Unilever
Updated Aug 5, 2026
TRESemmé Shampoo Lawsuit Claims Ingredient Caused Hair Loss
A new lawsuit accuses Unilever of using a formaldehyde-releasing ingredient in TRESemmé shampoo and conditioner that allegedly caused hair loss, thinning, and s
Key facts
- Claim deadline
- TBD
- Potential payment
- Payment varies
- Proof requirement
- TBD
- Status
- Upcoming
Eligibility
Who may qualify?
Check the covered dates, products, locations, and other official terms before you file.
- You used TRESemmé shampoo and/or conditioner that contained the ingredient DMDM hydantoin.
- You suffered hair loss, thinning hair, or scalp irritation after using those products.(Note: These reflect what the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are claiming. Because there is no certified class or settlement yet, the page does not list official eligibility criteria for a claims process.)
Case overview
What this settlement is about
Unilever is facing a newly filed class action lawsuit over claims that its TRESemmé shampoo and conditioner products caused hair loss.
Lead plaintiff Tarrah Kinney and five others allege they experienced hair loss, thinning hair, and scalp irritation after using TRESemmé products containing DMDM hydantoin, an ingredient that releases formaldehyde. The products in question were marketed as smoothing, softening, shine-boosting formulas meant to fight frizz and tangles.
According to the lawsuit, Unilever was aware DMDM hydantoin could cause hair loss and scalp irritation but continued using it despite the availability of safer alternatives. The plaintiffs cite a 2012 lawsuit involving DMDM in Unilever's Suave Professionals smoothing kit, which led to a recall and settlement — yet Unilever kept using the ingredient in TRESemmé afterward. Unilever has since reformulated TRESemmé without DMDM, but the plaintiffs argue that change came only after they had already been harmed.
This case is a freshly filed lawsuit, not a settlement. No settlement fund, payout amounts, claim form, or deadlines currently exist. Since no settlement has been reached, there are no proof requirements or claim identification details to share at this time.
