Victoria’s Secret Class Action Lawsuits Filed Over Bra Rash and Scarring

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At least three lawsuits have been filed against Victoria’s Secret seeking class action status for women who have suffered severe rashes, scarring and other skin reactions after wearing defective bras that were contaminated with formaldehyde.

According to numerous media reports, Victoria’s Secret has confirmed that reports have been received from a women who experienced severe reactions after wearing their Angels Secret Embrace, Very Sexy Extreme Me Push-Up and other bras. However, the company has denied that there is anything defective about the undergarments.

The Victoria’s Secret bra lawsuits allege that the severe reactions were caused by the presence of the industrial chemical formaldehyde, which is classified as a probably human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and can cause allergic reactions in some people.

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The reported problems with the Victoria’s Secret bras have included the development of rashes, blisters, hives, welts and itching. In some severe cases, consumers have suffered permanent and disfiguring scarring to their breasts.

The first known Victoria’s Secret lawsuit over the contaminated bras was filed in May 2008 in Ohio, and at least two additional lawsuits have been filed recently in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The cases seek class action status to represent all individuals who wore the bras and suffered damages.

The Victoria’s Secret class action suits allege that consumers were not adequately warned about the presence of formaldehyde and the risk of allergic reactions. The cases also claim that Victoria’s Secret knew or should have known that the garments were defective, yet they have continued to sell the bras.

Victoria’s Secret has maintained that formaldehyde is not used during the manufacturing of their bras and undergarments.

Tags: Bra, Rash, Scarring, Victoria's Secret
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349 Comments

