Lead acetate (hair dye)

Also known as: lead(II) acetate, lead acetate trihydrate

Higher concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Lead acetate was a color additive used in some progressive hair dyes for coloring hair on the scalp.

Why people ask

People ask because FDA repealed the color-additive approval and later made the final rule effective after a stay.

What our method flags — by use

Cosmetic · US scalp hair-coloring cosmetics

In US scalp hair-coloring cosmetic scope, our method rates lead acetate as higher-concern because FDA no longer provides for that use.

The US FDA restricted by current hair-dyes page and final-rule history lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp; FDA states the final rule was made effective January 6, 2022 with a 12-month enforcement-discretion period.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
US FDA	The US FDA restricted by current hair-dyes page and final-rule history lead acetate in cosmetics intended for coloring hair on the scalp; FDA states the final rule was made effective January 6, 2022 with a 12-month enforcement-discretion period.	authority_regulatory	2025-09-25	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, lead acetate contributes a higher concern signal in scalp hair-coloring cosmetic scope from the FDA repeal history.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

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Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.