Featured Tip the Day How to Make a Perfect Deep Conditioner at Home 1. You'll need one fresh avacado and a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. 2. Peel the avocado and mash it to the consistency of guacomole dip. 3. Pour in one quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil with the avocado. 4. Add two whole eggs. 5. Apply 3 to 5 table spoons in one session. The mixture has no preservatives so it will need to be refrigerated between uses. |
Hair Dye Allergies-When a Dye Job Goes Bad Related Articles Dry Hair Treatment At Home Eat for Healthy Hair -Top 10 Foods How to Grow Your Hair Stop Dandruff Now How to Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin Natural Home Remedies for Acne Hand Spa at Home for Dry Hands Natural Facial Masks North American Hair Research Society European Hair Research Society September 24, 2010, last updated February 4, 2012 By Louise Carr, Contributing Columnist Chances are, at some point in your life, you're going to dye your hair. Millions of us are reaching for the dye. According to the Food and Drug Administration, a full 40% of American women dye their hair. And in the UK, the hair dye market rings up sales of over $300 million a year. And why not. Dyeing your hair is one of the quickest ways to upgrade your look, shave years off your age or just feel better. Mousy brown is transformed to blond, blond turns to raven black, gray turns back to youthful, vibrant color. But recent research has identified several dangerous chemicals that are present in store- bought hair dyes that can cause allergic reactions. Are you risking your health when you apply the dye? What are the chemicals in hair dye and what are they doing to your hair, scalp and your health? What Are the Symptoms Of Hair Dye Allergy? In mild cases of hair dye allergies, the signs of a dye job gone wrong include a tingling in the scalp or tightness in the skin after you’ve applied the dye. With severe allergic reactions, your forehead, ears, neck or eyelids may swell or turn red. Generalized symptoms can include itching, feeling tired and unwell. But hair dye allergies can also cause serious health problems. In extreme cases an allergic reaction can trigger anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock is a severe multi-system reaction that can cause death. This is very rare but according to Dr. John P McFadden, senior lecturer at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, patients with contact allergies to hair dye sometimes have such severe swelling around the face or hairline that they must be hospitalized. Allergic reaction to hair dye can be a serious problem. How Many People Have Allergic Reactions to Hair Dye? Recent research suggests that allergic reactions to hair dye are increasing. A 2007 survey by St John's Institute of Dermatology in London, reported in the British Medical Journal, found a doubling in the frequency of contact dermatitis reported to one London clinic, from 4.2 percent in 1999 to 7.1 percent in 2004. A 2002 study from the Department of Dermatology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark analyzed consumer complaint-based data that was obtained by advertising for people who’d had a bad reaction to a dye job. Out of those that responded, 55 people had severe, acute allergic contact dermatitis. The 55 people made a combined total of 75 visits to the health service and five people were admitted to hospital. 18 people who had used hair dye had to take sick leave. Research also indicates that we are dying our hair more often and starting at a younger age. A 1992 study by the Japan Soap and Detergent Association found 13 percent of female high school students, 6 percent of women in their 20s and 2 percent of men in their 20s used hair dye. By 2001 the percentage had increased to 41 percent, 85 percent and 33 percent respectively. Because many hair dye users identify an allergic problem themselves, and many don’t go to health care professionals unless the reaction is very severe, it is likely that the list is a lot longer than scientific reports will ever be able to claim. Chemicals in Hair Dye That Can Cause Health Problems Para-phenylenediamine, or PPD, is the main culprit in incidences of allergic reactions to hair dye. More than two thirds of consumer hair dyes currently contain para-phenylenediamine and this is a chemical that was banned from use as a hair colorant in Germany, France and Sweden. Para-phenylenediamine is known to be a potent allergen that can cause acute dermatitis. Para-phenylenediamine is allowed in hair dye at a concentration of 6%. Out of the 55 cases of allergic reaction in the 2002 University of Copenhagen study which analyzed allergic reactions to hair dye, 29 percent were patch tested