Who doesn't want to look their best? Sometimes, that means going above and beyond with your beauty routine. And for many women, that includes straightening their hair.

It's a time-consuming process, but the results are often worth it – many of them feel more confident with sleeker, smoother locks.

However, you may want to think twice before reaching for the chemicals next time you're tempted to give yourself a blowout.

Recently, more and more women across the globe are catching on to a new health warning concerning a popular hair care product that can go unnoticed by many.

To date, four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other hair care brands, claiming that the chemicals in their chemical hair straighteners caused them to develop uterine cancer and other medical conditions.

There are allegations that certain hair straightening products are hazardous and could give users cancer. Credit: Pexels/SHVETS Production.

Speaking in an interview, 55-year-old Rhonda Terrell from Alabama shared that she used chemical hair straighteners from the time she was eight years old and up until her late thirties or early forties.

Recently, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes) and chemotherapy.

'If I had known all those years ago, if they had a warning on the box to say this could cause cancer, I wouldn't have used it,' she said. 'And I want to hold them accountable because I have granddaughters.'

Her lawyer also informed her that they are going after other hair-care brands that also feature chemical straighteners in their products.

Bernadette Gordon, who used chemical hair straighteners from the early eighties up until 2015, believes her health issues were also caused by the products.

In an interview, the 49-year-old from Illinois claimed that she suffered from uterine and breast cancer, along with a hysterectomy and double mastectomy, along with months of chemotherapy.

'It's been devastating for me,' she said.

The lawsuit also includes 39-year-old Rugieyatu Bhonopha from California and 32-year-old Jenny Mitchell from Missouri, who also underwent a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Each and every one of these ladies insisted that they had no idea their use of chemical hair straighteners had raised their risk of developing cancer. Products were never labelled to warn consumers that regular usage increased the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or uterine fibroids.

Credit: CBS Miami.​

The latest study published last month by the National Institute of Health has confirmed that women who use hair-straightening chemical products have a higher risk of uterine cancer than those who do not.

Parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde, are just some of the substances that have been discovered in straighteners, and the researchers believe they may be contributing to the higher risk of uterine cancer.

Chemical exposure from hair products, especially straighteners, could be more dangerous than exposure from other personal care products because chemicals are absorbed more quickly through the scalp. Burns and sores caused by straighteners could make this problem even worse.

In a statement issued to NBC News, L'Oréal said that it was 'confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit.'

'L'Oréal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products,' the company said. 'Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate.'

The company also said that the Food and Drug Administration keeps an eye on all of its cosmetics and their ingredients, including hair straighteners and relaxers.

Key Takeaways

• Four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other companies claiming their chemical hair-straightening products have caused them to develop uterine cancer, among other severe health problems.
• The lawsuits come after a new study published last month by the National Institutes of Health found that women who use hair-straightening chemicals are more likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don't.
• L'Oréal said in a statement that it is 'confident in the safety of our products and believes the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit’.

What are your thoughts on this story, members? Share them with us in the comments!

 

[Suzanne rose]

The article keeps mentioning hair straighteners, it wouldn't be the actual hair straightener but a hair straightening product.

Four women are not alot considering how many would be using this product.

How do they know it was actually this particular product.

Shampoos have more harmful ingredients

Shampoos and conditioners have Parabens, bisphenol A and formaldehyde and the biggest concerns are

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)​

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)​

What are sulfates? Sulfates are very strong detergents that work through a chemical reaction, in which they bind with the sebum on our scalp and with water. When you rinse out the shampoo, sulfates take all the oils and residue with them. But while cleansing, they can also damage the hair, make it brittle, and increase frizz.

Parabens​

Parabens are also known to be harmful. They are used as a preservative to prevent bacteria from growing in cosmetics and shampoos. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to increased growth of breast cancer cells

Formaldehyde​

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and has been proven to be absorbed through the skin in animal testing. Manufacturers often add it to products directly as a preservative, but it can also be released over time through a chemical process from other types of preservatives. If you’re wondering what to look for, a common one in shampoos is quaternium-15.

6+7. Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)​

DEA and TEA are also emulsifiers and foam agents that reduce surface tension so water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can blend together. In 1998, researchers found a link between the topical application of DEA and cancer in animals, but the effects on humans are unclear. The European Commission has banned DEA in cosmetics.

There are alot of natural shampoos around .

 

[June E]

I don’t understand how any product containing harmful chemicals are even allowed to get onto the market ! Are we all so vain we don’t care what they could do to us ? Maybe the dangerous products should be constantly publicised so people will stop buying them, if the powers that be won’t stop them getting on the market in the first place?

 

[freedy50]

Who doesn't want to look their best? Sometimes, that means going above and beyond with your beauty routine. And for many women, that includes straightening their hair.

It's a time-consuming process, but the results are often worth it – many of them feel more confident with sleeker, smoother locks.

