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Patch testing with hair cosmetic series in E urope: a critical review and recommendation
Author(s) -
Uter Wolfgang,
BensefaColas Lynda,
Frosch Peter,
GiménezArnau Ana,
John Swen M.,
Lepoittevin JeanPierre,
Lidén Carola,
White Ian R.,
Duus Johansen Jeanne
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1111/cod.12424
Subject(s) - cosmetics , cosmetic industry , hair dyes , patch testing , hair care , medicine , dermatology , contact dermatitis , immunology , allergy , chemistry , pathology , polymer science , organic chemistry , dyeing
Summary Many key ingredients of hair cosmetics (in particular, dyes, bleaches, and hair‐styling agents) are potent (strong to extreme) contact allergens. Some heterogeneity is apparent from published results concerning the range of allergens for which patch testing is important. The objective of the present review was to collect information on the current practice of using ‘hair cosmetic series’, and discuss this against the background of evidence concerning consumer/professional exposure and regulatory aspects to finally derive a recommendation for a ‘ E uropean hair cosmetic series’. The methods involved (i) a survey targeting all members of the COST action ‘ StanDerm ’ ( TD1206 ) consortium, (ii) analysis of data in the database of the E uropean S urveillance S ystem on C ontact A llergies ( ESSCA ), and (iii) literature review. Information from 19 E uropean countries was available, partly from national networks, and partly from one or several departments of dermatology or, occasionally, occupational medicine. Apart from some substances being tested only in single departments, a broad overlap regarding ‘important’ allergens was evident. Some of the substances are no longer permitted for use in cosmetics ( A nnex II of the C osmetics R egulation). An up‐to‐date ‘ E uropean hair cosmetics series’, as recommended in the present article, should (i) include broadly used and/or potent contact allergens, (ii) eliminate substances of only historical concern, and (iii) be continually updated as new evidence emerges.