Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
paraphenylenediamine

paraphenylenediamine

9.9
A chemical used in hair dyes and other products that can cause skin allergies
  • noun
  • /ˌpærəˌfɛnɪlɪnˈdiːəˌmiːn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : parafenilendiamina
  • In our study, preservatives were most frequently implicated as cosmetic allergens, followed by antioxidants and paraphenylenediamine.

Examples

  • Many hair dyes contain paraphenylenediamine, which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

  • Before using a new hair dye, it is essential to check if it contains paraphenylenediamine to avoid potential allergies.

  • Experts warn that paraphenylenediamine in hair products may lead to severe allergic reactions for some consumers.

Synonyms

PPD
vsparaphenylenediamine
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical in some hair dyes that can cause an allergic skin reaction

is the same chemical but highlighted for causing allergic reactions in some people
phenylenediamine
vsparaphenylenediamine
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical used in hair dye and some lab tests

is more specific and notes possible allergic reactions in users

Surface Forms

paraphenylenediamine singular
paraphenylenediamines plural

Morphology

paraphenylenediamine = phenylenediamine (opaque) = para + phenylenediamine

This is a technical chemical term whose positional prefix para- does not make the compound meaning obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Paraphenylenediamine is made of parts you can read: para- means 'beside', phenyl is a common chemical part, di- means 'two', and amine names a simple nitrogen chemical. So the long name literally says 'two amine parts beside a phenyl part', which helps you remember it is a small chemical used in hair dyes and industry that can cause allergic skin reactions.