Objective: We sought to determine if hair product use is associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and whether SLE patients who use hair products have more severe disease.
Method: A questionnaire on hair product use was administered to 218 members of the Hopkins Lupus Cohort, 178 first- or second-degree relatives, and 186 best friends of the patients.
Results: There was no significant difference in exposure to hair dye or hair permanent in SLE patients before the diagnosis of SLE as compared with controls, nor were there any significant differences in measures of SLE disease activity in patients who used hair products after their diagnosis versus those who did not.
Conclusion: Exposure to hair dyes and hair permanents is not associated with the development of lupus. No hair product is associated with SLE disease activity after diagnosis.