Frequently, aromatic amine (AA) contact to the skin occurs via occupational or 'life style' exposure to hair dye intermediates and couplers, usually monocyclic p-phenylenediamines and meta-substituted aminophenols. The transport of AA from the outer surface to the systemic circulation predominantly follows the intracellular route. Skin tends to have relatively higher phase II compared to phase I xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme capacity, and levels are generally regarded as lower than those in liver. Inside skin cells AA are primarily N-acetylated and detoxified by N-acetyltransferase 1. AA activation via hydroxylation or chemical oxidation competes with acetylation and is only of importance under circumstances when N-acetylation capacities are limited. The reactive AA derivatives are able to elicit effects by virtue of their modifications of skin proteins resulting in irritant or allergic contact dermatitis. Overall, the effective acetylation of topically applied AAs in skin cells emphasizes a protective role of cutaneous acetylation mediating a classical "first-pass" effect, which attenuates systemic exposure.