What It Mean To Be Allergic To Hair Dye
When someone is allergic to hair dye, the body system reacts against specific chemical in the dye. Most times, the end physical outcome is severe, painful, and terrible.
You might be wondering, How do these reactions occur? Well, according to Verywellheath.
The body will release a substance known as immunoglobulin E into the bloodstream, and the release of IgE will trigger the eruption of specialized white blood cells, known as mast cells, which flood the body with histamine. Histamine is the very substance that triggers the cascade of symptoms we recognize as an allergy.
Prep Before You Begin
“Like in any other situation, the best defense is a good offense,” says Shamban. So, in the case of dyeing your hair, Shamban recommends lining the hairline with medical-grade tape before applying color to your hair. Along with tape, she recommends creating a pseudo barrier in between the hair and the skin, using oil or petroleum jelly, to amp up the protection factor.
How Common Is It For Hair Dyes To Have An Allergic Reaction
As many as 42% of people who dye their hair report mild reactions like headache and itchiness in the scalp. Of these, 67% experience the symptoms within an hour of using the hair dye .
Another aspect is that hair dye allergies are more common in individuals over 50 years of age . This is because the bodys immunity to fight allergens reduces as we grow old and the skin becomes more susceptible to react to foreign elements.
Most people develop a full-blown allergic reaction to hair dyes during its second or third use as by then, the skin becomes sensitized to the harsh chemicals. So, while you might not think anything of general itching at first, localized discomfort is definitely a preliminary sign of potential allergy.
On the other hand, people severely allergic to hair dyes can have a bad reaction after the first use itself. If you are among this small group, there is nothing to worry about. A good way to be ahead of the allergy is by knowing your Ayurvedic hair type.
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Is There An Allergy Free Hair Dye
Hair colors and hair dyes are commonly used by people with dull hair and by those who want to hide their grey hair with hair color. Many people don’t like to have their hair with white patches all around and thats why people often choose to use hair dyes. But unfortunately, most hair dyes and hair colors contain chemicals which can cause allergic reactions in people with hypersensitive skin. If your scalp cannot handle the chemicals that these hair dyes contain, then you will be amazed to know that many companies are coming up with hair dyes that are free from allergy causing chemicals. If you are still confused about whether or not there is there an allergy free hair dye, then this oneHOWTO article will give you the answer.
Preventing And Treating Ppd
If you have a reaction to Just for Men or any other hair dye containing PPD, you should stop using it immediately. You should also avoid other products containing PPD. Continuing to use them can make your next reaction even worse.
You should also be aware of other products you use containing chemical ingredients similar to PPD. You may experience reactions to these products as well.
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How Long Does It Take To React To Hair Dye
If a person is allergic to hair dye, the dye will show its symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. The symptoms may also appear very fast in some cases.
It depends on the tolerance of your skin.; For sensitive skin types, the allergy might show up within a few hours. It can also show up minutes after initial exposure.
For others, it may take a day or two to the surface. The skin may react very quickly to PPD or any of its other components.
How To Remove Color From Hair With Dish Soap
Just like how dish soap effortlessly breaks up oil on dishes, it will perform similarly on your hair. The only caveat with this approach is to beware of desert-dry locks.
Use it just like a shampoo. But remember, youll have to do many washes with this method before color fades out.
Since this method is extremely drying, you will need a good dose of hydration and conditioning every time.
Tip:
For an extra boost, add some baking soda into the dish soap.
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What Are The Alternatives
If you are allergic to hair dyes, then you should try using natural hair colors as far as possible. Stay away from permanent hair dyes and use vegetable based temporary dyes instead. Mehndi is another natural ingredient that you can use to color your hair and keep it healthy as an added advantage. There are some commercial hair dyes that claim to use natural ingredients in their making. Such hair dyes can be a bit messy and may take a little longer to do their work, but they do not cause allergy in your skin and are safer for you to use. As with any hair dye, however, you should still put a little on a patch of skin first to ensure you won’t have a bad reaction if you put it all over your scalp.