Ciara
Since I’ve started buying Victoria’s Secret rhinestone very sexy collection something has changed I’ve notice the newer rhinestone style (VS on the straps) has me so itchy compared to older rhinestone style and I thought it was just me until I washed them and had the same reaction I switched to the tshirt bra style hoping not to be itchy and Im still having this issue idk what’s going on with Victoria’s Secret but I see I’m not the only one dealing with this issue after reading comments on this thread! I would buy else where but in my opinion no other brand compares to VS
Laura
I purchased 2 bras from Victoria secret about a yr ago and within days the skin that was in direct contact with the bra developed a rash, became itchy, and started shedding, I gave them away and recently thought to myself it was probably a defective batch or something, I was wrong . I proceeded to buy another set of bras and same thing, it’s crazy to read I’m not the only one
Melissa
I purchased a Body by Victoria in 2008 right before this came out. Never before had I purchased a VS bra, so I was excited to have something that was better quality. Unfortunately, my very first VS experience was not good due to this issue with the formaldehyde in their bras, and I haven’t been back since. (This was in 2008 – 16 years ago.) It broke my entire body out in these really itchy and painful hives, from my head to my toes. It was all over my body. I removed things from my diet, then slowly added them back in. Nothing changed. Eventually, I went to the doctor to try to figure it out. I was given cream after cream, antibiotics, steroids, etc. Things that would ordinarily help. This went on for a while before I realized it was the bra. The only reason I even realized it was the bra was because I started to eliminate physical things that were new. I’d already eliminated foods because I didn’t think a BRA could do that to a woman’s body, but here we are. I’ve been scared to buy anything other than their lotions and perfumes because of this experience. It ruined a potential lifelong customer, and word of mouth being what it is, none of my friends or family members want to shop there either. I hope VS takes responsibility for their future issues. Telling women that they are wrong and don’t know what they’re talking about is not okay. Take responsibility.
Tanya
I received two bras for Christmas. I’ve never had a problem until now. Both bras are Body by Victoria. I started developing a rash. I got seriously nervous thinking I had Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Started researching more and found the VS bra issue withe formaldehyde. So not happy about this.
Zitka
While searching for allergies or ski rash Due to wearing Victoria Secrets bras, I found a lot of interesting information. I started to develop a horrible rash during the pandemic. I purchased some VS pink braziers and coincidentally my skin got itchy and irritated. I came to the conclusion it was due to the bras but was not sure. I stopped wearing them and gave them to my sister. That was back in 2021. I decided to switch to VS push up line and purchase another pair. Sure enough on New Year’s eve I wore a red bra, and next morning the horrible skin rash appeared again. I have taken Benadryl and Cortisone for the itch. Did not realize this was more common than expected.
Ariel
I have a terrible rash that burns and from the scratching it’s bleed and left scabs
carla
has anyone been diagnosed with breast cancer after wearing these bras?
Tabitha
I delt with a horrible rash in 2018. In 2019 when i moved I purchased all new undergarments (not VS) and my rashes went away, until 2022. I have since been dealing with the same horrible itchy rashes that bleed from the scratching. Nothing has been helping. And the only thing I changed was purchasing the T-shirt wireless bra from VS. I didn’t even realize, until I just saw this post on a lawsuit. Thank you for sharing all of your stories!
Naomi
I have a VS credit card and exclusively purchased sports bras from VS since 2011. I was an avid gym goer and have acne scars (like hard cysts) on 1 side of my back due to bras and sweat over the years that will now require treatment. I am self conscious about my back as I have 7-10 lumps on my back. I don’t know if the bras caused it but I sweat other places and don’t have any other cyst/bumps on my body only my back where the bra straps were.
Rachel
I never wore VS until a few years ago. Thought my breasts itching was a perimenopause thing. Have never had skin issues. Now my breasts from nipple outwards are so itchy at times I want to scratch them right off. I had been prescribed a medicated cream from my doctor to help but doesn’t go away. Just went away on vacation and wore different bras and all day swim suits and didn’t have an issue. Back home it starts again. I have washed my bras in skin sensitive laundry detergent separately from the rest of the laundry and still no change. Might throw them all out and start with fresh new bras from another company.
Tina
Omg… I’ve been dealing with a rash on my chest, back, and shoulders where the bra straps sit. It’s so severe that I’m now have scars from scratching!! The worst itch and pain I’ve ever experienced. Going to my dermatologist for the third time, and I’ll definitely be bringing up this VS bra situation! That’s all I wear!
Mary
