Lawsuit Claims Paul Mitchell, Redken, Other Hair Dyes Led to Bladder Cancer Diagnosis for Hairdresser

Manufacturers should have known and warned hairdressers about hair dye bladder cancer risks, plaintiff says.

A New York hairdresser has filed a lawsuit indicating that exposure to popular brands of hair dye for nearly 40 years led to the development of bladder cancer.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Beatrice Singleton late last month in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, naming several major cosmetics companies as defendants, some of which include John Paul Mitchell Systems, Clairol, L’Oreal and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The bladder cancer risks for hairdressers have been the recent focus of a growing body of scientific literature, which links prolonged contact with certain chemicals found in hair dyes to an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

In particular, a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that salon professionals have a 30% higher risk of developing bladder cancer, due to regular contact with carcinogens in hair dye products, including aromatic amines. Researchers warned that these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled over time, making occupational exposure a significant risk factor for those in the industry.

As a result of these findings, Singleton’s claim joins a growing number of hair dye bladder cancer lawsuits filed by hairdressers, salon specialists and cosmetologists nationwide, each claiming the manufacturers of hair dyes failed to provide adequate warning about the risks of bladder cancer linked to long-term exposure.

According to her lawsuit, Singleton indicates she has worked as a hairdresser since 1987, when she became a licensed cosmetologist, working with major brands of hair dye on a regular basis throughout. The lawsuit blames that exposure for her bladder cancer diagnosis.

The lawsuit indicates the manufacturers of the hair dye products were negligent in designing, manufacturing, and marketing the products, failing to warn her and other hairdressers about the risks of bladder cancer, and failing to remove the products when they learned exposure could lead to bladder cancer.

Singleton notes she was regularly exposed to leading hair dye products including Paul Mitchell, L’Oreal, Matrix, Redken, Wella, Clairol, Joico, Pravana and Goldwell.

“Defendants’ unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent conduct alleged herein was designed to and did induce Plaintiff to purchase the products,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff would not have purchased the products but for Defendants’ unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business conduct.”

She presents claims of failure to warn, design defect, negligent failure to warn, deceit by concealment and violations of the California Unfair Competition Law.

Her complaint comes as an increasing number of hair dye cancer lawsuits are being investigated for salon stylists, cosmetologists, hairdressers and other licensed salon professionals who are routinely exposed to chemicals in permanent hair dye and later diagnosed with bladder cancer.

To help hairdressers and stylists determine if they may be eligible for financial compensation or settlement benefits, hair dye lawyers are providing free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals throughout the U.S.