Anaphylactic Shock As A Result Of Hair Dye Allergy
Anaphylactic Shock;is the most serious and threatening potential symptom of an allergic reaction to a hair dye. It occurs rarely. Patient experiences facial swelling, shortness of breath, a drop in the blood pressure followed by death. If someone is having these symptoms, then they should seek immediate medical attention without any delay.
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Symptoms Of A Hair Dye Allergy
Mild allergy is commonly characterized by skin inflammation in the scalp, eyelids, top of the ears, face, neck, chest or upper back. A severe reaction has occurred if you are experiencing reddening or swelling of the scalp and face, swelling in the eyelids, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, etc. If you have a hypersensitive skin, such reaction may occur only with a patch test.
Relieving A Minor Itchy Scalp
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Treating An Allergic Reaction From Hair Dye
There are a number of methods you can try to treat your symptoms at home. Try one of these options:
- If you have an immediate, mild reaction to the dye, rinse it off immediately and thoroughly with warm water and mild soap or mild shampoo.
- Apply a solution of potassium permanganate to the affected area. This can help fully oxidize PPD. PPD only causes allergic reactions when its in a partially oxidized state.
- Treat contact dermatitis symptoms, such as skin rash or itching, with an over-the-counter, topical corticosteroid skin cream. These can be used on the face, neck, and other parts of the body, but should not be used near or in the eyes or mouth.
- Use shampoos containing topical corticosteroids, such as Clobex, on your scalp.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide. Its a mild antiseptic and may help calm the skin and reduce irritation and blistering.
- Take an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, to help reduce skin inflammation and itching.
If your symptoms dont improve, or if they get worse or cause you distress that interferes with your ability to function, call your doctor immediately.
You may be able to get relief from prescription-strength corticosteroids. These are available in many forms, including creams, lotions, eye drops, ear drops, and pills.
Synthetic And Natural Alternatives To Ppd
Many alternatives to PPD-containing hair dyes are on the market, though color options may be more limited.
They are PPD-related chemicals, such as hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulfate , or they do not contain PPD at all, and they work by getting deep into the hair and staining it. Some of these alternative dyes are only available in limited ranges of color, so they may not work for everyone.
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Useful Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Hair Dye Allergies
Mostly all the hair dyes have a warning note on them to do a patch test before applying them.
If you have skipped this allergy test and straight off, colored hair and suffered from an allergy, you need not worry. There are some easy home remedies that can help get rid of hair dye allergies.
Paraphenylenediamine is a common ingredient found in most of the hair dyes. It can cause an allergic reaction to those with hypo-allergic skin.
The symptoms of hair dye allergies include:
- The appearance of red rashes on the body
- Blisters
- A stinging sensation on the scalp, face, and neck
- Inflammation on feet, hands, eyelids, and lips
- Swelling on face and neck
How To Remove Hair Color With Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
What creamer is to coffee, apple cider vinegar is to hair. You dont necessarily need it, but once you try it, its likely you wont go back!
Apart from alleviating a dry scalp, controlling frizz, removing dulling residue from hard water, eliminating product buildup, detangling, adding shine and reducing hair loss, it also strips hair dye.
Steps:
- For longer hair, 1/2 tablespoon in one cup of water is a good ratio.
- Once you shampoo your hair, pour this concoction over and then rinse with plain water.
- While it does not remove permanent hair color, it can change the shade or lighten the color. You may have to do it a few times to get results.
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Ingredients In Hair Dye That Contribute To Allergic Reaction
The common chemical in hair dye responsible for most dye allergy cases is Para-phenylenediamine .
However, it is not the only chemical that can contribute to allergy; others do have a hand in the reaction.
Dont be scared yet; dermatologists and other field experts confirmed that PPD or other dye ingredients are more or less harmful.
Their percentage composition in the dye and the ability of the scalp to resist the adverse effects is what matters.
Thats why the strand test is essential or, let me say, compulsory. Also, applying hair dyeing a few inches away from your scalp can be the best way to do it.
According to Wikipedia, PPD can come with different names.
- Benzene-1,4-diamine
theres any hair dye at the stores or supermarket that doesnt contain PPD because it gives hair the desired color after exposure to air.;
It would be best to have a proper guide, caution, technique, common sense, and quality dye with PPD in its appropriate measure .;
Update:;Some hair dyes do not contain PPD. Henna, for example, is a natural hair dye from India. The thing there is that these natural hair dyes do not give out all the colors we need.
