DANGERS INVOLVED IN DYES, COSMETICS AND PERMANENT WAVE LOTIONS APPLIED TO HAIR AND SCALP

Abstract

WHEN ONE considers the worldwide use of cosmetics for the scalp and the relatively few harmful effects seen by dermatologists in the last few years, one appreciates the value of the regulatory measures legalized by Congress in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938. The increase of education and regulations for operators of barber shops and beauty parlors has minimized the dangers for the patrons but has not helped the operators. In recent years in my practice I have seen many operators suffering from occupational dermatitides. These eruptions are due not to one sensitivity but to a combination of factors. The Industrial Hygiene Newsletter mentions that three hairdressers exposed to thioglycolic acid have been studied. Interest in this subject continues because of the case of a hairdresser with aplastic anemia, believed to be of chemical origin, which has been followed carefully for the last two years.¹ Apparently