title: A survey of the awareness, knowledge and behavior of hair dye use in a korean population with gray hair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gray hair naturally develops in the process of human aging. Many people with gray hair periodically dye their hair. Hair dyeing products are widely used and they can cause adverse effects. Therefore, the user's knowledge and recognition about hair dyeing and related side effects are important.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to lay the foundation for understanding, preventing and treating side effects caused by hair coloring products.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a questionnaire survey for adult males and females aged over 20 who had gray hair. A total of 500 subjects were included in this study and statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large numbers of the people who had experience with hair dye (233 out of 319 people, 73.0%) did not know about the exact brand name of the hair dye product that they were using. Of 319 hair dye users, 23.8% (76 out of 319) people stated that they experienced side effects. Despite the occurrence of side effects from hair dyeing products, it seems they did not realize the seriousness of the side effects or the need for treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is advisable to introduce a system that enables users to become aware of the ingredients and side effects of hair coloring products and give opportunities for users to become aware of the side effects of hair coloring through education, publicity and publication of an informational booklet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hee Dam
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang