A cosmetologist warns shoppers to avoid several popular shampoo brands, which may be linked to hair loss, discoloration, and cancer.
In a video with over 1.9 million views, TikToker J (@hotmessboymama) shares a list of shampoos that contain ingredients that could contribute to breakage and poor hair health. She advocates for more transparency surrounding haircare ingredients after her hair broke off when using Bath & Body Works shampoo.
Her list includes popular brands like Tresemme, Head & Shoulders, L’Oréal, Pantene, Aussie, OGX, Garnier, Herbal Essence, Dove, Bed Head, and Olaplex.
Which shampoo ingredients are dangerous?
J points to an ingredient in Tresemme and OGX shampoo called DMDM Hydantoin.
“They don’t have to list it as formaldehyde. But DMDM is considered a ‘formaldehyde donor,’ which basically means it’s a chemical that slowly releases formaldehyde in a product,” she explains.
Formaldehyde is considered a human carcinogen, meaning it may increase the risk of certain cancers in people exposed to it, according to OSHA.
She also notes that Olaplex, a hair repair product, may contain unsafe ingredients.
“As a hairstylist, every single hairstylist would dump globs of Olaplex into their bleach,” she says. However, Olaplex has been the subject of lawsuits involving hair loss and potentially cancer-causing ingredients, like panthenol and sodium benzoate, NPR reports.
“A lot of companies are putting all this garbage in their products and claiming it’s perfectly safe when it causes cancer,” she exclaims.
Other brands made the list because of excessively “long lists of chemicals” and because they contain parabens, waxes, oils, sulfates, and silicones. While these ingredients may cause scalp irritation and dryness in some people, they are considered generally safe.
Will viewers change their shampoo now?
In the comments, some shoppers say their favorite shampoo was on the list.
“Me with my Tresemme watching this,” one writes.
Another shared, “I used the most expensive shampoos, and my hair fell out and never grew. I now use Pantene, Aussie, and other cheap shampoos, and my hair is long and silky. I have to choose not to care about things like this, or I’ll go mad.”
A third added, “I use Garnier whole blends, and it’s the only shampoo that doesn’t irritate my scalp and give me sores. I always get comments on how beautiful and healthy my hair looks.”
Some viewers point out that every hair type responds differently to ingredients. So, ingredients like silicones, sulfates, and oils may be beneficial for some people.
“Sulfates are good for curly hair! And they’re fine in moderation, we NEED to stop demonizing things we don’t fully understand,” a commenter says.
“Silicones literally give your hair slip so it doesn’t break lol they are not harmful,” another writes.
“Sulfate-free shampoos make my hair feel disgusting,” a third shares.
@hotmessboymama Did I use bath and body works shampoo? Yes.. should I have known better? Kind of.. but no shampoo should ever cause your hair to snap off.. bleached or not! These are all the other brands that I know of that have lawsuits against them for causing breakage and hair loss. But these are just the start of exposing all the chemicals and garbage in our hair care products! Dry shampoo isn’t safe either! #bathandbodyworks #shampoo #shampoohairloss #hairloss #shampoolawsuits #lawsuits #haircare #fyp ♬ original sound – J
The Mary Sue reached out to J for further comment and to Unilever, Procter & Gamble, L’Oreal, Kenvue, and Advent International.
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