Olaplex was designed in a California garage, but now boasts of being one of the largest independent hair care brands in the world. The brand went public in 2021, and was initially valued at $15 billion.
Despite its success, Olaplex has faced significant legal challenges. A lawsuit has alleged that the products don’t provide the promised results, and actually include ingredients that are damaging and dangerous. We cover how the Olaplex lawsuit started, where things stand now, and what you can do if Olaplex products have caused you harm.
Curious about other health-related lawsuits? See Ozempic lawsuit
Why Is There a Lawsuit Against Olaplex?
Olaplex rose to popularity based on its claims of restoring hair health and promoting better hair quality that is safe for all hair. However, some customers began experiencing hair damage and hair loss after using Olaplex products.
This led to the first product liability litigation against Olaplex, which was filed in 2023. The original lawsuit complaint named 28 plaintiffs who alleged that they had suffered personal injuries from using Olaplex products. Injuries included hair loss and scalp irritation, as well as leaving hair dry, brittle, frizzy, and dull.
The lawsuit also claimed that Olaplex used deceptive marketing practices to sell their products by failing to disclose or acknowledge potentially damaging ingredients. For example, plaintiffs pointed to the combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid in some products. When combined, those ingredients can create benzene, which is a known carcinogen. Olaplex did not acknowledge a danger to consumers or recall its products with this ingredient combination.
Many additional plaintiffs joined the lawsuit after it was filed, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to over 100.
Which Olaplex Products Are Included in the Lawsuit?
The lawsuit involves Olaplex shampoo and other hair treatments, including:
- Olaplex No. 0
- Olaplex No. 1
- Olaplex No. 2
- Olaplex No. 3
- Olaplex No. 4
- Olaplex No. 5
- Olaplex No. 6
- Olaplex No. 7
- Olaplex No. 8
- Olaplex No. 9
Types of Olaplex Claims
The lawsuit alleged Olaplex created several defective products. The lawsuit pursued allegations against a range of Olaplex products, but not every plaintiff experienced the same effects or used the same products. The negative effects were alleged to be the result of product defects, and exacerbated by Olaplex marketing that hid the damage potential.
Lilial Exposure
The Olaplex lawsuit alleged that lilial is a known allergen that can lead to scalp irritation and hair loss. It also alleged that the company failed to warn consumers of fertility risks from using Olaplex No. 3.
In 2020, the European Union required lilial to be removed from cosmetics by March 2022. The chemical was found to be a risk to fertility and reproduction based on animal studies. Lilial is not banned in the U.S., but Olaplex stopped selling products including the chemical in 2022. However, they did not warn consumers of the chemical or stop selling products with the ingredient before 2022.
Benzene Exposure
Several Olaplex products contain sodium benzoate and either ascorbic acid or citric acid. According to the Olaplex lawsuit, this combination can result in benzene creation. Benzene is a carcinogen that is generally not used in the beauty industry due to its cancer-causing potential.
Hair Loss and Damage
The Olaplex lawsuit alleged that Olaplex causes hair loss. The complaint laid out several ingredients in Olaplex products that caused damage to consumers’ scalps and hair follicles. This damage in turn led to inflammation and hair loss. Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that Olaplex products contain known irritants and rely on plasticizing agents that damage and weaken hair. This was in contradiction to Olaplex marketing, which claims that their products repair and strengthen damaged hair.
Olaplex Lawsuit 2024 Update
In July 2023, the District Judge hearing the Olaplex lawsuit denied the request to classify the lawsuit as a class action lawsuit. The judge found that there was too much variation in the facts and injury types alleged to consider the case as a class action. The judge then dismissed all of the claims except for the first named plaintiff. That plaintiff voluntarily dismissed her case a few weeks later.
While that lawsuit did not result in a favorable outcome for the plaintiffs, it is likely that Olaplex will continue to face legal claims over their product’s effects and marketing.
How To Join a Olaplex Lawsuit
The first Olaplex lawsuit is no longer ongoing. However, it is still possible to bring a new claim if you have experienced damage to your hair or scalp after using an Olaplex product. Plaintiff’s lawyers are also taking on new clients who have been misled by Olaplex marketing. A class action claim could be filed if a group of consumers is found with similar injuries from the same Olaplex product.
If you have been injured by an Olaplex product, a product liability attorney can help evaluate your claim. They may be able to pursue a lawsuit for you as an individual, or start the process to form a class action claim.
Fill out the form on this page for a free case evaluation.
