Women around the world have filed multiple lawsuits against large corporations for creating chemical hair straightening products that caused their health conditions. After learning about the report that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released stating that women who use these products have double the risk of developing uterine cancer, you may be wondering how a simple cosmetic product that straightens your hair can be so dangerous. In this article, Kwartler Manus will explain the dangers of hair straighteners and what you can do if you have used these products in the past.
What Are Chemical Hair Straighteners?
First and foremost, you must know and understand what chemical hair straighteners are. They are products created and advertised to women around the globe who would like to have their natural curly or wavy hair straightened. The chemicals in the products break down the disulfide bonds as they are applied to the hair. Some of the chemicals that are found in hair straightening products are formaldehyde, triclosan, parabens, sodium hydroxide, cyclosiloxanes, diethanolamine, benzophenone-3, and phthalates.
The Dangers of Hair Straighteners
When hair straighteners are applied to women’s hair, the scalp begins absorbing the chemicals. This can be dangerous because these chemicals affect the hormones, which can lead to various health conditions such as uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
The study conducted by the NIH mentioned a direct link between chemical hair straightening products and uterine cancer. It came to this conclusion by following almost 35,000 women who used these products for more than a decade. By the end of the study, about 400 women were diagnosed with uterine cancer, making women who use hair straighteners twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than women who never used them.
What Companies Are Involved in Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits?
Women are filing chemical hair straightener lawsuits because companies failed to warn them about the risks and dangers of these hair products. Instead, the companies put profit over women’s health. A few of the companies that are currently involved in chemical hair straightener lawsuits are L’Oreal, Soft Sheen, Strength of Nature, Just for Me, TCB Naturals, Olive Oil Girls, Namaste, Optimum, and Motions.
The Signs and Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
If you have been using chemical hair straighteners and are wondering if you may have uterine cancer, there are some signs and symptoms that you can look for. Here are the most common signs:
- Cramping and lower abdominal pain
- Spotting or vaginal bleeding of any amount if you are postmenopausal
- Clear or white vaginal discharge if you are postmenopausal
- Any frequent or heavy vaginal bleeding if you are older than 40
- Vaginal bleeding between periods before menopause
If you have any of these symptoms, it is very important that you visit your physician to make sure it is not uterine cancer. If you are diagnosed with uterine cancer and have used chemical hair straightening products, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation to cover your costs and expenses.
How Do You Know If You Qualify for a Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
For individuals who think they may have a potential hair straightener claim, it is important that you meet with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney. Your attorney will listen to the details of your experience and determine if your claim is strong enough to file a lawsuit. There are two key factors that they will be looking for, which include the following:
1. You have used chemical hair straightening products before.
2. You were diagnosed with uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or another serious health condition that is directly linked to your hair straightener usage.
Get In Touch with Kwartler Manus LLC Today
If you would like to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer about a chemical hair straightener case, Kwartler Manus LLC is available and ready to assist you. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have as well as help you navigate the complex legal process. Give us a call today at (267) 457-5570 or fill out our contact form by clicking here.