Hair Cosmetics for the Hair Loss Patient

Medical professionals that treat patients with alopecia usually lack knowledge about hair cosmetics. Trichologists focus on hair cycling and growth problems and not on the hair shaft integrity. This may lead to abandon of the use of the prescribed treatment, such as topical minoxidil or to inadequate traumatic grooming habits that may jeopardize hair follicle health. Shampoos, hair dyes, and hair-straightening products may alter hair fiber structure, remove lipids, and elude protein. Hair procedures such as hair dying and straightening have side effects and health concerns, especially for pregnant women or sensitive hair and scalp patients. Hair breakage, follicle traction, frizz, contact dermatitis, and mutagenicity are possible side effects of hair cosmetics misuse. The proper use of hair care products may help to increase patients' adherence to alopecia treatments and avoid health problems related to inadequate application of hair cosmetics and procedures.

Heavy Metals and Para-Phenylenediamine in Hair Dye

Background: The use of cosmetics is widespread around the world, particularly in Arabian countries. Some cosmetics as hair dyes are used since very young ages. Hair dye has been one of the pollution resources of heavy metals. Aim: The present study aimed to determine the percentage of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and heavy metals in various hair dyes sold in Aswan, Egypt. Methods: The study was done on four (n = 4) types of hair dyes commonly used in Aswan. Two analytical methods were used as (GC/MS and EDX). PPD was detected using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and the metal components of these dyes were determined using energy dispersive x-ray (E.D.X.). Results: The concentration of PPD was very high in SHD (99.706%) and tancho HD (99.80%) followed by bigen cream HD (5.563%) and finally bigen powder HD (0.492% ). The heavy metals content was arranged in decreasing order as follow: Al > Ca > Zn > Cu > Cl > Pb> Fe > Sc> Cr > Mn in SHD, Si > Mg> Cu > Zn > Cl > Ca in tancho HD, Pb> Cu > Zn >Si >K > Al > Ca > Cr in bigen powder HD and Al > Cu > Cl > Si > Zn > Ca > Pb> Cr in bigen cream HD. Conclusion: Poisoning with (PPD)-containing hair dye is emerging as a method of deliberate self-harm in various developing countries including the Middle-East, and it is accompanied with high human death rate specially among females. They were also polluted with heavy metals, therefore doctors and consumers should be aware of their potential toxicity as well as the symptoms of systemic poisoning. Even if it isn't stated on the label, many hair dyes contain PPD and heavy metals.

Association between Maternal Exposure to Chemicals during Pregnancy and the Risk of Foetal Death: The Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Scarce knowledge is available on the relationship between maternal chemical exposure during pregnancy and foetal deaths. We studied the association of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths with occupational or daily maternal exposure to chemicals commonly used by pregnant women. Data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), a nationwide prospective birth cohort study, were used. The participants of the study were asked about the frequency of their use of gasoline, pesticides, hair dye, and chlorine bleach during the first and the second to third trimesters of pregnancy. We investigated the relationship between the frequency of the use of chemicals and foetal death. Of the 104,065 foetuses, 923 (0.91%) were spontaneous abortions and 379 (0.37%) were stillbirths. Any type of exposure during the first trimester was not significantly associated with spontaneous abortions. Nevertheless, a more than weekly occupational use of hair dye from the first to the second/third trimester was significantly associated with stillbirth. The results of this study suggest that the frequent use of hair dye during pregnancy can have severe adverse effects on the foetus. These findings can help pregnant women, especially hairdressers, refrain from the continuous use of hair dyes.

Oxidative-Stress-Induced Cellular Toxicity and Glycoxidation of Biomolecules by Cosmetic Products under Sunlight Exposure

Cosmetics, commonly known as ‘makeup’ are products that can enhance the appearance of the human body. Cosmetic products include hair dyes, shampoos, skincare, sunscreens, kajal, and other makeup products. Cosmetics are generally applied throughout the face and over the neck region. Sunlight has different wavelengths of light, which include UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and other radiations. Most cosmetic products have absorption maxima (λmax) in the range of visible light and UV-R. The effect of light-induced photosensitization of cosmetic products, which results in the production of free radicals through type-I and type-II photosensitization mechanisms. Free-radicals-mediated DNA damage and oxidative stress are common consequences of cosmetic phototoxicity. Cosmetic phototoxicity may include percutaneous absorption, skin irritation, eye irritation, photosensitization, mutagenicity, and genotoxicity. Oxidative stress induces membrane lipid peroxidation, glycoxidation, and protein covalent modifications, resulting in their dysfunction. Natural antioxidants inhibit oxidative-stress-induced cosmetic toxicity. Sunlight-induced photodegradation and accumulation of cosmetic photoproducts are also a matter of serious concern. India has tropical weather conditions throughout the year and generally, a majority of human activities such as commerce, agriculture, sports, etc. are performed under bright sunlight conditions. Thus, more focused and dedicated research is warranted to explore the effects of cosmetics on oxidative stress, glycoxidation of biomolecules, and photoproducts accumulation for its total human safety.