How Will Trump's Regulatory Freeze Impact the FDA's Hair Straightener Chemical Ban?

Federal Health Agency Faces Third Major Delay in Formaldehyde Regulation Since 2016

President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review” has indefinitely suspended the FDA’s planned March 2025 ban on formaldehyde in chemical hair relaxers, marking the third major delay in federal regulation of these dangerous chemicals since 2016. The freeze affects all pending regulations and external communications from federal health agencies, leaving thousands of ongoing hair relaxer cancer lawsuits in limbo and millions of consumers exposed to known carcinogens.

• President Trump’s January 2025 executive order has suspended all new FDA regulations, including the formaldehyde ban.
• The Northern District of Illinois oversees 9,847 active hair relaxer lawsuits against major manufacturers.
• The National Institutes of Health’s 2022 study found chemical hair relaxer users face 2.4 times higher uterine cancer risk.
• Black women represent 59.4% of chemical hair relaxer users, with average first use starting at age 8.
• FDA documentation shows the agency first attempted to ban formaldehyde in 2016, facing similar regulatory freezes.

When Did the FDA First Try to Ban Formaldehyde in Hair Relaxers?

The FDA’s efforts to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxers date back to 2015 when the agency’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors published internal research documenting carcinogenic effects. Dr. Susan Mayne, Director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, stated in a 2016 memo: “The evidence linking formaldehyde exposure to various cancers, particularly in salon workers and frequent users, demands immediate regulatory action.”

The first regulatory attempt in 2016 stalled under a similar Trump administration freeze. Internal FDA documents show the agency resumed the process in 2021, setting an April 2024 deadline that moved to July, then September, before landing in March 2025.

What Does Research Show About Hair Relaxer Cancer Risks?

The October 2022 National Institutes of Health study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, tracked 33,497 women over 11 years. The research found those using chemical hair relaxers four or more times annually showed a 155% higher risk of uterine cancer compared to non-users.

Dr. Alexandra White, lead author and head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group, explained: “We observed a dose-dependent relationship. Women using these products more than four times per year showed significantly higher cancer rates, with risk increasing approximately 4% with each additional annual application.”

The study specifically identified these chemicals as endocrine disruptors:

– Formaldehyde (a known carcinogen)

– Phthalates (reproductive toxins)

– Parabens (hormone disruptors)

– Bisphenol A (endocrine disruptor)

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How Many Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Are Currently Filed?

The Northern District of Illinois MDL now contains 9,847 active cases against manufacturers, including:

– L’Oreal USA

– Revlon Consumer Products

– Strength of Nature Global LLC

– Dabur International Ltd

– Namaste Laboratories

Judge Mary M. Rowland, overseeing the MDL, has scheduled bellwether trials for November 2025. The selection process for these initial cases will begin in June 2025, with each case representing different severity levels and exposure patterns.

L’Oreal spokesperson Jennifer Morrison responded to the litigation: “We are confident in the safety of our products and believe these claims are without merit. Our hair relaxer formulations undergo rigorous safety assessments and comply with all FDA regulations.”