Bleaching powders, bleaching creams and other hair lightening preparations as sources for (airborne) allergic contact dermatitis and other health effects in hairdressers: Results of an empirical study

Abstract

Background: Various products are available for lightening hair. There are no data on which applications are actually used in hairdressing, impeding proper estimation of actual exposure and necessary preventive measures.Objectives: To assess information about availability, usage and formulation of lightening preparations in the German hairdressing trade.Methods: A market survey was conducted and hairdressers were surveyed by online questionnaires.Results: Of 783 hairdressers clicking the link, 565 hairdressers (91.2% female, mean age of 40.2 ± 11.7 years) from all German states responded (response rate: 72.2%).The questionnaire survey has shown that available hair-lightening preparations in the German hairdressing trade are (multiple selection possible): dust-free (88.5%) and non-dust-free bleaching powders (22.1%), bleaching creams (41.9%), high-lifting hair colour creams (88.8%) and normal hair colour creams (58.4%). Five hundred eighteen (91.7%) hairdressers favour lightening hair with powder. The market survey revealed that bleaching powders and creams contain potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate and sodium persulfate or combinations of these persulfate salts.Conclusions: Hairdressers are exposed to various hair-lightening applications containing different chemicals. Preventive measures need to address adverse skin and respiratory effects. Implementation of targeted health education already in early career stages (i.e., apprenticeship) seems advisable and can be maintained by refresher trainings.

Hair Product Allergy: A Review of Epidemiology and Management

“…Piapan et al reported that 13.6% of hairdressers were sensitized to ammonium persulfate [33]. Symanzik et al reviewed bleaching powders and creams available in Germany and found that 16 out of 17 bleaching powders contained persulfates while 2 out of 6 bleaching creams contained persulfates [34].…”

Diagnostics and Prevention of Occupational Allergy in Hairdressers

“…In a personal service work context, technical measures to limit hapten or allergen contact are somewhat limited compared to the producing industries where use of robots and encapsulated processes can often be implemented to avoid skin or respiratory hazards. However, sufficient ventilation and use of an exhaust ventilation are a necessity in case hazardous products are handled which liberate, e.g., APS or other persulfate salts in dusting bleaching powder still in use [ 44 ], or even formaldehyde used for hair forming [ 45 ]. If neither substitution nor technical measures are feasible, organizational measures, the “O” in STOP, shall be implemented.…”