The TRESemmé Lawsuit In a Nutshell

So, before I go into detail about this class action lawsuit, I want to remind everyone as they read this article that this case is still open and no verdict has been decided yet. This is entirely based on what has been published so far.

Mid December of 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against the makers of the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth shampoos. The line, owned by Unilever United States inc. and distributed by Conopco inc., is under fire for supposedly causing extreme hair loss and scalp irritation. All while the line’s owners tried to hide it.

According to the lawsuit, both the Keratin Smooth and Keratin Smooth Color shampoos contain an ingredient called DMDM hydantoin, a preservative known to leach formaldehyde when it comes in contact with water.

Yes, formaldehyde. The same stuff used to preserve small animals in jars and to make glue.

Formaldehyde is a “well-known human carcinogen” and can cause cancer or other harmful reactions when absorbed into the skin.

The suit alleges that the defendants (Unilever and Conopco) failed to warn users about the risks involved in using a product with such a strong ingredient, and even says that the use of DMDM hydantoin in their products is “an entirely unnecessary risk” since there are safer alternatives for preservatives out there.

The defendants kept the dangers of this ingredient concealed and refused to fully recall the product, and continued to state that the product was safe when used correctly.

Through their marketing and labeling, the defendants led consumers to believe that these products made with keratin, a naturally occurring protein found in your hair, skin, and nails.

However, they failed to warn everyone about the risks of DMDM hydantoin (used to prevent the growth of microorganisms) and the fact that it is linked to hair loss and scalp irritation.

One plaintiff from Illinois said that the product made her hair begin to fall out in just a few days, made her hair dry and brittle, and caused it to break off easily. She also had a persistently very itchy, very red scalp, with symptoms lasting up to seven hours.

According to the complaint, the use of formaldehyde donors, particularly DMDM hydantoin, in cosmetics have been linked to “the development of allergies, dermatitis, hair loss, and even cancer.”

And this isn’t the first time Unilever has been sued over this particular ingredient and its subsequent risks. In 2012, Unilever had a lawsuit filed against them for use of this exact same ingredient, in addition to others, in their Suave Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit. For, you guessed it, significant hair loss and scalp irritation. Resulting in a 10.2 million dollar settlement.

The company has recently reformulated their Keratin Smooth line with a different preservative after the flood of horror stories surrounding their products.

The case states that Unilever should have been aware of the possibility of adverse reactions because of their previous litigations, however they have “attempted to downplay or conceal” the numerous customer complaints.

Should the suit be settled and compensation is owed, anyone who has been affected by these products will get the chance to claim it.

Sources:

“Class Action Claims TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo Causes Hair Loss, Scalp Irritation.”

“TRESemmé Class Action Lawsuit Claims Shampoo Causes Hair Loss, Scalp Burns.”

”TRESemmé Keratin Hair-Smoothing Shampoo Leads to Hair Loss, Class Action Lawsuit Claims”