Hairstylist With Cancer Sues Professional Color Brands For Hiding Info

Hairstylist With Cancer Sues Professional Color Brands For Hiding Info

Hair Dye, Cancer, and the Lawsuit Brands Don’t Want Stylists to See

What the Science Really Says About Hair Dye and Cancer

For a link the what was actually filed in court, CLICK HERE

For a deeper dive and links to all my sources, click HERE

  • Hairdressers with 10+ years of exposure have up to 2x the risk of bladder cancer.

  • Aromatic amines like PPD, 4-ABP, and o-toluidine are the known culprits.

  • Many of these chemicals are banned in the EU—but still in U.S. salon products.

Bladder cancer isn’t just a fluke diagnosis anymore—it’s showing up in seasoned pros who’ve worked around permanent color for decades. These aren’t vague claims. Multiple studies—and the World Health Organization’s IARC—classify occupational hairdressing exposure as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”

We’re not talking about box dye at home. We’re talking about daily, chronic exposure to fumes and skin absorption of harsh chemical dyes inside salons. Especially darker shades. Especially permanent color lines.

The Lawsuits Are Here—and They’re Just Getting Started

In 2024, Hector Corvera, a stylist with 40+ years behind the chair, filed a lawsuit against:

  • L’Oréal USA

  • Redken

  • Wella Professionals

  • Clairol

  • Matrix

  • Joico

  • John Paul Mitchell Systems

  • All-Nutrient

  • Henkel Corporation

  • Procter & Gamble

Why? Bladder cancer. His legal team alleges these brands used and sold cancer-causing chemicals in their dyes without properly warning stylists.

“This is not about potential risk—this is about known carcinogens.” — Allen Smith, lead attorney

And Corvera’s case is just the beginning. Legal firms are now recruiting other stylists diagnosed with cancer after years of exposure to professional hair dyes. Class actions are on the table.

Which Professional Color Brands Are Owned by Who?

Here’s how the ownership breaks down:

Henkel owns:

  • Schwarzkopf Professional

  • Pravana

  • Joico

  • Kenra

  • Sexy Hair

  • Zotos

  • #mydentity

Wella Company (previously P&G):

  • Wella Professionals

  • Clairol Professional

  • Nioxin

L’Oréal owns:

  • Redken

  • Matrix

  • Shades EQ

  • Pulp Riot

These are the biggest names in pro color. This isn’t fringe. These are the lines stylists use daily.

Ventilation Is Non-Negotiable—Here’s How to Protect Yourself

You wouldn’t work next to a gas leak. So why are stylists working in poorly ventilated rooms full of chemical fumes?

Poor ventilation = chronic chemical exposure. Every day.

How to Know Your Salon Isn’t Safe:

  • You feel dizzy or foggy after color clients.

  • You can smell ammonia, bleach, or “fumes” constantly.

  • You have more headaches, fatigue, or skin flare-ups during long color days.

What You Can Do:

  • Use carbon-filter air purifiers (HEPA alone isn’t enough).

  • Install exhaust fans near color mixing areas.

  • Crack a window and run a fan across the room (not just in circles).

  • If you’re in a suite: add a door fan, small filter unit, or switch to less toxic services.

And this is big:

If your salon doesn’t care about ventilation—you have full permission to leave. No guilt. No explanation. Your lungs are not disposable.

Safety Checklist for Stylists Using Hair Color

✅ Use nitrile gloves (not latex)
✅ Wear a mask when mixing or applying
✅ Choose low-PPD, ammonia-free, or demi-permanent dyes
✅ Use an air purifier with carbon filtration
✅ Never mix color near where you eat or drink
✅ Always read SDS sheets before using any product
✅ Keep the salon well-ventilated every single day
✅ If you’ve had bladder or breast cancer—consult a lawyer


Why You Haven’t Heard About This Until Now

Because the people you follow probably can’t legally talk about it.

Influencers and educators are often under contracts or NDAs. Trade magazines & Popular Websites depend on the financial support by the same companies being sued.

They’ll show you a sponsored toner formula. They won’t show you a cancer risk breakdown.

That silence? It’s not accidental. 

 

Final Word for Stylists Who Deserve to Know the Truth

 

You’ve been breathing it. Touching it. Absorbing it. Every. Single. Day.

If you’ve spent years behind the chair, it’s not “paranoia” to protect yourself—it’s smart.

You need to get informed. You don’t need to panic. You need to take action. You don’t need permission. You need protection.

xoxox-

Jen

 

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