close-up of hair relaxer product being applied to woman’s hair
LaQuana Johnson, a cosmetologist and owner of Elite Hair Therapy LLC, applies Affirm hair relaxer on her client's hair at Elite Hair Therapy in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2023. Pat Nabong / Chicago Sun-Times
close-up of hair relaxer product being applied to woman’s hair

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Thousands of Black women sue over hair relaxers linked to cancer

Studies show that women who regularly used the products had a higher risk of developing some cancers. The industry says they’re safe.

LaQuana Johnson, a cosmetologist and owner of Elite Hair Therapy LLC, applies Affirm hair relaxer on her client's hair at Elite Hair Therapy in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2023. Pat Nabong / Chicago Sun-Times
By Brenda Ruiz, Meha Ahmad

Nine out of 10 Black women have used hair relaxing chemicals to straighten their thick curls. But lawsuits have been piling up in state and federal courts across the country for years claiming chemicals in hair relaxers are causing cancer.

Reset learns more about an investigation by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.

GUESTS: Natalie Moore, Race, Class and Communities editor, WBEZ

Andy Grimm, Chicago Sun-Times reporter

Traccye Love, former Oak Park cop

More From

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

close-up of hair relaxer product being applied to woman’s hair
LaQuana Johnson, a cosmetologist and owner of Elite Hair Therapy LLC, applies Affirm hair relaxer on her client's hair at Elite Hair Therapy in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2023. Pat Nabong / Chicago Sun-Times
close-up of hair relaxer product being applied to woman’s hair

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

Thousands of Black women sue over hair relaxers linked to cancer

Studies show that women who regularly used the products had a higher risk of developing some cancers. The industry says they’re safe.

LaQuana Johnson, a cosmetologist and owner of Elite Hair Therapy LLC, applies Affirm hair relaxer on her client's hair at Elite Hair Therapy in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2023. Pat Nabong / Chicago Sun-Times
By Brenda Ruiz, Meha Ahmad

Nine out of 10 Black women have used hair relaxing chemicals to straighten their thick curls. But lawsuits have been piling up in state and federal courts across the country for years claiming chemicals in hair relaxers are causing cancer.

Reset learns more about an investigation by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times.

GUESTS: Natalie Moore, Race, Class and Communities editor, WBEZ

Andy Grimm, Chicago Sun-Times reporter

Traccye Love, former Oak Park cop

More From

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons