Lawsuit Alleges Johnson & Johnson OGX Shampoo Products Cause Hair Loss

Russell Maas

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A class action lawsuit filed over Johnson & Johnson OGX shampoos and conditioners, alleges the manufacturer falsely advertised the hair products as safe, while concealing information consumers may be exposed to formaldehyde and other ingredients which could cause hair loss and other injuries.

The complaint was filed by Larissa Whipple in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on June 7, seeking class action status to pursue damages on behalf of all consumers nationwide who purchased variations of OGX shampoos and conditioners, indicating Johnson & Johnson made misleading and false statements about the benefits purportedly offered by the products, while failing to warn consumers they may be exposed to cancer-causing ingredients.

The lawsuit involves Johnson & Johnson OGX Shampoo and/or Conditioner products, which contain DMDM hydantoin as an ingredient. DMDM hydantoin is an antimicrobial formaldehyde known to cause reactions including itchiness, red rashes on the skin brittle hair, loss of hair and even dermatitis.

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Whipple claims Johnson & Johnson OGX shampoo products are marketed nationwide with false and misleading marketing and labeling claims, specifically touting on the product labeling that the OGX line of shampoos and conditioners nourish, revive, enhance and repair damaged hair, making it healthier and thicker. However, the lawsuit claims customers are being exposed to DMDM hydantoin ingredients, which may cause consumers to suffer hair loss, allergic reactions, or skin and scalp irritation.

While formaldehyde-releasers are common in shampoo and conditioner, to prevent microbes from growing in water-based products, the lawsuit claims there are safer alternatives than DMDM hydantoin.

The lawsuit specifically points out that since 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, and the National Toxicology Program of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) named formaldehyde as a known and definite carcinogen to humans.

Whipple claims Johnson & Johnson was or should have been fully aware of DMDM hydantoin risks to consumers, stating the manufacturer announced plans to remove DMDM hydantoin from all products by 2015. However, when Johnson & Johnson acquired Vogue International, including their line of OGX products, Johnson & Johnson failed to change the ingredient profile and continued to sell OGX shampoos and conditioners containing DMDM hydantoin.

The Johnson & Johnson OGX shampoo lawsuit alleges the company falsely advertised benefits of using the line of products, as part of an effort to increase profits by maintaining a false superiority over alternative shampoos, while concealing DMDM hydantoin risks.

The complaint seeks to represent a nationwide class of individuals who purchased one of the OGX products and has either suffered, or will suffer economic losses in repairing and restoring damage caused by the products.

Claims of fraud and unjust enrichment are presented in the case, which also seeks punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson for its alleged malice, motive and reckless disregard for consumer safety.

The case is one of several shampoo lawsuits filed in recent years over products containing formaldehyde, with one of the most recent filed in an Illinois Court against Suave, raising similar allegations the manufacturer used false and misleading marketing and labeling claims to promote their Unilever Professional line of shampoos and conditioners that contain DMDM hydantoin.

In 2014, Unilever agreed to pay $10.2 million to settle a Suave class action lawsuit filed by consumers over hair loss from its formaldehyde-containing Suave Keratin Infusion treatments. The lawsuit claimed the manufacturer engaged in deceptive advertising by claiming Keratin Infusion hair products were formaldehyde free, even though they contained a chemical which released formaldehyde when used.

Tags: Cancer, Conditioner, DMDM Hydantoin, Formaldehyde, Hair Loss, Johnson & Johnson, Shampoo

