Hair Dye Bladder Cancer Lawsuit Filed by Cosmetologist Against L’Oréal USA, Other Manufacturers

Lawsuit claims cosmetologist was never warned about hair dye bladder cancer side effects from exposure to chemicals not listed on the product labels.

A California hair stylist has filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal USA, Inc., Redken, Wella Professionals and several other hair dye manufacturers, alleging that routine exposure to harmful chemicals in their salon products caused him to develop bladder cancer.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Hector Corvera in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County on January 23, 2025, claiming that his bladder cancer diagnosis was directly caused by decades of exposure to hazardous chemicals in professional hair dyes, which he used regularly throughout his career as a licensed cosmetologist.

The use of permanent hair dyes has been a staple in professional salons for decades, with many cosmetologists and stylists trusting these products to be safe. However, research dating back to 2001 has suggested that individuals who used hair dye once a month face more than a doubled risk of developing bladder cancer, while those who used the products for 15 years or more tripled their risk.

Research on the specific cancer risks for hairdressers were highlighted in a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, which found that hairdresser’s routinely exposed to chemicals in hair dyes face a 30% increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

The lawsuit claims that despite this well-documented link between chemicals in hair dye and bladder cancer, manufacturers have prioritized profits over consumer safety by failing to reformulate their products or warn hair stylists about the potential risks.

Corvera’s complaint is one of many hair dye bladder cancer lawsuits expected to be filed in the coming months, as awareness grows about the dangers of prolonged exposure to hair dye chemicals.

According to the lawsuit, Corvera began using professional hair dye products in 1981 and continued applying them to clients for over 42 years. He claims that his routine and prolonged exposure to the chemicals in these dyes, particularly while mixing, applying, and cleaning up residual dye from tools and surfaces, led to his bladder cancer diagnosis in June 2023.

Corvera’s complaint states that his bladder cancer was directly caused by regular and prolonged use and exposure to chemicals in hair dye products, including 4-Aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) and Ortho-Toluidine, both of which are classified as Group 1 human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP).

The complaint details how 4-ABP and Ortho-Toluidine contribute to bladder cancer through well-documented biological mechanisms. 4-Aminobiphenyl is metabolized in the liver, transforming into a highly reactive N-hydroxy derivative that binds to DNA, causing genetic mutations that accumulate in the bladder, where the acidic urine environment facilitates cancerous cell growth.

Ortho-Toluidine follows a similar process, converting into N-hydroxy-ortho-toluidine, which directly binds to DNA and leads to mutations, with the bladder being particularly vulnerable due to its high concentration of metabolic enzymes and the urinary tract’s ability to concentrate harmful metabolites.

Corvera indicates in the lawsuit that he was exposed to a number of specific hair dye products, which allegedly contributed to his bladder cancer diagnosis, including:

• Matrix
• All-Nutrient
• Paul Mitchell
• Joico
• Wella
• Redken
• Color Gel
• Color Charm
• LumiShine
• Clairol Professional
• So Color
• Color XG
• The Color

These products were manufactured and distributed by multiple defendants, including L’Oréal USA, Redken, Wella Professionals, Clairol, Paul Mitchell and Joico, among others, according to the lawsuit.

Despite evidence about the increased risk of bladder cancer from the hair dye chemicals, Corvera indicates that the manufacturers marketed these products as safe, without providing necessary warnings that could have protected cosmetologists from the potential health risks.

“Defendants represented on the labeling and in their marketing materials that Defendants PRODUCT is safe for use as directed”, the lawsuit states, “Defendants failed to adequately warn or instruct of the potential risks and side effects… Omitting warnings on product labels or from other marketing materials the warning that use of and/or exposure to the PRODUCTS could lead to an increased risk of bladder cancer.”

The lawsuit also asserts that the manufacturers could have used safer alternative ingredients but instead continued to sell products with harmful chemicals.

Corvera’s lawsuit presents claims of strict liability for failure to warn, strict liability for design defect under both the risk-utility test and the consumer expectations test, negligent failure to warn, deceit by concealment and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL).

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Corvera’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from his bladder cancer diagnosis. He is also pursuing punitive damages, arguing that the companies acted with reckless disregard for consumer safety.

2025 Hair Dye Cancer Lawsuits

As additional research continues to emerge supporting the link between hair dye products exposure and cancer risks, licensed cosmetologists and hair stylists are now pursuing hair dye cancer lawsuits against product manufacturers for their failure to adequately inform and protect users from the potential health risks associated with these hazardous substances.

Hair dye bladder cancer lawsuits are being investigated for cosmetologists, hair stylists, hair dressers, hair colorists or other licensed salon professionals that were routinely exposed to chemicals in permanent hair dye, and later diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Hair dye cancer lawyers are providing free consultations and claim evaluations to help individuals throughout the United States determine whether financial compensation or settlement benefits through a hair dye cancer lawsuit may be available.