A Doctor Reveals The Dangerous Hair Care Ingredient That Is Linked To Cancer: ‘Host Of Health Concerns’
March 30, 2025 by Mariam Qayum
When it comes to hair care, choosing the right products is just as important as your routine. While many shampoos, conditioners, and styling products promise stronger, shinier hair, some contain harmful chemicals that may do more harm than good. Certain ingredients, such as parabens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and synthetic fragrances, have been linked to health concerns, including an increased risk of cancer. Understanding what’s in your hair care products can help you make safer choices and protect both your hair and overall well-being.
Expert John Douillard recently shared the one hair care ingredient you should be avoiding at all costs. According to him, lead acetate is the one to steer clear of. Read on for more info!
Lead acetate is a dangerous hair care ingredient because it is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked to serious health risks, including neurotoxicity, reproductive issues, and cancer. It has been commonly used in some hair dyes and gradual hair color restorers, but exposure to lead—even in small amounts—can accumulate in the body over time, leading to nerve damage, cognitive impairment, and kidney dysfunction. Additionally, studies have raised concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects, prompting regulatory agencies to ban or restrict its use in personal care products.
“Make sure your hair care products do not have a chemical called lead acetate,” he warns. This is banned in Canada and Europe “but is still used in many products today.”
'Known To Cause Cancer'
“It's been known to cause cancer; it's a hormonal disruptor and causes a host of health concerns,” he adds.
Douillard says in a study, “They took a chemical called methadone and mixed it with sesame oil and made an Ayurvedic massage oil out of it and rubbed it into the head. It got into the brain chemistry just as quickly as taking methadone orally, which is the preferred way of taking it.”
He cautions that whatever you apply on your head, it will go “directly” inside through emissary veins. “There are 13 pressure release valves in your skull that take nutrition in and waste out of your head, and that’s why doing vigorous massage and loosening up the skin on your scalp is so critically important for the brain’s lymphatic system,” and to detoxify the brain.
To minimize health risks, it's best to avoid products containing lead acetate and opt for safer, non-toxic alternatives.