon (scarf). It was a social signposting that indicated their status as enslaved people regardless of their freedom. The women of different races were required to wear a handkerchief or scarf on their heads, obviously signifying their status as enslaved people. Class, no matter their level of service. Women invented methods to skirt the law by using lavish materials and accessories. However, the law remained based on hair as a method of regulation.
This is all old-fashioned historical fact. However, the society-wide expectation for Black ladies to straighten their locks continues to be significant. This is a case of systemic racism, in which society’s norms and social systems discriminate against certain racial and ethnic groups. When it comes to hair relaxers, this is an example of how the beauty standards set by society can adversely affect the health and well-being of Black people.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuits and Racism
The fact is that race doesn’t influence cases involving hair relaxers. There are two streams of race in the courtroom. The first one is obvious. These companies have pushed these beauty standards for society at the cost of Black women.
However, the claim in the lawsuit is that there was no warning or labeling of the products for hair relaxers and that usage of the Products could lead to her developing cancer. Chemicals that disrupt the hormone system (EDCs) known as EDCs and that the company was aware of in the products have been identified for a long time as being able to cause a variety of adverse health effects in human beings. They include conditions such as endometriosis, irregularities in reproductive organs, and various types of cancer. Furthermore, they could result in changes to the function of our nervous system and immune responses, trigger respiratory issues, and can trigger metabolic problems. EDCs can also be connected to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, other cardiovascular disorders, growth-related issues, and learning and neurological disabilities.
So why would we do you need these chemicals? They’re a cost-effective way to straighten hair. Therefore, putting these chemicals into hair relaxers without talking to Black females about this… let’s declare that it is racial.
File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
The lawyers at our firm are looking for and accepting new hair litigation claims from anyone who might have suffered cancer or injury due to the prolonged use of products to relax hair. Our lawyers are eager to assist you if you are considering filing a claim. Contact us regarding a possible suit if you’ve used a hair relaxer for an extended duration.
Contact our legal expert now to schedule a no-cost consultation at +1-888-885-2771 or via email.
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[…] products contain chemicals that permanently straighten the texture of hair and are usually targeted at women of shade. The first lawsuits were filed in courts following the 2022 release of the National Institutes of […]