Two women who say they suffered hair loss and severe scalp burns from TRESemmé Keratin shampoo and conditioner have filed a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer for failing to warn about dangerous chemicals in their products. Both Robyn Lipetz and Shannon Keener, residents of the greater Philadelphia region, contend that Unilever United States Inc., the company that produces the TRESemmé line of hair care products, and Conopco Inc., the company that distributes them, are to blame for the severe harm they and others have experienced.
A class action lawsuit alleges that TRESemmé Keratin Shampoo products contain DMDM hydantoin. This preservative releases low levels of formaldehyde to extend the shelf life of products. Since then, the TRESemmé lawsuit has grown, and several other victims have filed similar class actions against the beauty giant. This article details everything you need to know about the TRESemmé lawsuit.
TRESemmé Lawsuit’s Allegations
The trial has now moved to northern Illinois. Moving a lawsuit can consolidate a lawsuit against a defendant pending in that jurisdiction. These products are TRESemmé Keratin Smoothing Shampoo and TRESemmé Keratin Smoothing Shampoo. It is promoted as a keratin coating to make hair smooth and shiny.
Lipetz, 67, bought TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color in January and February and used it for two weeks. She claims she stopped when she noticed “redness, hotness, and itchiness” on her scalp, as well as bald spots. According to Keener, her experience was more severe. The 32-year-old made the same TRESemmé keratin conditioner and shampoo purchases as Lipetz. According to the class action lawsuit, she used the products for two months before needing medical treatment.
The class action alleges that “nowhere on the package label, on Unilever’s website or in other marketing materials did Unilever warn [consumers] of the risk of severe hair loss and/or scalp irritation.” Currently, KGG Law, Unilever United States Inc. and Conopco Inc. make this product using a preservative called DMDM hydantoin. This effect has been reported to cause scalp irritation, brittle hair follicles, and severe hair loss in thousands of users. Now let’s talk about the FDA’s answer, which is the most curious subject in the TRESemmé lawsuit.
FDA’s Response
Consumers who claim that TRESemmé Keratin Shampoo is flawed in its design claim that DMDM hydantoin is useless as a safer alternative. Unilever has strongly defended its decision to use DMDM hydantoin, saying the chemical is safe for use in hair products.
The action of the TRESemmé class is based on the fact that DMDM hydantoins have a direct effect on hair damage and loss. This problem has been addressed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In March, the FDA updated its website with information regarding formaldehyde in heat-activated keratin hair care products. The FDA knows that when hair straighteners heat these chemicals, formaldehyde turns into a gas and is released into the air. Formaldehyde in the air above 0.1 ppm can cause irritation and dermatitis.
The potential health risks of exposure to formaldehyde depend on the concentration of the chemical in the product and the length of time the user has been exposed to it. Because some people are more sensitive to it than others, they are more likely to experience side effects from products that contain it as an ingredient.
Research Has Suggested That DMDM Hydantoin May Be Harmful
With the Clean Beauty movement, many people are paying more attention to the ingredients in skin and hair care products. One of the specific ingredients, DMDM hydantoin, has received a lot of negative attention. This preservative helps prevent product spoilage. However, it is a common allergen that has caused concern in recent years. There have even been claims that a lawsuit against a cosmetics company is causing hair loss.
The main benefit of DMDM hydantoin is its antibacterial properties. In other words, it helps prevent the growth of mold and other harmful mold, yeast, and bacteria, Factor says. As a result, products containing this ingredient can stay fresh (and safe to use) for a long time. This chemical prevents spoilage of products, but in high doses it can cause cancer in humans. Formaldehyde is categorized by the National Toxicology Program as a known carcinogen. Because data from human studies shows that exposure to chemicals can increase the risk of developing at least one type of cancer.
DMDM hydantoin is a known skin allergen. A 2011 study found that this allergy is fairly common. The people most likely to experience a reaction are women with chronic dermatitis and workers who frequently come into contact with products that contain formaldehyde. A 2010 review found that formaldehyde-releasing products can cause skin irritation in people with a pre-existing formaldehyde allergy.
Another study completed in 2015 found that products containing a formaldehyde donor increased the amount of formaldehyde that appeared to be toxic when stored for long periods of time. It is claimed that these changes in release over time can lead to hair loss and scalp burns. The FDA recommends that consumers read all labels on hair softening products before using them at home.
After answering every question about the TRESemmé conditioner lawsuit, the TRESemmé shampoo lawsuit, and the TRESemmé hair loss lawsuit, let’s now clarify the point that everyone is wondering. So, are TRESemmé products beneficial for your hair? Overall, they are safe to use but not of the highest quality available. Although the brand has demonstrated good faith in reformulating all of their shampoos and other products containing DMDM hydantoin, they still contain a number of potentially harmful ingredients.
