Some ingredients in certain shampoos may not be great for your hair and could lead to hair loss. Learn which ingredients to look out for here.
So, you might have heard shampoos can cause hair loss, or you may have seen recent lawsuits over shampoo.
But what does that really mean for you and your shower routine? What ingredient is causing all these problems?
We’ll cover what you need to know regarding shampoos that might cause hair loss.
Keep scrolling for all the sudsy details.
It’s very possible that your body might react poorly to ingredients in any skincare product.
The very long list of ingredients on the back of shampoo bottles tends to be pretty intense.
Shampoos and conditioners can have upwards of 30 ingredients that most of us can’t even pronounce.
Each ingredient was likely thoughtfully included to serve a purpose. There are thickening agents, preservatives, surfactants, emollients, humectants, parabens, fragrances, proteins, vitamins, and much more. There are countless options that cosmetic chemists can use.
But while an ingredient might be great at extending a product’s shelf life, it might also have unwanted effects on the user after long-term use.
With multiple recalled products and class-action lawsuits -- this is clearly a problem within the beauty industry.
Also Watch: Dr. Alan Bauman: Explains Nizoral (Ketoconazole) Hair Growth Shampoos (Video)
A hot topic right now is formaldehyde in shampoo. Well, it’s not formaldehyde itself, but a “formaldehyde releaser.”
DMDM hydantoin is a preservative commonly used in hair products. Over time, DMDM hydantoin breaks down within the product and releases a small amount of formaldehyde. So, no, you won’t see the word “formaldehyde” on the ingredient list, but it could still be in there.
Many people have reported hair loss and scalp irritation while using products with DMDM hydantoin. Claims have not been confirmed however, some companies have settled out of court.
There are no studies that suggest formaldehyde releasers can directly cause hair loss, but it has been linked to a higher risk of allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, and immunotoxicity.
But people are taking notice of a potential problem. The FDA has issued an update about formaldehyde in beauty products and California and the European Union have recently banned cosmetic products that include some form of formaldehyde.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. People are exposed to formaldehyde via cigarette smoke, occupational exposure, and cosmetic exposure.
When it comes to cosmetics, it’s not possible for the consumer to know how much formaldehyde they are exposed to when formaldehyde releasers are used. Being that we shower, and groom every day we’re exposed to small doses -- a lot.
If we get in the shower and use 5 different products, most containing formaldehyde releasers -- that raises some repeated low dose exposure risk.
It’s important to note, however, that formaldehyde releasers are considered safe at low concentrations and dissipate from the air quickly. Formaldehyde even naturally occurs in fruits and vegetables like apples and pears in very small doses.
So, scalp or hair issues might occur when using a product with DMDM hydantoin, but not likely because of toxicity. It may be caused by contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction to this common irritant. The FDA lists DMDM hydantoin is a common allergen.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has estimated that nearly 20% of cosmetic products contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. The amount of lawsuits and class actions against companies using this ingredient raises some questions.
Products by TRESemmé, OGX Shampoo, Mane ‘n Tail, Deva Curl, and WEN have all been on the receiving end of hair loss lawsuits.
It’s not entirely clear if formaldehyde releasers directly cause hair loss. But one can surmise that it’s possible that scalp irritation, as a result of DMDM hydantoin, could be the cause of hair loss and thinning.
Why is the industry not moving away from the use of known carcinogens and common skin irritants in favor of safer alternatives?
Learn More: Ketoconazole Shampoo for Hair Loss: Does It Work and How To Use It
In the light of some very public lawsuits regarding shampoos -- a lot of us are wondering if shampoos can cause hair loss.
The bottom line is, it’s possible.
DMDM hydantoin, a formaldehyde releaser, has not been directly linked to hair loss. However, it is known to be a common allergen that carries a high risk of contact dermatitis and skin irritation. An allergic reaction of the scalp or scalp dermatitis can affect your hair and may cause temporary minor hair loss.
The ingredients that are currently under fire haven’t been proven to cause hair loss. But why do 20% of cosmetics include a byproduct ingredient that is a known carcinogen, a common allergen, and causes possible skin irritation, scalp dermatitis?
Here at Strut Health, we carry prescription strength 2% Ketoconazole shampoo to help aid in your hair loss journey. This shampoo has been found to support healthy hair growth when paired with a hair loss treatment regimen.
Have a free online questionnaire-based consultation in under 10 minutes today to see if Ketoconazole shampoo or our other hair loss treatments are a good fit for you.
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