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TRESemmé keratin shampoo allegedly causes hair loss and other problems, according to a recent class action lawsuit.
Plaintiff Emily Castillo says Unilever misrepresents its TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo as safe and effective. In contrast with these representations, the TRESemmé hair products allegedly cause hair loss and scalp irritation.
Keratin is a type of protein found in the hair, skin and nails, according to Healthline. Because keratin is the building block of hair, many products include keratin ingredients with claims the protein can help improve the strength and appearance of hair. Professional keratin treatments are popular at salons, but keratin supplements and hair-care products can also be used at home.
Castillo says she purchased TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo believing the product could help improve her hair’s health and appearance. Allegedly, the products were advertised with statements that the product ingredients could “deeply nourish,” “gently cleanse” and “repair hair.”
The plaintiff claims the products do not accomplish these goals. Instead, they allegedly caused significant scalp irritation and hair loss.
According to the TRESemmé hair loss class action lawsuit, these adverse experiences can be linked to one concerning ingredient — DMDM hydantoin. DMDM hydantoin is reportedly used in Unilever products as a preservative and has been for more than a decade.
However, the chemical is also a formaldehyde donor that can leach formaldehyde when it comes into contact with water. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen that can be absorbed in the skin where it can then cause cancer and other harmful reactions.
For the decade Unilever has used DMDM hydantoin in its products, the company has allegedly been aware of the scalp irritation and hair loss it can lead to when used as a preservative in hair products.
In fact, Unilever has already faced legal action over this ingredient in connection with its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion products. That complaint triggered a recall of the products in 2012 and a 2016 settlement worth $10.2 million.
However, despite the litigation and recalls issued over the same problems in the past, Unilever allegedly continues to use the harmful ingredient in its TRESemmé keratin products.
“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,” the TRESemmé hair loss class action lawsuit alleges.
Castillo argues that she and other consumers were not warned about the potential for scalp irritation and hair loss before purchasing the TRESemmé keratin shampoo.
Nowhere on the shampoo packaging or on Unilever’s website are consumers warned that using the TRESemmé keratin products could lead to catastrophic side effects, Castillo explains.
Unfortunately, Unilever has profited from these actions, according to the class action lawsuit. Without any warning of hair loss and scalp irritation, consumers like Castillo allegedly rely on representations that the TRESemmé shampoo products can help their hair look and feel better.
Based on the favorable representations and a lack of warning, Castillo and other buyers were reportedly deceived into purchasing the products and paying more for the shampoo than they otherwise would have had they known the truth. According to Castillo, this amounts to financial injury under consumer protection laws.
Castillo’s experience is reportedly not unique.
According to another TRESemmé class action lawsuit filed in December, two Philadelphia women experienced severe scalp burns and hair loss after only using the products for a short amount of time.
Plaintiff Shannon Kenner says she used TRESemmé Keratin shampoo and conditioner for two months and as a result “began experiencing hair loss, where clumps of hair would fall out when showering, brushing, or even touching her hair.” The 32-year-old claims she obtained medical care from her doctor and dermatologist who prescribed medicated shampoo to treat her scalp.
Likewise, plaintiff Robyn Lipetz says the chemical inside TRESemmé Keratin haircare products, which is related to formaldehyde, caused “redness, hotness and itchiness” on her scalp and created bald spots.
“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,” Kenner’s and Lipetz’s TRESemmé class action lawsuit states.
Kenner and Lipetz want to represent a Class of consumers who purchased TRESemmé Keratin shampoo and/or conditioner and experienced hair damage. While, Castillo seeks to represent several Classes of similar situated consumers.
One proposed Class includes nationwide purchasers of TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo. Castillo also seeks to represent a Class of the same consumers from Illinois and a multistate Class of consumers from California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Washington.
On behalf of herself and the proposed Class, Castillo seeks several forms of monetary relief, including disgorgement, restitution, statutory damages, punitive damages, civil penalties, interest, court costs and attorneys’ fees.
Castillo also asks the court for injunctive relief preventing Unilever from continuing with its allegedly misleading advertisements and requiring the company to recall the products.
Did you experience hair loss after using TRESemmé shampoo or other products? Share your experiences in the comment section below.
Castillo and the proposed Class are represented by Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC; Andrew J. Sciolla of Sciolla Law Firm LLC; and Daniel K. Byson, Harper T. Segui and Caroline Ramsey Taylor of Whitfield Bryson LLP.
The TRESemmé Keratin Hair Loss Class Action Lawsuit is Emily Castillo v. Unilever United States Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-06786, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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3,912 thoughts onTRESemmé Keratin Hair-Smoothing Shampoo Leads to Hair Loss, Class Action Lawsuit Claims
Me and my sister use tresemme shampoo and conditioner and have both suffered scalp irritation and hair loss. We would like to be added to this lawsuit. Over the years I have suffered hair loss I could never figure out why and now I know. Tresemme shampoo and conditioners are the only thing I ever used and still use(which I will stop now). This is horrible. This greatly affects me.
I have used Tresemme Color keratin Shampoo/conditioner for so long and ever since I started using it i would lose so much hair that my drained always had to be unclogged from the amount of hair loss,when i would brush my hair i would still have a huge amount of hair loss And than after awhile my scalp was so sure n tender n ended up with sores and scabs on it I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE TO BE ADDED TO THIS LAWSUIT BECASUE ITS NOT RIGHT THAT I ALONG QITH OTHER PEOPLE HAD TO GO THEOUGH THIS WHEN THE COMPANYBWAS WELL AWARE WHAT THE PRODUCT DID TO PEOPLE ..PLEASE ADD ME THANK YOU
Myself, my kid & husband all used it. Loosing hair. Add us.
I have purchased and used Tresemme keratin smooth and tresemme rich moisture shampoo/conditioner.
Recently every time i was my hair i have a massive amount of hair in my drain, like 2 handful’s. A sore spot on my scalp and red. Also when i brush my hair alot will comeout.
Was gifted two Tresemme products by Unilever containing DMDM Hydantoin, where one was used for travel occasionally since Spring of 2021, and the other was used as my only shampoo for approximately 1-4 weeks before switching to a different product on March 16 2022, due to significant hair loss and scalp irritations. As of today, I am still experiencing hair loss and scalp irritations— I will contact medical provider for further assistance.
I used the Tresemme Keratin Hair Smooth shampoo and conditioner in the Fall of 2021 for around 3 weeks. My hair started falling out and my scalp became extremely flaky. I have been using medicated prescription shampoo and treatments since November 2021. The hair loss has stopped, but the flakiness is still driving me nuts!
Add me!
Please add me
I’ve experienced alot of hair loss using the TRESemme keratin shampoo and conditioner. I used it for 6 to 9 months and switched to Nioxin 3 step brand.
ADD ME