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 that’s 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.
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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.
Which ingredients cause allergy
The most common ingredient to cause hair dye allergy is PPD, also termed as p-phenylenediamine or paraphenylenediamine. Most permanent hair dyes contain PPD, in addition to some lipsticks, black henna products, textiles, oils, printing inks, furs, etc. Hair dyes that contain PPD usually come in two separate packets, which you have to mix when ready to use. When mixed, oxygen reacts with PPD and becomes oxidized to cause an allergy in people who are already sensitive to it.
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.
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.
Finding an allergy free hair dye
Allergy free hair dyes are usually made up of natural ingredients like herbs, flowers and vegetables. But keeping in view the increasing awareness among people, many brands have also started manufacturing allergy free hair dyes which are safe and healthy for human skin. The key is to look at the list of ingredients and ensure that it has minimum chemicals in it.
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