Can some hair dyes actually cause death?
What are the risks of colouring your hair? Find out whether an allergic reaction to hair dye is something you should be concerned about
By Lisa Hannam
Yes, but only in extremely rare cases. Late last year, U.K. media reported that a 17-year-old girl in Scotland had coloured her hair with an at-home kit, and within 20 minutes began vomiting, collapsed and later died in hospital. Since then other reports from the U.K. have come out about teens with disfiguring swelling after dyeing their hair.
The news suggested they'd had severe reactions to PPD, which stands for paraphenylenediamine, a colour-enriching ingredient used in some at-home and salon permanent dyes. We asked Dr. Benjamin Barankin, a dermatologist and medical director of the Toronto Dermatology Centre, if there's truth to such a connection. "Millions of people can tolerate PPD just fine. But there is a small percentage of people who can become allergic to it." He says that the darker the dye colour, from brown to black, the more likely it contains PPD. Reactions, such as irritation, swelling and redness, can progressively worsen with repeated exposure, to the point of anaphylaxis. But he stresses that any reactions at all are extremely rare.
Health Canada bans PPD in cosmetics that are applied directly to the skin. And if you read the instructions on semi-permanent hair colour kits (both at-home kits and the salon variety), they advise you to avoid having the dye coming into contact with your scalp.
Some brands offer PPD-free colouring. But often another chemical is used in its place: paratoluenediamine, or PTD. It is possible to be allergic to this as well. Some henna-based dyes also contain PPD or PTD.
Barankin stresses the importance of doing what the packages instruct: Test the dye on a patch of skin, such as on your arm, the first time you use it. If you have any irritation, redness and/or swelling, make an appointment with a dermatologist to confirm and diagnose a potential allergy.
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Best Health Magazine, January/February 2012
Wow, the only thing I had heard in the past was something to do with pregnancy, and that it was preferable not to dye your hair if you were. Troubling to read the comments and I really do feel for you. I know now, I'm one of the lucky ones, been colouring my hair for so many years I can't remember.
I REALLY don't mean to be glib - but I just cannot resist this Joan Rivers moment - at least I'll die with my roots intact! Sorry ladies, I couldn't resist.
I get skin discoloring, white spots on my arms and legs. I know there is a warning on most hairdyes for this. What is the ingredient that may be doing this and are there any hairdyes without this ingredient?
Thanks
I too started having allergic reactions to hair color and went grey with lowlights (use of foils that don't come in contact with scalp) I have discovered a wonderful product called Sanotint (light). It contains no PPD and have had no issues with this product. Nice thick formula and makes my hair look natural, healthy and shine. Manufactured in Italy (www.cosvalitaly.com) but available in Canada. I get mine from Aveda (Wpg)
I am allergic to dyes as well. I have let my hair go "natural"...greyish white..UGH!
what choice is there ? A wig is great.....choose your color and have it styled the way you like.
I have dyed my hair twice in the last 2 years, each time it caused red blemishes in my scalp and around my face. I also had bumps on my neck which were itchy and painful. Maybe its my fault for not doing the test first. However, I had streaks put in my hair from a salon and no problems. Go figure.
Hey Best Health Magazine -hopw about a follow up story where you challenge all the hair color manufacturers to come up with some healthy safe scent free products that actually work and cover the greys.
Five years ago my daughter had her 2nd reaction to black hair dye. The second time she was severly ill and in an out of hospital. It transpired that she was also allergic to the antibiotics given to her to treat the scalp lesions caused by the hair dye. You never want to see the reaction this caused. She didn't want me to see her either. Swollen face and eyes, the sight was not good. I was just so relieved to see her alive. She survived but is now very cognizant of the fact that she will no longer be able to dye her hair.
I also am one of the unfortunate ones that cannot dye my hair. I tried three times, two at a salon and once at home. All three times I had an allergic reaction. I had the defomed face. From my neck to the top of my scalp. Not only was the swelling intense I also had oozing sores. So, now I just stick with my grey. It's my trademark.
I am also allergic to home and salon hair dyes. Itching, red scalp and weeping skin where the dye touches. I have tried many different brands-some were suppose to be milder-did not work. Would love to have a hair dye that was safe to use. I have let my hair go grey as it became too risky to keep applying dye to my head. Would love for hair dye companies to develop dyes that are not harmful to our health. If someone knows of any please let me know-thanks!!
As someone who has experienced an allergic reaction to hair colour I really wish the cosmetic companies would wake up and come out with some truly safe permanent hair colours . I have had to quit going to hair salons, and/or buying the do it yourself kits as a result of itching , redness , and burning , and now have an extremely sensitive scalp which a doctor speciallizing in hair told me the reactions could get even worse if I were to continue having my hair done [I went to a salon 99.8% of the time for this]. I have tried Henna - didn't work out well for me either and is not without its problems. Please cosmetic and medical companies ...please help with this issue as most of us dont like the grey.
It sure would be nice if you would list some PPD and/or PTD - free hair dyes...