Researchers test heated hair products without animal testing
Hair products used in hair salons release aerosols that can cause respiratory tract irritation if inhaled. Under a contract from industry, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM investigated the effects of aerosols produced when using heated chemical hair products. Using an innovative cell-based in vitro inhalation method, the researchers can…
Researchers have developed a novel in vitro method to test the health effects of aerosols released during the use of heated chemical hair products, eliminating the need for animal testing in cosmetics development. The Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM employed this method to assess the respiratory effects of aerosols generated when applying heated hair treatment products to real hair strands.
The study aimed to understand the inhalation risk posed by these aerosols and improve product safety before market launch. The researchers used a patented P.R.I.T. ExpoCube system to expose human lung cells to aerosols at the air-liquid interface, emulating the human respiratory tract. The test materials were characterized based on aerosol formation rates and dose-response, revealing differences in cellular stress and immune response markers.
These results correlated with observations made by hairstylists in real-world conditions. The findings demonstrate that the composition of hair products significantly influences aerosol release and respiratory effects, supporting the safe-by-design approach and alternative methods for toxicological research.
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