#10 Don’t Use Hair Dye Before Reading This! (Video) | Dr. Shabari Arumugam

Have you ever used Hair Dye?
Have you ever experienced ALLERGY to Hair Dye?
Have you ever read the caution and Allergy Alert Test in the hair dye labels?
Do you know how to check whether you are prone to Hair Dye Allergy or Not?

Hey! Welcome back! The Quarantine content of this week is HAIR DYE ALLERGY.

When it comes to why we colour our hair, the list is different for everyone: from covering greys to changing up your tone and everything in between.

The main objective of this post is to spread awareness about the Hair Dye Allergy and steps to prevent it.
Day by day, there is an increase in the usage of Hair dye among Indians.

The average age at which Indians start using hair dye is 27 (±3.63)!

HairDye’s are classified, according to colour resistance into:

• Temporary, 
• Semipermanent, 
• Demi-permanent and
• Permanent.

The Ingredient which is responsible for allergy in hair dye is ParaPhenyleneDiamine (PPD)

This PPD is present in most of the Permanent And Demi-Permanent Hair Dye. Darker the colour of the hair dye more is the concentration of the PPD.

In India, PPD use was initially restricted to disguising the grey and white hairs among the older population; recent times have seen a greater use among the younger generation who would like to experiment with their looks.

What is Hair Dye Allergy?

Hair Dye Allergy is a type of ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS, which means when you apply the hair dye for the first time, the body takes some time to recognize it as an allergen and stores in its memory. So the symptoms may not occur when you use the hair dye for the first time. However, on repeated usage, the body recognizes it and produces symptoms.

Nowadays, people are experiencing the Hair dye allergy even when they apply for the first time and this is due to CROSS-SENSITIZATION.

A person who is using Hair Dye for a prolonged period without any history of allergy may still get allergy at any point of his lifetime

Who is predisposed to hair dye allergy?

• Women
• More than 50 years old individuals

What are the symptoms of Hair Dye Allergy?

• Itching is the most common symptom. 
• Other symptoms include Redness, Burning, Headache, Hair loss, redness of the eye (conjunctivitis), skin darkening, etc. 
• The symptoms start initially around the eyes and over the rim of ears and more common over the face
• These symptoms occur within the FIRST hour following the application of  Hair Dye in most of the individuals. Whereas one-third may experience even after 24 hours!
• Some people may experience swelling of the face.
• Rarely, it may be severe landing up in life-threatening conditions like Anaphylaxis!

What to do if I experience these symptoms following hair dye application?

• First, don’t panic
• Wash off the hair dye with lukewarm water
• Consult a dermatologist

How to PREVENT Hair Dye Allergy?

• Avoid using Hair-dye PERMANENTLY once you develop Hair Dye Allergy 

The saddest part is that only ONE-FOURTH stopped using hair dye even after confirming the diagnosis of Hair Dye Allergy!

• Always wear gloves, especially HAIRDRESSERS 
• Wash the Hair Dye within the set-timer.
• Protect your hair from the sun following the application of hair dye.
• Always do the ALLERGY test before applying the Hair Dye for the first time.

How to do an Allergy Test (Patch test)?

1. Perform the Hair dye Allergy test over the skin of inner bend of the elbow of size 1*1 cm.
2. Apply a thin layer of hair dye with the help of a cotton-tip. 
3. Allow the area to dry and leave it undisturbed for 45 mins.
4. Then, wash the area with lukewarm water  
5. If you notice any signs of allergy, like redness, burning, itching, swelling during the application time or during the following 48 hours post-processing, YOU SHOULD NOT USE THE PRODUCT.

That’s it! Hope I have conveyed all the essential information about Hair Dye Allergy. 

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