Rojan Teymoorvand
Everyone has their favourite holy grails when it comes to hair products, or they buy the first shampoo and conditioner that they see on sale at their local grocery store. Whichever person you may be, what a lot of people don’t know is many of these companies are facing backlash for using ingredients that are not-so discreetly hidden with scientific names in their ingredients list.
The Class Action Suit Against TRESemmé
TRESemmé, a well known drugstore brand for hair care products, recently in 2021 faced a class action complaint for their Keratin Smooth shampoo and conditioner, made by Unilever, causing hair loss and major scalp irritations. Residents of the greater Philadelphia area Robyn Lipetz and Shannon Keener contend that Unilever United States Inc., the manufacturer of the TRESemmé hair care line, and Conopco Inc., its distributor, ought to be held accountable for the severe harm that they and other people have endured.
The Plaintiffs and Allegations
Lipetz, 67, used TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color for two weeks after purchasing the product in January and February. She claims she quit when she saw she was getting bald spots and started to experience "redness, hotness, and itching" on her scalp. She claims that Keener's experience was more terrible. In addition to Lipetz's shampoo, the 32-year-old purchased TRESemmé keratin conditioner. The class action lawsuit states that she utilized the goods for two months before having to go to the doctor.
According to a consumer of the TRESemmé products in her lawsuit statement, “Despite having public knowledge since at least 2012 that DMDM hydantoin, as a formaldehyde donor, can cause or contribute to hair loss and scalp irritation, Unilever continued to proudly include this ingredient as a preservative in its products, and even goes so far as to represent to the public that DMDM hydantoin is safe for use in its hair care products.”
The Dangers of DMDM Hydantoin
The mentioned ingredient, DMDM hydantoin, is a formaldehyde donor which is used in cosmetic items to increase shelf life and stop microbial deterioration. Small amounts of formaldehyde are gradually released over time by a formaldehyde donor. Formaldehyde is a well-known human carcinogen that, when absorbed into the skin, can cause cancer and other adverse effects. The formaldehyde donor is known to slowly leach formaldehyde when it comes into contact with water. For almost ten years, DMDM hydantoin has been a preservative in Unilever products. However, there are other safer natural alternatives available, making the usage of DMDM hydantoin as a preservative completely superfluous.
Popular cosmetic preservative DMDM hydantoin is most commonly found in shampoos, where it can be found in concentrations as high as 1%. Since the 1970s, researchers have studied and tested patches for the common allergen DMDM hydantoin, despite its widespread use. The complaint states that a 1987 study discovered that those who are allergic to formaldehyde develop dermatitis as a result of DMDM hydantoin. According to a 2015 study, the amount of formaldehyde emitted from the preservatives rose with higher temperatures and longer storage times. The higher dosage may cause hair loss, irritated scalp, and more serious health issues.
The Verdict
Unfortunately, this case did not exactly end in favour of the plaintiffs. Unilever has upheld the product safety in the public eye. The company released a statement saying, "We always prioritize consumer safety and ensure that all TRESemmé products meet strict safety standards through rigorous assessment." Health authorities have acknowledged that DMDM hydantoin is a safe and effective preservative, and the company has said in their public statement that the beauty sector widely uses it. However, the corporation has not commented on any ongoing dispute. In most living things, it is created as a regular byproduct of metabolic activities. They thereby uphold the safety of the concentration utilized in cosmetics.
Products not including DMDM Hydantoin
However, it's important to note that checking the ingredients of the products you are using is crucial, especially if you are aware of your allergies and what you are allergic to. There are many great alternatives that are free of formaldehyde donors, such as DMDM hydantoin. If you don’t mind making a bit of a splurge, some great options are Pura D'Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo, Redken All Soft Shampoo, and Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. Looking for something more budget-friendly? More on the cost-efficient side, there is Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Shampoo, Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore + Bamboo Fibers Strengthening Shampoo, and Avalon Organics Volumizing Rosemary Shampoo.
Bibliography
Henn, “TRESemmé Class Action Lawsuit Claims Shampoo Causes Hair Loss, Scalp Burns - Top Class Actions.”
Cappellino, Anjelica, JD. “TRESemmé Faces Class Action over Hair Loss Claims.” Expert Institute, April 11, 2022. https://www.expertinstitute.com/resources/insights/tresemme-faces-class-action-over-hair-loss-claims/.
Nussbaum, Rachel. “These 10 Shampoos Are Made Without DMDM Hydantoin—So You Don't Have to Worry About Hair Loss.” Health, January 12, 2021. https://www.health.com/beauty/hair/shampoos-without-dmdm-hydantoin.
LIPETZ et al v. UNILEVER UNITED STATES, INC. et al, 2:20-cv-06350, No. 1 (E.D.Pa. Dec. 17, 2020) (available at https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/Pennsylvania_Eastern_District_Court/2--20-cv-06350/LIPETZ_et_al_v._UNILEVER_UNITED_STATES_INC._et_al/1/)
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