What Are the Side Effects of Keratin Shampoo?

Many women, and even some men, long to have luxurious, smooth and glossy hair and lots of them have been turning to keratin treatments to get it, even though there are potentially damaging – and dangerous – side effects of keratin shampoo and other products.

One of the key ingredients in most keratin shampoo and serums is a compound that commonly causes sore throat, nose bleeds and irritated eyes.

What Is Keratin Shampoo?

To begin with, keratin is a naturally occurring protein in hair, as well as in skin and nails in humans. It’s also the primary protein in animal hoofs and horns, wool and feathers. The strength of its fibers make it a structural component and a protective one.

The hair care industry began to embrace keratin as a natural means of beefing up the strength and smoothing the texture of human hair decades ago. Millions of people spend billions of dollars to try to manipulate their hair into submission to the latest trend in what is considered beautiful. To American women in the last few decades, shiny, sleek strands have been marketed as preferable to frizzy ones.

What emerged was the salon keratin treatment, which has also been referred to as a “Brazilian blowout.”

The salon treatment involves applying a solution that contains keratin and a derivative of formaldehyde to the hair and working it into the strands to break the hair’s bonds and then “reseal them in a straighter position,” according to an article by Harper’s Bazaar. “The solution is then blow-dried and sealed with a flat iron, and the results can last anywhere from three to six months.”

When it comes to keratin treatments, “keratin isn’t really the shining star,” an article in Marie Claire states. “The other ingredients are.”

The formaldehyde works to create the “releasing” effect of the treatment, relaxing the hair shafts to create the straight look. The keratin component envelops each hair like a protective wax coat.

Keratin treatments have been among the most popular and commonly requested salon treatments for nearly 20 years. Keratin shampoos were created in response to that commercial success.

Keratin shampoos are infused with some the same ingredients as the salon treatments, but in lesser concentrations. Because they are diluted, they are meant to be used regularly and, over time, can reduce frizziness and increase smoothness in hair.

Are There Any Side Effects of Keratin Shampoo?

Just as with the salon keratin treatments, keratin shampoos usually also contain some derivative of formaldehyde, which can be concerning because formaldehyde is a carcinogen.

“There’s a chance the chemical may still be present in a formaldehyde-free straightening treatment too,” Marie Claire quoted hair color specialist Brenda Kamt as explaining. “Formaldehyde isn’t actually a single ingredient—it’s a gas that’s emitted from other chemicals being exposed to heat. So technically, a product can say it’s formaldehyde free, but still contain the ingredients that create the gas.”

Because they contain ingredients that can result in the presence of formaldehyde, there are some possible side effects of keratin shampoos and treatments, including sore throat, nose bleeds and irritated eyes, according to the Harper’s Bazaar article. Coughing and respiratory problems are also among the possible side effects of keratin products containing formaldehyde, as well as scalp irritation and possible hair loss.

How Bad Can Keratin Shampoo Side Effects Be?

Formaldehyde is considered by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer – specifically cancer of the stomach, skin, nose and pharynx, and leukemia. Typically, the risk is only significant when exposed to high levels of formaldehyde over long periods of time.

Has Anyone Filed a Keratin Lawsuit?

Some consumers have had very bad experiences with keratin treatments and keratin shampoos – so much so that they have filed class action lawsuits against some manufacturers. In 2012, a class action lawsuit was filed in federal court in Illinois against Unilever United States Inc. over its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit.

The kit was recalled in 2012 after complaints it did more harm than good. Plaintiffs in the case said the side effect of keratin actually caused significant hair loss.

According to the class action, the Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30-Day Smoothing Kit contained dangerous ingredients – including DMDM Hydantoin, the formaldehyde derivative – that caused injuries and Unilever failed to warn consumers about the risks.

The company agreed to settle the class action lawsuit for $10.2 million in 2014.

Free Keratin Shampoo Hair Loss Claim Evaluation

If you used a keratin shampoo and suffered from scalp irritation or hair loss, you may be eligible to join this keratin shampoo class action lawsuit investigation.

Attorneys are interested in talking with all consumers affected by this issue, especially consumers from Northern California, Northern Illinois, and New York.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.