Hair Dye Lawsuits: Cancer Risks & Legal Action
Hair dye lawsuits claim that manufacturers of popular hair dyes didn’t warn users about the potential cancer risk tied to repeated exposure to their products. Some hairstylists say they developed cancer after years of exposure to hair dye chemicals.
Diagnosed with Cancer After Using Hair Dye?
If you or a loved one developed bladder, breast, or blood cancer after long-term use of chemical hair dyes, you may be entitled to compensation. Hair stylists and frequent users may face increased risks due to prolonged exposure to harmful ingredients like PPD and ammonia.
- A+BBB Rating
- 4.9 StarGoogle Reviews
- A+BBB Rating
- 4.9 StarGoogle Reviews
Our content is developed and backed by respected legal, medical and scientific experts. More than 30 contributors, including product liability attorneys and board-certified physicians, have reviewed our website to ensure it’s medically sound and legally accurate.
legal help when you need it most.
Drugwatch has provided people injured by harmful drugs and devices with reliable answers and experienced legal help since 2009. Brought to you by Wilson & Peterson LLP, we've pursued justice for more than 20,000 families and secured $324 million in settlements and verdicts against negligent manufacturers.
More than 30 contributors, including mass tort attorneys and board-certified doctors, have reviewed our website and added their unique perspectives to ensure you get the most updated and highest quality information.
Drugwatch.com is AACI-certified as a trusted medical content website and is produced by lawyers, a patient advocate and award-winning journalists whose affiliations include the American Bar Association and the American Medical Writers Association.
About Drugwatch.com
- 15+ Years of Advocacy
- $324 Million Recovered for Clients
- 20,000 Families Helped
- A+ BBB Rating
- 4.9 Stars from Google Reviews
Testimonials
I found Drugwatch to be very helpful with finding the right lawyers. We had the opportunity to share our story as well, so that more people can be aware of NEC. We are forever grateful for them.
I found Drugwatch to be incredibly helpful. Informative and researched articles ...
- Last update: November 10, 2025
- Est. Read Time: 8 min read
- Why Are People Filing Lawsuits?
- Who Qualifies for a Hair Dye Lawsuit?
- How Hair Dye Has Been Linked to Cancer & Other Health Problems
- Which Hair Dye Ingredients Are Involved in Lawsuits
- Have Hair Dye Manufacturers Misled the Public?
- What Evidence Is Needed for a Hair Dye Lawsuit?
- Lawsuits Against Major Manufacturers
- How to File a Hair Dye Lawsuit
- Eligibility:
- You may be eligible if you have had regular use or occupational exposure to hair dye over a long time, and you received a diagnosis of bladder cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, ovarian cancer or leukemia.
- Strongest Cancer Signal in Lawsuits:
- Bladder cancer in salon workers has the most substantial evidence connecting cancer to hair dye use.
- What to Gather Now:
- You can gather medical records for a cancer diagnosis, occupational records, a list of hair dye products you were exposed to, photos of packaging and product receipts.
- Litigation Status:
- As of November 2025, litigation is in its early stages with no settlements or jury verdicts yet.
Why Are People Filing Lawsuits Against Hair Dye Manufacturers?
Hairstylists and cosmetologists who were diagnosed with cancer are filing lawsuits against hair dye manufacturers. They claim:
- Defective design: Defendants designed their hair dyes using ingredients they knew were carcinogenic.
- Failure to warn: Companies didn’t alert people to the cancer risks, but they knew that long-term exposure carried an increased likelihood of developing cancer.
- Misleading marketing: Defendants marketed their products using sex appeal, beauty and youthfulness without warning of the risks.
- No PPE instructions: Labels don’t adequately encourage the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks or ventilation.
Lawsuits also claim that defendants could have used safer ingredients but didn’t.
In June 2025, a California judge grouped 12 hair dye lawsuits together in California. More cases are expected to be filed.
