Unilever Suave Shampoo Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Formaldehyde Problems

Russell Maas

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A class action lawsuit have been filed over Unilever Suave shampoos and conditions, alleging the manufacturer falsely advertised its professional hair products as safe, while concealing information that Suave shampoos and conditions may contain formaldehyde, which is a known human carcinogen.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Deanna Lewakowski in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on June 18, seeking class action status to pursue damages on behalf of all consumers nationwide who purchased variations of Suave Professionals Shampoo and Conditioners, based on misleading and false benefits purportedly offered by the products, and without warning of being exposed to cancer causing ingredients.

The lawsuit involves Suave Professionals Shampoo and/or Conditioner products which contain the ingredient DMDM hydantoin.

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Lewakowski claims Unilever advertises its Suave products nationwide with false and misleading marketing and labeling claims ,indicating the products provide smoothing, repairing, or restoring benefits, and hails them as a superior product for preventing hair loss, compared to alternatives.

The plaintiff alleges Suave professional hair products are marketed as working “just as well as premium brands,” and asks consumers to “trust [they]’ve got the good stuff.”, when in fact, customers are unknowingly 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. 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.

Lewakowski’s lawsuit indicates that within two months of using the Suave products, her hair became dry, brittle and began breaking easily. Plaintiff also claims she suffered scalp irritation, yet when she stopped using the Suave products, the symptoms slowly dissipated.

The Suave shampoo and Conditioner class action lawsuit alleges Unilever knew, or should have known, DMDM hydantoin would cause thousands of consumers to experience hair loss and/or scalp irritation, yet concealed the information while marketing their “Professionals” line of products as superior.

The lawsuit further cites the United States National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have both recognized DMDM hydantoin as a known human carcinogen, yet the chemical has been used in Unilever products, including the Suave Products, for more than a decade.

Lewakowski presents claims of Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, state consumer fraud acts, fraud, and unjust enrichment.

The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of individuals who purchased one of the Suave Professional products and has either suffered, or will suffer economic losses in repairing and restoring damage caused by the products. The lawsuit also seeks punitive damages against Unilever for its alleged malice, motive and reckless disregard for consumer safety.

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 the Keratin Infusion hair product was formaldehyde free, even though it contained a chemical which released formaldehyde when used.

