Hair dye reactions
Introduction
Recently, there have been media reports of women who have experienced serious allergic reactions to hair dye.
It's important to be aware of this risk, and know what to do. Reactions to hair dye are avoidableif you follow some simple safety advice.
This page offers advice to anyone whouses permanentor semi-permanent hair dye, especially the darker-coloured dyes.
It explains:
- Hair dye reactions
- how to avoid a reaction
- signs and symptoms of a hair dye reaction
- what to do if you have a reaction
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
Introduction
Reactions to hair dye are avoidable if you follow some simple safety advice. This page offers advice to anyone who uses permanent or semi-permanent hair dye, especially the darker-coloured dyes.
Why some peopleare sensitive to hair dye
Some people are prone to a skin reaction called contact dermatitis . This means their skin becomes inflamed (red, dryand irritated) when they come into contact with a particular substance. The subst
How to avoid a reaction to hair dye
Patch test Always carry out a patch test before using a permanent or semi-permanenthair dye, even if you are using your regular brand. This usually involves dabbing a small amount of the dye solutio
Signs and symptoms of a hair dye reaction
Reactions to PPD canrange from mild irritation in the scalp to an allergic reaction that can potentially trigger serious symptoms throughout the body. Mild irritation If you'remildly irritated to PP
What to do
Dial 999 for an ambulance if you think anaphylaxis is happening, and give an adrenaline injection if you have one. If you think you're experiencing a reaction to hair dye, but it's not an emergency,
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