Do I Qualify for a Hair Dye Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a hair dye lawsuit if you developed cancer as a salon professional, hair stylist or long-term user of certain types of hair dye.
- Long-term hair dye use, especially at work
- Diagnosis of bladder cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia or ovarian cancer
- Have not already settled or been represented for this issue
While many of the current lawsuits involve hairstylists who used hair dye at work, people who used hair dye regularly at home may also qualify. Make sure to contact an attorney to verify your eligibility.
How Hair Dye Has Been Linked to Cancer & Other Health Problems
According to the American Cancer Society, studies have connected hair dyes to bladder cancer, breast cancer and leukemia. The risk of bladder cancer has been particularly noted among professionals who spend significant time working with hair dyes.
A 2009 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology determined that hairdressers are more likely to develop cancer than the general population.
Chemicals and Exposure: What’s Known vs. Unknown
When it comes to hair dye and cancer risk, the scientific consensus as of 2025 is that most evidence points to slightly increased cancer risks for certain groups and product types. However, there is no clear proof that hair dye actually causes cancer.
Aromatic amines, a substance used to create the color in some hair dyes, are one of the primary suspects for causing cancer.
- Type of dye matters
- Permanent hair dyes are most strongly associated with an increased risk of cancer, while semi-permanent and temporary dyes show little to no risk in current epidemiological studies.
- Breast cancer evidence
- A large NIH study (the Sister Study) of 46,709 women found a 9% increase in breast cancer risk overall, and a 60% increase among African American women who frequently used permanent hair dye every 5 to 8 weeks. Repeated use of permanent hair dye increased breast cancer risk, most notably for hormone receptor–negative breast cancers.
- Other cancers under study
- Research suggests possible associations between hair dye use and certain cancers, including: Basal cell carcinoma Bladder cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma (especially in women who used dark hair dye) Ovarian cancer
- Occupational exposure risk
- Hairdressers, barbers and salon workers were found to have increased risks of bladder and hematologic cancers. This is due to chronic exposure to aromatic amines and other carcinogenic dye compounds. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies occupational exposure to hair dyes as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
- Chemical composition of concern
- Ingredients such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and aromatic amines have shown mutagenic or genotoxic effects in lab models, meaning they can cause cancer mutations. These studies have prompted calls for formulation reviews and stricter industry regulation.
What remains unknown is whether modern hair dyes, reformulated since the 1980s, pose the same dangers or whether observed associations result from lifestyle or genetic factors. More research is needed to determine how certain hair dyes can cause cancer.
Which Hair Dye Ingredients Are Involved in Lawsuits
A key point of contention in the litigation is the use of ingredients called aromatic amines. These chemicals react with other parts of the hair dye to create colors. According to the American Cancer Society, darker hair dyes include more aromatic amines than lighter ones.
Evidence that aromatic amines could be carcinogenic has existed for over a century. In the late 1800s, a German clinician discovered that workers in the dyestuff industry were developing bladder cancer at higher-than-normal rates. Similar findings were also recorded in Great Britain.
Aromatic amines remained a common ingredient in hair dye until the 1970s, when more research further emphasized their cancer risk. Some countries banned certain types of aromatic amines, and hair dye manufacturers began to alter their products.
Current lawsuits claim that these potentially dangerous ingredients continue to be used in some commercially available hair dyes.
Key Chemicals
Hair dye cancer lawsuits center on several chemicals in hair dye that they claim can cause cancer.
- 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP)
- Benzidine
- 4-chloro-o-toluidine
- 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine 2,4-diaminoanisole
- 2, 4-methoxym-phenylenediamine sulfate 2,4-diaminoanisole sulfate
- 2-naphthylamine
Darker dyes may contain more chemicals that are associated with cancer than lighter shades.
History and Regulation
Darker dyes used before 1980 had higher concentrations of certain chemicals that could cause cancer. Modern dye formulas have removed many of these harmful chemicals to reduce cancer risks, but more research is needed.
