Suave Keratin Infusion Settlement Reached in Hair Loss Lawsuits

Unilever has reportedly agreed to pay $10.2 million to settle a class action lawsuit filed by consumers over hair loss from Suave Keratin Infusion treatments.  

The settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit that was filed in August 2012, which sought to cover all individuals who purchased Suave Professionals Keratin 30 Day Smooth Kit. The agreement was announced on Friday in U.S. District Court in Illinois.

A number of other Suave Keratin Infusion lawsuits have also been filed, all involving allegations that Unilever knew or should have known about the potential damage to hair and scalp that users may face.

Women report having their hair fall out in clumps, break off, become discolored and suffering burned scalps after using the Suave Keratin infusion treatments.

Some of the lawsuits also claim that the manufacturer has engaged in deceptive advertising by claiming that the Keratin Infusion hair product was formaldehyde free, alleging that it contained a chemical that released formaldehyde when used. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen that is known to cause skin irritation and breathing problems.

The company removed the product from the market in March 2012, but some plaintiffs indicate that there should have been an official Suave smoothing kit recall, because many women suffered hair damage from products that were still on store shelves nationwide.

In a June 2012 enforcement report, the FDA determined that the company’s actions constituted a recall that affected more than 380,000 kits. The report notes that the recall came following “numerous consumer complaints.”

The settlement includes an agreement to use $10 million to create two separate settlement funds. One is a $250,000 reimbursement fund for those who purchased the kits and want their money back. The other is a $10 million injury fund for those who suffered hair loss and other damages.

Those who simply purchased a smoothing kit can receive a $10 refund from the reimbursement fund. The injury fund will pay $40 to those who had additional expenses for hair loss treatments after using the kit but do not have receipts. It will pay up to $800 for those who had medical or hair treatment expenses and still have their receipts, and up to $25,000 for those who suffered significant injury to their hair or scalp.

Up to 260,000 kits were sold, according to estimates.