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Suave Professionals shampoo and conditioner contain DMDM hydantoin, a preservative that causes hair loss and scalp irritation, and releases toxins that are known human carcinogens, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
The nationwide class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois on June 18 by lead Plaintiff Deanna Lewakowski, who alleges that Unilever, the manufacturer of Suave products, knowingly used the unsafe ingredient for more than a decade, in direct contradiction to claims the company’s products are safe and healthy.
According to the lawsuit, Unilever led customers to believe Suave products could help “nourish” and “replenish” hair and specifically help to reduce hair loss. However, DMDM hydantoin, a key ingredient in the Suave Professionals range, is known to cause significant hair loss and scalp irritation.
“Unfortunately, for Plaintiff and Class Members, the Suave Products do not smooth, repair, or restore hair. Instead, the Suave Products contain DMDM hydantoin, which exposed Plaintiff and at least thousands of consumers to potential hair loss, allergic reactions, and skin and/or scalp irritation,” the claim states.
Lewakowski purchased the Suave shampoo and conditioner after reading Unilever’s claims that the products were safe “to smooth, nourish, cleanse, and/or repair hair.”
“After using the Products as intended by Defendants, Plaintiff Lewakowski noticed irritation, scalp itch, and increased hair falling out shortly after the first few uses. Prior to using the Products, Plaintiff Lewakowski had never experienced hair loss or scalp irritation,” the class action lawsuit reads.
Lewakowski also experienced scalp irritation, including a burning sensation, and her scalp became very red and dry after using the products. The redness, hotness, and itchiness of Plaintiff’s scalp would persist for up to seven hours, the claim says.
“Furthermore, Plaintiff’s hair became dry, brittle, and broke off easily after using the Products.”
Lewakowski used the products for less than two months before she started to experience hair loss and scalp irritation, and discarded them as soon as that happened. She says that once she stopped using them, her symptoms gradually dissipated and vanished.
According to the lawsuit, Unilever’s labeling and an extensive marketing campaign made a number of misrepresentations about the Suave products, saying that they smooth hair, add softness and shine, prevent frizzing, and reduce hair fall.
However, the products actually caused thousands of consumers to experience hair loss and scalp irritation because of their inclusion of the DMDM hydantoin, the claim reads. The ingredient is one of the main formaldehyde donors, which can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions, the class action lawsuit says.
“There are a variety of synthetic and natural preservatives which may be used in cosmetics that are safer alternatives to DMDM hydantoin.”
“By downplaying, concealing and misrepresenting the Products and the safety and risks of their use, Unilever failed in its duty to provide consumers with adequate information, and continued even knowing of the Products’ dangers to create and perpetuate a false public perception that there was little or no risk of harm from the use of its Products.”
The class action lawsuit says that Unilever has known about the risks of the ingredient for more than a decade, but only recently reformulated products to exclude it following a class action lawsuit.
“As a result of Defendants’ misrepresentations, Plaintiff has experienced actual damages, including economic damages.”
Lewakowski wants to represent a national, multi-state, and Illinois Class of consumers in the class action lawsuit, and is suing for violation of consumer fraud laws, fraud, and unjust enrichment. She seeks certification of the Class, restitution, injunctive relief, legal costs, interest, damages, and a jury trial.
Lewakowski’s class action lawsuit is not the only one Unilever is facing. In May, the company was hit with a class action lawsuit that alleges it deceptively markets its Men+Care Dove deodorant as being “anti” stain, when it actually causes white and yellow stains on consumers’ clothes.
Do you use Suave Professionals hair care products? Did you know the products used to contain a possible carcinogenic ingredient? Let us know in the comments section!
Lewakowski is represented by Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC, Andrew J. Sciolla of Sciolla Law Firm LLC, Melissa K. Sims, Daniel K. Bryson, Harper T. Segui, Caroline Ramsey Taylor of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC, and Melissa R. Emert and Gary S. Graifman of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C.
The Suave Professionals Hair Loss Class Action Lawsuit is Lewakowski v. Unilever United States, Inc. et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-03276, in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois.
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2,371 thoughts onSuave Hair Products’ Ingredient Causes Hair Loss, Scalp Irritation, Class Action Alleges
I have used Suave Shampoo for a couple of years and had slowly been losing hair. The last 6-8 months I have been losing hair ,more then usual .My thyroid is where it should be you can see my scalp on top and whole head is extremely thin and itching a lot So this evening I decided to ask this question of Google and right away I seen your article about others that were losing there hair by the comb full. This has caused me so much stress ,at times standing in front of the mirror crying and praying for the Lord to help it come back in. So two weeks ago I started to use another shampoo and about a month ago someone told me to take 10000 of Biotin a day so I have started to get some new growth around my face. I agree that this company is liable because they continue to use this product . I can not even get my hair combs to stay in that I have worn for years The embarassment and fear of going completely bald I am including my name in these comments Sincerely Donna S Myers
I bought Suave shampoo less than a month ago. I wash my hair 1-2 times weekly I noticed significantly more hair coming out & attributed it to aging (I’m 71). But this morning a light bulb went off. I googled “does suave shampoo…” & before I could finish, the 1st result was ‘suave shampoo causes hair loss’ . Now I know & will switch immediately.
