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HAIR DYE: Allergen or Not An Allergen?

Allergen

Hair Dye

“Hair dye” is not on published allergen lists, but most hair dyes contain PPD or para-phenylenediamine, which is a staple in published allergen lists — — so much so that it was the American Contact Dermatitis Society‘s Allergen of the Year in 2006.
Reactions occur where you’d expect them (on the scalp, for example, or on the site of the artwork in a henna tattoo) but also on areas you might not, such as your forehead, ears, and eyelids. Hairdressers and others who handle products with PPD can also show reactions on the hands. Note that the dermatitis can spread beyond the initial sites to the chest and other areas of the body, that reactions can be intense (including swelling, blisters, and bright redness), that reactions can get more severe with subsequent exposure, and that scarring as well as post-inflammatory pigmentation problems (both hyper- and hypo-) can follow.
PPD may be “just one ingredient” but it’s kind of what makes hair dye what it is. There are currently no alternatives that work as well as PPD to provide natural, long-lasting color that can tolerate perming and other treatments. The darker the dye, the more PPD.
IMPORTANT: having no reaction to your first use of a hair dye may not mean it’s ok to use again. The first use can cause sensitization so that your next uses elicit reactions. Sensitization can also happen during a patch test. If you tested negative for PPD, don’t throw caution to the wind. Follow the instruction of most packages to test the product on a small patch of skin before using it.
If you’re allergic to PPD, it’s important to note that it can appear under different names like PPD PPDA, 1,4-Benzenediamine, or Phenylenediamine, and can be present in many things besides hair dye. These include things that have a deep, black color like inks and rubbers, gasoline and automative greases, dark clothing, and even temporary tattoos (including some henna tattoos) and some dark makeup colors.

If you have a history of sensitive skin, don’t guess: random trial and error can cause more damage. Ask your dermatologist about a patch test.

To shop our selection of hypoallergenic products, visit vmvhypoallergenics.com. Need help? Ask us in the comments section below, or for more privacy (such as when asking us to customize recommendations for you based on your patch test results) contact us by email, or drop us a private message on Facebook.

For more:

On the prevalence of skin allergies, see Skin Allergies Are More Common Than Ever and One In Four Is Allergic to Common Skin Care And Cosmetic Ingredients.

To learn more about the VH-Rating System and hypoallergenicity, click here.

Main References: 

Regularly published reports on the most common allergens by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group and European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (based on over 28,000 patch test results, combined), plus other studies. Remember, we are all individuals — just because an ingredient is not on the most common allergen lists does not mean you cannot be sensitive to it, or that it will not become an allergen. These references, being based on so many patch test results, are a good basis but it is always best to get a patch test yourself.

1. Warshaw, E.M., Maibach, H.I., Taylor, J.S., et al. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012. Dermatitis. 2015; 26: 49-59
2. W Uter et al. The European Baseline Series in 10 European Countries, 2005/2006–Results of the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Contact Dermatitis 61 (1), 31-38.7 2009
3. Wetter, DA et al. Results of patch testing to personal care product allergens in a standard series and a supplemental cosmetic series: An analysis of 945 patients from the Mayo Clinic Contact Dermatitis Group, 2000-2007. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Nov;63(5):789-98.
4. Verallo-Rowell VM. The validated hypoallergenic cosmetics rating system: its 30-year evolution and effect on the prevalence of cosmetic reactions. Dermatitis 2011 Apr; 22(2):80-97
5. Ruby Pawankar et al. World Health Organization. White Book on Allergy 2011-2012 Executive Summary.
6. Misery L et al. Sensitive skin in the American population: prevalence, clinical data, and role of the dermatologist. Int J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;50(8):961-7.
7. Warshaw EM1, Maibach HI, Taylor JS, Sasseville D, DeKoven JG, Zirwas MJ, Fransway AF, Mathias CG, Zug KA, DeLeo VA, Fowler JF Jr, Marks JG, Pratt MD, Storrs FJ, Belsito DV. North American contact dermatitis group patch test results: 2011-2012.Dermatitis. 2015 Jan-Feb;26(1):49-59.
8. Warshaw, E et al. Allergic patch test reactions associated with cosmetics: Retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group, 2001-2004. J AmAcadDermatol 2009;60:23-38. 
9. Foliaki S et al. Antibiotic use in infancy and symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children 6 and 7 years old: International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase III. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Nov;124(5):982-9.
10. Kei EF et al. Role of the gut microbiota in defining human health. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Apr; 8(4): 435–454.
11. Thavagnanam S et al. A meta-analysis of the association between Caesarean section and childhood asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008;38(4):629–633.

12. Marks JG, Belsito DV, DeLeo VA, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch-test results, 1998 to 2000. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(2):59-62.
13. Warshaw EM, Belsito DV, Taylor JS, et al. North American Contact Dermatitis Group patch test results: 2009 to 2010. Dermatitis. 2013;24(2):50-99.
Want more great information on contact dermatitis? Check out the American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermnet New Zealand, and your country’s contact dermatitis association.

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1 Comment

  1. […] Society‘s Allergen of the Year in 2006, PPD or paraphenylenediamine is no joke, especially in hair dye, where it’s most known for causing trouble. This is not surprising considering how severe […]

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