I have battling rashes on my breasts for over 10 years. I’ve been wearing Victoria secret and PINK bras since I was old enough. I’ve recently gone to dermatologist primary care doctors and my ob doctor while I was pregnant and about to start nursing. I didn’t want what I had to affect my child. I was prescribed anti fungal and antibiotics. Changed all my laundry soaps and everything to get rid of this terrible rash that seemed to get worse while wearing bras. I can’t wear lotions or perfume anymore. My doctors don’t know exactly what is causing inflammation, itching and blotches all over my neck breast and sides. It’s ridiculous. I’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars on Victoria secret and knowing that they most likely have caused my discomfort for so many years makes me sick. Something needs to be done. I felt horrible not being able to nurse my child on certain sides due to medication and creams I’ve tried. I also had to stop wearing and throwing out all my bras . After how much money I have spent and the treatments and suffering something needs done.
Susan
I purchased 7 bras to try on and try to get my size right. I spent about an hour trying them on, fastening them in front, then twisting the clasp to the back. I didnt think anything of it. That night I had pain below my boob, right where my ribs are, I started have back pain. The next morning, the back and rib pain was so bad. When I looked in the mirror, I noticed several bright red bunching of blisters that hurt! There are several patches of bright red inflamed blisters all around my trunk, where I twisted the bra to the back. I called vs and reported it but in my research see this issue has been going on since 2008, at least? Why are they still being allowed to sell these bras. Mine were made in India. Idk what to do to lesson the pain and these raised blisters are scaring me, I’ve never had anything like this on my poor skin. Looks terrible. Very upsetting.
JEAN
Those affected with rashes can contact the Enterprise Resolution VSI Team at Victoria Secret. Yes, it seems they have a special ‘team’ to handle this problem. If you can prove your purchase and describe your rash / burning/itching they will refund your money or issue a credit if you push for it. I purchased 6 VS bras over a 9 month period in 2022. I seldom wore them initially. Then, when I started to wear them daily, I noticed the intense itching and finally a rash. Like so many, it took me awhile to realize the bras were the cause. I quit wearing them, and it has taken medication and several months for the rash / itching / redness to subside. I worry about side affects since the rash and itching lasted so long. I have kept the bras. They are bagged. I’d love to have them tested, but from what I understand it is very difficult to find chemicals in material. Considering this has occurred on and off for nearly 14 years there has to be something in the manufacturing materials they get from from some of their sources.
Sheila
Same here. These bras are so awful for my skin!!! Itchy, painful, poisonous!!!!! I thought something was wrong with me it took me a long time to figure out who is the actual bras that were causing this awfulness!
Yuri
I recently purchased 2 Victoria Secrets bras and experienced extreme itchiness on my breast after wearing them which lasted weeks. I stopped wearing them and the itchiness slowly went away. I didn’t wear them for about 1-2 months. I just recently wore one to an event this past Saturday and ended up with welted hives/rashes on my breast and itchiness again. I realized the common thing were the bras. I almost went to get diagnostic tests done thinking the worst case scenario.
Natalie
I found this googling why VS Bras give me a rash. I see I’m not the only one. I had a horrible rash years ago and couldn’t find out why. Painful itchy rash. Well I stopped wearing VS bras because I gained weight and just had other brands. Rash was gone. I didn’t think anything of it until I purchased a VS bra and wore it yesterday. Now my whole chest in inflamed and rash is starting. I hope this don’t last long.
Aimee
I’ve only worn VS bras for the last 20 years. I purchased 3 in late summer. All body by Victoria. They are white, pink, and black. I wore the pink one several times and then wore the black one to work, for the first time, a week and a half ago. At the end of the day I took the bra off and had extreme pain and some itching, but mostly pain. It was terrible over the next several days and is still somewhat itchy but finally is easing up.
Corinne
The same thing is happening to me. I’ve had rash under breast for over a month. Stopped using the bra and applying cream. Once rash started to disappear, I introduced bra again and the following day the rash was back with a fury. I now know for a fact this particular underwire bra is the reason for this rash.
Rosa
Bra rash
Brittany
Wow I got online to see if I was the only person that has had this problem far as me wearing these bras & rash under my breast on both
Deanna
Ive worn VS bras for last few years. I have nothing but those bras, ive had a rash break out on both breast, where the cups sit. The rash is all around my breast and its unbelievably itchy. Its like i can scratch my skin off its so bad. I seen this page b4 going to doc, as im out state, and ive used hydrocortisone cream. It is actually helping! BUT, I CAN NOT WEAR A BRA do to the sensitivity i have where rash is at. As much as these bras cost, its bs i cant wear em or have anything done. Not only is it affecting my skin, all $ spent is wasted! VS should have to pay for all bras & cost of having to find & buy new bras., Plus the cost of our stress of going thru all this!!! If needed medical attention, they should be paying that bill also! Im a small busted person with a small frame, its very hard to find bras that actually fit correctly! Now, im going to be struggling to find something to cover my boobs. This is just such bs! To everyone out there who has it worse, my prayers to you.