-
1906: Pure Food and Drug Act
The first U.S. federal law regulating food and drugs prohibits the use of poisonous or deleterious coloring substances in foods and medicines. It indirectly impacts early dye use but does not yet cover cosmetics.
-
1938: Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)
The FD&C Act officially brings cosmetics (including hair dyes) under federal oversight following decades of unregulated chemical use. However, it includes a coal-tar hair dye exemption, allowing manufacturers to avoid pre-market approval if labels include a warning about possible skin irritation and directions for a patch test.
-
1960: Color Additive Amendments
Congress passes amendments requiring FDA pre-approval of color additives in foods, drugs and cosmetics. However, it still exempts coal-tar hair dyes from mandatory certification. This exemption remains today and is central to product liability debates because it limits the FDA’s authority over harmful dye ingredients.
-
1970s: IARC Classification
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) establishes criteria to evaluate the carcinogenic risk to humans. They begin evaluating hair dye exposure, later classifying occupational exposure of hairdressers as probably carcinogenic to humans due to bladder cancer data.
-
1980s – 1990s: Ingredient Restrictions and Reformulations
The FDA requires labeling on hair dyes containing 4-methoxy-m-phenylenediamine (4-MMPD) that warn of potential cancer risks. Hair dye manufacturers begin reformulating products to exclude chemicals known to cause cancer in lab studies.
-
2018 – 2022: FDA Bans Lead Acetate in Hair Dyes
The FDA issues and later finalizes a ban on lead acetate, used in hair color restorers for decades, citing updated safety data that no longer supports a “reasonable certainty of no harm.” Manufacturers are required to reformulate products accordingly.
-
2020s: Ongoing FDA and Global Oversight
Despite advances, the FDA’s authority remains limited for coal-tar dyes. Meanwhile, the 2023 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) improves manufacturer accountability for ingredient reporting and safety documentation.
Modern reforms target specific hazardous ingredients and require more transparent safety reports. These reforms don’t yet include mandating pre-market approval for most commercial hair dyes.
Have Hair Dye Manufacturers Misled the Public?
Lawsuits allege that popular hair dye manufacturers misled hairstylists, cosmetologists and everyday customers.
“Defendants failed to warn … that frequent, daily, continuous, and/or long-term exposure to their hair dye products, especially by professional hairstylists, could cause or greatly increase the risk of bladder cancer,” Matarazzo’s lawsuit claims.
- Failing to warn that exposure to hair dye could increase cancer risk
- Not including warnings or instructions about using PPE
- Using marketing language such as natural and nourishing to downplay potential risks
One of the key claims made in lawsuits is that these companies should have alerted their customers to the potential cancer risk that could be associated with their products. Hair dyes generally don’t contain warnings along these lines.
Some products also do not include warnings or instructions on using protective wear that could prevent or limit exposure.
Another issue outlined in lawsuits involves how manufacturers market their hair dyes. For example, Wella refers to chemical-based products as natural and nourishing. Lawsuits say this is an attempt to draw in health-conscious users without warning of serious risks.
Expert & Patient Perspectives
What Evidence Is Needed for a Hair Dye Lawsuit?
Generally, you will need to document your cancer diagnosis and your exposure to hair dye to file a lawsuit.
Your health documentation can include medical records that verify your diagnosis or treatment, which you can get from your doctor. You should also document any comments your doctor makes linking hair dye exposure to your health concerns.
In addition to medical records, you may need to provide evidence of your exposure to hair dye, including specific brands or products.
- Medical records with proof of cancer diagnosis:
- Pathology reports, hospital discharge summaries, oncologist notes and biopsy results.
- Employment and exposure records:
- Pay stubs, tax documents, written statements verifying work history and salon records showing hair dye brands and ventilation/PPE policies.
- Product use history:
- Records showing the colors, brands and frequency of use over the years.
The evidence you gather should show work exposure and a cancer diagnosis after hair dye exposure. Your lawyer will use these, along with available scientific evidence, to build your case.
