Can you be allergic to vegan hair dye? This is a question that I get all the time from my clients who are concerned about trying a few new products.
Keep reading to learn some insider tips and tricks so you can make the right decision for you!
Can you be allergic to vegan hair dye?
Yes, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to vegan hair dye. While most dyes do not contain animal products and are therefore vegan, they can still cause allergies. There are two types of ingredients that can cause allergic reactions: proteins and aromatic chemicals.
Allergic reactions to vegan hair dye can vary. Some people have had minor reactions, such as a rash or a chemical burn. Others have had major reactions, such as difficulty breathing or having anaphylactic shock.
If you experience any allergic reaction to vegan hair dye, immediately rinse the dye out of your hair and call an emergency medical service. These allergic reactions are caused by proteins and aromatic chemicals in the dye.
Because these compounds are used in all types of dyes, not just those that contain animal products, it’s possible to be allergic to vegan hair dye.
The following ingredients can both cause allergic reactions:
Protein. Hair dyes that contain protein may cause allergic reactions. This is true of some semi-permanent hair dyes and some permanent dyes. A protein allergy manifests as a red rash or swelling in the area where the dye was applied.
Aromatic chemicals. They are usually added to hair dyes as fragrances. This can cause reactions in some people who suffer from asthma or hay fever. In addition, aromatic chemicals can be irritating to your eyes and lungs — the same goes for the ammonia found in many dyes — which can lead to coughing and sneezing while getting your hair colored.
Can I dye my hair if I’m vegan?
In short, yes you can dye your hair if you’re vegan! There are some crucial things to keep in mind, however. The first thing to know is that animal products are used in some dyes, including the colorant ammonia and p-phenylenediamine (PPD).
To avoid these, go for brands like Pravana or Manic Panic. You may also want to avoid semi-permanent dyes like Nice ‘N Easy: they contain both ammonia and PPD.
In addition to avoiding animal products and PPD, be sure that your brand of dye doesn’t contain any alcohols: both ethanol and SD alcohol are derived from animal sources.
Once you’ve got your dye, it’s important to know what kind of hair you have before you start coloring it. Some types of hair are more porous than others, which means that they “soak up” more dye.
This is called porosity: if your hair is porous, you need to color it more often than someone whose hair isn’t as absorbent. If your hair is very porous, skip the bleach and stick with dye in the first place; otherwise, you’ll end up with a brassy mess on your hands.
How Do Vegan Dyes Work?
You may have noticed that many natural hair dyes are marketed as a vegan. What do vegans have to do with hair dye? Are they just marketing to a niche market or is there something special about products marketed as vegan-friendly?
The answer is simple: Vegan hair dyes work. They work just as well on your hair as conventional hair dyes. But they don’t contain ingredients that are tested on animals and could be harmful to your health.
The most common vegan ingredients in hair dye are henna and indigo, which give dark colors to your strands.
Vegan dyes contain natural ingredients that give dark colors to your hair. Henna contains lawsone, which reacts with the ammonia in the dye to form a compound called lawsone-ammonia mixture (LAM), a yellow/orange pigment that gives you an orange-tinted color.
Indigo contains indigotin, which reacts with the hydrogen peroxide in the dye to form dihydroxyindigo, which gives you blue-tinted color. The dye also contains glycerin and citric acid, which help it penetrate into your hair shaft and make it soft and shiny.
How to test if you are allergic to vegan hair dye
Being a vegan does not mean you have to compromise the style of your hair. There are several vegan hair dyes that are made from plant material to produce color with no harm to animals.
Trying out new hair colors is a great way to express your personality, but even long-time vegans may be surprised to find out that some dyes and shampoos might contain animal products.
This can cause an allergic reaction. Before you put anything on your head, here’s some advice on how to test if you are allergic to vegan hair dye:
Step 1. On your forearm or behind your ears, apply a small amount of the dye in question. Follow the application instructions on the bottle. Use only a small amount of dye for this test as it is not necessary to cover your arm or entire ear.
Step 2. Wait 24 hours and monitor the area closely for signs of redness, swelling, or pain. If any of these symptoms occur, discontinue use and see your doctor right away.
Step 3. Repeat this test with additional colors until you find one that produces no reaction.
Step 4. Wait at least two weeks before using any other form of hair dye or permanent makeup product or consult with your physician.
How to use vegan hair dye correctly
- Preparation – Vegan hair dye is best used on dry hair. Use a deep conditioner and leave it on for at least 20 minutes before applying the dye.
- Protect your eyes and ears – In order to prevent any damage from contact with the dye, make sure that you wear gloves when applying them to your hair. Also, cover your ears with a pair of earplugs so that you don’t accidentally get any of the dye on them!
- Treat your scalp – When using vegan hair dye, it is absolutely vital that you make sure your scalp is perfectly clean and free of any oils or products. This will allow the color to take better and will help stop your skin from absorbing any of the chemicals used in the dyeing process. Make sure you use a gentle shampoo and warm water when cleaning your scalp before dying your hair.
- Work quickly – If you are using a hair dye with a developer, making sure that you work quickly is important. The longer the dye stays on your scalp, the more likely it is that it will cause irritation or discomfort. To avoid this, work in small sections, always keeping a towel on hand so that you can cover up any exposed skin as soon as you have finished working on a section of hair.
- Pick your shade – Vegan dyes are best suited for shades of red, black, brown, or blond. They’re not ideal for darkening already-dark hair or changing its length, texture, or color. In other words, you can’t use them to go from brunette to blonde or vice versa.
Final Thoughts
Your vegan lifestyle may not include animal byproducts as food, but even something as seemingly innocent as vegan hair dye can cause allergic reactions.
It is imperative that you read the labels of any product you buy to ensure it does not contain anything derived from an animal.
And if you have had an allergic reaction to a vegan hair dye in the past, make sure to inform your stylist about your condition before getting another one placed.