However, you may want to think twice before reaching for the chemicals next time you're tempted to give yourself a blowout.

Recently, more and more women across the globe are catching on to a new health warning concerning a popular hair care product that can go unnoticed by many.

To date, four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other hair care brands, claiming that the chemicals in their chemical hair straighteners caused them to develop uterine cancer and other medical conditions.

View attachment 9319

There are allegations that certain hair straightening products are hazardous and could give users cancer. Credit: Pexels/SHVETS Production.

Speaking in an interview, 55-year-old Rhonda Terrell from Alabama shared that she used chemical hair straighteners from the time she was eight years old and up until her late thirties or early forties.

Recently, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes) and chemotherapy.

'If I had known all those years ago, if they had a warning on the box to say this could cause cancer, I wouldn't have used it,' she said. 'And I want to hold them accountable because I have granddaughters.'

Her lawyer also informed her that they are going after other hair-care brands that also feature chemical straighteners in their products.

Bernadette Gordon, who used chemical hair straighteners from the early eighties up until 2015, believes her health issues were also caused by the products.

In an interview, the 49-year-old from Illinois claimed that she suffered from uterine and breast cancer, along with a hysterectomy and double mastectomy, along with months of chemotherapy.

'It's been devastating for me,' she said.

The lawsuit also includes 39-year-old Rugieyatu Bhonopha from California and 32-year-old Jenny Mitchell from Missouri, who also underwent a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Each and every one of these ladies insisted that they had no idea their use of chemical hair straighteners had raised their risk of developing cancer. Products were never labelled to warn consumers that regular usage increased the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or uterine fibroids.

Credit: CBS Miami.​

The latest study published last month by the National Institute of Health has confirmed that women who use hair-straightening chemical products have a higher risk of uterine cancer than those who do not.

Parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde, are just some of the substances that have been discovered in straighteners, and the researchers believe they may be contributing to the higher risk of uterine cancer.

Chemical exposure from hair products, especially straighteners, could be more dangerous than exposure from other personal care products because chemicals are absorbed more quickly through the scalp. Burns and sores caused by straighteners could make this problem even worse.

In a statement issued to NBC News, L'Oréal said that it was 'confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit.'

'L'Oréal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products,' the company said. 'Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate.'

The company also said that the Food and Drug Administration keeps an eye on all of its cosmetics and their ingredients, including hair straighteners and relaxers.

Key Takeaways

• Four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other companies claiming their chemical hair-straightening products have caused them to develop uterine cancer, among other severe health problems.
• The lawsuits come after a new study published last month by the National Institutes of Health found that women who use hair-straightening chemicals are more likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don't.
• L'Oréal said in a statement that it is 'confident in the safety of our products and believes the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit’.

What are your thoughts on this story, members? Share them with us in the comments!

What a surprise!!!! The women are in America and want to sue someone for something that's been around for years!!! Nothing will come of it as usual like many of these things before this.

I don't know how these long established companies keep putting up with this nonsense?

 

[Penny4]

A bit crazy. Americans love to sue. With the chemical solution they are talking about I would have thought the smell would have put them off!

 

[Happymad]

I had bladder cancer was told it was caused by smoking gave up that day 10 yrs ago got the all clear last yr

 

[Ricci]

There are a lot of beauty products that are more than a little bit suss. I remember reading a report years ago that said in 98% of cancer tumors they had opened they found Talcum Powder. That was probably in the late 70's where just about every bathroom had at least one pack of talc. I've also read of people having awful reactions to different beauty products and I wonder if they're doing that on the outside what's happening inside?

 

[Macarj]

I reactions to most chemicals on my skin so don't use anything even the soap I use is simple

 

[LynneM]

I was a hairdresser, starting 1969, and some of the top hairdressers from this era in South Australia, have died of a similar disease, blood cancer. It is mainly from the Formaldehyde in products. Hairdressers used their own concoction back then, for years, before switching to hair brands. These hairdressers all died late in life, but it was strange that they all had the same cancer. One hairdresser who is in his late 60's only cut hair, did not do hair dying or straightening and has nothing but good health. We used alot of chemicals back then from scratch, it was like a lab lol . Probably just a coincidence, but??????
Yes Ricci, I have heard of Talcum Powder causing cancers too, and I used it so much after my showers when a young girl, Im a bit worried. I am at the top end of 60 and no health problems anywhere, touch wood.

 

[EILEEN W]

The article keeps mentioning hair straighteners, it wouldn't be the actual hair straightener but a hair straightening product.

Four women are not alot considering how many would be using this product.

How do they know it was actually this particular product.

