The pursuit of smooth and shiny hair is considered a desirable beauty ideal in today's society. However, the associated chemical straightening could potentially be dangerous - at least according to a growing number of lawsuits in the US.

More than 8000 lawsuits filed against major cosmetic companies like L'Oréal and Revlon, manufacturers of chemical hair straightening products. These lawsuits are based on the suspicion that these products could pose carcinogenic risks to consumers. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland in Illinois ruled that the plaintiffs had presented sufficient evidence to justify the proceedings.

Smaller cosmetic companies, especially those headquartered in India, are affected by the lawsuits. L'Oréal and Revlon have not yet issued public statements on the lawsuits. The products used contain chemicals that are often used for permanent straightening of textured hair, especially in African American women.

The spark of protest ignited following the publication of a study by the National Institutes of Health in October 2022. This study found that women who regularly used chemical hair straightening products had more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer. The first lawsuits were filed shortly thereafter.

After allegations came to light, L'Oréal assured that they were confident in the safety of their own products and considered the lawsuits filed as unfounded. Revlon even went a step further, stating that the company was not convinced that a scientific connection between chemical hair straightening products and cancer has been proven.

Despite the cosmetic industry's continued claims that their products are safe, this wave of lawsuits has shaken confidence in the chemicals marketed to achieve beauty ideals. Consumer attention now turns to the companies' response and future scientific investigations on this matter.