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Case Reports
. 2025 Sep;93(3):257-259.
doi: 10.1111/cod.14813. Epub 2025 May 19.

p-Phenylenediamine-Free Hair Dye?-Misleading Labelling Causing Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Wimolsiri Iamsumang  1 , Kevin Bertilsson  2 , Jakob Dahlin  2 , Pichamon Promsena  1 , Ploychompoo Srisuwanwattana  1 , Pranee Svetvilas  1 , Penpun Wattanakrai  1 , Annarita Antelmi  2 , Cecilia Svedman  2 , Thanisorn Sukakul  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

p-Phenylenediamine-Free Hair Dye?-Misleading Labelling Causing Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Wimolsiri Iamsumang et al. Contact Dermatitis. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

We report three cases of contact allergy to a mislabelled hair dye product. A hair dye product labelled as p-phenylenediamine-free has been found to contain p-phenylenediamine by a chemical analysis at the level above the limits allowed in the product.

Keywords: PPD‐free hair dye; allergic contact dermatitis; case report; case series; contact allergy; cosmetics; high‐performance liquid chromatography; labelling; p‐phenylenediamine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
(A) Somepure labelled as ‘100% natural’, ‘no ammonia’, ‘no p‐phenylenediamine’, and ‘no hydrogen’ in Thai on the package, while the ingredients listed only several plant extracts. (B) An open test with Somepure also showed a positive reaction (+) after 48 h.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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