A review of biomonitoring studies measuring genotoxicity in humans exposed to hair dyes

Abstract

Hair dye ingredients frequently produce positive results in short-term in vitro genotoxicity tests, although results from in vivo assays are typically negative, especially for ingredients in use today. The use of hair dyes is quite widespread resulting in the exposure both for persons working in hairdressing salons and for individuals who have their hair dyed. This provides the opportunity to add to the data from standard in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity tests by investigating whether or not genotoxic responses are detected in such exposed individuals. A number of biomonitoring studies of humans exposed to hair dyes have been conducted using either cytogenetic alterations or DNA damage as measures of genotoxicity, or urine mutagenicity as a measure of exposure to genotoxic compounds. In this paper, each study is critically reviewed and interpreted. Overall, there is no consistent evidence of genotoxicity in humans exposed to hair dyes occupationally or through individual use.

Assessment of DNA Damage on Adult Albino Rats Induced by Dermal Exposure to P-Phenylenediamine (PPD)

“…Moreover, a review of biomonitoring studies measuring genotoxicity in humans exposed to hair dyes reported that there is no consistent evidence of genotoxicity in humans exposed to hair dyes either occupationally or through individual use (Preston et al, 2009). On the other hand, Bharali and Dutta 2011suggested that repeated exposure conditions to PPD may reduce the detoxifying capabilities of skin and thus exposing the organism to the parent PPD molecule which is genotoxic.…”

Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes, hair dye use, and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“…Many studies have reported significantly elevated risks of NHL associated with increasing duration of hair dye use and use of dark-colored dyes [7, 8]. One important mechanism underlying this association is that a number of hair dye ingredients, such as phenylenediamines and paraphenylenediamine, are suspected carcinogens that can cause cytogenetic alterations and DNA damage [9, 10]. Of particular note, a variety of hair dye ingredients used in formulations before 1980 were reported to be mutagenic, and in vivo experimental studies carried out in rats and mice also confirmed the carcinogenic effects of some hair dye intermediates [11, 12].…”

Evaluation of effect during cell isolation process in alkaline comet assay using epidermal skin cells

“…Of the various target organs of chemicals, we are interested in the skin and have previously reported the usefulness of the in vivo skin comet assay (Toyoizumi et al, 2011) and the combination of the in vivo skin comet assay and in vivo skin MN test (Toyoizumi et al, 2012). The skin has been the focus as a target organ because it can be highly exposed, both acutely and chronically, to various chemicals, including environmental chemicals (Nishikawa et al, 2005), cosmetics (Preston et al, 2010) and drugs (Brambilla et al, 2010). For this reason, it is important to evaluate this tissue as a target organ.…”