Toppik's ingredients - Page 1

What follows is a list of the ingredients in Toppik in order of their volume, and an analysis of their toxicity and their carcinogenic potential.

Organic Keratin fibres

This is the principal active ingredient in Toppik and also forms the bulk of hair in all animals. The keratin used in Toppik is derived from wool and is perfectly safe for long-term exposure.

Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium Chloride is a compound with many uses in industry and food production. Ammonium compounds are present in the body and are essential to our normal functioning.

Ammonium Chloride is used as a flavor enhancer in many foods and drinks, often as a substitute for salt (sodium chloride) in low salt foods.

It is reasonable, therefore, to assume that it has no carcinogenic potential, and very little possibility of any other health impacts through long-term topical exposure.

Silica

Silica, AKA silicon dioxide, is one of the most abundant compounds on earth. It is used in a huge variety of commercial applications, being the chief ingredient of glass and Portland cement. It is also used as a food ingredient in powdered food since it causes water to be absorbed uniformly as it is mixed.

Very finely powdered silica can, if inhaled over a long period of time, cause serious health effects. It becomes lodged in the lungs and causes constant irritation, and since silica cannot be absorbed, the more exposure there is, the more it builds up in the lungs.
long term inhalation can lead to bronchitis, silicosis and, very rarely, lung cancer.

This form of exposure is normally regarded as an occupational hazard for those who deal with powdered silica in a working environment. In this situation, the fine crystals become airborne as a result of large quantities of silica being present and worked with.

Those most at risk are people who work with cements and drilling equipment, and safety measures are constantly being adopted by industry to protect them.

It is unclear whether the silica in Toppik is fine enough to present a significant health risk. However, given the quantities in Toppik and the method by which exposure occurs, it is very unlikely that the silica could ever be present in the atmosphere in quantities high enough to cause problems.

As with other products such as aerosol deodorants etc, ventilation is key to eliminating risk.

One risk of the topical application of silica is Granulomatous Inflammation. This condition is caused by long-term irritation by fine particles and is in fact most commonly associated with talcum powder.