Many individuals all over the world have hair dye allergy. Even though hair dyes have been used widely for aesthetic purposes, those who have sensitive skin might not benefit from the product.
If an individual has hair dye allergy or sensitivity to certain chemicals, allowing the hair dye to stay longer on the scalp often leads to a red, itchy and peeling rash. One chemical, specifically paraphenylenediamine which is present in most hair dye products is a usual culprit for the allergies. Once the skin becomes irritated and itchy, it might indicate hair dye allergy.
Causes of head itchiness
When the individual ends up with a sore scalp after using a hair dye, it is likely an allergic reaction or oftentimes called as contact dermatitis. Take note that the reaction is quite common once those who use at-home dyes that are allowed to stay on the scalp rather than applied on the strands in a professional salon.
Most of the chemical hair dyes contain both ammonia and paraphenylenediamine which irritates the skin. Once the chemicals come in contact with the skin, they can burn the surface which results to an itchy rash.
Management of hair dye allergy
It is sad to note that once the hair dye caused damage to the scalp, there is not much that can be done to relieve the itchiness until the rash fully heals. In the meantime, the individual must avoid utilizing heavy hair products that can aggravate the issue by further aggravating the irritation.
The individual should avoid scratching the scalp since it might introduce bacteria into the broken skin which leads to infection. The ideal course of action is to ensure that all traces of the hair dye are thoroughly rinsed from the scalp and hair. In case the rash becomes worse, a doctor should be consulted.
Preventive measures
Being aware of a reaction to hair dye products will put an individual in control to avoid future rashes and itchy skin. Prior the application of hair dye on the skin, perform a spot test first on a less visible area such as the interior of the arm.
Dab a small amount of the hair dye and wash off and then wait for 24 hours. This will check for any skin reaction such as irritation to the ingredients present in the hair dye. It is best to have hair dye applied by a professional.
What are the alternatives?
Using the traditional hair dye is not the only method to add color to hair. There are natural dyes such as those made out of henna that do not contain any chemicals, thus they are less likely to trigger scalp irritation or an allergic reaction.
If the permanent hair dyes are responsible, it is best to opt for a semi-permanent formula of the same shade which has fewer chemicals. Lastly, consulting a professional stylist regarding highlights to conceal gray or white hair can limit the amount of hair dye used while protecting the sensitive skin on the scalp.