A Survey on Health Effects in a Human Population Exposed to Permanent-Waving Solution Containing Thioglycolic Acid

November 2003 in “ Journal of Occupational Health ”

Hui‐Fang Gan, Xian‐Sheng Meng, Chunhua Song, Baixiang Li

thioglycolic acid permanent-waving solution menoxenia mutagenic activity micronucleus assay hair follicle cells TGA perm solution

Studysummary This study found that the reproductive function of female hairdressers may be negatively affected by long-term exposure to permanent-waving solutions containing thioglycolic acid, raising concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated the health effects of thioglycolic acid (TGA), a component in permanent-waving solutions, on human populations. It involved 57 female hairdressers exposed to TGA and 64 female schoolteachers as controls. The hairdressers showed a significantly higher rate of menstrual disorders (22.81% vs 9.38%, p<0.05). Additionally, a mutagenic activity test on urine from 8 hairdressers and 8 medical students revealed significantly higher mutagenic activity in hairdressers (110.30 ± 45.95 vs 28.43 ± 19.33, p<0.01). A micronucleus assay on scalp hair follicle cells from 16 volunteers showed increased micronuclei presence 24 hours after exposure, peaking at 12.44‰ compared to 3.13‰ before exposure (p<0.001). The findings suggested potential reproductive and carcinogenic risks for hairdressers due to TGA exposure.

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research Hydroxylation of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Human Scalp Hair Follicles

11 citations , June 1979 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that the dehydroepiandrosterone hydroxylating enzyme system in hair follicles is similar to the liver monooxygenase system, sharing characteristics such as inhibition by carbon monoxide and dependency on NADPH.