AffectedForLife says…Watch out folks. Started using JFM last summer – once per month, and developed Vitilligo. JFM co. is paying for dermatologist treatments etc, so they know there is a problem. Their box now warns about Vitilligo. I don’t believe it did back when I started using it last summer. I could be wrong about that, but clearly they know about a connection now.
The Right Brain responds:
When I saw AFL’s comment I was immediately skeptical. I expected the reason they’re paying her doctor’s bills is that it was cheaper than going to court. So I searched the literature for a connection between this product and vitillgo but I didn’t really expect to find anything. Hoo boy was I wrong!
The hair dye – vitilligo connection
Until I checked it out I didn’t realize that JFM contains paraphenylenediamine (PPD) a chemical used in hair dyes that is known to cause sensitizing problems in some cases. In particular, PPD is known to cause skin depigmentation in some individuals. (The chemical affects the melanocytes which produce skin color.) Whether or not this is exactly the same condition as vitilligo I don’t know but the end result is the same: white patches on your skin that may or may not ever resume their natural color. As AFL pointed out, Just For Me includes the following warning statement on their package:
In rare cases, use of hair dye has been associated with skin depigmentation (skin lightening or loss of skin color), which may be temporary or permanent. If you notice any skin depigmentation or other allergic reaction such as discomfort or severe itching, discontinue use immediately.
Do not use this product at all if you have depigmentation problems such as white patches on your skin (a condition called vitiligo) or if you have a family history of skin depigmentation problems, as an allergic reaction may cause temporary or permanent loss of skin pigment.
Just For Men Hair Color Ingredients
Water, Coco Glucoside, Amino Methyl Propanol, Carbomer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Isopropyl Acetate, Trisodium EDTA, Erythorbic Acid, 2 Methyl 5 Hydroxyethylaminophenol, 1,2,4 Trihydroxybenzene, P Phenylenediamine, Sodium Sulfate, P Aminophenol, N,n Bis (2 Hydroxyethyl) P Phenylenediamine Sulfate, Sulfuric Acid, Cinnamidopropyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride
The Beauty Brains bottom line
While there is cause for concern you shouldn’t freak out about this. MANY people use this product (and other hair dyes that contain PPD) without any problem . But for those individuals who are susceptible to this condition, PPD can cause a real problem. Always do a patch test as recommended by the manufacturer and discontinue using the product if you have any issues.
Image credit: Amazon.com
References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/17244086/
Taylor JS, Maibach HJ, Fisher AA, Bergfeld WF. Contact leucoderma associated with the use of hair colors. Cutis 1993;52:273-80.
http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2010;volume=55;issue=3;spage=250;epage=254;aulast=Bajaj
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WOW, is that why you do a patch test? I thought it was to test for allergens.
Is this ingredient unique to JFM products? My mom is a hairdresser and she has developed vitiligo. But she has been a hairdresser for over 40 years and uses salon brands.
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