and all tested positive for para-phenylenediamine. The researchers suggest “PPD and its derivatives in hair dye at the present concentrations presents a significant health risk for the population.” However, 2009 research from L'Oréal Research and Development, France, suggests that there has been no clear increase in positive patch-test reactions to para- phenylenediamine in eczema patients and in the general population and there has been a significantly significant decrease in positive patch-test reactions to para- phenylenediamine in North America between 1970 and 2002. Para-aminodiphenylamine and paratoluene diamine These agents are often found in reddish dyes and are a little less reactive than PPD, but can still cause allergic sensitivity. Other Chemicals That Can Cause Hair Allergies The oxidizer hydrogen peroxide, which is also found in hair dyes, can irritate the skin and the eyes and can burn at high concentrations. Sodium lauryl sulphate, polyethylene glycol, oleic acid and propylene glycol are all irritants. Chlorides can also irritate your eyes. Can I Dye My Hair When I’m Pregnant? Is it safe to dye your hair when you're pregnant? Concerns about the potential of chemicals in hair dye to irritate the skin and cause allergic reaction have made many women stop dyeing their hair during pregnancy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, says that it's likely that only a small amount of dye will be absorbed into your system when you use it so “very little chemicals, if any, would be able to get to your baby.” Research is limited but generally shows that it’s safe to color your hair when pregnant because the amounts that are toxic are massive compared to anything you could receive through one bottle. However, hair dye allergies can happen at any stage of your life and may be more uncomfortable if you are pregnant, or cause risk to your baby if the allergic reaction is severe. Tips to Reduce Hair Dye Allergies Make sure you follow the instructions on the packet carefully – don’t skip that part because you think you’ll be fine. Do a patch test for allergic reactions by dabbing a little dye behind your ear and leave it for two days. If you have any burning, redness or itching, don’t go ahead and pour the dye all over your scalp. Take particular note of the time needed for the dye to work and don’t leave it on your head any longer than necessary – set your alarm clock to make sure. Never mix different hair dye products and don’t use the dye on your eyebrows as it can harm the eyes and even cause blindness. Rinse your head thoroughly after dyeing. If you experience a mild allergic reaction to hair dye, take an antihistamine. The 2002 study from the University of Copenhagen found that 60 percent of those suffering from an allergic reaction were treated with antihistamine, and 52 percent were treated with corticosteroids. Antihistamines can calm the redness and reduce itching. Hair Dye Natural Alternatives Using an alternative product on your scalp is the only way to fully avoid the allergies that para-phenylenediamine and other chemicals can trigger. Stores sell many non-permanent alternatives to chemical hair dyes. Non-permanent dyes are less reactive and cause fewer problems than permanent hair dyes. The most common alternative hair dye one is henna. Henna comes from a natural plant and rarely causes and allergic reaction. Tattoo quality henna dyes come is a variety of strengths and colors including red and black. Check that the henna you use doesn’t also contain strong chemicals. That should help about 90% of you who have hair allergies. It is important to note that, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated, about 10 percent of people sensitized to para-phenylenediamine will also suffer allergic reactions to non-permanent dyes. For those unlucky 10%, the only real way to make sure you’ll never have allergic problems is to stop using hair dyes altogether. Update (from editors): As for the question of "where" you should buy henna, there are a number of alternatives. Many people in the US use mehandi. com, and others use hennaboy or Baldwins from the UK. A word of caution. There have been reports of delays in receiving shipments from hennaboy (see forum discussion here) . One of our editors has used Baldwins, which has been making beauty products since 1844, and found them to be on-time. Your best bet is to order a small amount your first them out to see if the henna quality and delivery times meet your expectations. Now, find out more about keeping your scalp and hair healthy and beautiful: Dry Hair Treatments At Home / Eat for Healthy Hair -10 Tips / Stop Dandruff Now / Grow Your Hair / Dry Hair Treatments At Home |
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