TLDR Ethnic hair products contain different allergens than nonethnic ones, with fragrance being the most common in ethnic products.
In 2020, a study was conducted to identify allergens unique to ethnic hair products, including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products. The top 100 best-selling products for ethnic and nonethnic hair were determined from three major online retailers (Walmart, Target, Walgreens). The allergens were defined based on the 2017 American Contact Dermatitis Society Core 80 allergen list. The study found that fragrance was the most common allergen in ethnic hair products. Other notable allergens included methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde releasers, cetyl steryl alcohol, tocopherol, decyl glucoside, sodium benzoate, and phenoxyethanol. The study concluded that there are significant differences in allergens found in products marketed for ethnic hair compared to those marketed for nonethnic hair.
40 citations,
May 2012 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Recognizing specific features of African-American hair can help diagnose hair loss conditions.
59 citations,
January 2001 in “Dermatology” Hair care products are important for appearance and self-esteem, and their benefits and risks should be accurately communicated by experts.
21 citations,
July 1988 in “Clinics in dermatology” Good haircare and communication with doctors are key for managing hair loss.
34 citations,
September 1992 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Dermatologists need to know about cosmetics to help patients with skin issues and recommend safe products.
2 citations,
March 2019 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Pharmacy-sold shampoos tend to have fewer allergens compared to those sold in other stores.
50 citations,
March 2021 in “Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology” Dupilumab is being tested for many new skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal conditions.
7 citations,
January 2007 in “Elsevier eBooks” Shampoos clean hair mainly with surfactants and have added ingredients for extra benefits.
1 citations,
December 2021 in “International journal of research in dermatology” Dermatologists should learn more about shampoos to better treat hair and scalp issues.
