TRESemmé Hair Loss Lawsuit Claims Conditioner Caused Severe Shedding

Lawsuit alleges woman’s hair began falling out in clumps while using TRESemmé conditioners, but shedding stopped after discontinuing products.

An Alabama woman has filed a product liability lawsuit against Unilever, alleging the company continued selling TRESemmé conditioners containing a potentially harmful preservative despite years of consumer complaints about hair loss and scalp irritation.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Carliss Eaton in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey on October 19, naming Conopco Inc., doing business as Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, as the sole defendant.

Eaton claims Unilever formulated its TRESemmé conditioner with DMDM hydantoin, an ingredient linked to hair loss, scalp irritation and other side effects.

DMDM Hydantoin Hair Care Risks

DMDM hydantoin is a preservative used in some personal care products that releases small amounts of formaldehyde, a chemical classified as a known human carcinogen. The preservative can also trigger allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, which may contribute to scalp irritation, hair shedding and thinning.

Earlier this year, six consumers filed a hair loss lawsuit against Unilever, alleging that TRESemmé products caused excessive shedding, thinning hair and allergic reactions.

A similar lawsuit filed in 2023 claimed that Unilever continued using DMDM hydantoin in TRESemmé products despite knowing about the potential risks. The company previously faced claims involving its Suave hair care products, resulting in a $10.2 million settlement and the removal of DMDM hydantoin from the affected product line.

TRESemmé Hair Loss Allegations

According to the complaint, Eaton used TRESemmé Moisture Rich Conditioner, which she alleges contained DMDM hydantoin, and TRESemmé Smooth & Silky Conditioner. She claims she subsequently developed scalp irritation and progressively worsening hair loss, leaving noticeable thinning on the top of her head.

Eaton alleges her hair eventually began falling out in clumps, but the shedding stopped after she learned about the alleged connection between TRESemmé products and hair loss and discontinued using them.

The lawsuit alleges Unilever deceptively marketed TRESemmé products as gentle, nourishing treatments capable of repairing hair and improving its softness and shine, without adequately warning consumers about the alleged risks.

Eaton claims Unilever knew about consumer complaints involving hair loss and scalp irritation for more than a decade but continued using DMDM hydantoin despite the availability of safer alternatives. She maintains the company prioritized profits over consumer safety by failing to reformulate the products or provide adequate warnings.

The filing also claims Unilever had already removed DMDM hydantoin from some products before Eaton was injured and subsequently eliminated the preservative from its personal care products, replacing it with an alternative ingredient.

“Defendant knew or should have known about the consumer complaints because, upon information and belief, Defendant either received the complaints directly or regularly monitored online retailers and other online and social media sources where consumers were complaining about the products’ harmful effects to their hair and scalp, including that the products cause hair loss.”

— Carliss Eaton v. Conopco Inc.

The complaint raises allegations of manufacturing defect, design defect, failure to provide adequate warning and negligence. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages for physical injury, pain and suffering, and future pain and suffering.

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