UPDATE:
- Unilever faces additional class action lawsuits in Illinois, New Jersey, and even in Canada over allegations that its TRESemmé keratin shampoo and conditioner causes scalp irritation and hair loss.
- On March 2, 2021, the FDA issued an update to its notice about formaldehyde and hair smoothing products.
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).
Philadelphia Women Claim Serious Damage
Robyn Lipetz and Shannon Keener, both from the greater Philadelphia area, claim that Unilever United States Inc., the maker of the TRESemmé line of hair care products, and Conopco Inc., its distributer, should be held liable for the serious damage they and others have suffered.
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.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Unilever and Conopco have violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and consumer fraud laws. The company’s practice of not warning customers about the presence of DMDM hydantoin in the keratin products and the risk it poses of hair loss and scalp irritation amounts to breach of express, contract/common law and implied warranty as well as fraud and unjust enrichment, the class action lawsuit claims.
The TRESemmé keratin shampoos and conditioners are marketed as products that will “deeply nourish,” “gently cleanse,” and “repair hair,” while adding softness and shine.
“For approximately a decade or longer, Unilever has known that DMDM hydantoin can cause or contribute to hair loss and scalp irritation when used as a preservative in hair products, including keratin products,” the class action lawsuit says. Moreover, Unilever has faced similar legal action in the past, in connection with its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion product line.
The company recalled the Suave products in 2012 and agreed to pay $10.2 million to settle that class action lawsuit in 2014.
Lipetz and Keener are seeking to represent a Class of TRESemmé customers who purchased the keratin products and suffered damage from using them. Their lawyers estimate there are “thousands, if not hundreds of thousands,” of potential Class Members.
Consumers Suffer TRESemmé Hair and Scalp Damage
Lipetz, 67, purchased TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color between January and February and used the product for two weeks. She says she stopped when she began experiencing “redness, hotness and itchiness” on her scalp and noticed she was developing bald spots.
Keener’s experience was more severe, she says. The 32-year-old bought the same shampoo as Lipetz, plus the TRESemmé keratin conditioner. She used the products for two months and in the end had to seek medical treatment, according to the class action lawsuit.
“Keener noticed scalp irritation, blisters, pimples, and a burning sensation on her scalp after the first few uses.… After continued use of the products [she] also began experiencing hair loss, where clumps of hair would fall out when showering, brushing, or even touching her hair,” the class action lawsuit says.
In February, she sought medical treatment from her primary care doctor and dermatologist due to the continued irritation to her scalp and hair loss.
She was prescribed a medicated shampoo to treat the injury, she says.
“Nowhere on the package labeling or on Unilever’s websites or other marketing materials did Unilever warn [consumers] that they were at risk of significant hair loss and/or scalp irritation,” the class action alleges.
Class Actions Pile Up Over TRESemmé Hair Damage Claims
Several class action lawsuits have since been filed over claims that consumers suffered scalp damage and hair loss after using TRESemmé smoothing hair products.
The lawsuits make similar claims that Unilever failed to disclose that an ingredient in their hair smoothing line, DMDM hydantoin, could cause severe issues, including hair breakage and loss, as well as severe scalp injuries.
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth shampoo is “dangerous and unsafe for sale as over-the-counter hair smoothing shampoo products,” states a class action filed by a New Jersey woman.
“Despite having public knowledge since at least 2012 that DMDM hydantoin, as a formaldehyde donor, can cause or contribute to hair loss and scalp irritation, Unilever continued to proudly include this ingredient as a preservative in its products, and even goes so far as to represent to the public that DMDM hydantoin is safe for use in its hair care products,” states a consumer from Illinois in her lawsuit over TRESemmé hair damage.
Consumers in Canada echo those same sentiments in a class action lawsuit noting that numerous safe alternatives to DMDM hydantoin exist, but Unilever continues to use the dangerous ingredient and advertises the safety of its TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo products.
FDA Warns of Hair Smoothing Products
In a March 2 update to its publication “Formaldehyde in Hair Smoothing Products: What You Should Know,” the FDA says that formaldehyde gas is released into the air by most hair smoothing or straightening products used during the straightening or smoothing process.
