Mostly all the hair dyes have a warning note on them to do a patch test before applying them.
If you have skipped this allergy test and straight off, colored hair and suffered from an allergy, you need not worry. There are some easy home remedies that can help get rid of hair dye allergies.
Paraphenylenediamine is a common ingredient found in most of the hair dyes. It can cause an allergic reaction to those with hypo-allergic skin.
The symptoms of hair dye allergies include:
- The appearance of red rashes on the body
- Blisters
- A stinging sensation on the scalp, face, and neck
- Inflammation on feet, hands, eyelids, and lips
- Swelling on face and neck
Home Remedies For Hair Dye Allergies
They are:
Honey
Honey is a traditional home remedy. It possesses immunomodulatory properties and helps in reducing lesions and rashes associated with atopic dermatitis.(1)
It is a natural healing agent. It can be mixed with olive oil to reduce the discomfort due to allergy. You can also directly apply honey using sterile gauze on the rashes.
Aloe Vera
Aloevera with its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties helps in reducing the redness and swelling associated with hair dye allergy. It is an anti-pruritic and relieves the itchiness and inflammation.
It hastens the healing process.(2)
You can apply the fresh aloe vera gel on the rashes. Let it stay on the scalp for a night and wash the next day to effectively get rid of hair dye allergy.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.(3) It repairs inflamed lesions and reduces redness and itching associated with hair dye allergies.
It is rich in wax esters that help in skin repairing.
Mix one tablespoon of jojoba oil with a carrier oil and apply it to the scalp and other affected areas. You can leave it overnight and wash it the next day.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has numerous skin beneficial properties. It is an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic.(4)
These properties make it useful in reducing and getting rid of inflammation, redness, and pain associated with hair dye allergies.
It also moisturizes the scalp and treats its dryness.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil possesses an anti-inflammatory property that makes it a good solution for swelling and rashes caused by hair dye allergies.(5)
It can be mixed with jojoba oil to be applied to the rashes.
It has been used as an alternative remedy for treating scalp allergies for a hundred years.
Peppermint
Peppermint has anti-pruritic properties that help soothe itchy, red, and scaly rashes associated with hair dye allergy.(6)
Take a few leaves of peppermint leaves and put them in a heated cup of water. Let it cool. Apply this water to the rashes and wash off after 20 minutes.
It can be repeated 2-3 times a week to get good results.
Witch Hazel
Tannins and proanthocyanidins are the bioactive compounds present in witch hazel that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.(7)
Due to these compounds witch hazel has positive effect in getting rid of redness, swelling, and itching associated with dye allergies.
Apply the extract on the rash and leave it to dry. Wash it off with plain water.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that are helpful in reducing inflammation, redness, and pain caused due to allergic reactions to dyes.(8)
Prepare a cup of chamomile tea and keep it aside to cool. Wash the scalp and affected area with it.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has antioxidant and phenolic compounds that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. They help in alleviating symptoms of hair dye allergy.(9)
Warm olive oil and apply it to the scalp and the affected areas. Wash it off using a mild shampoo the next day. You can also leave it for an hour and shampoo thereafter.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil has anti inflammatory properties that prove to be helpful in treating hair dye allergies. It soothes the redness and swelling due to allergy.(10)
Warm sesame oil lightly and apply it to the affected areas. Within a few days of application, the allergy would start subsiding.
Conclusion
Treating hair dye allergies is not a daunting task, but that doesn’t mean you to be careless with the precautionary measures. It is very imperative to do a patch test before applying the hair dye all over the scalp and hair. Also, be careful to wear gloves before handling hair dyes.
Seek medical attention if the allergy turns severe.