title: Trends in use of hair dye: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the following study was to assess the knowledge, practice, perception and adverse reactions among hair dye users.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients, their attenders and staff of SDUMC.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire (28) pertaining to use of hair dyes and reactions to them was administered randomly.
  
  
  METHODS
  The demographic data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, quantitative data expressed as percentages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 263 volunteers responded of which 52.5% and 47.5% were females and males respectively with mean age of 32.40 ± 6.01 years. The participants started using hair dye at an age of 27 (±3.63) years. Synthetic dyes were used by 91%. Frequency of use in a year was 2-5 times in 51%. Instruction of the package insert was followed by 63.5%. Skin test was never performed in 34% prior to their use. Nearly 96% expressed hair dyeing was unsafe during pregnancy, lactation and in children. Adverse reactions were reported by 42%, with headache (63%) and itching (38%) being the most common.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hair dyeing was started at very early age. Majority used semi-permanent dyes even though they perceived natural dyes were safe. They continued dyeing despite adverse reactions, which indicates cosmetic importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dharmistha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sarala
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narayana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bhuvana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krishnaswamy
keywords: Aromatic hair dyes; attitude; paraphenylenediamine; perception; practices