Gluten In Hair Products

[futuresflowerchild]

hi my name is michelle and this is my very first post.

I'm 24 and a hairstylist.

before being diagnosed my skin was always itchy, i never broke out in a rash but i would constantly be scratching it.

shortly after i was diagnosed with celiac's and cut gluten out of my diet i started breaking out in a rash on my leg's and stomach.(small kind of pimpleish blister like bumps that turned into a scab after scratching to much).

i did some research and found out that gluten is hiding in my health and beauty products. and sure enough i was using body lotion that contained gluten. i switched to a non-gluten lotion and the rashes went away! Also my skin wasn't itchy and im not always scratching!!!

so now the real problem. i went back to work last week, as i mentioned im a hairstylist.

well ever since i went back i come home every night with a migraine that i didn't have when i left home. ( i have gotten migraines that started when i was in hair school. my dad always said that the smells of all the products, dyes and sprays were causing my migraines, i didnt want to believe him).

as well my hands, wrists and lower arms are crazy itchy. so i started looking at what is in the products and sure enough there is gluten in some of the haircolor, the shampoos and conditioners, the lightener, the products including most of the hairsprays in the salon as well as in the gloves we use.

i get the gloves are an easy fix. but the rest of it? the salon i work at is just a small family owned buisness and alot of the products we buy are on sale at a local wholesaler. so we dont always get the same thing.

what should i do? im lost as it is this whole thing is very new to me and my whole life seems to be changing because of it.

i dont know if its fair to my body to keep poisoning it?

is it fair to my well being to come home every night feel horrible?

any insight would be grat thanks a bunch!

Diagnosed with celiac's disease october 21st, 2009

[Lisa16]

Hi Michelle!

You are in a tough position. One of the issues is also that when you breathe something in, you are actually ingesting some of it. But wearing a mask would scare the heck out of people.

If I were in your position, I would advertise myself as a gluten free stylist and I would invest in products that are in fact gluten free and use them. They are out there. I for one would come see you if you were a gluten free stylist. Many of these products are also organic/ vegan. I bet you could do really well to advertise this way. And since that is your chosen profession, you really owe it to yourself to figure this out. I would explain this to the owner and say you want to use your own products.

Here are some salon-quality products that are okay-- there are more out there. If you write to companies and explain, they will send you lists and spreadsheets of safe products.

Phytologie has a number of safe products-- their phytomist, phyto jojoba shampoo, pro hairspray and karanja oil spray are safe. In additon, korres makes a yucca soft shine wax that is safe, and a number of conditioners. If you could work out a deal with LUSH (made in Canada,) almost all of their shamppos and conditioners are safe and organic and vegan. They have hair treatments that are also safe and a couple of styling products. In addition, Rene Furterer has some safe products-- the myrrhea shampoo and dry shampoo are. I believe some of the ojon hair treatments are also safe. Look into Johnathan products as well as MAsters organics and alterna.

A couple of years ago I published a list on here from Aveda of products that are not safe-- some of their colors were on it. That might be another place to start. You could find it by using the search feature.

Good luck!

[princessjessie]

I am also a hairdresser in the same position. I've been using Redken color and I think it has wheat protein in it.. I e-mailed Redken and Matrix and neither one would give me a list. Their responces are on here under Cosmetic / Household Product Company Responces thread I started. I'm not sure what I am going to do yet. I love my profession and want to continue it until my hands do not work anymore lol.

[Lynayah]

I am also a hairdresser in the same position. I've been using Redken color and I think it has wheat protein in it.. I e-mailed Redken and Matrix and neither one would give me a list. Their responces are on here under Cosmetic / Household Product Company Responces thread I started. I'm not sure what I am going to do yet. I love my profession and want to continue it until my hands do not work anymore lol.

I love Redken products and recently called the company for information. They were able to tell me that All- Soft Shampoo has gluten but the conditional does not. I asked about All Soft Velvet Whip -- they weren't sure but said they'd check and get back to me. It took over a week, but they eventually called and said it is gluten free. They also told me that Smooth Down Shampoo is gluten free.

Many of the products do have gluten -- everything needs to be looked at individually, from what I gleaned.

When you call, it helps to have specific products in mind. Perhaps if a professional called they could answer to all products, but for me they wanted just to know what I was using.

Anyway, I found them to be extremely caring and helpful. I'd suggest calling instead of writing to see if you get better care. Let us know!

Michelle: Welcome!

[Seraphim23]

The migraines are probably from you inhaling and ingesting gluten without realizing it. 

Hairspray and powders are no different from wheat flour.  The particles are in the air for quite some time (hours) so you can inhale it and get sick. 

Everything in that salon down to its pens, tools, cabinets, and chairs have gluten residue all over it. Ever put a pen or bobby pin/clip in your mouth or eaten something without washing your hands? 

I always used to get migraines when I go to salon or bakery/pizza place.  You inhale gluten (hairspray, etc.) you will probably need to wear a face mask inside like I do if they won't change to gluten-free products. It keeps me feeling great after being at the salon so I can deal with a little embarrassment of the mask.

Sadly you'll need to approach it like you work at a gluten filled bakery if you can't find a salon that has only gluten-free products or won't change to all gluten-free.  Your skin, hair, and clothes are being coated in gluten daily. You're breathing it in. Probably have residue on your car seat/dash/steering wheel as well once you leave work and drive home. You will need to wear a face mask to avoid hairsprays, long sleeves and pants, as well as gloves if you want no health impact. I'd also take off your work clothes once you get home and put into a trash bag and leave it in garage. Take a shower once you get home to get all the gluten residue off your skin and hair. 

Welcome to the pain in the ass life known as Celiacs. lol I have to do the same thing (mask/gloves) when flying anywhere.  Pretzel dust is my air nemesis Lmao