"I'm certainly not a legal expert," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Towels feel soft on your skin, but they're too rough for fragile strands. And, we encourage any customer with any questions to contact us.". Is Wen by Chaz Dean Really Making People's Hair Fall Out? Anti-dandruff shampoos have lots of active ingredients in them that could leave your hair feeling unclean and rather gross. Also, I would expect to see plugged hair follicles, which would likely get inflamed and cause folliculitis," she adds. "If there were a specific depilatory ingredient in these products, it would affect more women," she points out. … Chaz Dean’s Wen Hair Care and marketer Guthy-Renker came under fire last December when hundreds of people joined the class action suit claiming its popular sulfate-free cleansing … "It's a very individual thing," explains Dr. Mercurio. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Here's What to Do, 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold, How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s, 12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder, Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means, The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts, 10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required, These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body, 20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health, These Are the 4 Best Dandruff Shampoos, According to Dermatologists, How to Make Your Hair Super Shiny When You're Air-Drying, 3 Texturizing Shampoos for Amazing Bedhead Waves, experimented with only co-washing her hair. "The [product] benefits are reflected in consistently high rankings from independent consumer product sites," they add. What about the no-shampoo movement itself, we wondered—is there any risk to skipping shampoo? Wen is a leader in the no-shampoo movement. Although the techniques and chemical processes have evolved significantly, lye is still an active ingredient in many hair relaxers and still causes frequent scalp burns and hair loss. A group of 200 women in 40 states claim that the products cause “severe and possibly permanent damage to hair, including significant hair loss to the point of visible bald spots, hair … Both doctors felt the lotion analogy Davis used was puzzling, since washing your hair with lotion shouldn't cause your hair to fall out either. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. As a $26 million settlement over Wen hair products moves forward, we asked dermatologists to weigh in on the safety of cleansing conditioners in general. "We take great pride in the quality of our products and believe every product meets our high standards," says the brand. As far back as 2010, users have reported adverse effects from use of Wen Cleansing Conditioner. On the other hand, Boston-based dermatologist Papri Sarkar is skeptical. WEN Cleansing Conditioner hair products cause hair loss that continues even after a customer stops using the product. Can Cleansing Conditioner Really Cause Hair Loss? This question is a tricky one, in part because experts haven't been able to figure out what, exactly, caused the concerning side effects. Irritants. This causes breakage, along with other symptoms, such as frizz and dryness. "I do make sure to massage my scalp really well, both with the product and after rinsing to make sure I’ve gotten it all out.". "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. "The ingredient list shares a lot of things that are common in other shampoos and conditioners," says Sarkar. It may be helpful to keep a diary to track any changes you … Ingredients that cause scalp inflammation and allergic reactions can exacerbate hair loss … The simple act of running an unsuitable brush or comb through the hair can cause major breakage. "There are many reasons why individuals may lose their hair, all unrelated to Wen hair products. Vigorous brushing, as well as certain hairstyles that restrict and tighten the hair… Users of the product have reported hair loss after using Wen … Hair product Wen sued for allegedly making women go bald Dec. 16, 201502:32 The plaintiffs, mostly women, say it's WEN's cleansing conditioner, which claims to clean hair without the … Offers may be subject to change without notice. For … All rights reserved. a group of 200 women have filed a class action suit against the brand. Wen Cleansing Conditioner Side Effects: Hair Loss, Hair Breakage, and Baldness? Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder. ", Wen is standing by its line. From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. "Wen by Chaz Dean is safe and we continue to provide our hundreds of thousands of customers with the Wen by Chaz Dean products that they know and love," the company said in a statement. Complaints have included hair loss, bald patches, hair breakage, and discoloration. "Since the process of litigation is time consuming and costly, we made a business decision to pursue a settlement and put this behind us so that we can focus on delivering quality products. ", RELATED: How to Make Your Hair Super Shiny When You're Air-Drying. Without optimal hydration, hair is much more prone to breakage, so you want to ensure you're giving your strands the love they deserve. It takes place mid-shaft while hair loss occurs at the scalp. The FDA has received “127 adverse event reports directly from consumers about WEN… the largest number of reports ever associated with any cosmetic hair cleansing product.” Complaints claimed that WEN’s cleansing conditioners caused adverse events such as, “hair loss, hair breakage… Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. So instead of removing the product when you rinse it off, it just becomes impacted in your hair follicle. For now, it seems the best advice is to experiment with co-washing, but cautiously. According to Suave Professionals … "Dermatologists often prescribe medicines of varying viscosity for the scalp without seeing this phenomenon," says Dr. Mercurio. ", RELATED: These Are the 4 Best Dandruff Shampoos, According to Dermatologists, "From what we understand about the product and how it causes hair loss is it contains virtually no cleanser," attorney Amy Davis told CBS. When we asked two dermatologists