DMDM hydantoin has been used in the beauty industry for decades but has gained a lot of buzz in the past year. This is due to its involvement in the lawsuit against the hair company, TRESemmé®. Two women have come forward stating they suffered hair loss and painful scalp burns from their keratin shampoo and conditioner which contain DMDM hydantoin.
DMDM hydantoin is utilized as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products due to its antimicrobial effect against fungi, yeast and harmful bacteria. It can be found in shampoos, conditioners, makeup remover and facial cleansers, etc. The concern over DMDM hydantoin is it releases small levels of formaldehyde which is a known human carcinogen that can cause detrimental reactions when absorbed. However, it has been studied that harm only occurs when exposed to high levels or over prolonged periods of time. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an expert scientific panel has evaluated the scientific data and concluded that DMDM hydantoin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient at current levels of use – 0.074 percent, or less. DMDM hydantoin is found naturally in safe, small amounts in many foods such as bananas, apples and grapes, etc. Adverse reactions include allergic contact dermatitis, hair loss, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat and cancer.
The side effects the TRESemmé® consumers were experiencing were unlikely due to the cause of DMDM hydantoin but could be due to the main active ingredient keratin which can negatively impact the hair if overused.
References:
“DMDM Hydantoin.” ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, ChemicalSafetyFacts, 7 May 2020.
Mazur, Gia. “What Science Has to Say about the TRESemmé Lawsuit and That Viral
DMDM hydantoin has been used in the beauty industry for decades but has gained a lot of buzz in the past year. This is due to its involvement in the lawsuit against the hair company, TRESemmé®. Two women have come forward stating they suffered hair loss and painful scalp burns from their keratin shampoo and conditioner which contain DMDM hydantoin.
DMDM hydantoin is utilized as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products due to its antimicrobial effect against fungi, yeast and harmful bacteria. It can be found in shampoos, conditioners, makeup remover and facial cleansers, etc. The concern over DMDM hydantoin is it releases small levels of formaldehyde which is a known human carcinogen that can cause detrimental reactions when absorbed. However, it has been studied that harm only occurs when exposed to high levels or over prolonged periods of time. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an expert scientific panel has evaluated the scientific data and concluded that DMDM hydantoin is safe as a cosmetic ingredient at current levels of use – 0.074 percent, or less. DMDM hydantoin is found naturally in safe, small amounts in many foods such as bananas, apples and grapes, etc. Adverse reactions include allergic contact dermatitis, hair loss, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat and cancer.
The side effects the TRESemmé® consumers were experiencing were unlikely due to the cause of DMDM hydantoin but could be due to the main active ingredient keratin which can negatively impact the hair if overused.
References:
“DMDM Hydantoin.” ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, ChemicalSafetyFacts, 7 May 2020.
Mazur, Gia. “What Science Has to Say about the TRESemmé Lawsuit and That Viral
Post.”Access NEPA, Times-Shamrock Communications, Jan. 2021