Tags: Chemicals, False Advertising, Formaldehyde, Hair Loss, Suave, Unilever

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62 Comments

Diara
I used suave shampoo hair products and my hair fell out
Angelica
Would it include Suave Professionals Slik Protein Infusion Shampoo & Conditioner, Sleek and Smooth
Tracy
I have used Suave with the keratin in it, and the conditioner. MY HAIR was middle of my back. Has broke at the shoulders. I have bald spot at my temples.
Eduardo
I used Suave deep clean product and noticed a lot of hair loss.Not only in my head but in my arms and legs too.
Sara
I just used the coconut oil infused conditioner 2 times and already have red spots on scalp with blisters and a ton of hair came out!
Marianne
I’ve been using suave collagen since March, I’ve been wondering why my hair is falling out and handfuls. The itch in my scalp is insane. I want to pull my hair out. I just read this about suave. They didn’t tell you the carcinogenic‘s well guess what I have metastatic melanoma. This is effed up
Jennifer
Ive been using suave for probably my life now. Ive noticed hair loss recently with no health issues. After talking with a friend ive learned this is all because of the ingredients and there is a law suit . How dare our country allow this in our products. No longer a user.
Julie
I’ve used Suave hair and dandruff products for a couple decades and I’ve experienced sebborheic dermatitis the entire time, so I’ve always had to use dandruff shampoo a few times a week along side it…related? I’m willing to bet. I’ve also used Tresemmé mousse for years, which is a different story. My hair has been drastically falling out for the past year or so. At first, I thought it was one of those cycles when you loose hair, then get regrowth, but it never grew back! It’s to the point that I barely have any left on the sides of my head and I have bald patches. My hair was always so long and thick that hair ties would break if I tried to wrap them around 3 times. I have less than 3/4 of hair left and it won’t grow past my shoulders. It’s devastating. Today, while reading up on reasons why I’m going bald, I found articles about the MMDA formaldehyde in Suave and Tresemme products. I remembered that I purchased a 3 piece gift set of Suave hair products off of Amazon in September of 2021. I liked it so much that when I found the conditioner at my local Dollar General store, I was so happy, and continued buying and using it. By January of 2022, I had significantly lost a lot of hair and talked to my PCP about it who finally sent me to a dermatologist, in October. Without getting to the “root” of the problem, he prescribed me finasteride, which scares me, since it’s actually a medicine for SHRINKING MALE PROSTATES…who knows the weird side affects of that medication on women (though they claim there are none). What can this about do about my hair loss? Will it grow back eventually or will it continue to get worse until my worst fear happens… Looking like Gollum from The Hobbit? Does formaldehyde cause permanent damage? I’m not a person to participate in lawsuits, but this is affecting my life. I have sensory issues and can’t tolerate wigs or anything else in my head! If the affects are permanent, I’m going to need hair implants, which I can’t afford on a single mother budget and a teacher’s salary…the reason I have to buy cheap hair products in the first place. The “poor” have so many disadvantages and are targets through false advertising. I have proof of purchase and also witnesses who I (ignorantly) recommended the products to since they made my hair soft and manageable and were affordable. The only reason I stopped using them (thank God) was because I started using other products that were designed for hair loss. Now, I’m going to stop using their deodorant! I wonder if the lumps found in my breasts this past year we’re caused by Suave products, as well. This is my punishment for being frugal! Damn cheap, nice smelling Suave products! Who knows what other health issues are caused by these chemicals. Is it affecting my brain and causing the worsening brain fog and ADHD symptoms I’ve experienced the past year or so, too??? Help! I know it seems that I’m taking it lightly, but I must use humor to diffuse a very serious issue that is having adverse affects on my life.
Maria
I have used suave products throughout my life. Today, i learned about issues with Suave products and decided to investigate on it. I have been dealing with hair loss throughout and currently I am receiving treatment with a dermatologist. Dealing with hair loss and thin hair.
Lajuana
Used suave has falling hair and patches
Kesha
I can’t believe this product is still marketed after this many complaints, this is horrible for us all and could’ve been avoided for us now if they had pulled this product line. It isn’t fair that I have to wear wigs and braids along with my kids because of this. I loved our natural hair but now it has fallen out so badly we can’t wear it out or can barely fit in a ponytail. This company should go out of business expeditiously
Kesha
I wish I could just take a photo and show you how my hair and my daughter’s hair looked last year compared to now after months of using this product. Our hair has been falling out by the handfuls, I hate I didn’t connect it to this product sooner. I have to rely on wigs and weaves when I love my natural hair.
Jacque
I used suave DAILY CLARIFING SHAMPOO about 3x a week. Since It states Daily. I thought it would be ok. For At Least a yr I have burning scalp and hair loss is getting worse all the time. I may have to cut my pretty curly hair short soon. Breaks my heart..and depressing as a women. Never made the connection till now. I pray it can be helped but afraid Permanent damage is done.
Rachael
