Paraphenylenediamine, which is known as PPD, is one of the most common things that people are allergic to in traditional hair color. It is often used alongside peroxide to dye someone’s hair color but can cause severe dermatitis to those who are allergic to it. The allergic reaction to PPD is often painful, embarrassing, and can take a while to heal, so those who do experience this when using certain hair dyes might shy away from altering their hair color altogether. Here is what you should know about a PPD allergy and what to look for if you think you might have it.
- While PPD is most frequently used in commercially processed hair color, it can also be used in various cosmetics, clothing dye, and specific printing inks. Additionally, it can also be found in temporary tattoos as well.
- The most common reaction people who are allergic to PPD experience is dermatitis. Dermatitis is a broad term that the medical community uses to classify pain, irritated skin. However, symptoms of dermatitis for those with a PPD allergy can come in the form of red, inflamed, and scaly skin on their scalp and hairline.
- An allergy to PPD can happen over time and does not always occur the first time you use hair dye.
- Your hair stylist will almost always do a patch test when working with your hair for the first time to make sure that the color turns out correctly on your hair and that you are not allergic to any of the dye’s chemicals. However, if you are dying your hair at home, it is vital that you remember to do the patch test on yourself first.
Luckily, there are plenty of plant-based hair dye alternatives for you to choose from if you are allergic to PPD. The all-natural hair color in our store at Saba Botanical is safe to use if you do have an allergy to PPD, or are sensitive to other chemicals.
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