Just 5 Hair Dye Lawsuit Claims Use of Product Resulted in Severe Scalp Reaction

Lawsuit alleges the woman followed instructions by performing a patch test beforehand, which showed no reaction and led her to believe the product was safe to use.

A New York woman has filed a product liability lawsuit alleging that Just 5 Hair Dye caused a severe dermatologic reaction, which included lesions, abscesses and hair loss.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Karen Sow in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas last month, naming Combe Incorporated, Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy LLC, doing business as CVS Pharmacy, and an unidentified corporation involved in the manufacturing and distribution of Just 5 Hair Dye as defendants.

Just 5 Hair Dye is a coloring product manufactured by Combe Incorporated and marketed as a gradual, easy-to-use solution for blending away gray hair. The product is designed to work in about five minutes and is sold over the counter at major retailers and pharmacies, including CVS. 

Similar to other oxidative hair dyes, it relies on chemical coloring agents that react during application to darken the hair. The product also includes instructions directing users to perform a preliminary skin patch test, which is intended to identify potential allergic reactions before applying the dye more broadly.

Hair Dye Bladder Cancer Risks

Although hair dye products are widely used by consumers, research published in recent years has raised concerns about the potential cancer risks linked to repeated exposure to certain hair dye chemicals, particularly among individuals who work with these products regularly.

Multiple epidemiological studies have found that hairdressers and salon workers face an elevated risk of bladder cancer compared to the general population. A large meta analysis reviewing dozens of occupational studies found bladder cancer risks among hairdressers were about 30% higher overall, with the risk rising to roughly 70% higher among individuals who worked in the profession for 10 years or more.

Researchers believe the increased risk may be tied to repeated exposure to certain aromatic amines and other chemical compounds historically used in permanent hair dyes. These substances can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled during application, creating cumulative exposure over many years of salon work.

As a result, a growing number of cosmetologists and professional hair stylists have filed hair dye bladder cancer lawsuits alleging that long term occupational exposure to chemicals in hair coloring products caused them to develop bladder cancer after years of working in salons.

Just 5 Hair Dye Skin Reaction

In her lawsuit, Sow claims she purchased Just 5 Hair Dye from a CVS store on Walnut Street in Philadelphia and applied the product to her scalp on February 5, 2024.

According to the complaint, Sow followed the product instructions by conducting a patch test beforehand and experienced no reaction on her arm, which led her to believe the dye was safe to use.

However, after applying the hair dye to her scalp, Sow alleges she developed severe injuries, including chemical burns, skin lesions, abscesses and significant hair loss.

As a result, the lawsuit contends that Just 5 Hair Dye was defectively designed and manufactured, and that the warnings provided with the product failed to adequately alert consumers to the risk of serious dermatologic reactions.

The complaint further alleges the product was placed into the stream of commerce in a defective and unreasonably dangerous condition and failed to warn users about known or knowable risks, including the potential for severe skin reactions, infections and hair loss.

“At all times material hereto, Defendant Combe Incorporated placed the subject Just Five product into the stream of commerce in a defective condition, unreasonably dangerous for it’s intended and foreseeable use, without substantial change in the condition in which it was sold.”

— Karen Sow v. Combe Incorporated et al

Sow raises allegations of negligence, strict products liability/manufacturing and design defect, and breach of warranty. She is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 for her alleged injuries, which she claims include permanent harm, ongoing pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.

Hair Dye Cancer Lawsuits

Beyond cases involving acute skin injuries, attorneys are also continuing to investigate lawsuits over long-term health risks associated with repeated exposure to hair dye chemicals.

Hair dye bladder cancer lawyers are reviewing claims for individuals who were routinely exposed to chemicals in permanent hair dyes while working in salons or other professional settings, particularly among professionals such as:

• Hairdressers
• Cosmetologists
• Hair stylists
• Hair colorists
• Hair technicians
• Other salon professionals who regularly handled hair dye products

Individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer after years of occupational exposure to permanent hair dye chemicals may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.

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