If you have hypersensitive skin, you may experience one or more of these symptoms after applying your favorite hair colour dye:
Itching, redness, swelling, bumps, difficulty breathing, and in some cases loss of consciousness.

FYI, the most common skin reaction is called contact dermatitis. Most contact dermatitis from a hair dye allergy is medically classified as type 4 hypersensitivity. It usually takes hours or more for symptoms to occur upon exposure.

Symptoms of hypersensitivity to hair dye may last anywhere from a few days to a week or more, depending on the severity of the reaction.

How does a hair dye allergy happen?

A hair dye allergy often occurs due to chemicals in the dye.

The two most common chemicals used in hair color are PPD and PTD.

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is found in most commercially produced hair dyes. PPD is mixed with peroxide in the hair dye to achieve the desired hair color change.

PPD is present in commercial hair dyes under many names. Some common names for PPD are PPDA, 1,4-Benzenediamine, and Phenylenediamine base.

Another common chemical found in hair dye is para-toluenediamine (PTD), which although can be tolerated better than PPD but it may still cause an allergic reaction in people with still more hypersensitive skin.

What should you do in case your skin is reacting badly to the hair dye?

1. Treatment: Stop using the dye right then, wash it off, and seek immediate medical attention. Oral antihistamines may help reduce skin inflammation and itching.
2. Prevention: Avoid coloring your hair if you’re sick, menstruating, or pregnant.
3. Alternative: Try a natural hair dye like henna, which doesn’t contain PPD.
4. Skincare: Avoid products with ingredients you’re allergic to, and use products with anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Why are some among us more prone to skin reactions to hair dye than others?

This may be due to a number of factors, including these three most common:

1. Allergens: Some hair dyes contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical that can cause allergic reactions. Darker hair dyes tend to contain higher levels of PPD.
2. Hypersensitive skin: Your skin can be hypersensitive during certain times, such as when you’re sick, menstruating, or pregnant.
3. Immediate reactions: In rare cases, you can have an immediate allergic reaction to hair dye, which can lead to anaphylactic shock (Also known as type 1 hypersensitivity).
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include hives, swelling of the face and airways, shortness of breath, and a drop in blood pressure. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal, and anyone experiencing these symptoms needs immediate medical attention.

If you have sensitive skin, here are some handy tips to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction when coloring your hair:

1. Do a Patch test: Before using any hair dye, test it on a small area of skin, like your inner elbow or behind your ear, to check for irritation. If you have a reaction, don’t use the product.
2. Avoid certain chemicals: Look for hair dyes that don’t contain chemicals that can cause reactions. You can also try natural hair dyes, like henna, indigo, or vegetable-based dyes. All Radico hair color products are 100% organic.
3. Use a primer: A primer can help protect your scalp, but it might affect the dyeing process.
4. Apply dye less close to your scalp: You can try applying dye with a balayage technique, which keeps it further away from your scalp. Balayage involves hand-painting highlights onto the hair using a sweeping motion.
5. Rinse thoroughly: After applying the dye, make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly.
6. Wear gloves: When applying the dye, wear gloves to protect your hands.
7. Follow instructions to the full: Carefully follow the instructions that come with the dye.
8. See a dermatologist: If you experience severe itching, irritation, or burning, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist.

How do you treat hair dye allergy?

1. Wash your hair immediately
If any symptoms of a hair dye allergy show up, wash the hair immediately. Remove the excess dye with multiple gentle washes with a mild soap and plenty of rinses with clean water.

2. Use creams and emollients
Use natural creams or simple wet compresses of olive oil and lime. Creams with alcohol or certain other chemicals may irritate the skin.
In case of severe allergic reactions, you can use steroid creams or oral steroid therapy,but only after doctor’s written prescriptions.

3. Use hydrogen peroxide
You can rinse your hair with a solution of 2 percent hydrogen peroxide after washing the excess out. This helps to oxidize the PPD fully and make it non-reactive.
However, this may come with complications and you may not be satisfied with the end results. Avoid altogether if this makes your symptoms worse.

4. Use synthetic and natural alternatives to PPD
PPD-related chemicals such as hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate (HPPS) may not contain PPD at all, and they work by getting deep into the hair and staining it.
However, the color range may be limited.

5. Use Henna
Natural henna is made from crushed plant matter. It is considered to be more allergy-friendly, but you can do a patch test to make sure.

Henna usually ranges from an orangish to red-brown color.

Radico henna hair color dyes are globally certified and are 100% allergen-free. We always recommend checking the label before you buy hair colour dyes.