Hair Dye Allergies – Causes, Symptoms, & 10 Home Remedies

Changing your hair color at home or at a hair salon may be a thrilling experience. However, most hair care brands contain toxic substances that may lead to hair dye allergies. These toxic chemicals can also harm your hair.

Most hair dyes contain paraphenylenediamine (PPD). People with hypoallergenic skin or chemical sensitivity may experience adverse reactions to PPD.

Don’t panic. You can easily manage hair dye allergies. Scroll down to learn about home remedies that can help you get rid of your allergy symptoms.

Do Hair Dye Ingredients Cause Allergies?

We use hair products and hair treatments to make our hair look trendy and lustrous. But these products may contain chemical ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction (like contact dermatitis).

The primary ingredient in these products that causes this reaction is paraphenylenediamine (PPD). This is usually used in printer ink and temporary tattoo ink. Packaged hair dye is usually sold with an oxidizer that partially oxidizes PPD. This effect is likely to cause an allergy.

Along with PPD, another chemical compound called para toluenediamine (PTD) is added to hair dye formulations. Though PTD could be milder than PPD, it can cause allergies.

Dr. John Kahen, MD, a hair transplant surgeon, says, “If you have a PPD allergy, you will most likely have an allergic reaction if you bleach your hair, so it’s not usually recommended. There are some hair dyes formulated with para-toluene diamine sulfate (PTDS) instead of PPD that is tolerated by about half of the people with a PPD allergy. So, while it’s not always a safe alternative, it can be a viable option for some.”

Did You Know?

Paraphenylenediamine is mostly used in permanent hair dyes. Therefore, opt for demi- and semi-permanent hair dyes that do not contain PPD.

Symptoms Of Hair Dye Allergy

The severity of your symptoms may vary. They can surface immediately or show up within 48 hours of using the hair dye.

The symptoms include:

•  Red rashes on your body
•  A stinging sensation on your scalp, face, and neck
•  Appearance of blisters
•  Swelling of the face and neck
•  Inflammation of the feet, hands, eyelids, and lips

Gina Slater, a blogger, recounts her experience with a hair dye allergy that was nothing short of harrowing. She noticed her scalp was dry and itchy, her face became swollen, and she observed small lumps on the back of her neck. She writes, “I ended up in the hospital that night, I had to be injected with steroids and antihistamines, I thought I had remained calm but I had to have a drip to slow my heart rate down as it was so high from the panic of the situation (i).”

Dr. Kahen adds, “Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of a hair dye allergy. If you experience a persistent headache following the use of hair dye, you should seek a doctor who may be able to prescribe an anti-allergy medication to help.”

Mild symptoms can be relieved by washing the hair with a mild shampoo to remove excess dye. Gentle application of moisturizers and topical steroidsⁱ  XMedicines applied to the skin to reduce inflammation and irritation caused by dermatological conditions. can help in taking care of the inflamed part of the skin.

Quick Tip

To avoid these reactions, you can opt for natural hair coloring ingredients such as lemon juice and green tea for lightening the hair and coffee, henna, and indigo for darkening the hair.

Dr. Kahen adds, “If you have an allergic reaction to hair dye, it may take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the symptoms. To alleviate the symptoms you can take an antihistamine to help with a possible rash, swelling, and itching. In severe cases, the allergic reaction may yield permanent effects, but this is rare. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, go to a doctor to get it checked out.”

Using certain home remedies can help in reducing the severity of the symptoms.

Home Remedies For Hair Dye Allergies

1. Honey

Honey is one of the oldest used traditional remedies for skin conditions. As it possesses immunomodulatory properties, it may help in reducing the lesions and rashes associated with atopic and contact dermatitisⁱ  XIt is a condition that makes skin inflamed or irritated after coming in contact with some substance or allergen.  (1).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Sterile gauze

What You Have To Do

1. Dab a tablespoon of honey on the sterile gauze.
2. Dab the gauze on the rashes.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat 3-4 times daily until the allergy heals.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has a therapeutic effect on the skin. It possesses wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties that can eliminate the redness and swelling associated with hair dye allergy. The plant can also promote faster healing (2).

You Will Need

Aloe vera leaf or gel

What You Have To Do

1. Apply aloe vera gel to the rashes.
2. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off the next morning.

How Often You Should Do This

You can repeat this daily.

3. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties (3). It can help heal the inflamed lesions associated with hair dye allergies. The oil is also rich in wax esters that can help repair the skin and reduce scalp sensitivity.

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of jojoba oil

What You Have To Do

1. Heat a tablespoon of jojoba oil mixed with a carrier oil (like olive oil).
2. Apply this to your scalp and other affected areas.
3. Leave it on overnight and wash in the morning.

How Often You Should Do This

You can apply this oil at least 2 times a week.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is widely used as a remedy for skin irritation. It possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesicⁱ  XThis group of drugs helps relieve pain by selectively blocking the conduction of nerve impulses, also called painkillers. properties (4). These properties can help decrease inflammation, redness, hives, and pain that are usually associated with hair dye allergies.

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil to your scalp.
2. Leave it on overnight and wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo the next morning.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a week.

5. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling and rashes caused by contact dermatitis (a possible reaction to hair dyes) (5).

You Will Need

• A few drops of tea tree oil
• 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil

What You Have To Do

1. Heat the mixture of tea tree oil and jojoba oil in a saucepan.
2. Apply this warm oil mixture to the rashes.
3. Leave it on overnight and wash in the morning with a mild shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a week.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint possesses antipruriticⁱ  XThey are drugs that are used to help relieve itching and can also help soothe inflammation. properties (6). Hence, it may help soothe the itchy, red, and scaly rashes or eczema spots associated with hair dye allergy.

