‘Just for Men’ Users Report Chemical Burns, Allergic Reactions

Just for Men is a popular hair dye marketed toward men who have developed or are developing gray hair, but consumer complaints have led some to question the safety of this product. The hair dye product has been on the market since 1987 and has been pushed by celebrities such as ex-baseball star Keith Hernandez and hall of famer Walt Frazier. However, Consumer Affairs reports that a number of consumers have complained of chemical burns on the skin, severe itching and painful blisters.

This was the case for Sean of Brockton, Massachusetts. “I applied the beard dye as detailed in the directions,” he stated in the Consumer Affairs comments section. Sean’s reaction was apparently so severe that he needed to be rushed to the hospital. “I had a burning sensation as well, and after rinsing it off, I thought I was fine. The next day, my face and neck had swollen up horribly. The following morning my skin had begun to weep as well, and I went to the ER. I was admitted immediately, as it looked horrible. They were concerned about my throat swelling shut. I am nearly 50 and do not have any allergies that I know of. Whatever is in this stuff is harsh. I needed steroids and Benadryl,” he said.

Allergic reactions could occur for virtually any product that exists on the market, but Consumer Affairs notes that a number of readers reported the exact same symptoms; some have never had problems with the hair dye until recently. Some consumers suspect that there has been a recent change in the formula. “I’ve been using it for over 10 years with no problems and in the past couple of weeks whenever I use it, there is a burning and itching. I’m going to switch to something less harsh,” wrote J or Marietta, Georgia.

Just for Men users are advised to do an allergy test as instructed on the box each time before using the dye. A company representative told Consumer Affairs that this test was important to do each time, and denied that there has been a recent change in formulation.

The warning states that users should seek immediate medical attention if “rapidly spreading skin rash, dizziness, faintness, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, tightness of chest, hives or swelling to eyes/face, blistering of skin or scalp weeping” occurs. Consumer Affairs notes that the company seems to expect the symptoms reported by users, indicating that they are aware of the dye’s potential dangers.