Seeing as it can act as an irritant to some it may be harmful to follicles. It is known to carry substances across the skin. It could be a good delivery system for topicals if it were proven safe, I wouldn't touch the stuff in a million years personally.
Heres the MSDS, it doesnt sound very harmful though:
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET MSDS #GCC1-7 DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO) August 20, 2004 PRODUCT NAME: Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) CHEMICAL NAME: Dimethyl Sulfoxide SYNONYMS/TRADE NAMES: Enviro S®, dimethyl sulphoxide, methyl sulfoxide, sulfinylbis [methane] MOLECULAR FORMULA: C2H6OS MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 78.13 USE of the substance: Solvent for manufacture of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and polymers. MANUFACTURER/SUPPLIER: GAYLORD CHEMICAL CORPORATION P. O. BOX 1209 SLIDELL, LA 70459-1209 EMERGENCY HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, CALL: Gaylord Chemical Corporation (985) 649-5464 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST) (985) 732-8662 (Nights and Weekends) EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION, CALL: CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300 OTHER INFORMATION, CALL: Gaylord Chemical Corporation (985) 649-5464 Hazardous Ingredients CAS No EINECS Weight % OSHA PEL ACGIH TLV® Dimethyl Sulfoxide 67-68-5 200-664-3 ≥99% Not established Not established NTP/IARC/OSHA CARCINOGEN: No EC Classifications (R or S phrases): None Required WARNING! COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID AND VAPOR 1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION 2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS 3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: Clear liquid ODOR: Essentially odorless EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: General: DMSO has shown very few toxic symptoms in humans. The most common are nausea, skin rashes and an unusual garlic-onion-oyster smell on body and breath. Inhalation: High vapor concentrations may cause headache, dizziness, and sedation. Eyes: Low hazard for usual industrial/ commercial handling by trained personnel. Skin: Stinging and burning of the skin as well as rashes and vesicles have been seen. A heat reaction may occur if applied to wet skin. Avoid contact with DMSO solutions containing toxic material or materials whose toxicological properties are not known. DMSO easily penetrates the skin and may enhance the rate of skin absorption of skin-permeable substances. But because of DMSO’s low toxicity and its inability to carry less-permeable substances with it through the skin, it can be concluded that DMSO does not pose a significant threat by skin absorption. Ingestion: A low ingestion hazard. HMIS AND NFPA HAZARD RATINGS: Health - 1, Flammability - 1, Chemical Reactivity - 0 Note: HMIS and NFPA ratings involve data and interpretations that may vary from company to company. In both cases the lower the number, the less the hazard. They are intended only for rapid, general identification of the magnitude of the specific hazard. To deal adequately with the safe handling of this material, all the information contained in this MSDS must be considered.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET August 20, 2004
DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO) MSDS GCC1-7
NEVER GIVE FLUIDS OR INDUCE VOMITING IF PATIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS OR IS HAVING CONVULSIONS. General advice: Remove contaminated clothing promptly (launder before reuse). Eye Contact: Flush thoroughly with running water (including under eyelids) for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists after flushing, seek medical attention. Skin Contact: Wash contaminated skin with water. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. Ingestion: Seek immediate medical care. Do not induce vomiting. Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, provide artificial respiration, keep the victim warm and seek medical attention. Special advice: In general, DMSO is not dangerous to people, but like any other chemical, it should be treated with care, respect and common sense. Combustible liquid and vapor Extinguishing Media: Foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder, and water spray. Special protective equipment for fire-fighters: Wear a self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Special Exposure Hazards: Burning dimethyl sulfoxide produces poisonous gases (sulfur oxides). Wear rubber gloves, SCBA, and rubber suit. Flashpoint and method: 89oC (192oF) closed cup 95oC (203oF) open cup Flammable Limits (% in air): LEL: 3.0 - 3.5% by volume UEL: 42 - 63% by volume Autoignition Temperature: 300-302oC (572-575oF) Spill, Leak, or Release: Note: Review sections 3, 4, and 5 of this MSDS before proceeding with clean up. Use appropriate PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT during clean up. Personal Precautions: 4. FIRST AID MEASURES 5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES In case of mist formation use a respirator or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Environmental Precautions: If a spill or leak occurs, immediately consult your environmental supervisor. Remove ignition sources. Ventilate the area. Do not breathe the vapor or get liquid in eyes or on skin/clothing. Spill Clean-up Methods: Dilute and flush to wastewater treatment or absorb with inert material. Do not allow the material to enter streams or waterways. Recommended Decontamination Facilities: Eye bath, water washing facilities
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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET August 20, 2004
DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO) MSDS GCC1-7
Usage/Handling Precautions: Keep away from sources of ignition. No Smoking. Do not breathe vapor or mist. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing. Storage Precautions: Keep container tightly closed, in a well-ventilated place. Freezes (solidifies) at 18oC (64oF) Exposure Limits: ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV): not established OSHA (USA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL, 1989 Table Z-1-A values or section-specific standards): not established AIHA Workplace Environmental Exposure Level “WEELâ€