Hair loss caused by skincare products we use on a daily basis is rare and almost preventable if you are a naturally careful consumer.
But the proliferation use of harsh skin care products like DMDM Hydantoin and parabens in recent years is raising concerns among many consumers.
So, when most of my audience on this blog have been asking about Dmdm Hydantoin Causing Hair Loss, I decided to look closely at the Dmdm hydantoin and what FDA says about its use in shampoos and hair conditioners.
In general, DMDM Hydantoin does not cause hair loss. Regulatory authorities and scientists confirm that DMDM hydantoin is safe for use in shampoos, hair conditioners, and tubes of toothpaste. It is a widely used and common ingredient in many beauty products that prevent the rapid growth of bacteria.
DMDM hydantoin compound is used in your hair shampoos, and conditioners merely to prolong the product shelf life and nothing else.
Many industry leaders and scientists agree that DMDM hydantoin does not cause hair loss, despite what some individuals may claim online.
As much as there have been lawsuits and legal proceedings for other cosmetic conglomerates in recent years, it helps to understand whether DMDM hydantoin can cause hair loss beginning with understanding the chemical composition of this ingredient.
While it is widely used, scientists and regulators agree that DMDM hydantoins should not result in any form of damage or harm to your body while applying it on a regular basis.
With so much misleading information online, it can be alarming to learn that your favorite hair shampoo you have been using for years, contains DMDM hydantoin, a harmful cosmetic ingredient that should not be in your skincare product list of ingredients.
What Is DMDM Hydantoin?
DMDM hydantoin, also known as imidazolidinyl urea is a chemical compound that prevents the growth of bacteria in your haircare product.
It is one of the safest preservatives used in any cosmetic product ranging from shampoos and hair conditioners to toothpaste tubes and many others.
The FDA recognizes DMDM hydantoin as safe for use in cosmetics and skincare products, including shampoos and conditioners.
This means you can continue using your favorite shampoo or conditioner without worrying about whether it contains this chemical compound or not.
Although some people claim they have felt itching and irritation on their scalp when using specific hair care products with DMDM hydantoin, upon consulting a dermatologist and clinical studies it has been confirmed that the chemical does not result in hair loss.
What Is The Problem With DMDM & Parabens?
Many of my readers on this blog and on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram ask me about the good and the bad of Dmdm hydantoin and parabens presence in their shampoos causing hair loss.
The FDA also recognizes DMDM and parabens as safe for use in cosmetics, skincare products including shampoos and conditioners.
These two ingredients are probably the most widely used skincare preservatives by many cosmetic companies to keep your shampoo or conditioner fresh before opening its lid to expose the product to germs and bacteria.
But despite their safety records, people are still concerned about DMDM and parabens potentially causing damage to their hair when used in shampoos and conditioners.
In many cases, people claim they have experienced a marked increase in the number of scalp infections with the use of specific haircare products with DMDM hydantoin and parabens.
However, clinical studies conducted by dermatologists at major medical institutions across America, show that most users experience itching or irritation around the scalp regions when using specific haircare products containing DMDM hydantoin and parabens.
Is DMDM hydantoin bad for hair?
Whether DMDM hydantoin is good or bad, the jury is still out!
Although most scientists and dermatologists agree that DMDM hydantoin is safe for use in haircare products, some people tend to believe otherwise.
There are a few reported cases of individuals who have experienced itching and irritation around the scalp regions when they started using specific shampoos or conditioners containing this chemical substance.
Overall, Dmdm hydantoin does not cause hair to fall off! There is no data to indicate that DMDM hydantoin can cause hair loss. The presence of DMDM Hydantoin in your shampoo can be a good source for anxiety and sudden change of natural pH levels in your body, triggering sudden and gradual hair fall.
However, it is always advisable to seek advice from your doctor before you begin using any new hair care product on your scalp because even though these chemicals may not result in hair loss, they can still lead to skin irritation.
What Does DMDM Hydantoin Do To Hair?
With the beliefs and rumors rife of how bad DMDM is, its no surprise that you maybe wondering what does DMDM hydantoin does to hair?
In general, DMDM hydantoin does not do anything to the hair. It is a cosmetic compound widely used in skin and hair care products as a preservative agent to prolong the shelf life of hair shampoos, conditioners, and kinds of toothpaste.
In most cases, DMDM hydantoin is used in the manufacturing process of hair care products to ensure that these products remain fresh and can last longer.
However, it is difficult to scientifically confirm that DMDM hydantoin cannot cause any danger or negative side effects on hair when used for a specific amount of time.
Listed below are some of the chemicals found in almost all shampoos and conditioners:
- Propylene glycol– A humectant compound with emollient properties.
- Lodopropynyl Butylcarbamate – Preservative ingredient approved by the FDA
- Silicones – Hair conditioners and shine enhancers
- Polyquaternium-11 – Conditioning agent, detangler and hair thickener
- Dmdm hydantoin – Preservative
- Aminomethyl propanol – pH adjuster
- Ethanolamine – pH adjuster
- Dihydroxyethyl Cetyldimonium Chloride – Hair thickening agent.
- Sodium hydroxide – pH adjuster
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine – Soap substitute DMDMM Hydantoin Side Effects.
When used in small concentrations, the side effects of DMDM hydantoin are usually temporary. Some people have reported cases of scalp irritation when using specific hair care products containing this chemical preservative. However, it should be noted that most shampoos and conditioners do contain DMDM hydantoin
Some people may say that the list above only contains chemicals and no actual hair care ingredients. That is not true!
The composition of any shampoo or conditioner will contain humectant compounds, emollients, and other chemicals in small amounts
What ingredient in the shampoo makes hair fall out?
There are common chemical ingredients in popular hair shampoos that make hair fall out without you suspecting how harmful they are. Take foaming agents that include Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Laureth Sulfate, which can be found in mass-market shampoos for example. Though they help hair shampoos to lather, they can strip hair of its natural oils, causing your scalp to dry out and causing brittle strands.
In addition, most people do not know that the sulfates in popular anti-dandruff shampoos can prevent your roots from getting a proper amount of moisture.
Finally, there are several types of ingredients in mass-market shampoos that clog up follicles on your scalp.
In general, it is advisable to stick with natural products containing organic essential oils so as to nourish your hair and protect them against free radical damage.
Conclusion
The bottom line at the end of the day is that DMDM hydantoin is a widely used chemical compound by many beauty and skincare products companies to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in your haircare product.
Whether it’s good or bad, the jury is still out! But clinical studies carried out by dermatologists show overwhelmingly that most users experience itching and irritation around the scalp regions when using specific shampoos and conditioners containing DMDM hydantoin.
This means you should carry out further research on any new shampoo or conditioner before you start applying it on your scalp because while these chemicals may not cause hair loss, they could potentially lead to skin irritation.