Here’s What to Know If Your Kid Wants to Dye Their Hair

It’s completely regular for teenagers to start out experimenting with their private model as they grow old. Picking out their very own garments or portray their nails with non-toxic polish are straightforward methods to precise themselves, however extra everlasting modifications—like altering the colour of their hair—can result in an actual conundrum for folks. Put one other means, how early is just too early to let your child dye their hair? 

“From my perspective, I encourage people to put it off as long as possible,” says Dr. Nanette Silverberg, MD, chief of pediatric dermatology at Mount Sinai Health Systems. “A little streak here and there isn’t really something I worry about, but once you get to really changing your color, you use a lot of hair dye over time.” And naturally, that comes with danger. 

So we requested the consultants to interrupt down precisely what these dangers are, what age they suggest introducing hair dye (if in any respect) to their youngsters, and a few different choices for folks trying to maintain off just a bit longer. 

The Appropriate Age to Start Hair Dye

If you’re questioning, “How soon is too soon to let my kid dye their hair?” The reality is, there isn’t any definitive age guideline for dyeing hair. However, most consultants suggest ready so long as doable and describe it as one thing to positively keep away from with younger kids.

“In my opinion, it’s best to wait until they’re a teenager so they can understand the maintenance of hair coloring,” says Victoria O’Donnell, a hairstylist at La Belle Vous Salon in Waterloo, Illinois. “Also, before puberty, their scalp and hair tends to still be more fragile.”

Dr. Silverberg additionally strongly encourages mother and father to attend earlier than introducing hair dye, although she acknowledges that it’s widespread for teenagers to wish to experiment. “We love our teens, and they have their style that they follow,” she says. “And so, be mindful that if they are going to dye their hair, they should choose the safest route and a more limited styling so it’s not a big exposure.” 

Is Hair Dye Safe for Kids?

So, what is the most secure route? First, you’ll must know the completely different sorts of hair dyes. Dr. Silverberg breaks them down:

Temporary Dyes

Temporary dyes usually are available in a twig, powder, or chalk kind and can often wash out with one shampoo. “You can experiment a little bit, but you’re not stuck with long-term consequences,” Dr. Silverberg says. “Most of them are fairly safe in small quantities, like a Halloween costume.”

However, the professional provides that there’s little FDA regulation of those brokers and so studying elements is vital.

Semi-Permanent Dyes

Semi-permanent dyes deposit colour onto the floor of the hair sufficient to alter the tone or add some shine, but it surely’s not as long-lasting as a everlasting dye. “These come out after a few washings,” Dr. Silverberg explains, although she warns that semi-permanent dyes don’t all the time come out and may penetrate the hair shaft.

Permanent Dyes

Unlike momentary dyes, these completely alter your hair construction with the intention to change the colour. Another factor to know: “They contain substances that are considered potentially carcinogenic, which include aromatic amines and aminophenols, depending on the hair dye,” says Dr. Silverberg.

In addition to being doubtlessly carcinogenic, everlasting dyes—even ones which can be thought-about pure alternate options—usually have elements that may be allergenic.

Things to Consider

Dr. Silverberg recommends looking for dyes that comprise paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and para-toluenediamine sulfate (PTDS). “They are agents that give more permanence to the hair dyes,” she explains. “They may enhance the color, but they are potentially allergenic.” Dr. Silverberg additionally recommends households with a historical past of vitiligo keep away from sure dyes, as coloring the hair might set off or intensify onset.  

“There’s always some risk with hair dyes,” the professional says. So, as with all well being issues, she recommends speaking to a medical skilled first. For mother and father who’d like extra info on the most cancers dangers of hair dye, she suggests studying the American Cancer Society’s analysis in addition to trying out The Environmental Working Group’s web site, which has information on all of the chemical substances current in hair dye elements. 

Tips for Your Child’s First Hair Dye Appointment

Despite the dangers, Dr. Silverberg acknowledges that many individuals will dye their hair. “Choosing hair dyes that are PPD free, don’t have phenols, and are more natural is always going to be a little bit better,” she says. 

Before your baby’s first hair dye appointment, Dr. Silverberg and O’Donnell each suggest making an attempt a pores and skin check to see if they’ve any allergic reactions. This entails testing a small space across the hairline, usually alongside the neck, after which ready 48 to 72 hours to see if there’s an allergic response earlier than dying the hair extra absolutely. 

If you resolve to maneuver ahead after that, O’Donnell suggests giving the stylist some footage for inspiration and ensuring you’re all on the identical web page. For youthful shoppers, particularly these dyeing their hair for the primary time, she says that “it’s better to think less is more.” For instance, she suggests doing just a few money-piece highlights—that’s, the strands that body the face—slightly than the entire head of hair. Or dye simply the ends of the hair as a technique to shield the scalp from publicity to chemical substances.

Alternatives to Hair Dye

There are a number of methods in your baby to be artistic with their look that doesn’t contain completely dyeing the hair—in reality, they may desire the liberty that comes with extra momentary options. Testing a colour out through a wig or different alternate options can be a great way to ensure it’s the correct alternative earlier than committing to a long-lasting change. “Some alternatives include temporary color that washes out, hair chalk or sprays, and clip-in extension pieces,” O’Donnell recommends.