Formaldehyde gas is a known human carcinogen, warns the agency, also stating “[f]ormaldehyde exposure can cause both short- and long-term effects that may impact your health.”
Have you experienced hair loss or scalp injury after using TRESemmé keratin shampoo or conditioner? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
Lead plaintiff Lipetz and the proposed Class Members are represented by Jonathan Shuba bd Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC; Melissa R. Emert and Gary S. Graifman of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C.; Andrew J. Sciolla of Sciolla Law Firm LLC; Daniel K. Bryson, Harper T Segui and Caroline Ramsey Taylor of Whitfield Bryson, LLP.
The Hair Loss Class Action Lawsuit is 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.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
5,437 thoughts onTRESemmé Class Action Lawsuit Claims Shampoo Causes Hair Loss, Scalp Burns
I used tresseme conditioner for yrs. Then all of a sudden my healthy hair began to frizz. Then it started to feel sticky and melted when wet. I didn’t know why. I was confused. Since id used tresseme for so long I didn’t suspect it could be from that so I continued to use it. Then my hair got so sticky that after showering when id try to towel dry my hair the entire length of my long hair would stick to the top of my head. It wouldn’t fall back down until it began to dry. I knew something was terribly wrong. It seemed like a harsh chemical was causing this. I looked at the ingredients on the bottle of conditioner and saw that it said formaldehyde, I thought that strange but still didn’t think that could be the problem. Then my hair started falling out, clumps of hair. That’s when I stopped using the conditioner and started using another brand. Almost immediately my hair started to become less sticky but the damage was done. My hair was mushy and the texture changed. It continued to fall out. I went to Dr and dermatologist but my hair continued to fall out. I ended up losing 65 percent of my hair. Its been absolutely devastating. Its been 2 yrs and my hair still hasn’t grown back. Im completely traumatized and have a hard time dealing with this to this day. I don’t know if it will ever grow back. I have to wear my hair up to hide as best I can, how bald I am. Just a thin layer of hair left. Its almost more than I can bare. I had such long healthy hair and its gone, probably forever. I will never be the same.
I used TRESemme volumizer for several years not knowing the affect it was going to have on my hair as i noticed my hair start to thin and didn’t know why it was happening i used it for quite some time and switch to something else was not aware of the law suits on the product till years later but now explains how my hair went from full and thick to now i have a spots and my hairline is going it has never come back and i live with knowing if only i didnt use the shanpoo i would have hair today im 29 i shouldnt have to style my hair in ways to cover what a shampoo caused
I have been losing my hair, I actually thought it was my hormones. I just bought some Tressemme Shampoo and condintioner last week. cause I was out. In fact I’ve been using it for a couple of years now. when I read this class action.. Im like OMG! this is it.
I have used tre semme for many years. In July of 25 I noticed my hair was thin and flimsy. It’s been my claim to fame, my thick hair, now I’m looking for answers. I have ordered supplements and used new shampoo. It’s constantly burning (my scalp) and it’s like my hair has died. It’s devastating! I thought perhaps it was because I always used the white bottle blue writing type of hair conditioner. The formulation was different. Now it’s off the market. I’m beside myself trying find answers. I even had labs run all normal. I’m so disappointed. I even bought the new black and blue conditioner, a case of it , before finding out it’s the problem. 😔😔😔😔😭
Please add me to the lawsuit. I have used Tresemme for years. Loved it, but I’m losing my hair like crazy, when I brush it, when I wash it, it comes out by the handfuls and people I visit complain that my “hair is EVERYWHERE!!!”
My hair falls out by the handfuls, when I brush it and when I wash it. People I visit complain that “my hair is EVERYWHERE”!!! I’ve always had long thick hair (my whole family does). Lately I’m freaking out, because it’s becoming so thin. It’s really very scary.
I have been experiencing hairloss since using tressemme shampoo and conditioner. Please also add me to this lawsuit.
My hair was falling out by the hand fulls!!! My scalp is red from using Tressemme Shampoo bought at Sam’s club. Please add my name to your lawsuit.