Alternative Hair Colors To Use
There has been an attempt by manufacturers to substitute PPD with other ingredients like para-toluenediamine sulfates, which are considered to be safer than PPD.
However, if you think you are allergic to PPD, you can use henna to color your hair instead. Remember that PPD is used in high concentrations in darker hair colors especially.
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O’dells’ Hair Dye Reaction Is Fairly Common
O’Dell isn’t the first to have such an intense reaction to PPD. INSIDER previously reported that a French student also reacted in a similar way to the ingredient, where her head swelled to double its size after she used brown hair dye.
PPD reactions from hair dye are most likely to affect the scalp, but if the dye drips at all, it can get into a person’s eyes, neck, or face and cause reactions there too, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner told INSIDER.
Usually, PPD reactions aren’t as severe as O’ Dell’s and typically only cause a skin rash called contact dermatitis, a type of eczema. According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 6.2% of people living in North America have had adverse reactions at varying levels to PPD.
“The big problem with this particular ingredient is that once the hair dyes are placed, they are permanent and can lead to a continued reaction,” Dr. Zeichner said. “In some cases, special chemicals may be needed to remove the permanent hair dye, the hair needs to be cut, or systemic medications may be needed to calm the reaction.”
According to;Newsweek, PPD is found in 90% of hair dyes, including certain organic ones. The ingredient is also found in black henna tattoo dye, so it’s recommended that people with PPD allergies stay away from the temporary tattoo method, according to the UK’s National Health Service. PPD can also be found in certain black rubber, dark-colored cosmetics, and printer inks, according to DermNet New Zealand Trust.
How Long Do Hair Dye Allergies Last
I just got my hair dyed and developed allergy, have been researching and found you. I was just curious about how long it takes for hair dye allergy to end. And any advice you might have to take away/minimize symptoms.
Update for 2015My original reply
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Chemicals Commonly Used In Hair Dyes
Go to a nearby drugstore and have a look at the ingredient list of any of the hair dye products available there. You will be shocked at looking at the names of all the things that you would never want to put on your skin. In addition to the fragrances, EDTA, parabens and propylene glycol, there are other things that are commonly used in the making of hair dyes, including sodium sulfite, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, etidronic acid, cydomethicone, paraphenylenediamine, behentrmonium chloride, simethicone and many other long and scary names.
I Using Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse To Remove Hair Dye
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Processing Time: 20 minutes
Process:
- To make an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove hair dye, you need two cups of boiling water and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- Mix the apple cider vinegar with the boiling water and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Allow the mixture to cool down.
- After shampooing and rinsing your hair, pour the apple cider vinegar mixture all over it and let it soak for 10-20 minutes to remove the hair dye.
How Often Can You Do This: 1-2 times a week.
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Alleviating An Allergic Reaction
Unless A Person Has An Allergy Ppd
People who don’t have PPD allergies don’t have to worry about the ingredient when getting their hair dyed. Hair dyes with PPD are strictly regulated in both the U.S. and UK, and there’s a maximum concentration of PPD allowed in hair dyes, according to the National Health Service.;
If you’re unsure whether you’re allergic to PPD, the easiest way to find out is to do a patch test, which involves dabbing a small amount of PPD-containing hair dye on the skin behind your ear or in your inner elbow and letting it dry. If you notice your skin starts to get swollen, red, dry, or itchy, it likely means you have a PPD allergy and shouldn’t use the dye.
You can also go to an allergy clinic where a professional can perform a similar test for you.
According to Dr. Zeichner, most people won’t have an allergic reaction to PPD the first time around, but if exposed a second time, an allergic reaction is more likely to happen. It’s a good idea, then, to do a patch test before any hair dye job.;;
Regardless of whether you react to the dye or not, you should always be cautious when using hair dye and follow the instructions on the box. You shouldn’t, for example, leave the dye on longer than instructed or apply it without gloves on.
There are also non-PPD hair dyes available for people who have allergies, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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