Testing for Allergic Reaction

Allergic to Phenylenediamine

Phenylenediamine (PPD)

In 1906, a chemical called Phenylenediamine (more commonly known as PPD for short) was introduced to hair dyes. It is the only active ingredient found to be safe yet effective; however, it is also the chemical that can provoke allergic reactions in hypersensitive people. Unfortunately PPD cannot be replaced by anything else even though studies have suggested that three quarters of a million Britons could be allergic.

Although allergies to PPD can be rare (even rarer than developing a food allergy) the risk is still there. Sensitivity to PPD can happen at any time as your body goes through changes or decides that enough is enough and begins to reject the chemicals attacking your body.

We've all seen the alarming pictures in the press recently. People who have used certain hair dyes for years suddenly have an allergic reaction and develop swollen eyes and faces. The BBC's Watchdog reported it not so long ago in February 2005, and there are companies out there searching for a solution.

So What Can We Do?

The only thing we can do is to have a patch test each and every time we use a dye. Without fail!

Trichocare Colourstart Patch

Selina and I always get our hair dyed and we also dye our eyelashes and eyebrows without a second thought. It wasn't until recently that we fully understood the implications of this when Selina decided to dye her hair at home. After reading an article on PPD I made Selina patch test and now we are so grateful that she did. It wasn't long before her skin became raised and itchy which then led to swelling. This lasted for about a week and was very uncomfortable for her. Imagine if she had used the hair dye all over her head! I'd have been rushing her to the A&E department of our local hospital. Until it happens to you, it's easy to assume that it never will. But it can!

A local company called Trichocare have developed a great way to test for sensitivity. They have created an allergy indicator in the form of a temporary transfer called Colourstart. Basically, you put the transfer (like one of those children's tattoos) on the inside of your arm two days before your appointment. When you turn up for your appointment your colourist will remove it and check for any allergic reactions. If all is ok, your treatment can proceed, if not, well, you've just been saved from a very unpleasant experience and a trip to the hospital!

This method has been developed and tested thoroughly at Cranfield University's Institute of BioScience and Technology and Colourstart was launched in 2004. It provides your body with a measured dose of PPD so possible allergies can be detected. Current patch tests have been found to be unreliable as they can sometimes be made too thick or too thinly with no consistency to the tests.

At Beauty of Bedford we take patch testing very seriously and to protect our customers when they come in for eyelash and brow tints we now adopt the Colour Start approach.

Your patch test will be sent to you to prior to your appointment with full instructions on how to use it. Or, if it is more convenient, you may collect a test from the salon.

Please note: Unless you have a patch test on every appointment, we will not perform your tinting treatment. There will be no exceptions!

Although reactions to dyes are very rare, numbers are on the increase and as we are dyeing your lashes and brows we will not be taking any chances. Allergies can occur at any time.

— Maria