DevaCurl Lawsuit: Hair Loss, Scalp Damage & Product Liability Claims

What Users Reported and What the Lawsuit Alleged

Beginning in 2019, thousands of DevaCurl users -- primarily individuals with curly, coily, and wavy hair who relied on DevaCurl as a specialized product line -- began reporting severe and unexpected hair loss, scalp inflammation, chemical burns, and in some cases permanent hair and scalp damage following use of DevaCurl's product line. The reports were sufficiently consistent and numerous that they attracted significant attention on social media, in beauty publications, and from consumer safety advocates.

Class action lawsuits filed in 2020 alleged that DevaCurl's product formulations were defective -- that ingredients in the products, or changes to ingredients during reformulation, caused the documented pattern of injuries. The complaints alleged product liability (design and manufacturing defects), failure to warn, and consumer protection violations.

The Reformulation Allegations

A central theory in the litigation was that DevaCurl silently reformulated its products -- changing ingredients without updating labels or warning loyal customers -- and that the reformulated products caused the injuries while original formulations did not. Many long-term DevaCurl users reported that their hair tolerated the products for years before suddenly experiencing severe reactions that they attributed to changed formulations.

DevaCurl disputed the reformulation theory and denied that its products were defective, pointing to the enormous user base that continued to use products without reported issues. The company attributed individual reactions to individual variability and proper usage issues. Related: Olaplex hair care product claims.

The Settlement

DevaCurl reached a class action settlement in 2022. The settlement provided compensation to class members who experienced hair or scalp issues following DevaCurl product use during the class period. Class members submitted claims documenting their product use and reported injuries, with compensation amounts depending on the severity of documented harm.

The settlement also required DevaCurl to implement enhanced quality control and testing procedures for its products. DevaCurl did not admit liability as part of the settlement.

Who May Still Have Claims

The 2022 settlement's claim period has closed. Individuals who experienced DevaCurl-related hair or scalp injuries and did not participate in the settlement may have limited options. New personal injury claims -- for severe and documented injuries including permanent hair loss or scalp damage -- may still be viable depending on the applicable statute of limitations and the specific facts.

Consult a personal injury attorney specializing in product liability if you experienced serious injuries you believe are attributable to DevaCurl products and did not participate in the class settlement.

Status 2026

The class action settlement has been finalized. The brand has continued operating under new ownership and management with enhanced quality controls. Individual personal injury claims for severe documented injuries may continue where the statute of limitations has not expired.

How to Get Legal Help

If you believe you qualify based on the eligibility criteria described above, the next step is a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Most plaintiff-side attorneys handling these cases work on contingency -- meaning you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery. Bring any relevant documentation including receipts, correspondence, or evidence of the harm you experienced.

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