Mielle Hair Oil Lawsuit Alleges Ingredients May Cause Hair Loss

Massachusetts woman claims manufacturer knew or should have known Mielle Hair Oil causes hair loss among some users, but failed to disclose the risk.

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Mielle Hair Oil manufacturers, alleging that the companies’ products do not work as intended and in some instances may actually cause customers’ hair to fall out.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Strengthening Hair Oil is marketed as a cosmetic product that is beneficial for hair growth, by strengthening hair strands and nourishing the scalp. However, a Massachusetts woman claims that the manufacturers knew or should have known that ingredients in Mielle Hair Oil causes hair loss for some users, yet failed to adequately disclose the risk.

In a complaint (PDF) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 21, Georgina Gomes seeks damages from Mielle Organics and Procter & Gamble on behalf of herself and other individuals who purchased the products, indicating that no consumers would have agreed to pay any amount of money for the hair oil if they knew its ingredients may cause their hair to fall out.

Gomes claims that she bought Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Strengthening Hair Oil in her home state of Massachusetts for personal use, and that she trusted the products’ marketing, which claimed that the product was designed to strengthen users’ hair.

However, after using the product, Gomes discovered that Mielle Hair Oil did not in fact strengthen her hair and actually caused her hair to fall out.

“Defendants knew or should have known that the Product contained ingredients that would cause hair loss or carried a risk that the Product would cause hair loss, but continued to manufacture, distribute, and sell it nonetheless,” the complaint states.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Strengthening Hair Oil is advertised for daily use, and widely sold in 2 ounce bottles for $10 or less.

Gomes is seeking class action status for herself and others similarly situated who purchased the product, with subclasses for residents of certain states. She is presenting claims of fraud and unjust enrichment, while asking for compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages, as well as restitution, equitable relief and injunctive relief.