Hidden risks: Exploring the ingredients in top amazon lace wig adhesives

Summary: Abstract Body: This study investigated the prevalence of irritating and allergenic ingredients in best-selling lace wig adhesives on Amazon, and it examined their ability to trigger dermatologic reactions, such as atopic dermatitis. Wig adhesive is used to secure many different types of wigs, with lace front wigs being the most common. Lace wig adhesives are widely used in hair camouflage by individuals with alopecia, a condition that predominantly impacts Black women, emphasizing the importance of developing safer formulations to mitigate scalp damage and prevent further hair loss. The ten lace wig adhesives with the highest number of reviews on Amazon were determined, and their individual ingredients were analyzed, with common irritants and allergens identified. In the lace wig glues analyzed, 38 unique ingredients were distinguished and categorized as film-forming agents and polymers, preservatives, water and solvents, conditioning agents and humectants, pH adjusters and stabilizers, fragrances and additives, or adhesives and bonding agents. Each ingredient was determined to be a known irritant or allergen, along with its corresponding side effects. Some ingredients were labeled as common allergens, frequently associated with allergic contact dermatitis and skin sensitization. Other ingredients were severe skin irritants, emphasizing the potential for both acute and chronic dermatological reactions in adhesives. Improved product labeling, consumer education, and further research to develop safe alternatives were considered crucial for lace wig adhesives. Ferdos Abdulkader¹, Sana Khan², Claire Reynolds⁶, Victoria Asuquo³, Aaron Wang¹, Robert Dellavalle^{4, 5}, Cory Dunnick^{1, 7} 1. University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States. 2. Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, CO, United States. 3. Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States. 4. Dermatology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States. 5. Dermatology, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States. 6. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States. 7. Dermatology, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Aurora, CO, United States. Clinical Research: Epidemiology and Observational Research