Hair dye reactions
Numerous substances used in hair dyes have the potential to harm your skin and trigger an allergic reaction.
It’s critical to be aware of this risk and to be cautious. If you follow some basic safety recommendations, you can evade reactions to hair dye.
Why do some individuals respond negatively to hair dye?
Contact dermatitis is a type of skin sensitivity that can be common in some persons; this implies that their skin may become red, dry, scaly, bumpy, blistered, or irritated (inflamed) when they come into contact with a specific material.
The chemical may be an allergen, causing an allergic reaction that damages the skin, or it may be an irritant, causing direct skin damage.
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a recognized irritant and allergy chemical found in many permanent and semi-permanent hair colors.
PPD levels are higher in dyes that are darker in color. PPD brings on the majority of responses to hair coloring.
Symptoms of a reaction to hair dye
PPD can cause reactions ranging from minor scalp irritation to allergic reactions that could result in significant symptoms all over the body.
Mild irritations
If you have mild PPD, you could notice that using hair dye causes irritation and inflammation in your scalp, neck, forehead, ears, or eyes.
The PPD-exposed skin may develop redness, swelling, blisters, dryness, thickening, and cracking. There’s a chance you’ll experience scorching or stinging.
Allergy reaction
Your face and scalp may itch and swell if you are allergic to PPD.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis symptoms include:
- Itching skin or a rash that is red and elevated
- Swelling in eyelids, lips, hands, and feet
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swelling of the lips, throat, or tongue, which can make it difficult to breathe and swallow
- Wheezing
- Vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain
How to stop a hair dye reaction
Patch test
Even using your usual brand, always test a permanent or semi-permanent hair color on a small skin area first.
To do this, you typically dab a tiny bit of the dye solution behind your ear or inside your elbow and wait for it to dry. Observe the dye’s directions precisely.
Do not use the product if you experience rashes or other health issues following the patch test.
How to respond in case of the reaction
Consider the following;
- To remove any extra dye, thoroughly rinse your hair and scalp
- Try gently massaging an emollient (moisturizing treatment) over the troubled skin, such as aqueous cream or petroleum jelly
- Steroid lotion
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022