Article date: 01/02/2005
BBC Watchdog - Hair Dye
Originally online at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/thisweek/index3.shtml
Throughout history people have dyed their hair. The Egyptians used gold dust, the Greeks used saffron and the Romans used leeches.
But since 1906 one chemical has transformed our tresses. Para-Pheneylenediamine or PPD for short. However, some Watchdog viewers have suffered severe allergic reactions after using products with PPD in them.
One viewer described how her head became red, itchy and swollen. She was unable to open her eyes and was rushed to hospital where a violent reaction to PPD was confirmed.
Another woman had a burning sensation on her scalp on application. She then developed open sores all over her body.
In 2001 one woman died after she used a well known brand of hair dye. The coroner's report stated that she most likely reacted to an ingredient in the hair dye.
Studies suggest that up to three-quarters of a million Britons could be allergic to PPD.
There are warnings on hair dye boxes, but Dr. John McFadden, Consultant Dermatologist at St. Thomas' Hospital believes they are not prominent enough.
Manufacturers recommend doing a sensitivity test 48 hours before using hair dye. Yet Carol Walker, a Consultant Trichologist believes the test can give unreliable results, "You can actually make the product up too thick or too thinly. So there's no accuracy when you're applying it".
Ray Seymour from the National Hairdressers' Federation, believes a patch test which was introduced in 2004 would produce more effective results. Users put the patch on their arm and it puts a controlled level of chemical onto your skin. Within 48 hours you are given an indication as to whether or not you have a sensitivity to PPD.
The patch test is currently being successfully tested in 500 salons across the country. However, there are no plans to put the patches in hair dye kits. A lot of customers, keen to transform their hair but not their face, will want to know why.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA), who are the trade association for the industry said, "Although they are exceptionally rare, reactions to hair colourants can occur for a very small number of people, in the same way that some individuals can react to a variety of foods and natural substances. The safety of our consumers is our first priority which is why we urge people to carry out a skin allergy test 48 hours before every use and follow the instructions exactly. For more information on the safety of hair dyes visit: www.ctpa.org.uk".