about the lawyer's description of the Wen product becoming "impacted" in the hair follicle, they both agreed it didn't make much sense. This past Monday, a federal judge in Los Angeles gave preliminary approval to a $26.3 million settlement for the suit against celebrity stylist Chaz Dean and Wen distributor Guthy-Renker. According to Snopes, in which we place probably irrational levels of trust: "no substantive evidence … Hair breakage has many different causes. "If the hair loss were due to the product buildup of Wen, I would expect a more diffuse hair loss that would affect the whole scalp. It's possible that some of these women are sustaining hair loss from a separate issue.". The reports included hair loss, hair breakage… Last year, a group of 200 women in 40 states filed a class action lawsuit alleging the cleansing conditioner from Wen by Chaz Dean caused scary side effects, from scalp irritation to hair loss. We’ve seen it in the news more than once: shampoo causing hair to thin, or even worse, fall out. If approved by a United States district judge, customers who had adverse reactions could receive up to $20,000. He explains that cleansing conditioners are great for keeping hair soft and manageable, but a shampoo is necessary to remove product buildup every so often. Hair loss may present in different ways depending on the cause. Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate. She notes that most of the hair-loss claims seem to be of focused, discrete areas, which isn't what she would anticipate if the baldness were caused by a product. "But since hair grows from the hair follicle—which is under the skin—and not from the surface, I couldn't really make sense of this lawsuit." Sew-in weaves may also cause breakage if sewn in too tightly. When these scales fall apart, your hair can get dry and eventually separate, leading to damage. "It really depends on scalp's oil production, which differs from person to person.". Since then, the brand has reportedly shipped over 10 million Wen products and amassed a loyal following that swears by the ultraconditioning and silkifying formula. … Invest in the proper comb or brush for your hair … To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. We all regularly use blow dryers, flat irons or curling irons. RELATED: 3 Texturizing Shampoos for Amazing Bedhead Waves, But could the Wen formula contain some kind of depilatory that's causing the women to lose their hair? Another research confirmed that sulfates’ harsh cleansing quality might cause skin irritation, … 12) Causes & How to Stop Breakage in Natural Hair – Menstrual period Can Cause Breakage & Hair Loss Some women tend to observe more pronounced hair loss and breakage during menstruation. You love a good towel dry. The Difference Between Hair Loss and Hair Breakage. Devices for Hair Care. The brand notes there is no scientific evidence to support the claims that their products caused anyone to lose their hair. Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. But the women represented in the lawsuit say they've had the opposite experience: They claim Wen's cleansing condition caused "severe and possibly permanent damage to hair, including significant hair loss to the point of visible bald spots, hair breakage, scalp irritation, and rash. "There are many causes of hair loss. Lack of Moisture. Theres a multitude of evidence showing links between stress and hair loss, but its also known that stress can lead to h… What's more, she says, if a product doesn't contain any cleanser, the result would be oily hair: "I can't see how it would cause hair loss.". "Over-brushing your hair can cause split ends and breakage, with the over-brushing causing just too much consistent friction for hair to handle," Mirmirani says. Credit: Hair breakage is usually a result of chemical treatments and too much heat. In fact, Health executive deputy editor Jeannie Kim experimented with only co-washing her hair for one month last summer. "I would expect if someone was experiencing hair loss due to an allergy to Wen, they'd have an itchy, pink scalp. Trichorrhexis nodosa is the official name for hair breakage. Does Wen by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner cause hair loss or baldness? We asked a few dermatologists whether there's anything to these complaints. In other words, it's up to you to find what works best for your hair. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. "I’m now at 15 months and counting of using only cleansing conditioner, even after pool swimming and major sweaty workouts," she says. "I'd think it might have a negative effect on appearance, but it shouldn't cause breakage," she says. But the women represented in the lawsuit say they've had the opposite experience: They claim Wen's cleansing condition caused "severe and possibly permanent damage to hair, including … We intend to vigorously contest the allegations made against our products. Ad Choices. We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages. Healthy hair depends on an inner cuticle with overlapping scales that keep your strands together. She notes, however, that some ingredients are known allergens, including sweet-almond oil, fragrance, and flower extracts. Mary Gail Mercurio, MD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, says the worst side effect she'd expect from a cleansing conditioner would be oily, matted hair that feels weighed-down. This means that blow dryers, curling irons, flat irons, dyes, bleaches, relaxers, and perms are all a risk. Avoid vigorous combing or brushing of the hair. Same!My hair is terrible and i'm loosing it!It was long,thick and strong.Now it is like straw,thin,unmanagleable,so stiff and crunchy, has n o body, volume, does not stretch, like plastic … As well as being really harsh and drying for your hair, they also contain sulfates which damage the hair follicle and cause breakage… A QVC mega-success, Wen by Chaz Dean pioneered the no-poo movement in 2008 with the introduction of the first cleansing conditioner, a product that promises to clean and condition without the use of harsh sulfates. Also, I would expect to see plugged hair follicles, which … All products and services featured are selected by our editors. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation.