Chemical hair dyes can causes skin irritations, expert warns
Ladies who regularly dye their hair may want to move away from the traditional products they use and try chemical-free alternatives, following one expert's warning.
Spokesman for Herbatint Paul Williams described how an ingredient which is found in most permanent hair colourings can cause skin irritations.
He explained that a substance known as PPD - which is short for ParaPhenylenediamine - acts as a pigment and does not wash out.
While most people find they have no problems with the chemical, two per cent of the population will have a sensitivity towards it, according to Mr Williams.
Unlike other allergic reactions, irritations caused by PPD develop over time and "can arise at any point".
"You might have been using the colour for ten years with no ill-effects but suddenly you start to show a sensitivity," Mr Williams commented.
Those who display irritation after using products may want to consider natural hair dye alternatives, such as semi-permanent colours that are PPD-free.
It was warned that continuing to use dyes containing the ingredient will only exacerbate the problem and could lead to serious reactions.
To check sensitivity towards PPD, Mr Williams recommended always conducting a patch test before applying hair colour, even if this is being conducted at a hairdressers.
A test on a small area of skin before each application will highlight whether the body has developed an aversion to the product, he explained.
The Daily Mirror recently detailed the story of Julie McCabe who used a popular home dye kit, as she had done many times before, only to end up on life support as a result of a reaction to PPD.
Her family are now appealing to have PPD outlawed in Britain in a bid to save other men and women from suffering the same fate if they are found to be allergic to the chemical.
Posted by Claire Thomson
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