Just for Men Hair Dye Allergic Reactions Resulting in Hospitalization, Scarring, Infections

A growing number of men throughout the U.S. continue to report severe allergic reactions to “Just For Men” hair and beard dye products, with many men reporting that they experienced no problems when using it in the past, but suddenly experienced swelling, rashes and chemical burns. 

The complaints have focused on “Just For Men” beard and mustache dyes, which are hair coloring products designed to remove gray hair that have been marketed by Combe, Inc. since 1987.

Reports of Just for Men allergic reactions appear to be a recent problem, with ConsumerAffairs.com noting in 2012 that they have received a number of complaints involving skin irritation, itching, blisters and chemical burns following Just for Men application in recent years.

Consumer Affairs indicates that it has received more than 400 reports of “Just for Men” problems, which have been submitted since the group first warned about the risk of allergic reactions in 2012.

Many of the men report using Just for Men dye for years without any issues, which some some suggest may raise questions about whether the manufacturer’s suggestion that users do a “patch test” on a small part of the body may be useless.

While the manufacturer has indicated that the formulation of the drug was not changed, it remains unclear why there may be a sudden spike of severe allergic reactions. Some questions have been raised about whether the culprit of the severe skin reactions is p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), which is an organic compound that is a derivative of aniline.

According to a study published in the medical journal Dermatitis in May 2009, the chemical as the tenth most prevalent allergen in patch tests and the American Contact Dermatitis Society voted it Allergen of the Year in 2006.

In comments posted to Aboutlawsuits.com, men who experienced skin reactions to Just for Men often indicate that they were long-time users of the hair, beard or mustache dye, indicating that they suddenly suffered severe side effects, including itching, weeping sores and other reactions.

“I completed the 48 hours allergic test according to the instructions and passed with no issues and still got skin burn, swelling, swollen chin, bumped up skin as well. This was a pretty bad allergic reaction,” one reader noted. “The product is not safe and consistent. Just For Men should be held liable.”

A number of men have contacted lawyers who are reviewing potential Just for Men hair dye lawsuits, indicating that the allergic reactions and chemical burns have resulted in serious medical costs, as well as left them with permanent scarring or disfigurement. The cases involve claims that the manufacturer failed to adequately warn consumers, provided inadequate instructions, withheld information about problems suffered by users and failed to issue a Just for Men recall or make changes to the product once it became apparent some users are experiencing allergic reactions.