I have had hair loss for a few years and I am just realizing now that it’s because of my shampoo. I have used the suave professionals 2 in 1 through the summer and the same of shampoo and conditioner for as long as I can remember. I never thought to look at the ingredients. This is all because of the product I truly believed was safe for me to use.
Angela
I have been using suave for sometime now because of the price point. I’ve been losing a lot of hair and have bald patches underneath, my head is itching to the point I have scabs. My scalp is also burning from when I sweat. I had no idea about this lawsuit until I started researching the ingredients , because I know whatever is wrong with my scalp is from this shampoo and conditioner. I have a whole shelf of this poison.
Kathleen
I have been using Suave Professionals 2 in 1 shampoo for several years. My hair began to become coarse and frizzy. I contributed it to becoming older, not thinking that it could be from the shampoo itself. My hair is normally long, straight, and thick, with my ponytail being the size of my thumb and forefinger placed together. I have always been complimented on my hair, and have considered it to be my best feature. Recently my hair has been falling out, some with breakage, but most from the scalp. I would estimate that I have lost approximately 1/3 of my hair. My ponytail is now only as big around as my thumb, and my scalp has become visible. I have been to several physicians, and have had lab work drawn to see if they could find contributing cause. Nothing has come up abnormal. I don’t consider myself a vain person, but I find myself very self conscious about it. I’m afraid to do much to my hair by way of curling or braiding, as I’m afraid to aggravate the situation; I find that I feel more comfortable wearing a hat. It never dawned on me until today that my Suave shampoo could be causing the change in texture and loss of hair. I only found out about the problems others were having because I recently went to buy another bottle at the store. I thought the store was out and started looking at other stores and couldn’t find any. I went online to maybe order some and found this article about the discontinuation of the product. I am so disappointed, and still don’t know what to do!
Melanie
I have used Suave Shampoo for years, as the priceline has been affordable. My hair looks ok, but I have suffered from burning on my scalp, particularly with perspiration. It never occured to me that the problem was the shampoo, as Suave rinses well. I wash my hair daily, so the frequent washing actually increased my exposure to the carcinogens now identified in the product.
Lesley
Hair loss I’ve used Suave Rosemary and mint shampoo for at least 10 years. My latest purchase was a couple of months ago and the Suave had a new style bottle. That’s when I started to lose hair. I figure I have lost over 1/2 of my hair. Big handfuls when I shampoo and so much more when I comb it after shampoo. FYI, I only comb my hair out after I shampoo. Other than that during the day it is in a braid. I have hair all over the house and clinging to my back. I have ALWAYS had healthy, THICK hair. I have such great hair I donated it about once every 3 years. One time 17″, next was 13″ and the third 15″. Even after those donations my hair was mid-back long. When cut off the “hair pony tail” was at least 2 in diameter. Now my scalp itches and there is a crusty spot at the top of my head. I’ve gone to my doctor and there is nothing in my blood work nor thyroid that indicates I should be losing my hair. This is horrifying. Trust no one!
Fernando
Used Suave Men Shampoo Daily Clean Ocean Charge, I didn’t why my hair was so brittle , dry, scalp inflamed , irritated, clumps of hair falling out in the shower, pillow case , all over …This product damaged my hair permanently this company need to be held accountable
Debra
Painful bumps and blisters. Terrible headaches.
Jeannie
I changed my shampoo to Suave wth Rosemary & mint & my hair started falling out..& my scalp itched soo bad..my hair just fell down my arms..covered my shirt..all day long..at night my hair covered the drain..I’d get a washcloth & pick it up & it was a handful of my hair..I was soo stressed from it & I also noticed my hair stopped growing..I cried sometimes..I tried to think it was my age or menopause..but after I changed to Herbal Essence..it seems a lot better..but now its left the front of my head..my hair is soo thin & u can see bald spots& my scalp is still irritated…So sad!
Debbie
I have scale irritation rash bleeding from itch using Suave Professionals Moroccan Oil Infusion Shampooand conditioner love it but it really has my scalp so damaged as of right now it’s bad
Crystal
I didn’t know the stuff was on my bra and I developed a bad reaction. It cause a serious rash. Almost a burn. I even have a picture
Tracy
I have used Suave Professionals Almond and Shea Butter for several years. I had no idea until a conversation with a coworker recently who told me that her and her daughter had experienced hair loss when they started using Suave Professionals shampoo and conditioner. I have tried several different things to stop the hair loss. Never did I imagine it was caused by the shampoo and conditioner.
Rebecca
– [ ] I have been using Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion for years now. I suffer from hair loss, frizzy & wiry hair, and seborrheic dermatitis. My hair was always very thick, soft and manageable before. As a woman, it used to be my favorite physical feature of mine. I was always receiving compliments- even from hair dressers. Now, I wear a hat every time I go out in public. I no longer feel attractive. These issues started years ago, around the time I switched to Suave. I’ve been to dermatologists, that have been unable to help me. I stuck with Suave because I believed it was helping to tame my increasingly thinning, unruly hair. It turns out it was most likely the cause, if not making it worse. Im very upset that a company I trusted has deceived me like this.