I’m just now reading this. Its Octiber 2023. I’ve been using the suave clarifying fir at least 20 years. I noticed around 2015 my hair falling out. The scent changed around 2029 smells bad but I thought the clarifier worked good. It was around 2925 I noticed alot of hair falling out. I went to Dr’s. They said it coukd be your thyroid
I collected the hair put in a zip lock bag to show them. My scalp progressively got itchier. I used to have a very thick full head of curly hair. My scalp is so itchy I’ve tried everything from folliculitis shampoo to fungal or psoriasis shampoo. I thought perhaps I have psoriasis. Scalp so itchy I can’t sleep. Hot burning sensation too. Last night I discovered 3 brown patches on my scalp. I have a dermatologist appt. Hooe they can test it. I saved the suave products to bring to the Dr. I’ve list so much hair you can see my scalp through the hair. My dr has been giving me perscriotion antifungal shampoo to use once a week. Nothing is helping. I’m contacting the law firm. I’m praying I don’t have cancer.
Terrible Shampoo used it and my head was itching and hair falling out! Never realized it until I googled it! I have changed to using Aveno Baby Shampoo to correct the situation! My head feels much better, but still irritated!!! Should not be sold anymore to anyone!!
I have used Suave foe about a year and never put two and two together until I stopped using the shampoo! My hair fell out by the chunks, and I would like to see they would be accountable for this? My hair is thin and so damaged now! I would like to get more info on this case please! Thank you
Oh my gosh me too! I am extremely upset. I have had an excessive amount of hair loss from this shampoo and conditioner. I had to put in a new strainer in my shower. I empty it every other day. Throughout the day even more hair falls out or breaks off. I am so embarrassed now. Yes someone should be accountable!
I recently used Suave products and immediately felt a burning sensation in my head. I rinsed it immediately. While detangling my hair it came out in handfuls. Now I have a huge spot the size of a small grapefruit in my head where I felt the burning. My hair was bob length at nape of neck. Now I cannot wear my hair down or style it. I don’t wear wigs or weave because they are too hot. I need more information on how to join this class action lawsuit
Mee too! If you find out some information can you please let us know. I will do the same.
I have been using Suave shampoo and conditioner (Keratin Infusion and Moroccan) for the past couple of years and somehow did not associate the products with my hair loss and scalp irritation. What brought me to research has been the extreme scalp swelling, itching, burning, small sores, particularly around the nape of my neck and behind my ears which has increased during the past four months. This has become considerably worse during the past six weeks. I feel so stupid for not connecting these issues with Suave before this. I washed my hair three hours ago and it seems to be much worse now, with the irritated area having spread. I thought washing it would help the irritation, but my scalp is now burning. This brought me to research what could be wrong with me and in reading, I have come to the conclusion that it is the Suave products I have been using. All of my hair loss of the past two years, the drying and breakage of my long, normally thick, beautiful hair has been due to these products, I now realize. I feel like an idiot for not connecting these issues with these products earlier. I would like to be part of this suit, if that is possible. Thank you.
I have the same issues. All of a sudden I started to feel these bumps and sort of scabby pimples on my scalp, not paying any attention to it. I went to the dermatologist. She told me the bumps wouldn’t go away that they were more than likely benign cysts not to worry so I didn’t but i’m remembering about a year or so ago I went to CVS to purchase my suave, keratin infused shampoo and conditioner, and I was told that they took them off the market. Well, I never put two and two together until two weeks ago and I started doing some research and now I realize that it’s the suave shampoos that have. caused the scalp irritation. I would like to be part of this lawsuit as well. Does anyone have any info or do I have to contact my own attorney? Thanks for listening.
I wish the lawyer would include the Essentials line as well. I have had the same problems as the lawyer experienced, and I have used both Suave Professionals and Suave Essentials, the latter of which does not contain that ingredient, but contains many others that have bothered me when I also used this line. Both lines give me the same problems.
I have used all of the above mentioned products and started losing my hair so I constantly changed shampoos to one than another using all of them, thought it was menopause, apparently it wasn’t.
I now have plaque psoriasis due to using suave for two months, it also gave both my biracial sons severe dandruff but I have huge bumps in my head with dry flakes coming off and their huge. Very embarrassing my head constantly itches and I’m losing so much hair from where these bumps of flakes are. Going back to dove or herbal essence