Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Update: Why the ‘Creamy Crack’ Is Facing Global Backlash.

July 15, 2025

Black women across North America and Europe have been steadily walking away from chemical hair relaxers, often dubbed the “creamy crack,” in favor of natural hair. This shift, driven by the natural hair movement and increasing awareness of health concerns, has contributed to a steep decline in relaxer sales. But the fallout isn’t just cultural—

it’s legal.

The Legal Pressure Is Mounting.

A major class action lawsuit is underway against haircare giants like L’Oréal, with plaintiffs alleging a link between chemical relaxers and serious health conditions, including uterine cancer and fibroids. On July 15, Judge Jantz ordered L’Oréal SA to produce detailed Product Information Files (PIFs) by July 31. These EU-mandated technical dossiers cover the formulation and safety assessments of 29 relaxer products sold in the U.S. Additional PIFs for products sold internationally are expected by September.

The lawsuit’s progress has been slow. While the discovery phase continues, a “science day” is scheduled for January 8, 2026—a non-adversarial court session where both sides will present scientific findings to help the judge understand the medical implications of the case.

Although no bans have been enforced yet—unlike in Canada, Brazil, the UK, or the EU—plaintiffs' lawyers remain optimistic. “These cases look very strong,” one firm noted, suggesting it would be “foolish for defendants to let one go to trial” without a global settlement.

A Regulatory Loophole?

While regulation tightens in the West, critics warn of a growing trend: Big Haircare brands expanding operations in African markets, where oversight is weaker. “The problem with these companies expanding or manufacturing their products in Africa,” one expert said, “is that they are able to evade a lot of the regulations that are available in, say, the US or in Europe.”

This raises troubling questions about global health equity and corporate responsibility. As scientific scrutiny continues to grow, many Black women are choosing to stop using chemical relaxers—not just for aesthetics, but for their long-term well-being.

The Takeaway

As the legal battle unfolds and regulatory scrutiny increases, the case for going natural continues to strengthen. This isn’t just a cultural moment—it’s a public health reckoning.

Sources: