Quiet Settlement in Selsun Blue Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Hair Loss, Scalp Irritation

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Sanofi-Aventis, the maker of Selsun Blue, an anti-dandruff shampoo that allegedly caused an Illinois woman’s hair loss and scalp irritation, has settled with the plaintiff who filed court documents dismissing the class action lawsuit last week.  

While the details of the settlement have not yet been made public, the class action lawsuit, lodged in February by lead plaintiff Emily Lewis, was never certified. Dismissal of the lawsuit at this point likely means that would-be Class Members will see nothing from the deal.  

The class action lawsuit, filed in Illinois federal court, sought to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased and used Selsun Blue products within the past three years, along with a subclass of Illinois residents. 

The plaintiff claimed that she purchased Selsun Blue in 2020 based on marketing that it could help eliminate her dandruff and dry scalp. However, after using the product twice a week as directed, she alleged that her hair became brittle and began falling out. She also claimed did not see an improvement in her dandruff. 

Lewis accused Sanofi-Aventis of failing to warn consumers about potential scalp irritation and hair loss as a side effect of using Selsun Blue. 

The Selsun Blue class action lawsuit pinned the hair loss and scalp irritation Lewis allegedly experienced on two ingredients – selenium sulfide and DMDM hydantoin.  

DMDM hydantoin has been the focus of a number of class action lawsuits lodged against haircare brands over concerns that the ingredient can release another toxic chemical – formaldehyde.  

In March, the Food and Drug Administration updated its guidance on formaldehyde in hair products, warning that most hair smoothing or straightening products release formaldehyde gas into the air during the hair straightening or smoothing process. 

While the Selsun Blue class action lawsuit targeting the maximum strength variety may be over according to court documents, litigation is still pending over similar claims against the makers of Mane ‘n Tail and TRESemmé products.  

Did you experience any hair loss or irritation after using Selsun Blue or another haircare product? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.  

Lead plaintiff, Emily Lewis, and proposed Class Members are represented by Eugene Turin of McGuire Law PC. 

The Selsun Blue Scalp Irritation Class Action Lawsuit is Emily Lewis v. Sanofi-Aventis US LLC, Case No. 1:21-cv-00616, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

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