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Hair Dye: Is It Safe?Yep..... hair dye...... For those not born with red hair but want "the look" or want to cover that gray, you're not alone! Dyeing hair is nothing new!
I've read that in ancient Greece harsh soaps and even bleaches were used to lighten and redden their hair, as those colors were identified with courage and honor. However, Romans in the 1st century liked dark hair and used leeks or boiled walnut to produce a dye for the job. Plus, natural henna has been used for thousands of years as well to dye hair, wool, for skin tattoos, and more.
It's not just women, but men too are dyeing their hair and covering the gray.
Some beauty companies such as AVEDA are also producing botanically-based products up to 99% free of chemicals. (Visit my "Cosmetic Companies" page to read more about AVEDA.) Apparently, because AVEDA dyes are 'customized' and not just 'out of a tube' -- no 2 results may be the same. So, IF you want to dye your hair, or lighten it, get more information first and take time to think about it! Why?
Anyway, PLEASE CONSIDER THE RISKS of dyeing or lightening your hair and talk with your stylist, before taking the plunge.
Those in the hair color industry say their studies show hair dye is safe. Some researchers believe it's not the contents of the dye that causes cancer but the oxidizing process that occurs and produces new chemical compounds. Most hair dyes on the market are based on and include the controversial chemical, paraphenylenediamine (PPD), now known to cause mild to very severe allergic reactions. Some European countries have banned this substance. The Center for Disease Control (USA) lists PPD as a contact allergen and exposure can be through contact with the skin or eyes, ingestion, and inhalation. Sensitization and allergic reaction can happen at any time. In 2006, it was voted as 'Allergen of the Year' by dermatologists (not a good award, by the way). It's present in many things like leather, stockings, textiles, inks, etc., so if you have an allergy, read labels and do your research to avoid it.
Bottom line... if the industry can produce safer products, they should!! (2) Skin irritation or skin allergies: TO TEST -- Choose a small area like behind your ear or inner forearm, cleanse it, and apply a small amount of the hair color. After about 24 hours, wash the area gently. If ANY irritation develops, do not use it. If you have itching, sores, redness, or a burning sensation immediately upon use or up to a day later, tell your colorist and stop using it (and NEVER use it again)! Be aware, however, that an allergic reaction may show up 10-14 days after skin contact. If there is no irritation or inflammation, it's assumed that no hypersensitivity to the product exists. (3) Discoloration of the skin: (4) Hair Breaking: (5) Color results are unpredictable: It can be especially unpredictable if you're going from red to blonde: Why? --- Most of the melanin in the red hair is the lighter phaeomelanin, which makes bleaching red hair to this lighter shade hard on the hair and a challenge!
My one redhead decided to go 'blonde' and had her hair bleached. I was so upset because I loved her natural color, but it was something new she wanted to try. She endured 2 days of bleaching treatments and then had to return for root touch-ups every 6 weeks. It was really hard on her hair, and it felt dry and brittle like straw... Fortunately, her original lovely red color grew out later, healthy again! It was definitely a challenge for her stylist!!
TIP: IF you do decide to dye your hair, some experts suggest using special color-formulated hair-care products. This is because red dye fades quicker so these special products help the shade last longer.
 TYPES OF DYE:
Color can be applied to dry hair, wet hair, or shampooed into the hair.
BUT SOMETIMES for Halloween or special events, kids may want to try a crazy color like blue or green. These types of dye are meant to be temporary. But be aware it may take time before the dye washes out and your natural color returns. Plus, if done wrong without following directions closely, it can STAIN your skin. So, use with ADULT supervision only and read the labels carefully!
Go to "Hairstyles" | See "Hairdos" | See "Hair Growth" | See "Hair Anatomy"
Go to "Red Hair Color" - main page
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-- IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, please read the box labels and any 'Warnings' on the hair dye products. Know what chemicals they contain. Some of these chemicals may have warnings for use by pregnant women. Do your research before you proceed. 
-- IF YOU HAVE TATTOOS be aware that you could be MORE ALLERGIC to the hair dye chemicals .... MANY hair dyes have a warning on their box label about this!!!
