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Hair dye reactions

Symptoms of a hair dye reaction

When hair dye comes into direct contact with your skin, it can sometimes cause an allergic reaction.

Common skin reactions include:

On white skin, a rash can appear red. On brown and black skin, symptoms may look darker brown, purple, grey or be harder to see.

Symptoms can take up to 72 hours to appear.

It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to hair dye, but this is rare.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you have a reaction to hair dye and your symptoms get worse

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

  • your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
  • you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
  • your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
  • you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • someone faints and cannot be woken up

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Information:

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

A pharmacist can help with a hair dye reaction

A pharmacist can suggest things to help if you have mild skin reaction symptoms.

Treatments may include:

Find a pharmacy

Treatment for a hair dye reaction

If you have symptoms that are not going away, a GP may prescribe:

If you have had a reaction to hair dye, a doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for a patch test. This is a test that can tell you if you're allergic to a particular chemical or ingredient in hair dye.

Important: Skin cream and ointment fire warning

Skin creams or ointments can dry onto your clothes and bedding. This makes them more likely to catch fire. Avoid naked flames and smoking.

Causes of hair dye reaction

Many permanent and some semi-permanent hair dyes contain a chemical called PPD (paraphenylenediamine). PPD is known to irritate skin or cause allergic reactions.

You may be more at risk of an allergic reaction if you have (or have previously had) a black henna tattoo. This is because the paste used for the tattoos contain high levels of PPD. This can increase the risk of an allergic reaction next time use anything that contains PPD, including hair dye.

Find out more about the dangers of black henna tattoos on the British Skin Foundation website.

Things you can do to help prevent a hair dye reaction

There are things you can do to help prevent your skin reacting to hair dye.

Do

  • try to avoid products that contain PPD, especially if you've ever had a reaction to hair dye or a black henna tattoo

  • test the dye on a strand of your hair at least 48 hours before you want to use it, follow the instructions on the packet

  • buy a patch test kit to use at home if you think you may be allergic to hair dye

  • follow the instructions that come with the hair dye

  • wear gloves when applying hair dye

  • wash your hair and scalp thoroughly with mild shampoo immediately if you feel like you're having a reaction

  • choose a non-permanent hair dye if you've previously had a reaction to a permanent hair dye

Don’t

  • do not continue to use the hair dye if you feel unwell or have a reaction after a patch test or strand test

  • do not leave hair dye on for longer than the recommended time

Information:

Using hair dye during pregnancy

Find out more about using hair dye in pregnancy on the Better Start in Life website.

Page last reviewed: 29 December 2025
Next review due: 29 December 2028