Hair Dye Lawsuits Against Major Manufacturers
Several major hair dye manufacturers have been listed as defendants in lawsuits. These cases claim manufacturers knew or should have known that their products may cause cancer.
L’Oréal Lawsuits Over Chemical Hair Dyes
L’Oréal’s hair dye products are extremely popular, but lawsuits claim that some of its hair dyes contain carcinogens that may have led to the development of cancer in some hairstylists.
L’Oréal acknowledges on its website that p-paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a type of aromatic amine that lawsuits say has been tied to cancer, is still used in some of its hair dye products. But, the company claims it follows strict usage limits.
“Our hair dye products containing para-phenylenediamine (PPD) comply with one of the strictest cosmetics regulations which is the EU regulation,” L’Oréal says. “We have been able to optimize the PPD concentration levels in hair dye products in order to always ensure they are well below the authorized level which is 2%.”
L’Oréal is also involved in litigation over some of its chemical hair relaxer products, which help straighten curly hair.
Nearly 10,000 hair relaxer lawsuits are currently pending in federal court, claiming that these products cause uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Clairol Facing Legal Challenges for Toxic Ingredients
Clairol, a subsidiary of Wella that has been selling hair dye to salons in the U.S. since the 1950s, has also been named in lawsuits over potential cancer risks.
The company was a trailblazer in the hair dye industry. Its innovative marketing strategies played a key role in establishing hair coloring as a standard part of American culture.
Lawsuits argue that the company ignored possible health risks as it marketed its hair dye products directly to salons and stylists.
“Clairol continues to prioritize profit over stylists’ and consumers’ health,” a lawsuit states. “… Clairol’s salon-use dyes do not carry visible warnings on the risks of prolonged exposure, nor do they encourage the use of protective items.”
Hair Dye vs. Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Hair dye lawsuits and hair relaxer lawsuits have similar defendants because some companies, such as L’Oréal, make hair dye and hair relaxers. These two litigations claim cancer as the main injury, though they focus on slightly different cancers.
| Hair Dye Lawsuits | Hair Relaxer Lawsuits |
|---|---|
| Plaintiffs: Focus on salon professionals, but may include some home use. | Plaintiffs: People who used hair relaxers regularly. |
| Cancers: Bladder, breast and ovarian cancers. Lymphoma and leukemia. | Cancers: Uterine, endometrial and ovarian. |
| MDL: No. | Cancers: Uterine, endometrial and ovarian. |
Hair dye lawsuits are in the initial stages, while hair relaxer lawsuits are slightly farther along, with bellwether test trials set to begin in 2027.
How to File a Hair Dye Lawsuit
You may be able to file a hair dye lawsuit by signing up for a free case review and connecting with an experienced product liability lawyer through Drugwatch.
Our partners have spent years taking on major corporations in similar litigations and can help you determine if you have a case against a hair dye manufacturer.
- Free Consultation
- Gather Records
- File Lawsuit
- Discovery
- Case Resolution (Settlement or Trial)
It’s important to note that no settlement or trial is guaranteed. Each case is unique, and only a lawyer can advise you about your case.
A lawyer may also be able to assist you in tracking down medical records or documentation that can help you build your case and demonstrate how hair dye exposure has impacted you.
What Compensation Can Plaintiffs Receive?
As part of these lawsuits, plaintiffs are demanding several different types of damages and monetary compensation.
- Medical expenses
- Past and future economic and non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
A cancer diagnosis can dramatically alter your life by impacting your health and leading to severe economic consequences. Medical expenses can be extreme, and you might be unable to work due to your condition. Hair dye lawsuits seek justice for these possible losses.
Calling this number connects you with a Drugwatch.com representative. We will direct you to one of our trusted legal partners for a free case review.
Drugwatch.com's trusted legal partners support the organization's mission to keep people safe from dangerous drugs and medical devices. For more information, visit our partners page.