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132 Comments

J
I had a terrible experience with this product. My hair fell out
Michele
My hair has began thinning and huge painful sore on my head after using OGX beauty pure and simple extra strength extra Volume Plus by attending college and shampoo and conditioner 385 ml bottles
Tia
I used OGX tea tree on my daughter for a couple years. She had lots of scalp issues, sores, flakes , shedding hair ,itching , etc, she had to get medicated shampoo and prescriptions for skin infection which helped each time. I stopped using OGX when i seen this years ago. Used the medicated shampoo to heal her scalp and she’s been fine since i stopped using OGX. I would love to be a part of a class action as I definitely have the medical records to support.
Julie
I just started using the thick & full + biotin & collagen shampoo and conditioner about two months ago thinking it would be good for my fine and colored hair hoping that it would give me fuller and thicker hair like it says on the bottle. BUT it is making my hair fall out in an alarming amount. When l went online to find out if it could be the shampoo l just bought so l looked it up on line and found out that this shampoo is having lawsuits about the same problems I am having. I see that they are blaming it on a certain product in the shampoo but they have removed it. Even though My hair is still falling out, dry, frizzy and very difficult to comb or brush after using it. So there are other ingredients that is causing these problems. Do not use this product.
Linda
I too have been using this shampoo and conditioner as I was getting grey and liked the color it gave me without me actually coloring it. However, my hair has really gotten thin now and I was shocked a couple of times the amount that comes out in the tub. I have wondered if it could be the shampoo and now I know that is what it must be. I sometimes wake up with the top of my head hurting when I press it and is real itchy. I certainly will stop using it and also tell the pharmacy where I buy it about this that I have read here. Thanks for putting this on here.
Erin
I have been using these products since 2020. Shampoos and conditioners. I have always thought it was something with my water or in my water. My hair is so thin and brittle and just falls out while rinsing. It’s been really hard on me mentally watching it go down the drain. I’ve been very embarrassed. How could something like this be passed for use if these harmful chemicals are in it. I feel they are trying to harm us anyways possible these days.
Michelle
Ive used ogx products for many years. My hair has been coming out in handfuls. I have to sweep my floors constantly. I never considered the pricey product that promised so much could cause me this much damage. My scalp is so itchy, i scratch constantly. Its embarrassing to be in church and scratching your head.
Elaine
I bought the shampoo and conditioner to thicken my hair and my hair start coming out in the top I have pictures
Lisa
I have been using the product for a while and my hair has thinned significantly.
Jennifer
I used all these products. They were on sale at the store and I bought them all up. I was expecting my hair to feel healthier but instead, it would note wash out easily, leaving my hair feeling pasty/waxy. Brushing through it left so much hair in my brush. Aweful. Thank you to the person that noticed this!
Ryann
I have used a number of ogx products through out the years and the Moroccan shampoo was horrible for me. My scalp was itchy and bumpy and I discontinued use of this of this product
Gabryel
I used the OGX Keratin & Biotin shampoo and conditioner for a couple of years. I ended up suffering from hair loss. I had to walk around with head coverings just so i could feel comfortable and have social life. I’m still recovering from it ‘till this day.
Susan
have been using this product for about 4 years along with its conditioner…and my hair has thinned out so much since… and has been a mystery to me since it has been a known fact Collagen and Biotin are suppose to nurish the hair…but other chemicals in this product are obviously cancelling that out…! I am interested in the lawsuit..The loss of my hair has caused me such grief and stress with the loss of my self esteem on top of it all…..I had to purchase a wig to at least feel some confidence..If there is a class action lawsuit here in Canada I wish to be a part of it…Thank you Susan Palmer
Susan
Is there a class action lawsuit in Canada..I am game…
SUZAN
I have been using this product for about 4 years along with its conditioner…and my hair has thinned out so much since… and has been a mystery to me since it has been a known fact Collagen and Biotin are suppose to nurish the hair…but other chemicals in this product are obviously cancelling that out…! I am interested in the lawsuit..The loss of my hair has caused me such grief and stress with the loss of my self esteem on top of it all…..I had to purchase a wig to at least feel some confidence..If there is a class action lawsuit here in Canada I wish to be a part of it.Thank you
Michelle
Ugh! I used this shampoo for years. Switched to try to find something that would stop the fallout I was having. My hair was already thin so I couldn’t Afford to be losing more! Found a product that not only stopped the fallout but started regrowth. Incomprehensible they didn’t fix this unhealthy issue when it was discovered. There’s got to be some accountability!!!
Trilissa
Been using the shampoo conditioner ogx for awhile knew something was wrong my scalp would burn my hair started falling out still kept the last bottles purchased it’s took going to my beautician and buying expensive shampoo conditioner just try to repair my hair
Reban