Shampoos have more harmful ingredients

Shampoos and conditioners have Parabens, bisphenol A and formaldehyde and the biggest concerns are

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)​

Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)​

What are sulfates? Sulfates are very strong detergents that work through a chemical reaction, in which they bind with the sebum on our scalp and with water. When you rinse out the shampoo, sulfates take all the oils and residue with them. But while cleansing, they can also damage the hair, make it brittle, and increase frizz.

Parabens​

Parabens are also known to be harmful. They are used as a preservative to prevent bacteria from growing in cosmetics and shampoos. Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen and have been linked to increased growth of breast cancer cells

Formaldehyde​

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and has been proven to be absorbed through the skin in animal testing. Manufacturers often add it to products directly as a preservative, but it can also be released over time through a chemical process from other types of preservatives. If you’re wondering what to look for, a common one in shampoos is quaternium-15.

6+7. Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA)​

DEA and TEA are also emulsifiers and foam agents that reduce surface tension so water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients can blend together. In 1998, researchers found a link between the topical application of DEA and cancer in animals, but the effects on humans are unclear. The European Commission has banned DEA in cosmetics.

There are alot of natural shampoos around .

I am wondering if they are drinking the product. How can it be causing uterine and breast cancers? What else are these women consuming which is really the cause? Cigarettes? That has to be one major cause of health problems and not just for the smokers. I have COPD and had lung removal surgery and I never smoked but my parents did and during the 60s-80s I worked in an environment with smokers. Yet I still see women (rarely males ) and young girls puffing away, often when they have little children and I want to give them a hefty slap for the harm they are doing. Now, about that hair straightening product ......

 

[Tipsy]

Who doesn't want to look their best? Sometimes, that means going above and beyond with your beauty routine. And for many women, that includes straightening their hair.

It's a time-consuming process, but the results are often worth it – many of them feel more confident with sleeker, smoother locks.

However, you may want to think twice before reaching for the chemicals next time you're tempted to give yourself a blowout.

Recently, more and more women across the globe are catching on to a new health warning concerning a popular hair care product that can go unnoticed by many.

To date, four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other hair care brands, claiming that the chemicals in their chemical hair straighteners caused them to develop uterine cancer and other medical conditions.

View attachment 9319

There are allegations that certain hair straightening products are hazardous and could give users cancer. Credit: Pexels/SHVETS Production.

Speaking in an interview, 55-year-old Rhonda Terrell from Alabama shared that she used chemical hair straighteners from the time she was eight years old and up until her late thirties or early forties.

Recently, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes) and chemotherapy.

'If I had known all those years ago, if they had a warning on the box to say this could cause cancer, I wouldn't have used it,' she said. 'And I want to hold them accountable because I have granddaughters.'

Her lawyer also informed her that they are going after other hair-care brands that also feature chemical straighteners in their products.

Bernadette Gordon, who used chemical hair straighteners from the early eighties up until 2015, believes her health issues were also caused by the products.

In an interview, the 49-year-old from Illinois claimed that she suffered from uterine and breast cancer, along with a hysterectomy and double mastectomy, along with months of chemotherapy.

'It's been devastating for me,' she said.

The lawsuit also includes 39-year-old Rugieyatu Bhonopha from California and 32-year-old Jenny Mitchell from Missouri, who also underwent a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Each and every one of these ladies insisted that they had no idea their use of chemical hair straighteners had raised their risk of developing cancer. Products were never labelled to warn consumers that regular usage increased the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or uterine fibroids.

Credit: CBS Miami.​

The latest study published last month by the National Institute of Health has confirmed that women who use hair-straightening chemical products have a higher risk of uterine cancer than those who do not.

Parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde, are just some of the substances that have been discovered in straighteners, and the researchers believe they may be contributing to the higher risk of uterine cancer.

Chemical exposure from hair products, especially straighteners, could be more dangerous than exposure from other personal care products because chemicals are absorbed more quickly through the scalp. Burns and sores caused by straighteners could make this problem even worse.

In a statement issued to NBC News, L'Oréal said that it was 'confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit.'

'L'Oréal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products,' the company said. 'Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate.'

The company also said that the Food and Drug Administration keeps an eye on all of its cosmetics and their ingredients, including hair straighteners and relaxers.

Key Takeaways

• Four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other companies claiming their chemical hair-straightening products have caused them to develop uterine cancer, among other severe health problems.
• The lawsuits come after a new study published last month by the National Institutes of Health found that women who use hair-straightening chemicals are more likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don't.
• L'Oréal said in a statement that it is 'confident in the safety of our products and believes the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit’.

What are your thoughts on this story, members? Share them with us in the comments!

why do women and some men want to cover themselves with chemicals..... you dont half the stuff they put in all this stuff from make up skin care and shampoo, .. If you cant see or read all the ingredients then dont even buy the product.... All the marketing hype is only designed to empty your bank account

 

[Cheezil]

Anything can give us cancer according to studies these days ( no, I'm not quitting bacon btw!).
We should stop eating so we die of something else instead maybe!

