Hair Coloring Products Cause Allergies, Rashes

According to Newsweek, the cosmetic industry estimates that between one half and two thirds of adult American women and many men regularly use some kind of hair-coloring product – and sales are steadily climbing as the baby boomers age. More young people, with no gray to hide, are also coloring their hair, and the increase in use of hair dye increases the chance of allergic reaction known as contact dermatitis.

Hair dressers are at risk as well. A recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the number of patients with reactions do hair dyes in one clicnic has doubled in just six years.

The typical reaction is a rash around the scalp that appears within several hours of the initial exposure. In severe cases, facial swelling may occur, and a doctor may prescribe a oral corticosteroids.

The ingredient causing most of these reactions is paraphenylenediamine (PPD). The American Contact Dermatitis Society named PPD ‘Allergen of the Year’ in 2006. PPD also apepars in black henna ink at high concentrations and has caused reactions in people who get temporary tattoos. People who have an allergic reaction to black henna ink are likely to have a reaction to hair dyes containing PPD.

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