I have been using this product for about 7 years. My husband has bald spots that we thought were from psoriasis or something. My hair has been progressive ly thinning, which I thought, I am getting older. Moreso, I get like skin bumps that are scarring me. I never thought of the shampoo and conditioner.
BABRA-
I have been using this product for about two year, and sometimes when I would touch the top of my head it would hurt so bad…. never would have thought it would be the shampoo and conditioner
Lois
I was using the shampoo and conditioner for quite some time thinking I was using something that was good for my hair. I did wonder why my scalp was so itchy and every time I shampooed I was loosing clumps of hair. Stopped using after information came out. I was really upset to think something I thought was good for me was actually causing me harm.
Mary
I thought I found the perfect shampoo and conditioner when I started using these products. The smell was so pleasant and the products lathered and rinsed so well. Then my hair started l to come out! I’ve always been blessed with a full head of hair and now I’m actually scared at the amount of hair loss I’ve experienced.
angela
There are 3 of us in a household using everything from shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, oils, and dry foams…never correlated the bumps on head, psoriasis like patches on heads, thinning, really dry (on the 7 year old)…never really thinking it was anything more than weather (Louisiana) and/or thyroid or lack of vitamin. Been using and just bought more products hearing about this a week ago. Where do we go from here???
Felicia
Recently I’ve noticed a bald spot on my head I’ve been trying to cover up. I’ve been using this product for at least 4 years.
Christine
I had been using the OGX products for a year almost exactly when my hair, all of a sudden from the roots as I brushed and combed hair fell out. In large quantities. My brush never looked so full of hair. Long strands. It kept doing this as I continued to use the product. So, I decided to see my primary doctor. She asked about my hair products anything new? I said well not really I guess a year or less ago I started a new product. She said to change products. So I did. I bought a hair growing product used for 12 months. I now use another hair growing product an oil and can see more hair around my face growing in. The new growth has taken a whole year to see and get back. I also talked to my hair dresser about the loss of hair 6 months into the 1st hair growing product and not using the shampoo conditioner any more she saw the new hair growth. She also saw the hair loss and thinning of my head of hair. 2021. It has been a sad and upsetting process when I had a great head of hair before all of this in 2020.
Kobi
My son has used OGX shampoos and conditioners from 2015 to 2019. He has experienced extreme hair loss. In 2021 he went from a head full of curly thick hair to basically no hair. I have had to take him to a dermatologist for hair loss. Doctor has tried numerous treatments with no results. These visits and medications are very expensive. Please whatever you do stop using these products my son is only 21 and has become very self conscious about his appearance.. These products seem to have irreversible damage.
Jeanne
I have been experiencing intense itching on my scalp. For years I thought it was from coloring my hair. It would burn my scalp, because it was so irritated. I let my hair go gray. But it still itched. Stopped using hair products, but to no avail. I never even thought it could be the shampoo and conditioner. When I read on Facebook about this product being so bad, I immediately stopped using it. I was so surprised and greatful that the itching stopped. For years I endured this itching. They should be stopped from selling these products!
James
I have been having a rash with bumps in my head and neck went to doctor and he freezed places on my neck and head and gave me a prescription for ointment to be use every day. James Phillips
HARRY
Yes it made me break out. And loss of hair was most noticeable. Constant scratching!
HARRY
Used this product for years. Wondered why I lost hair mass and continued itching. Quit using after information was released of its improper composition. I had long and full head of hair. No way of getting it back! Please help.
Regina
I use the shampoo and conditioner and my hair has been falling out like crazy I thought I was just thinning due to my age been 64 but maybe that’s not the case maybe it is the shampoo I’m using. I’m going to stop using this product ,the shampoo was suppose to help I can’t afford any more hair loss maybe it will stop.
Pauline
This explains so much. My girls and I all use OGX and we are all losing our hair. My scalp has been burning and itching for a few weeks now, my girls haven’t said anything to me about burning or itching yet .
Dena
My daughter was using one of these products and lost so much hair that we had to purchase extensions due to her feeling self conscious. We thought we were buying the best for her.
Crystal
I’m so confused. This product was supposed to do the opposite of hair loss. This article mentions suave making you lose your hair as well. Another article I just read said TRESemme has a lawsuit as well for hair loss. Those are the only three friends I’ve used in years and yes I’ve been having severe hair loss. So every brand I’ve been using all three brands???? My hair stylist says she loved OGX and she wasn’t going to pay attention to this lawsuit because she’s used it for 5 years and my stylist hair is so thick you can’t get your hands through it. So I’m at a total loss as to where to go from here, I stock my cabinets and I have an entire shelf of OGX and suave and TRESemme. And my hair stylist has extremely thick hair and she’s used OGX from many years…. So who do I listen to and where do I go??
