Itching, redness, and swelling… signs that you should not ignore after dyeing your hair

Even though they are marketed as safe, home hair dyes can cause serious allergic reactions in some women. This is mainly due to the presence of irritating chemicals, most notably PPD (paraphenylenediamine), which is used to stabilize the dark color, and it is estimated that 2 to 3% of people are allergic to it.

Besides PPD, dyes contain other potentially irritating substances such as ammonia, color dyes, and similar chemical compounds, making skin reactions possible even after years of use.

How does sensitivity appear?

Symptoms range from:
• Itching and redness
• Blisters or swelling
• Scalp pain
• Swelling of the face or eyes in severe cases

These symptoms may appear immediately or days after the dye.

What do you do if a reaction occurs?

If you feel a burning or itching while applying the dye, rinse immediately with warm water.
However, if swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness appears, you must immediately go to the doctor or the emergency room.

Prevention

Experts advise conducting an allergy test 48 hours before coloring, by placing a little dye on the bend of the elbow and observing any reaction. It is also preferable to apply moisturizing cream around the hairline to protect the skin.

Which dye do you choose?

If you have previously been exposed to allergies, it is recommended to choose dyes that are free of PPD or vegetable dyes, knowing that no product is completely risk-free, but some formulations are less allergenic than others.

The golden rule: test for allergies before every coloring… even if you have used the same dye for years.