Ky
I too have been experiencing problems with a rash under my bra lines for several years, specifically around 2009, 2010,11,12ish and today have a lump in my left breast and also have stinging that happens at my bra line areas that my doctors can’t explain why. The only bras I wear are Victoria Secret and in an attempt to figure out the cause, I connected the dots that it must be something with the metal in the underwire.
Carol
I’ve had three Victoria Secret push up bras for a while now and one of them caused an oily liquid to ruin my blouse. How do I get my money back for the bras and the blouse?
April
I can’t believe this is happening to me! I am now having to doctors and surgeons.
Cathy
I have the same problem. It’s been really bad the last ten years and I have a drawer full that I cannot wear. It’s very painful.
Robin
I have only worn Victoria secret bras for over 20 years. 8-10 years ago I developed an allergic looking rash. Chest, stomach and back. Looked blotchy red hives. Covering a lot of my midsection. I tried everything. And this lasted about 3 years. I never associated it with my VS bras! Now, 2022 I have deep sharp pain under my left breast. Where the underwire hits my sternum. While the skin in that area feels numb. If it’s my VS bras, there will be no question about it. Because I only wear VS bras.
Sandra
My blouse had stains all over the front of it and my husband asked me if I had spilled something on myself. I hadn’t. I took off my blouse to change into another one and there was a greasy-like film all over my chest. I squeezed the bra itself and this creamy, slimy-like liquid came out. I am a breast cancer survivor and this is the last thing I would ever think I would have to worry about. I am furious that Victoria’s Secret could manufacture and sell a bra with this scary and possibly harmful defect. I want to know what this substance is and what Victoria’s Secret is doing about it.
Keri
I have been saying for years victor secret bras brake me out. I worked for them turds the end of 2006 in Redmond Washington. I got free bras there and bought them. I started to notice if I wore them for days start I would brake out where the straps were. I was 19 at the time. young and naive. With I new to be on the list for law suit. I would send so much money on products to help the brake out. Not to mention the mental part. Not wanting to wear a bathing suit in public because of the brake outs. Miss pool parties, lake days. exc….
Toya
This explains a lot!! I got some new VS bras this year for the first time in a long time and I couldn’t explain why I have a rash on both breasts… I thought I had breast cancer. Went for an exam, mammogram, and ultrasound… Glad I found this! Where do I sign up!?
Lisa
I can’t believe I just found this. YEP me too! I also have a weird tingling sensation around the band area. Where do we sign up for the class action law suit?
Jia
I wear this Victoria secret push up bra ( brand new- no wash). I had smooth cream like lotion all over my breast. At first I thought I put extra cream but after removing my bra when I squeezed the pad It leaves my hands greasy. Any comments?
Deana
I always liked their bras but I bought some recently and they caused blisters and a rash where to cup sits at. This is absolutely not okay and for the price of them? I’ll be throwing them away and going to soma
Ellen
I have worn Victoria Secret bras in the past with no issues. I bought a new one in April 2022. I developed what looks like hives/eczema on both breasts – very irritated and itchy. I thought it was a one-of situation due to perhaps wearing it in warm weather. The bra was washed prior to wearing it. I took about a 3 week break until my skin settled down. I washed the bra again and put it on. The very next morning I woke to welts/hives again. If this is a known issue due to formaldehyde, what is our recourse?
Kandace
Yes, I got this rash too! Slight itch, I though was due to yeast bras, washed all my braws in hot hot water and a week later wore the LB bras again, and a few hours later had intense itching! Like I wanted to scratch my skin off!! Now it’s puffy and red everywhere the bras touched even the strap line on my back! Hydrocortisone cream is the only thing helping! So glad these posts are here to make me realize it is the bras! Not my laundry soap! These bras are expensive! So annoying!
Mary
I purchased 2 bras from Victoria Secrets and wore only one. I developed an itchy, red rash all over both breast. I couldn’t stop itching and my breast were covered with what looked like ugly hives. I went to the doctor because it went on for days without any relief. He gave me a steroid injection and RX. Still no relief after weeks of thinking this irritating, itchy ugly rash would clear. I then went to a dermatologist. I had to get a biopsy, blood work, stool & urine sample and was given a prescription. Still nothing. After weeks it finally started to clear up. Maybe a month later I wore the bra again and broke out with the same freaking rash & symptoms and finally realized it was the bra! I google Victoria Secrets bra looking for solutions and discovered that I am not the only person affected by these bras! Please, please help!
