Dark & Lovely Relaxer Lawsuit

This section looks at who may be eligible to file a Dark & Lovely hair relaxer lawsuit. Potentially qualified individuals are often people who: 

• used Dark & Lovely or similar chemical relaxers regularly, and 
• later were diagnosed with a qualifying condition.

Winder Law Firm is gathering information from individuals with potential legal claims who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions. Inquiries may be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement.

This section explains the Dark & Lovely brand and some of its relaxer products. It also addresses allegations that have been made about the brand.

About Dark & Lovely Hair Relaxers

Before we talk more about allegations, let’s quickly cover the Dark & Lovely brand.

L’Oreal owns the Dark & Lovely hair-care brand. The brand began in 1972 with products designed for Black women. In 1998, Dark & Lovely became part of the L’Oreal portfolio.

The company introduced its first non-lye relaxer in a box kit in 1978. Since that time, Dark & Lovely has offered several chemical relaxer products. One of those is the Triple Nourished Relaxer line. These relaxers are made to straighten and smooth textured hair.

Product marketing describes the Triple Nourished formulas as containing shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. These ingredients are described as supporting moisture during use. The line is sold in Regular and Super strengths. The products are labeled as no-lye relaxers with moisturizing and silkening claims.

How Dark & Lovely Marketed Its Hair Relaxers

Dark & Lovely marketed its relaxers using language focused on hair health and nourishment.

Marketing materials often emphasized oils and butters such as: 

• Shea butter,
• Avocado oil, and 
• Jojoba oil 

Products were often described as helping maintain “healthy-looking hair.”

The brand also highlighted “no-lye” formulas in some of the products. Lawsuits claim this wording may have implied a gentler or safer relaxer product. 

People suing allege this kind of messaging may have downplayed the potential chemical risks.

Allegedly Misleading “Natural,” “Botanical,” and “No-Lye” Claims

Across the chemical straightener industry, marketing frequently used terms such as: 

• “healthy”
• “nourishing” 
• “natural” 

Lawsuits claim these words suggested safety or health benefits that were misleading.

Specific Dark & Lovely Allegations

Let’s review some marketing allegations specifically regarding Dark & Lovely. Lawsuits allege that L’Oréal and SoftSheen-Carson labeled products as: 

• providing a “healthy” gloss, or 
• being “Triple Nourished” with shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil 

Lawsuits claim these terms implied safety and wellness, despite the alleged chemical risks. 

People suing also claim that messaging like “no-lye” or “gentle” is potentially misleading. This is because they claim no-lye relaxers are not safer than other chemical relaxers.

Disproportionate Impact on Black and Brown Women

Research shows Black women are the most likely to use chemical hair relaxers. This group also often begins using relaxers at a younger age.

Black women are alleged to face disproportionate harms from chemical relaxers.

Claims That Marketing Exploited Cultural Stereotypes

Lawsuits allege that relaxer marketing drew on Eurocentric beauty standards. People suing claim the brands often framed straight hair as more socially acceptable.

These allegations do not claim Dark & Lovely alone created these standards. They claim the brand’s related marketing participated in and reinforced these standards though.

People suing claim that these allegations are consistent with social research into stereotypes around Black women’s hair.

Research From New York University

• Reports state that some Black women were told their natural hair appeared “unkempt” or “unfit.”

Dove CROWN Research

Survey data also shows Black women report high levels of hair-based discrimination. A 2021 study found that:

• 66% of Black and Brown girls in White-majority settings reported hair discrimination, 
• 45% of girls of color reported similar experiences overall, and
• Nearly half of Black mothers surveyed reported unfair treatment due to hair.

Below is a review of science and regulation on hair relaxers and alleged harms.

Scientific Research on Hair Relaxers and Cancer

Possible cancers and other conditions linked to hair relaxer use have been studied. Here are some of the studies cited in lawsuits. Keep in mind these studies show associations. They do not definitively prove hair relaxers caused these cancers.

The “Sister Study” and Uterine Cancer Links

In 2022, the National Institutes of Health published a major study known as the “Sister Study.”

The study found an association between frequent chemical hair straightener use and uterine cancer risk. Women using these products more than four times per year showed roughly double the risk.

Study On Ovarian Cancer Rates

A study reported there are higher ovarian cancer rates among frequent users of chemical straighteners.

Endometrial Cancer Links

Endometrial cancer starts in the lining of the uterus. Doctors have linked this type of cancer to hormone balance in the body. Estrogen and progesterone play a central role.

Higher lifetime exposure to estrogen is tied to higher risk. Progesterone helps limit estrogen’s effect on the uterine lining. When this balance shifts, risk increases.

Certain life factors affect hormone exposure. Early menstruation extends estrogen exposure over time. Late menopause does the same. Fewer pregnancies also relate to higher risk.

People suing state this cancer is hormone-driven. They argue this makes hormone-acting chemicals relevant. They also claim some hair relaxer ingredients interact with hormone systems. 

Studies About Other Cancers

Emerging research has explored possible links to other cancers, but findings remain preliminary. 

FDA Oversight of Hair Relaxer Products

According to the FDA, most cosmetic products are not approved by the FDA before sale. This includes chemical hair relaxers.

Manufacturers are not required to submit safety data prior to marketing their product. The FDA can act on a product’s safety only after a product is found unsafe under normal use conditions.

An important point is that federal law still requires cosmetics to be safe and properly labeled. The FDA’s ability to regulate products also recently expanded under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022.

This section outlines how a Dark & Lovely hair relaxer lawsuit may be filed.

Claim Filing Process

Filing usually begins with an eligibility check. Someone who files a claim may usually go through this process:

• Step 1: Contact a law firm handling hair relaxer cancer and hysterectomy claims.
• Step 2: Gather medical records and product-use history.
• Step 3: If eligible, an attorney may file an individual lawsuit. That lawsuit may be coordinated in MDL No. 3060.

Do I Need an Attorney?

Legal help is not required. Some people choose an attorney due to medical evidence, MDL procedures, and filing deadlines. Each person decides based on their situation.

Settlement Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique, and compensation depends on individual circumstances.

Compensation differs from case to case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. There is no set settlement amount, and the MDL is still active.

Several factors can affect compensation. These include the diagnosis, medical care, surgery, fertility effects, lost income, and available records.

Note: Fill out the form or call to see if legal options may be available. Inquiries will be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement to assist with next steps.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with a qualifying condition after using Dark & Lovely chemical hair relaxers?

People with a qualifying diagnosis after chemical hair relaxer may request a free case review.