Hair Relaxer Side Effects And Their Impact On Health (2025)

Effects of Hair Relaxers on the Body

Hair relaxer side effects can range from mild issues like allergies to more severe health problems, including cancer.

Allergies and Irritation

Because of the many chemicals that these products can contain, such as formaldehyde, they can cause skin irritation, a runny nose, watery eyes and even scalp burning.

Itching could also be a problem that could put you at risk of infections if you break your skin while scratching. It’s not uncommon for people who have asthma to develop coughing fits when using hair relaxers.

Getting hair relaxer chemicals in your eyes can also lead to significant pain and redness. Your eyes can itch, too.

Central Nervous System Issues

Hair relaxers can impact your central nervous system if you breathe in the fumes they release. You can experience dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, restlessness and headaches.

Lung Tissue Swelling

Additionally, hair relaxers can cause lung irritation, leading to breathing difficulties and even swelling of lung tissue. If you’re exposed to these chemicals over a long period of time, your lungs could suffer irreversible damage, including scarring.

Neurotoxicity

The effects of hair relaxers on the brain can also be severe. Formaldehyde is a neurotoxin that can impact behavior, learning and memory. Although a single use of a hair relaxer may not cause lasting damage, someone who has had formaldehyde seeping into their scalp for years could begin to suffer cognitive issues.

Hormonal Imbalances

One of the most concerning side effects of hair relaxers is that they can impact your endocrine system. Hair relaxers and thyroid issues can mean weight gain and anxiety, but perhaps the most worrying of all is the impact that chemicals like parabens may have on estrogen levels in the body.

These chemicals often mimic estrogen and increase the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers, like uterine cancer. Hormonal imbalances can also mean issues with fertility. Girls who start using hair relaxers from a young age can experience early menstruation, and they could later in life suffer from infertility.

Lawsuits Against Hair Relaxer Manufacturers

Women who have experienced serious side effects like cancer after using hair relaxers may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the product. Manufacturers have a legal duty to warn consumers of all potential side effects that could occur from using their products. A failure to do so means they breach their duty of care.

Unlike other types of personal injury claims, product liability cases generally don’t require that you prove negligence. This is because strict liability tort law holds the manufacturer fully responsible for a malfunctioning product.

Despite this, other similar product claims, including Zantac lawsuit and Valsartan lawsuit cases, have not been easy for plaintiffs to settle. That is because large manufacturers typically have powerful legal teams that will put up a fight. To have a chance of receiving a settlement or jury award, you need to hire an attorney to represent you.

How a Product Liability Lawyer Can Help in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

A product liability attorney can gather the necessary evidence to demonstrate that there is a connection between the use of certain hair relaxers and the development of uterine cancer. They can help you collect the right medical records, bills of every treatment you have, and expert witness testimonies to show that you have a valid claim.

Perhaps most crucially, a lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement. In these settlements, you have to calculate the damages you’re seeking, and you may not be aware of all types of compensation you are entitled to. A lawyer can put a number to everything, from the medical expenses you had to the pain and suffering compensation you deserve.

Insurance companies are typically concerned with looking out for their own interests, so they may do everything possible to minimize your claim. If you attempt to go through the process alone, insurers might try to get you to accept a low offer. If you’re suffering a condition as serious as uterine cancer, you can’t afford to accept less than you deserve.

Despite all efforts, a settlement isn’t always possible. However, having a product liability attorney helping you means that you have the option of pursuing the case in court.

Connect With Experienced Product Liability Lawyers Today

If you suffered serious health issues like uterine cancer because of the hair relaxers you used, you may be entitled to file a claim against the manufacturer for not warning of the potential effects of their products. For the best results, it’s essential to hire a product liability lawyer to fight for your rights and interests.

At ConsumerShield, we help people across the country connect with trusted lawyers in their local areas. We can also offer guidance on the first steps you need to take to start the legal process. Contact us to learn more about our services today.