Shellac
OTHER NAME(S): Gomme-Laque, Gommelaque, Gomme Laque, Lac, Lacca, Shellac, Goma Laca, Gomme-laque
Overview
Shellac is a resin that is secreted by an insect onto tree trunks. The resin is scraped off and mainly used in food coatings, cosmetics, and varnishes.
Shellac is a natural glue and clear coating. It was previously used in dentistry to make dentures and other products, and also as a coating on drug tablets. It's not often used for these purposes anymore because it ages overtime.
People sometimes use shellac for tooth sensitivity and other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse medicinal shellac with shellac wood finishes, which are poisonous.
Uses
We currently have no information for Shellac overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Shellac is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if shellac is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if shellac is safe. Some people can have an allergy to shellac. Shellac is found in mascara, lipstick, tattoo ink, and other products.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Shellac is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if shellac is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if shellac is safe. Some people can have an allergy to shellac. Shellac is found in mascara, lipstick, tattoo ink, and other products.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if shellac is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid amounts greater than those found in food.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Shellac overview.
Dosing
Shellac is found in many foods, varnishes, and cosmetics. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of shellac might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Hoang-Dao BT, Hoang-Tu H, Tran-Thi NN, Koubi G, Camps J, About I. Clinical efficiency of a natural resin fluoride varnish (Shellac F) in reducing dentin hypersensitivity. J Oral Rehabil. 2009;36(2):124-31.
- González-Villanueva I, Hispn Ocete P, Silvestre Salvador JF. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by a black tattoo ink in a patient allergic to shellac. Contact Dermatitis. 2016;75(4):247-8.
- Lu J, Wang H, Huang J, et al. Sesquiterpene acids from shellac and their bioactivities evaluation. Fitoterapia. 2014;97:64-70.
- Shaw T, Oostman H, Rainey D, Storrs F. A rare eyelid dermatitis allergen: shellac in a popular mascara. Dermatitis. 2009;20(6):341-5.
- Gallo R, Marro I, Pavesi A. Allergic contact dermatitis from shellac in mascara. Contact Dermatitis. 2005;53(4):238.
- Strauss RM, Orton DI. Allergic contact cheilitis in the United Kingdom: a retrospective study. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):75-7.
- Orton DI, Salim A, Shaw S. Allergic contact cheilitis due to shellac. Contact Dermatitis. 2001;44(4):250.
- Poorassar A, Shams Ardekani MR, Hajhashemi V, Rahimi R, Mirabzadeh Ardakani M, Aghayeghazvini M. Antiobesity effects of seedlac and shellac in rats fed with a high-fat diet. Res Pharm Sci. 2020 Feb 20;15(1):57-65.
- Navarro-Triviño FJ. Allergic contact dermatitis from shellac in an ecological hair spray occurring in a patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia. Contact Dermatitis 2022;86(6):544-545.
- Mercader-García P, Ruiz-Gonzalez I, Gonzalez-Perez R, Sanz-Sanchez T, Sanchez-Pérez J, Borrego L; en representación de REIDAC. Contact Allergy to Shellac. Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study With Data From the Spanish Registry of Research in Contact Dermatitis and Cutaneous Allergy (REIDAC). Actas Dermosifiliogr 2023;114(5):T377-T381.