Safety assessment of silk proteins in hair care
Silk Proteins are made up of two main components: Sericin and Fibroin. Since the first patent granted for Sericin in Hair Care in 1981[1], there have been many Hair Care products that use Sericin, also known as Hydrolyzed Silk Proteins, in their formulations[2]. However, there is limited public information available regarding the safety assessment of Silk Proteins in Hair Care.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Report
The CIR Expert Panel reviewed the safety of 10 silk protein ingredients, including fibroin, hydrolyzed fibroin, hydrolyzed sericin, and others, and found them to be generally safe for use in cosmetic products, including Hair Care]:
- Dermal Toxicity: Silk protein film was applied to the skin of rats and found to be non-toxic and non-irritating.
- Skin Irritation and Sensitization: Silk proteins were tested for skin irritation and sensitization potential and found to be mild skin irritants and lack skin sensitization potential.
Based on these findings, the CIR assessment concluded that these silk protein ingredients are suitable for use in cosmetic products, including Hair Care, without any significant adverse effects.
Allergenicity of Sericin
The potential allergenicity of Sericin, or Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, has been a topic of discussion. However, a recent study, “In Vivo Characterizations of the Immune Properties of Sericin: An Ancient Material with Emerging Value in Biomedical Applications”[4], has provided scientific evidence to address this concern:
- Biosafety of Sericin: The study clarifies that sericin exhibits mild inflammatory responses, negligible allergenicity, and low immunogenicity in vivo, supporting its safety as a natural biomaterial.
- In Vivo Evaluation: The research evaluates the allergenicity and immunogenicity of sericin in mice and shows minimal adverse effects.
- Potential Applications: Sericin’s bioactivities include being adhesive to cells, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antibacterial, and promoting cell differentiation, making it a promising material for biomedical applications.
Overall, the available evidence suggests that Sericin, or Hydrolyzed Silk Protein, can be safely used in Hair Care products without significant adverse effects.
Serione: Pioneering the Right Use of Silk Proteins
Serione, a leading Silk Protein manufacturer based in India, is committed to providing pure Sericin, Hydrolyzed Silk Proteins, and Silk Peptides for the Cosmetic, Biomaterial, and Wound Care industries. Serione is dedicated to busting misinformation and promoting the safe and effective use of these magical proteins.
References:
1. [Patent for Sericin in Hair Care, 1989]
2. [List of Hair Care Products Containing Sericin]
3. [Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Report on Silk Proteins]
Citations:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33203267/
[2] https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/silk%20proteins.pdf
[3] http://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/slkprt062015rep.pdf
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9478611/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10453912/
[6] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/23/8457
[7] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1091581820966953
[9] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/sericin
[10] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/sericin
[11] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1091581820966953