INTRODUCTIONHair dyes (HD) are perhaps among the most commonly used cosmetics by elderly and the young alike -for concealing gray hair by the former or just for a fashion statement by the latter. The popularity of hair coloring can be gauged from the fact that the median age for debut was 16 years and nearly 75% of women and 18% of men had dyed their hair at some point in their lives according to a Danish population-based study [1]. This rising trend of hair coloring has resulted in an increased prevalence of hair dye-associated adverse effects, which vary from mild contact dermatitis localized to one body site (hand dermatitis) or disseminated generalized dermatitis to severe life threatening complications such as contact urticaria/angioedema, rhinitis/bronchospasm/asthma, and renal toxicity [2,3].Adequate knowledge and accurate information about hair dye usage and its adverse effects are important for the general population. Identification of correlates of poor knowledge, casual attitude, and wrong perceptions among the hair dye users will help in reducing the prevalence of hair dye associated complications. However, there is a paucity of literature on the level of knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of general ABSTRACT Background: Hair dye usage is extremely common all over the world. Hair dyes have been reported to cause a wide range of adverse effects, therefore, the consumer's knowledge about hair dyeing and related side effects are important. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of general population towards the use of hair dyes. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty consecutive persons using hair dyes were enrolled for this questionnaire-based cross-sectional, descriptive study. Results: These 250 patients comprised 141 men (56.4%) and 109 women (43.6%) (M: F 1.29:1), aged between 16 and 74 (mean 47.13) years. The majority, 212 patients (84.8%) were aged between 20-60 years and 66.4% (n=166) belonged to an urban background. When asked about the reason for using hair color, the principle reason was "to look younger" (59.6%, n=149). Most of the respondents were using synthetic hair dye preparations (55.2%, n=138) and when asked about the brand of hair dye being used, 25.2% (n=63) did not know about the brand they were using. When asked about their perception regarding safety of HD, 61% (n=152) respondents agreed that hair dyes are not safe and on being asked about the carcinogenic potential of HD, only 24% (n=60) respondents agreed. When enquired about the safest variety of HD, majority of respondents (52.4%, n=131) believed that plant based hair colors are the safest. When asked about the safety of HD during pregnancy and lactation, 68% (n=168) of the respondents were unaware regarding this aspect. 14.4% of the respondents reported suffering from some adverse effects due to hair dye use but only 11.11% (n=4) of those stopped using hair dyes. Conclusions: There is lack of awareness about the hair dyes and their adverse effects in the general population. There is an urgent need to in...