Wen Hair Care Product Lawsuit Over Hair Loss Problems Settled for $26.3M

Roughly six million users of WEN hair care products could be eligible to for compensation from a $26.3 million settlement reached in a class action lawsuit filed over the risk of hair loss and scalp irritations. 

A federal judge in Los Angeles has given preliminary approval to a Wen hair cair product settlement (PDF) for a class-action lawsuit filed in January 2014, which pursued claims on behalf of individuals nationwide against Guthy-Renker, LLC and Wen By Chaz Dean, Inc. The complaint alleged that problems with WEN hair care products caused hair to fall out or resulted in severe irritation, and claims that the defendants failed to warn about the risk.

The Wen hair care products lawsuit was originally filed in the United States District Court Central District of California in January 2014, by residents Amy Friedman and Judi Miller, who sought class action status on behalf of themselves and any other consumer or user who suffered hair loss or scalp irritations after using Wen hair care products.

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Plaintiffs alleged the celebrity stylist, and creator of the product, Chaz Dean, as well as the marketer Guthy-Renker, negligently created and falsely advertised the formula WEN Cleansing Conditioner, which was marketed as “a revolutionary way to cleanse and hydrate the hair.” The lawsuit claimed that in reality, using the product as instructed caused thousands of consumers to experience loss of hair, scalp rashes, and irritation, among other problems.

While WEN advertising claimed that the products strengthen hair, dozens of women reported that it does the exact opposite, and continues to cause hair loss and damage even after they stop using it. Some of the complaints directed toward the hair care product manufacturer have claimed the conditioner causes hair loss because it does not contain any cleanser, and it is never fully removed from the user’s hair causing the ingredients to enter the hair follicles.

Despite agreeing to the massive WEN hair care product settlement, Chaz Dean and its marketing company maintain that the agreement was reached only to avoid lengthy litigation and additional costs.

The settlement could leave an estimated 6 million people eligible for compensation upward of $20,000 each, depending on the related side effects of WEN hair care products they experienced.

The distribution of funds from the settlement have been sectioned off by the court in four classes of compensation eligibility, with those experiencing the worst side effects including loss of more than 50% of hair, including but not limited to, large bald spots and in cases where hair regrowth has been minimal will be eligible for between $12,500 to $20,000 awards. Those with large bald spots or overall thinning that covered more than one-third of the head will be awarded between $7,500 and $12,500. Claimants that experienced noticeable hair loss of up to one third of the head, or those that experienced scalp irritation resulting in small bald spots or obvious thinning will be awarded between $2,500 and $7,500. Users who experienced mild scalp irritation or up to 20% of hair loss where regrowth took between one and four months will be eligible for awards ranging from $0 to $2,500.

According to the FDA, more than 21,000 reports of problems have been directly reported to Chaz Dean and its marketing company Guthy-Renker.

Although the class action lawsuit may soon be finalized, Chaz Dean and its marketing company may be in store for additional penalties as the FDA announced it has opened an investigation into consumer complaints of Wen hair care products. Officials from the agency stated that it is the most complaints that have ever been recorded in relation with any cosmetic hair cleansing product.

8 Comments

  • JulieAugust 23, 2023 at 6:10 pm

    I wish I had known about this lawsuit. During 2014-2016 I was having a massive issue with losing large amounts of hair and scalp irritation every time I showered. I contacted WEN about it and they simply said that I was probably just "allergic" to the lavender cleansing conditioner, which I never had been previously with any of their formulas. I already had fine hair, but I honestly thought I migh[Show More]I wish I had known about this lawsuit. During 2014-2016 I was having a massive issue with losing large amounts of hair and scalp irritation every time I showered. I contacted WEN about it and they simply said that I was probably just "allergic" to the lavender cleansing conditioner, which I never had been previously with any of their formulas. I already had fine hair, but I honestly thought I might have something serious going on to lose so much hair every time I washed. From 2015-2017 I also started have severe issues with migraines happening approximately 4-6 days a week and requiring injectable medications. I'm wondering if their products were responsible for that too, because since 2017 when I wasn't using WEN and suddenly the migraines improved to less than twice a year. Now I know that the company knowingly lied to me and their products were the primary reason for all the problems I had. It makes me sick.

  • AmandaJuly 31, 2019 at 5:43 am

    I had issues with my hair falling out and still have thin hair after using wen.

  • RITAFebruary 18, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    PURCHASES MADE ONLINE WITH QVC, PROOF OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT. DUE TO SO MUCH HAIR LOSS, CHANGED PRODUCTS IN FALL OF 2016. HAD NO IDEA I COULD PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS ACTION.

  • IsabelNovember 18, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    I have always had thick and lots of hair and have received compliments throughout my life. However, within the last year I have noticed it thinning, especially on the sides of my forehead where it is balding. I was also developing irritation on these balding spots. I have been using Wen for at least a year. As soon as I found out about the lawsuit, I stopped using it. I still have two bottle [Show More]I have always had thick and lots of hair and have received compliments throughout my life. However, within the last year I have noticed it thinning, especially on the sides of my forehead where it is balding. I was also developing irritation on these balding spots. I have been using Wen for at least a year. As soon as I found out about the lawsuit, I stopped using it. I still have two bottle on my shelf. What is my recourse? Am I able to get some restitution?