Craig
I have been using suave shampoo for a couple of years and had to stop being I realized it is causing me problems such as dry scalp the top of my head was almost completely numb and wouldn’t move horrible dandruff my ears kept filling up with wax or whatever it was everyday constantly blowing my nose skin on my face peeling feeling a pulse start beating in my head and when I read about problems other people had with with suave I stopped using it and about two weeks later everything is much better except hair loss I think it’s caused
Shawn
Suave shampoo made me go bald the don’t sale that kind anymore been using it for a long time do I have a case
Karla
I used suave shampoo for many years and prior to using it, I had long pretty thick growing hair. Not anymore, my cells are damaged beyond repair and I still suffer from permanent scalp damage and irritation with lots of hair thinning and stunt growth.
Debra
My children and I have used Suave products for 20 years and never put the connection together. I feel foolish, I still have bottles of the stuff in my home. I had no idea that something that says it’s safe is anything but. My ex husband has bald spots on his head and I’ve had excessive itching and dry hair breaking off. My son has had allergies terrible and was tested for all possible reasons from dogs, cats and everything under the sun but they found we weren’t allergic to any of them. I’d like to added to this list please.
Dorrine
I started using Suave again after years of not using it. And my hair is falling out as we speak. Good thing I googled about this before heading to a doctor tomorrow. I thought it was me. This is very upsetting to know this is being sold in stores and they are having no responsibility on this product.
Christopher
I used the suave three-in-one shampoo and I broke out in a skin rash and skin allergy that literally made my throat close and i almost died and I had to be on antihistamines for more than a week. I’m still suffering from it even now. My mom gave me the shampoo as a present not knowing the dangers that ensued.
Chris
I went through months of torture before I finally figured out that I wasn’t going crazy. I was using this shampoo. It turns out this shampoo was causing major allergic reactions to my skin which felt like tiny bugs crawling on and landing on my skin and eyelids. It was driving my insane for months. I went through mold removal, doctor’s visits, insect trapping/removal all trying to figure out what was causing this sensation on my skin. Finally after seeing a dermatologist who mentioned to check my soap I realized I started using this Suave shampoo not long before I started having these symptoms. I did a search and found this lawsuit about the shampoo I was using and sure enough..once I quit using it the skin sensations stopped and haven’t returned. This is infuriating.
Dallas
This is crazy I’ve only used it a few times and I have had LITERAL bundles fall out in the shower and out of the shower I’m so upset because I’ve been trying to find something healthy to make my hair better now I barley have a ponytail 🥺
L
I am relieved to finally know what is wrong with my hair, I have been spending time and money on this issue not know it was something that was sold to be safe for my hair and skin. I am upset at this.
Melanie
I began using suave professionals after the shampoo I had used for years was discontinued. My first Suave purchase was the shampoo for color treated hair with Keratin in it. After using my scalp was on fire and I broke out in hives on my head, neck and down my back. My face also swelled so I discontinued after two uses, when I made the connection. I then purchased the Suave Tea Tree Oil and Hemp Oil shampoo since both of these ingredients are super healthy. I used this shampoo for months, (only have 1/4 of bottle left). I noticed my hair was falling out more than usual, it would get extremely oily overnight and I started getting small sores on my scalp but didn’t make a connection. My hairdresser was the first to ask if I had done something to my hair, used anything different. I see her monthly so she was puzzled and said my hair had thinned a little. I had bought another Suave shampoo, the Rosemary and Mint bottle. So I switched to it. Used it for a couple of weeks. Noticed each night my scalp was itchy and would burn later in the night while I was asleep. Each night of using this product the problems worsened, the small sores increased and the hair coming out had increased. My husband walked by me while I was sitting down and said something about being able to see my scalp and then another day my son said something about me going bald on top. That’s when I put it together that something was terribly wrong. I quit using all Suave products immediately. I have/had long thick wavy hair but never look at the top so I did. Sure enough you can see my scalp plainly. The top of my head is now balding. I have never had anything but thick luscious hair all my life. I guess this has happened gradually and I just didn’t make the connection until it was too late. I researched the products online and that’s when I discovered I’m not the only one with this issue and to find out this is permanent has left me extremely concerned and devastated. Not sure why any company would allow ingredients in their product that could potentially hurt people let alone market it as healthy ingredients for people who are into herbal/healthy products. I still have the products in my possession. I have started using an old shampoo (Prell) now. I no longer have any issues. Thank goodness the burning has stopped and I only hope my hair will regrow. I’m not sure how to file paperwork into a class action lawsuit but I definitely want to be a part of it. This is so wrong and so many levels.
