Mutagenic risks induced by homemade hair straightening creams with high formaldehyde content

Abstract

Regardless of official recommendations, the inappropriate use of homemade hair creams has became a popular practice in Brazil and high formaldehyde content in the 'progressive straightening' creams has been reported. In the present work, three of these creams were analyzed by spectrophotometric, chromatographic and genotoxic assays in order to evaluate mutagenic risks associated with the uncontrolled addition of formaldehyde at contents higher than those allowed by regulation. The ultraviolet and Fourier-transformed infrared absorption spectra showed characteristic signals that can be assigned to formaldehyde, although with different relative intensities, revealing distinct compositions. Using high-performance liquid chromatography 1.6-10.5% w/v formaldehyde was quantified. Antibacterial activity was detected in all creams. At 0.10 microg per plate, one of them showed positive mutagenicity induction (P < 0.05) in the Salmonella/microsome assay using the TA100 strain. The measurement of beta-galactosidase induction in the SOS chromotest by this cream, at dosages of 10-100 microg per assay, was positive (P < 0.05) in Escherichia coli PQ37 and OG100 strains. Our data show a more intense genotoxic response than those reported before for formaldehyde, suggesting that this compound may be acting synergistically with any unknown components in the creams or perhaps these unspecified components by themselves might have significant genotoxic potential. We call attention to the popular use of homemade formulations of cosmetics, such as hair straightening creams, because they can contain mutagens that could increase the incidence of neoplasia in those people who use them.

Characterization of Formaldehyde Exposure Resulting from the Use of Four Professional Hair Straightening Products

“…(2,6) Formaldehyde has long been a common ingredient in homemade and professional hair straightening (also referred to as "smoothing") products. (7,8) Hair proteins, known as keratins, are altered by formaldehyde during the treatments to prolong the straightening effect in curly hair. (9) The process by which these hair straightening products are used, excluding preparatory tasks (such as shampooing), generally includes the following three tasks: (1) applying product to the hair, (2) blow-drying the hair, and (3) heat treating the hair (generally using a flat iron set at approximately 450 • F).…”

Formaldehyde in hair straightening products: Rapid 1H NMR determination and risk assessment

“…Hair straightening products are popular cosmetics, which are used to straighten extremely curly hair. The safety of these products has become an issue because many of them contain formaldehyde as an active ingredient, which is used for covalently altering keratins during the treatments to prolong the straightening effect .…”

“…Hair straightening products are popular cosmetics, which are used to straighten extremely curly hair. The safety of these products has become an issue because many of them contain formaldehyde as an active ingredient, which is used for covalently altering keratins during the treatments to prolong the straightening effect [1,2]. Formaldehyde (methanal, CH 2 O, CAS # 50-00-0) is a colourless substance, which may be present in foods, beverages, industry and in the environment [3][4][5][6].…”

Determination of formaldehyde in hair creams by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry

“…Four international research institutions have assessed the carcinogenic potential of formaldehyde: the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US National Toxicology Program, and the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA). These studies demonstrated that exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer of the pharynx and nasopharynx, increase the chance of pneumonia, dermatitis and induce allergic reactions (irritation of eyes, nose and throat, insomnia, chest pains, rashes, asthma attacks, among others) …”

“…These studies demonstrated that exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer of the pharynx and nasopharynx, increase the chance of pneumonia, dermatitis and induce allergic reactions (irritation of eyes, nose and throat, insomnia, chest pains, rashes, asthma attacks, among others). [3][4][5] In 2001, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), which is a branch of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, issued a resolution to control the use of formaldehyde, restricting it to a concentration of up to 0.2 % in cosmetics. [2] However, the maximum (and safe) amount of formaldehyde (0.2%) permitted in cosmetic formulations is insufficient to produce straightened hair and in addition, is a health violation.…”