Some of the most compelling hair relaxer lawsuits involve professional hairstylists and cosmetologists. Unlike occasional users who may have only applied these products a few times a year—yet still developed cancer—stylists have been in constant contact with these chemicals for years, often decades.
Their prolonged and repeated exposure, through direct handling, inhalation, and skin absorption, significantly increases their risk of hormone-related cancers such as uterine, breast, and ovarian cancer. From a legal standpoint, this consistent exposure strengthens the causal link between relaxers and these serious health conditions, making these claims particularly strong in multidistrict litigation.
In addition to the devastating health consequences, salon professionals face major financial setbacks due to their exposure. Many spent years building their careers in the beauty industry, only to be diagnosed with life-altering illnesses that make it impossible to continue working.
While a typical consumer can choose to stop using hair relaxers, professionals do not have that option without abandoning their livelihoods. As a result, their economic damages are substantial. Many former stylists have lost their entire source of income, undergone aggressive cancer treatments, and faced permanent health challenges—all because manufacturers failed to disclose the dangers of prolonged exposure to these hazardous chemicals.