  • LindaNovember 11, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    I purchased WEN hile out of town on a trip quite a while ago. After finishing the bottle. I used the entire bottle, but never purchased another. Since then, I have been experiencing severe "shedding" and hair loss much more excessive than I ever have had before. First noticed it on my clothing. Then on the floors, rugs, carpeting, car seat, and keyboard. Then as I shampooed and comb through[Show More]I purchased WEN hile out of town on a trip quite a while ago. After finishing the bottle. I used the entire bottle, but never purchased another. Since then, I have been experiencing severe "shedding" and hair loss much more excessive than I ever have had before. First noticed it on my clothing. Then on the floors, rugs, carpeting, car seat, and keyboard. Then as I shampooed and comb through my hair, the comb is filled with ever increasing amounts of hair. The part on my head it showing more scalp than ever before. While I have fine hair, I have always been fortunate to have had a LOT of hair. My scalp frequently breaks out in rashes and sores. I have finally made the correlation between use of WEN and when my problems started and continued. Since we were out of town when I purchased the product and I paid cash for it, there is no proof that I have. Also, I am a camera shy person so have no before or after photos of myself with the changes to my hair. I avoided even going to a beautician for haircuts because I was so embarrassed by the loss of hair and didn't want to "gross her out" by seeing the sores on my head. I am sure I won't qualify for restitution, but would give anything for an "antidote" for WEN so that I could get my former hair back and stop the loss of the hair I have. I am puzzled by why reputable merchants such as "QVC" and Sephora continue to sell the WEN products? Thank you.

  • RebeccaNovember 9, 2016 at 12:50 am

    I had been using wen for a very long time ,I started loosing more and more hair,my husband complained about so much in tub,I had also been ordering for my daughters,would give as gifts for Bday or Christmas,the last time I gave my daughter a gift she said if that's the shampoo you've been giving me I don't mean to be rude but that s--t. Has been making my hair thin...I'm loosing my hair it clicked[Show More]I had been using wen for a very long time ,I started loosing more and more hair,my husband complained about so much in tub,I had also been ordering for my daughters,would give as gifts for Bday or Christmas,the last time I gave my daughter a gift she said if that's the shampoo you've been giving me I don't mean to be rude but that s--t. Has been making my hair thin...I'm loosing my hair it clicked ...that is what has been causing my hair loss!! I had even mentioned it to the lady that cuts my hair ,she said get you a good shampoo and conditioner from store. A long story short I sent the last 2 or 3 orders back,I called and canceled my orders that came I think every 3 months,they ask why and I told them !! They just said I'm sorry ! I actually still have several bottles that I certainly want use,was gonna put in yard sale but wasn't sure I should do that!! My hair is still real thin around my temples,and my daughter who had pretty thick hair is now very thin !!

  • JenniferNovember 7, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    I was losing my hair by the handfuls when rinsing my hair out in the shower. So much hair that it would get tangled in my fingers I would twist together my hair and just about cry. So much hair that I couldn't let it wash down the drain because I was scared thatmy tub would get get clogged again so I would either slap my fallen hair out on the side of the shower wall and finish rinsing before I wo[Show More]I was losing my hair by the handfuls when rinsing my hair out in the shower. So much hair that it would get tangled in my fingers I would twist together my hair and just about cry. So much hair that I couldn't let it wash down the drain because I was scared thatmy tub would get get clogged again so I would either slap my fallen hair out on the side of the shower wall and finish rinsing before I would throw it in the trash after I was done bathing. Some times I would flush it down toliet because was embarrassing. Not only that I was constantly finding my hair in the food and everywhere. My boyfriend has even asked me why I'm shedding so much. I thought because I was nursing my daughter. It s been over six months since I stopped nursing and my hair still falls out. I have really thin hair on my right side mainly. When I wear my hair up or down I am very self conscious beauty you can see my scalp. I am very careful on how I part my hair because I can't party it to the left or in the middle of my head due to my balls spots . I have a spot at the up of my head that seems dry like a scab covering a sore. It's itchy and sometimes stings because I find myself picking at it because I can't see it because of its location is at the very top. I've had a friend tell me that should go to the doctor but me being scared of doctors and dentists i chose not to. I only go when I feel like I'm almost dying. I was asked one time by a passenger in my car that I was giving a ride to,"what's wrong with you? Are you sick or something?" I looked back at him and asked 'what do you mean ?' "you're losing your hair! You have a huge bald spot" pointing at my head. I immediately took my hair down, out of the pony tail i was wearing. Ever since I that day I was asked about my health because of my thinning / balding head/hair, I make sure that I part my starting right above my left eyebrow. Sometimes I take my brown eye shadow and color in my scalp that is being revealed. If I get hot and my head sweats, I made sure I re apply my eye shadow to my scalp.

  • MonicaNovember 2, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    My hair got very thin and has not grown back after using Wen for approx. year.

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