 

[Groovy]

Is there anything these days that does not causes cancer???
Everything we eat, drink, etc……..has got chemicals.
Gone are the days that everything was made from scratch or picked from our own veggie gardens. I remember my mum saying that she used to wash her hair with normal soap, then the last rinse would be done with water mix with vinegar. When she died at the age of 86, her hair was still beautiful and strong.
What about milk, bread, just being delivered directly from the farmers and bakers to your door??
Nothing is safe anymore!! No wonder so many people die from terrible diseases

 

[Zoya]

There are a lot of beauty products that are more than a little bit suss. I remember reading a report years ago that said in 98% of cancer tumors they had opened they found Talcum Powder. That was probably in the late 70's where just about every bathroom had at least one pack of talc. I've also read of people having awful reactions to different beauty products and I wonder if they're doing that on the outside what's happening inside?

Yes, I too had heard about Talcum Powders, especially of one brand and I have stopped using it now.

 

[Luckyus]

Who doesn't want to look their best? Sometimes, that means going above and beyond with your beauty routine. And for many women, that includes straightening their hair.

It's a time-consuming process, but the results are often worth it – many of them feel more confident with sleeker, smoother locks.

However, you may want to think twice before reaching for the chemicals next time you're tempted to give yourself a blowout.

Recently, more and more women across the globe are catching on to a new health warning concerning a popular hair care product that can go unnoticed by many.

To date, four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other hair care brands, claiming that the chemicals in their chemical hair straighteners caused them to develop uterine cancer and other medical conditions.

View attachment 9319

There are allegations that certain hair straightening products are hazardous and could give users cancer. Credit: Pexels/SHVETS Production.

Speaking in an interview, 55-year-old Rhonda Terrell from Alabama shared that she used chemical hair straighteners from the time she was eight years old and up until her late thirties or early forties.

Recently, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of uterine cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes) and chemotherapy.

'If I had known all those years ago, if they had a warning on the box to say this could cause cancer, I wouldn't have used it,' she said. 'And I want to hold them accountable because I have granddaughters.'

Her lawyer also informed her that they are going after other hair-care brands that also feature chemical straighteners in their products.

Bernadette Gordon, who used chemical hair straighteners from the early eighties up until 2015, believes her health issues were also caused by the products.

In an interview, the 49-year-old from Illinois claimed that she suffered from uterine and breast cancer, along with a hysterectomy and double mastectomy, along with months of chemotherapy.

'It's been devastating for me,' she said.

The lawsuit also includes 39-year-old Rugieyatu Bhonopha from California and 32-year-old Jenny Mitchell from Missouri, who also underwent a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Each and every one of these ladies insisted that they had no idea their use of chemical hair straighteners had raised their risk of developing cancer. Products were never labelled to warn consumers that regular usage increased the risk of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or uterine fibroids.

Credit: CBS Miami.​

The latest study published last month by the National Institute of Health has confirmed that women who use hair-straightening chemical products have a higher risk of uterine cancer than those who do not.

Parabens, bisphenol A, metals, and formaldehyde, are just some of the substances that have been discovered in straighteners, and the researchers believe they may be contributing to the higher risk of uterine cancer.

Chemical exposure from hair products, especially straighteners, could be more dangerous than exposure from other personal care products because chemicals are absorbed more quickly through the scalp. Burns and sores caused by straighteners could make this problem even worse.

In a statement issued to NBC News, L'Oréal said that it was 'confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit.'

'L'Oréal upholds the highest standards of safety for all its products,' the company said. 'Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we follow strictly all regulations in every market in which we operate.'

The company also said that the Food and Drug Administration keeps an eye on all of its cosmetics and their ingredients, including hair straighteners and relaxers.

Key Takeaways

• Four women have filed lawsuits against L'Oréal and other companies claiming their chemical hair-straightening products have caused them to develop uterine cancer, among other severe health problems.
• The lawsuits come after a new study published last month by the National Institutes of Health found that women who use hair-straightening chemicals are more likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don't.
• L'Oréal said in a statement that it is 'confident in the safety of our products and believes the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit’.

What are your thoughts on this story, members? Share them with us in the comments!

Why am I not suprised that all the complainants are Yanks.

 

[andersrer]

Thank you for the information. I knew about the risks of using hair straightening products, however, I never knew they can increase the risk for cancer development. I was using hair straightening products when I realized that my hair started to fall quickly. I was so scared that I started frenetically using different oils and supplements, but they didn’t help. I panicked and started reading about hair transplant on this website: newjerseyhairtransplantclinic.com. But then I looked at the products I was using, and realized one of the products contained keratin, which I’m allergic to. Thankfully I didn’t need a hair transplant, I just needed to stop using the hair straightening products. Glad it wasn’t anything serious.