In Vivoevaluation of the Protective Capacity of Different Gloves Against Hair Dyes - In Vivoevaluation of the Protective Capacity of Different Gloves Against Hair Dyes - Open Access Pub

Hairdressers are taught to use gloves when dyeing hair. We wanted to study what gloves are recommendable for other common hair dye substances than p-phenylenediamine, such as toluene-2,5-diamine sulphate and 2‐methoxymethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine. The gloves used in professional salons and the gloves commonly sold with hair dyes for home-use were investigated. 7 volunteers previously allergic to toluene-2,5-diamine sulphate and p-phenylenediamine were tested in vivo with an open chamber test system to examine the permeation of chemicals through gloves (vinyl, nitrile and polyethylene), mimicking the real use condition of permanent hair dyes. The nitrile gloves used gave excellent protection with all four hair dyes tested. A good capacity of protection was found with the polyethylene glove, supplied with the package of a home-use hair dye, when tested with the same hair dye. The advice to hairdressers is to choice nitrile gloves when using the permanent hair dyes currently available on the market. DOI10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-19-2985 Hair dresser is a risk occupation due to wet-work and exposure to a multitude of chemical substances giving rise to both irritant and possible allergic contact dermatitis. Already during education, protective measures are taught. Even so, hairdressers run a high risk of occupational hand dermatitis and it is important that advice given by occupational dermatologists are accurate with regard to the hairdressers’ actual work exposure and preventive measures. Studies have shown that educational programmes aiming at minimizing wet-work, learning correct use of gloves and acquiring knowledge on correct skin care, actually improve working conditions 1, 2. However, a recent report has shown that, despite educational programs, hairdresser apprentices are still at increased risk of acquiring hand eczema 3. Furthermore the hairdressers seem to acquire hand dermatitis after only a few years work. According to Lysdal et al. 4, in Denmark hairdressers remain in the profession on average for 8.4 years and where hand dermatitis is a common reason for leaving the trade 4. Gloves are usually evaluated with regard to the protective quality in in vitro studies 5. However the hairdressers wear the gloves in their daily work, the glove is exposed to wear and tear, water and a multitude of chemicals. A more realistic evaluation of skin protection provided by a glove would be achieved by performing in vivo provocation tests with commonly used hair dyes, comparing different glove materials. In a previous in vivo study 6 we have shown that with