Veronica
I have also experienced the rash to was so itchy and unbearable. My husband bought me several ones because because I got fitted at a vs store and found several cute ones in my Ddd size but after wearing them I began experiencing sever itching to the point that my nipple would bleed and under my arm pits a rash on the side began appearing: it was so uncomfortable I complained about tot to my husband I was scratching Myself like a dog and then I googled it and sure enough there’s a lawsuit around it. I was very dissapointed. Although they are sexy they are dangerous! I will never ever buy that or there underwear’s ever again!
LAWANDA
After wearing my Victoria Secret bras I developed blistering. As I am already a burn survivor I need not anymore scarring. For the pricing of the bras it should not cause body injury.
Nerissa
Heard someone spoke about getting rash after wearing VS product a few years ago, never thought anything of it, but now I can attest to it. Bought a pair of bra recently. Wore one and just for a partial day next day I started itching between my breast. So irritating.
Kimberly
I bought a Victoria’s Secret bra and decided to wear it. I did not have a rash before wearing it. Now I have an itchy rash after wearing it.
Crystal
I have many VS bra’s 2 of my favorites started getting stains around the nipple area. I thought I had BII or something and that my nipples were leaking. Come to find out it’s the inside of the bra. I have red dots all over my breast and when I get a little warm I get a weird rash on neck and chest. I still have the bras. I just googled vs fabulous bra inside-and this is first thing that came up.
Dawn
OMG seriously. I have been wearing Victoria secret bras since I’m in my early 20’s because I wanted my breasts to stay in place so when I’m now 51 they aren’t down to my belly I actually wear bras to bed. ( it does work) Well I have had red irritation and unusual marks. I also experience the bras cut me when the underwires break out I always thought that was a defect so many so much money and the bras break with metal underwire. It’s annoying and when it’s scraping and cutting your skin. Wow is there a separate action for defective products. I think a few years back Victoria secrets changed where the bras are made at least that’s what I think the quality abs true to fit has been a issue when I order on line. Is there a lawyer who is handling cuts from the bras underwire and this chemical issue ?
Dominique
I recently purchased a new bombshell bra and I’m experiencing hives only where the bra is . I first notice a cluster of bumps last week and they haven’t yet to go away . Now under my breast and around my back and sides I’ve developed swelling and a rash .I did not have this issue until I wore the bra .
Adelina M
Rash has developed on my both side of body. Traceable as bra image.
Carley
i have also experienced this rash. i bought a tshirt bra in february. i wore the bra a few times and didn’t notice any issue right away. i then developed a rash like the others here described, looked kind of like eczema, very uncomfortable. i took a break from the bra and waited for the rash to heal (about 3 weeks) and then tried the bra again, thinking it was too weird to be possible it was the cause, but the rash came back right away (the bra was washed prior to wearing again) . is there a lawsuit ongoing now about this, i see the original post was 2008… how is it possible that they are still making products with this issue in 2022?!?
Erika
I also got a rash from the VS lounge bras. I broke out on my breasts and down my stomach with an itchy rash that also left scars.
Melissa
I am currently experiencing the same symptoms with an itchy bumpy rash on both of my breasts worse on the right side. I have worn VS bras for over15 years now and have never ever had an issue. The problem bra was one I purchased for Christmas. I did purchase a few more, and I’m afraid to wear them! I hate to have to throw out the many I have as these bras are not cheap by any means. I also am having trouble healing up the rash as it won’t go away. Does any women in these comments affected by this itchy, bumpy rash issue have any suggestions on relief they have gotten?
Rache5
I have an issue with the VS BRAS I’ve been going to the doctor for the itchy rash and I would like to know why VS is still selling those bras even though they know they cause itchy allergic reactions in more then one case, place , I’m itchy all night If I don’t wash off what ever tht bra has on it .
Sharice
Its true.. I purchased 2 of these bras “Very Sexy push up” and I now have rashes. Look like I have eczema. ? I noticed it was the bra because it itches immediately on contact.
Valerie
I only wear Victoria Secret bras. I thought I was having heat rash problems, but the rash was getting worse. I have tons of red bumps on my entire tummy and some on my breasts, and some on my chest where the bras touch the skin. I wash my bras daily. I stop wearing them, the painful rash starts to go away. I have hundreds of dollars worth of bras from them that I am terrified to wear. Every time now when I wear one, the rash is worse. It is painful, but not itchy. I am upset.
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