Date Initiated: 12/17/2020
Robyn Lipetz, et al. v. Unilever United States, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-06350, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Date Initiated: 12/17/2020
Two women who say they suffered hair loss and painful scalp burns from TRESemmé keratin shampoo and conditioner have filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer for failing to warn them about what they say is a dangerous chemical in the products. The issue has grown since, with several other class action lawsuits filed and updated guidance on hair smoothing products released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The hair loss and scalp injuries they suffered were caused by a chemical in the products – DMDM hydantoin – which is related to formaldehyde, their class action lawsuit says.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that can cause cancer, and other less harmful reactions, when absorbed into the skin, which tends to happen when applied directly to the scalp, for instance. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, such as the DMDM hydantoin in TRESemmé keratin shampoo, may prevent microbes from forming in water-based substances.
Its use in the TRESemmé products is unnecessary, the class action lawsuit claims, because there are safer alternatives on the market now.
