In a recent broadcast on NBC Nightly News, five women who are clients of Beasley Allen shared their distressing experiences with hair relaxer usage. The women's narratives shed light on the severe consequences that have resulted from decades of using these products.
Frances Walters, Marnitta Ballard, Michelle Velez, Carol Patillo, and Nina Williams each told their unique stories but all revolved around the same theme - the detrimental effects of hair relaxers. Walters revealed that she began using hair relaxers after graduating college in order to secure a teaching position. Ballard and Velez spoke about how surgeries to remove cancer affected their fertility. Williams and Patillo discussed their respective cancer diagnoses and subsequent treatments.
When questioned about whether they would have used hair relaxers had they known about the associated risks, all five women responded with a resounding "No."
Hair relaxers are designed to chemically straighten hair but contain hazardous ingredients such as formaldehyde, metals, parabens, phthalates, and other synthetic chemicals. These substances can interfere with our body’s hormone system and are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). When people use hair relaxers, these harmful chemicals are absorbed through the scalp and circulate within the body. This can increase the risk of developing hormone-related cancers like ovarian and uterine cancer.
The experiences of these brave women aim to raise awareness about the risks associated with hair relaxers. Their personal stories could potentially deter others from using these products or convince those who are unsure about them to stop their usage altogether.
Beasley Allen continues to file lawsuits on behalf of women who regularly used hair relaxers and subsequently developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer. The firm represents many other women who have been injured or worse by these products.