Hair Dye Allergy, Henna & Pregnancy

Itchiness & Allergies

Many people experience itchiness from hair dye. Redness and sensitivity can develop immediately, or over time, and it is quite common. Considering the level of ammonia (extremely alkaline at a ph of 12.5, whereas skin is 5.5) and other irritating and toxic chemicals (such as PPD and Resorcinal), this is hardly surprising.

A more severe and less common reaction to hair dye is an all-out allergic reaction with inflammation and swelling. In this case special care (even hospitalization) is required. Care should be taken as soon as possible since inflamed hair follicles can result in permanent hair loss and baldness if left untreated for too long. I would recommend seeing a doctor within 24 to 48 hours if any inflammation occurs at all.

Henna tattoos
Also consider the correlation between tattoos and allergic reaction. Permanent tattoos do not contain the chemical PPD but black henna does (see PPD Info) and can make a person more sensitive to hair dye. Think of it in terms of exposure to the chemicals; the more often you are exposed to the chemicals the more likely you are to develop a sensitivity or an allergic reaction.

Unfortunately once you have an allergic reaction, you are highly unlikely to be able to tolerate hair colouring products again so it is something to consider and be aware of if you are already sensitive.

Compromised Health
With regards to people with lupus or cancer I would recommend not dying your hair as a matter of limiting all unnecessary contact with chemicals unless you are able to find an incredibly mild, non-toxic hair dye. Nowadays there are a lot more options on the market, but you would have to do your homework on them and make sure your doctor is okay with it.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy is also a time to consider your health and safety for your baby's sake. Another option for hair colour during pregnancy is to do colour in foils rather than a full head application. This way the colour does not touch your skin while it is processing (oxidising).

For more information about the specific chemicals that are reason for concern, see blog post Permanent Hair Dye - Ingredients