Peggi
My son and I used OGX shampoo only from 2013 to 2018. It was our favorite shampoo smell wise and I really thought I was buying the best, most natural product I could afford. My hair started thinning and at tymes my scalp would burn/itch. I am over 50 and just thought my hair was thinning and scalp problems were a cause of age. We stopped using OGX in 2018, not because I had any knowledge of the dangers, but because we could no longer find our favorite ones. My hair is considerably thinner than it was, tho my thinning has subsided greatly since stopping the use of OGX. Thank you and have a good day.
Carmen
I couldn’t figure out why I was losing so much hair every time I wash. My scalp is itchy and I have a couple of sores on my scalp that won’t go away.
Margaret
So worried, just read, only use this, but I do everyday, my hair loss is continual, Sometimes the front of my scalp feels like it’s burning
LaShawnta
Hello all im in the same situation as everyone else! I use OGX with Biotin Shampoo and conditioner which smells good! I wash my hair once a week and had no ideal that this product was causing hair loss! Im in my 50s so i was like maybe its just my hair thinning out! Recently i went in the hair store where i purchase this product but i was not picking up more! The store clerk asked me what shampoo i use i told her she said to stop using that immediately go home look it up so i did and this is what ive been reading!
Jessica
My 17 year old son had a head full of hair. He began using OXG texture spray about 7/8 months ago. He LOVED the product and used the whole can. He has recently over the past couple of months noticing an extreme amount of hair loss.
Lateefah
It’s the shampoo. So happy it’s everything you want when you first buy it the ingredients, texture, smell, even a cute little bottle. No my hair is gone and I need answers. I purchased this shampoo five ago, wash my hair two times a week. I had mid back hair length, now it’s mid ear length.
Katie
I used this product for about 5 weeks and was wondering why I was loosing more hair then normal when brushing, shampooing, and even just running my fingers through my hair. I even switched from the Keratin shampoo to the thickening shampoo and nothing helped, until my niece (who is a hairdresser) told me it was the shampoo I was using. I now have 5 unopened shampoo bottles and 5 unused conditioners, that I am not just out the money, but also a thick full head of hair…
Crystal
Anyone have the information regarding the suit? I’ve lost all my hair and had no idea these products were doing the total opposite of what they were supposed to do.
Deanna
I used the biotin/ collagen shampoo and conditioner and the first time my scalp was burning I started screaming for my daughter , and my hair was literally falling down my shoulders in the shower. I used a couple times more because I just didnt know what was going on. I quit using. I have a sack full of hair that fell out just after 5 uses. I had no idea there was a lawsuit. I had extremely thick hair now it is barely here.
Stacey
My hair was falling out so much had no idea it was from their shampoo and conditioner. I thought it was from old age. It’s such a shame because I loved their products. Hopefully now that I will be using different products my hair will get back to how it was.
Adma
I have been using this shampoo/ conditioner and i have notice that my hair is falling out alot.
Margarita
Hi ! Would you consider taking me as a client for the ogx lawsuit. I have been using this product. From 2012 to 2021 started with lightly hair shedding to heavy hair shedding to heavy hair chunks falling out right after use in shower an scalp burning an irritation. I have been trying to figure out what was causing my hair issue all these years . Now I know . Thank you for your time .
Michelle
My daughter and I both used the products. I also noticed thinning of my hair. My daughter brought it to my attention that others were having similar issues with their hair.
Pattie
how do i become part of the class action suit? i have been using these products as well and have had hair loss.
Karen
I began using OXG several years ago resulting in extreme hair loss. My hair was coming out by the handfuls and thinning to the point you could see my scalp in the front. I stopped using OXG when I began to hear about the problems with the product. My hair has begun to grow back but I’m concerned it will never be as thick as it was before using OXG.
Kimberly
I couldn’t understand how my hair went from thick and shiny to thin and flat and I noticed it started getting shorter and I didn’t understand why I had purchased all of the ogx products for my hair now I understand why my hair is getting shorter
Jeanne
I had thin hair but no balding areas and wanted to try in March 2021 OGX Biotin and /collagen shampoo and conditioner to “create the appearance of thicker, fuller healthier hair”. Even ‘lucked out to but the 50% more free large bottle. What a mistake! In April my hair has falling out like crazy when I combed my hair, my husband even noticed it and commented on the amount of hair everywhere that I was losing. I rationalized it must be my age or some unknown stress might be causing it and foolishly thought well, what hair I have left will at least be ‘thick and full’ It wasn’t until May I had saw online that there was a class action lawsuit against OGX for the use of DMDM hydantion in their hair product.. sure enough I looked at my bottles and there were those evil words printed on them under ingredients. Of course stopped using it immediately and within a month it had stopped falling out and slowly growing back in. I now check all ingredients on bottles before I buy them to make sure that harmful product is in NOTHING that I buy!
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