Alice
I began using suave professionals a good while back and my hair fell out over the period of time I was using it. I did not make the connection until a third of my hair was missing. It was huge loss of hair as I had very thick (lots of strands of hair). It came out in handfuls in the shower and I thought I had a medical condition. After I began to suspect the shampoo and conditioner I stopped using and gradually my hair stopped coming out. My hair did not grow back and now is thin compared to my very thick head of hair. I tried to leave a review at the store where I bought it but they wouldn’t allow my review on their website. I do have the bottles of shampoo and conditioner here and I bought it online so there should be some sort of receipt I could access. I am very self-conscious of my thin hair. I feel sure it was the product. It began with using it and stop when I stopped using it. My hair though has never grown back in.
Mia
The dangers and damage that suave shampoo causes is permanent, I quit using it a while ago and I still have a bright red, burning itching scalp and hair is still falling out in clumps, I called suave and they really could care less!
Landon
I’ve been using suave shampoo for around 5 years and never heard or realized any of these problems, until I used a different brand for 6 months, then I went back to suave and in the first week I started noticing my rash coming back. 5 years ago I started getting bad skin lesions on my scalp and back, so I started looking into suave shampoo and found other people having skin issues as well. I’m never using suave again
Audrey
I have been using suave the last few months the green bottles. My hair is now falling out as well.. I am freaking out. I stopped using it now. I hope my hair stops falling out. I have bald spots and in the back my hair is falling out a lot. I had thick hair and now it is so thin.. 🙁 I can not believe this is even on the shelves..I am in tears every day..
Ashley
Like everyone had commented, I as well lost hair with the suave keratin shampoo & conditioner. After doing some reading, supposedly the ingredients had changed and no longer would cause hair lost. However purchased December 2021, used 3 times only, and had scalp irritation, and hair fell out way too easy! If you’ve ever had postpartum hair lost and know that feeling of sensitive yet painful scalp then it’s the exact same feeling!
V
Ive used Suave for about 10 years on and off. Everytime i use it i have either a rash on my back and more recently my face swells up as well.
Sylvia
I used Suave a few days ago for the first time and my hair fell out in my hands..I lost a good hand full of wet hair..I was shocked..I had always taken care of my hair and it was down past my waist..I now have bald spots to cover..I have pictures of Thanksgiving day and also pictures of my hair after it fell out..I have never colored my hair either.
Tyson
I used Suave shampoo one time and my hair dissolved in my hands as I lathered it in. Won’t be making that mistake again!
William
I had a bottle of suave ..burn a hole in the bottle sitting on a shelve leak onto my arm..while showeing …leaving a chemical burn on my left arm…sending me to the hospital…..
Kathleen
I have been using Suave Professional Moroccan Infusion almost exclusively for years now. I have noticed a lot more hair in my drain every day, as well as hair everywhere I go, in the kitchen on my stovetop, on my clothes, etc. I assumed it was just part of getting old, but my scalp itches constantly also. Thankfully I have not noticed bald spots, yet. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, but now I don’t know what reasonably priced shampoo and conditioner to buy. Arghhh! 🙁
Julie
I started using Suave shampoo and conditioner about 3 months back and now I suffer from severe alopecia. I’m glad I googled it up. I have to throw out the rest of the shampoo. I hope something come as out of this lawsuit. How can they do this? Walmart is still stocking it on their shelves.
gema
I started to us it about 2/3 months and I have lost so much so hair that I have bold spot, I also notice my scalp is red and Irritated. I need to know if it’s going to grown back?
Kim
I can’t believe this is my 1st time hearing of this. I just started using suave naturals Shea butter and almond shampoo and conditioner 2 months ago and my hair is falling out by the handful several times a day my hair has always been extremely thick. It’s healthy no chemical or color treatment for I’ve 2 years now rarely use heat or styling products. And it’s thinned so much in the last 2 weeks that people are beginning to notice and my scalp hurts, burns my face my ears all burn. Irritated and red. I’m so upset!!!
Armani
I’ve used the shampoo twice and my scalp burns like crazy and major shedding my pillow is full of hair. It’s more than daily shedding. It has thinned my super thick hair out. And I some got on face while rinsing it and that burns and is now dry and super irritated. I can’t touch my face or scalp without pain.
Pat
My hairdresser washed my hair with Suave Instead of her usual shampoo yesterday. By morning my scalp was burning and it hurts to touch my hair. My forward and side of my face Have red whelps that are very sore. Thought the shampoo had ingredients that might have caused this. She read ingredients to me over the phone but neither of us recognized any of the words. I decided to Google for information and found problems and law suits and people loosing their hair. I very concerned and upset.
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