You Will Need

• 1 cup of water
• A handful of peppermint leaves

What You Have To Do

1. Heat a cup of water and add the peppermint leaves.
2. Set the mixture aside for a while and let it cool.
3. Apply it to the rashes and wash after 20 minutes.

How Often Should You Do This

Do this 2-3 times a week.

7. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel contains bioactive compounds, such as tanninsⁱ  XA class of astringents and natural antioxidants found in plants and can reduce skin inflammation and irritation. and proanthocyanidins, that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties (7). It may help eliminate the redness, swelling, and itchiness associated with hair dye allergies.

You Will Need

Witch hazel extract

What You Have To Do

1. Take a sterile Q-tip and dab witch hazel extract onto it.
2. Apply this extract to the rash and leave it to dry.
3. Wash with plain water.

How Often Should You Do This

Apply this to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.

8. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (8). This may help reduce the inflammation, redness, and pain caused by an allergic reaction to the PPD in hair dyes.

You Will Need

1 cup of chamomile tea

What You Have To Do

1. Prepare a cup of chamomile tea and set it aside to cool.
2. Use the cool mixture to wash your scalp and hair.
3. Air dry your hair.

How Often Should You Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a week.

9. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and other phenolic compounds. These compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of hair dye allergies (9).

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of olive oil

What You Have To Do

1. Apply a tablespoon of warm olive oil to your scalp and other affected areas.
2. Leave it on overnight and wash thoroughly with a shampoo.
3. Alternatively, you may leave it on for about an hour and then wash with a shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2 times a week.

10. Sesame Oil

The sesamin in sesame oil has anti-inflammatory properties (10). It can help treat hair dye allergies by soothing the red and itchy rashes and swelling.

You Will Need

2 tablespoons of sesame oil

What You Have To Do

1. Heat sesame oil lightly and apply it to your scalp and other affected areas.
2. Leave it on overnight and wash it off thoroughly the next morning.
3. Alternatively, you may leave it on for about an hour before washing with a shampoo.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a week.

11. Baking Soda

Baking soda has antibacterial properties and has been traditionally used as an effective remedy to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis. It also has antifungal properties and may reduce symptoms of fungal infections, like itchiness (11),(12). Therefore, it might be beneficial in reducing scalp irritation caused by hair dye allergies.

You Will Need

1 tablespoon of baking soda
1 tablespoon of water

What You Have To Do

Mix the water and baking soda into a smooth paste.
Apply it on the affected areas and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
Rinse it off with cold water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once a week.

Note: Do a patch test with the paste as baking soda may irritate sensitive skin.

These home remedies may help treat hair dye allergies. But as we know, prevention is always better than cure. In the following section, we have listed certain tips you can follow.

Precautions To Bear In Mind

• Always do a patch test of the product before using it. This will help minimize the chances of a possible allergic reaction.
• If you observe even the mildest allergic response to a chemical hair dye, stop using it immediately.
• If you want to get tattooed, make sure to check if you are allergic to the ink.
• People allergic to PPD or PTD could also be allergic to other substances, such as benzocaine, anesthetics, etc. Hence, keep your doctor, dentist, and hairstylist informed to avoid any mishaps.

Infographic: Ingredients To Avoid In Your Hair Dye

Hair dyes may cause allergic reactions, depending on the ingredients used in them and your skin sensitivity. While these reactions are usually not too severe and can be managed with some home remedies, there are certain ingredients you should be wary of. Check out the infographic below for a detailed list of harmful components found in hair dyes.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to treat a hair dye allergy?

If you have a mild allergic reaction to a hair dye, it will last for 7-10 days. However, if you have a more serious case of the allergy, you may experience a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. In such cases, please seek immediate medical attention.

Which hair dyes do not contain PPD?

Most semi-permanent hair dyes may not contain PPD, but almost all dyes contain PTD. Ensure to check with your hairstylist prior to getting your hair colored.

Can hair dye make you feel sick?

Hair dye is formulated using chemical compounds that can cause skin toxicity. These can lead to an allergic reaction and may also make you feel sick.

What can I use if I’m allergic to hair dye?

You can use natural hair dyes like henna to cover your grays if you are allergic to hair dye. If you are allergic to a particular ingredient, such as paraphenylenediamine, look for dyes that do not contain this compound and have para-toluenediamine sulfates, a safer alternative, instead.

Why is my head itching after hair dye?

If you are allergic to the hair dye or if it contains harsh chemicals, it may irritate your scalp and lead to itching.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Bhakti KapseMBBS

Dr. Bhakti Kapse is a General Practitioner with over 10 years of experience in family medicine. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) from Government Medical College, Nagpur. She is skilled in diagnosis and treatment of asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases and is well-known for patient service and clinical skills. Dr. Kapse is skilled in...more

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  Dr. John KahenMD

  Dr. John Kahen, MD, is one of the leading hair transplant surgeons with over 19 years of experience. He is the founder and medical director of Beverly Hills Hair Restoration and an alumnus of Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Kahen focuses on his patients' individual needs to offer surgical and non-surgical options.
  
  Dr. John Kahen, MD, is one of the leading hair transplant surgeons with over 19 years of experience. He is the founder and medical director of Beverly Hills Hair Restoration and an alumnus of Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Kahen focuses on his patients' individual needs to offer surgical and non-surgical options.

Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling. Her passion for writing and her educational background have assisted her substantially in writing quality content on topics related to health and wellness for over three years. In her free...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends. Her passion for and understanding of all things related...more