How to Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye

Most hair dyes contain harsh chemicals that can cause minor irritation and scalp itchiness, as well as allergic reactions. If your scalp gets a bit itchy and red after using hair dye, you can likely relieve your symptoms at home by washing your scalp thoroughly or using a moisturizing compress or cream. If you also develop a rash or have any soreness or pain, your scalp itchiness may be caused by an allergic reaction to one or more of the hair dye ingredients. In most cases, you can alleviate your reaction symptoms with a steroid or antihistamine, although you may need to contact your doctor if your symptoms persist.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Relieving a Minor Itchy Scalp

  1. Image titled Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye Step 1
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    Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove any excess dye. Pour a quarter-sized amount of a gentle shampoo, such as a baby shampoo, into your hands and rub it into your scalp and hair until it covers your whole head and gets very sudsy. Then, rinse the shampoo and excess hair dye out with cool to warm water.[1]
    • Leaving excess hair dye on your scalp and hair is one of the most common causes of itchy scalp after using hair dye. You may be able to stop the itchiness simply by washing your hair thoroughly.[2]
    • Look for shampoos that are labeled “gentle,” “all-natural,” or “free of harsh chemicals.” Harsh chemicals may react with the hair dye and make your scalp itchiness worse.
  2. Image titled Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye Step 2
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    Rub a quarter-sized amount of 2% hydrogen peroxide into your scalp. Rinse the hydrogen peroxide out quickly so that it won’t affect your hair color. The hydrogen peroxide will oxidize the dye chemicals, which should stop the adverse reaction on your scalp.[3]
    • Even if you aren’t allergic to any ingredients in your hair dye, the harsh chemicals can still make your scalp itch. Using 2% hydrogen peroxide will help counteract the chemical reaction.
    • Hydrogen peroxide may start to lighten your hair color if you leave it on too long. Therefore, it’s important that you rinse it out as soon as you’ve rubbed it into your scalp.
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    Hold a wet compress of olive oil and lime on your scalp. Saturate a disposable, damp towel or clean, old rag with olive oil. Then, squeeze the juice from a lime over the cloth and twist it to combine the juice and oil. Place the compress on your scalp until the itchiness starts to subside.
    • While an olive oil and lime compress doesn’t always help, it may help soothe your itchy skin and alleviate any skin tightness caused by the hair dye.[4]
    • If you have any inflammation or redness along with the itchiness, you can place the compress in the refrigerator for a few minutes to cool it and help calm your skin.
  4. Image titled Treat an Itchy Scalp After Using Hair Dye Step 4
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    Apply an emollient moisturizing treatment to calm an itchy scalp. In many cases, the harsh chemicals in hair dye will dry out your scalp. Instructions will vary depending on the emollient type and brand you choose, but typically you’ll rub a generous layer of the cream over your scalp and leave it for several minutes before rinsing it with water.[5]
    • Emollient moisturizes are generally made to help soothe common inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema. Because the symptoms of an itchy scalp after using hair dye can be similar, these treatments tend to work well.
    • Look for soothing ingredients like Argan oil, olive oil, Shea butter, and jojoba oil.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Alleviating an Allergic Reaction

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    Apply an over-the-counter steroid cream if your scalp is inflamed. Follow the instructions on the bottle and only use it as often as instructed. In most cases, allergic reactions to hair dye are minor, so you’ll likely be able to treat it at home with an over-the-counter steroid cream.[6]
    • If your symptoms are severe or persistent, you may need to get a prescription-strength steroid cream from your doctor.
    • If you have any pain or tenderness, a rash, or sores on your scalp after using hair dye, it’s likely that you’ve had an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the dye.
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    Take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine to help stop the itchiness. If your itchy scalp is caused by an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the hair dye, over-the-counter oral antihistamines like Benadryl can provide relief. Oral antihistamines generally start working within 1 hour.[7]
    • Many oral antihistamines cause drowsiness, so make sure you use them as directed.
    • Depending on the severity of your reaction to the hair dye, your scalp may stop itching after 1 dose, or you may need to take several doses until the itching subsides.
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    See your doctor if the itchiness continues for more than 2 days. If your symptoms, including itchiness, persists for over 2 days, make an appointment to see your doctor or get a referral to see an allergy specialist. Either your doctor or an allergy specialist can perform tests to assess what ingredient caused the reaction and determine how to treat it so your itchiness will subside.[8]
    • In addition, make an appointment to see your doctor or an allergy specialist if your itchy scalp becomes inflamed or if you develop a rash.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing an Itchy Scalp from Hair Dye

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    Avoid using products with the same ingredients after a reaction. If you get an itchy scalp after using a particular type or brand of hair dye, take note of the ingredients so you can avoid using hair dyes with the same active chemicals in the future. Most hair dye reactions are caused by a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Therefore, if your scalp gets itchy after using a hair dye containing PPD, avoid using these in the future.[9]
    • PPD is primarily found in dark colored hair dyes.[10]
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    Dab hair dye behind your ear to spot test for an allergy. Before using a new hair dye or any hair dye that contains PPD, dab a small amount of the dye on your scalp just behind your ear. If your skin starts to itch or get swollen and red, it’s likely that you’re allergic to PPD or another ingredient in the dye and will get an itchy scalp if you use it.[11]
    • If you’re getting your hair dyed at a salon, you can ask your stylist to perform this test as well.
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    Leave dye on your hair for the time recommended in the instructions. If you’re trying to cover stubborn greys or dye your hair a drastically different color, it can be tempting to leave the hair dye on for longer than instructed on the box or bottle.[12] Even if you aren’t allergic to the hair dye, this can cause your scalp to itch! Never leave dye on longer than instructed.[13]
    • Most at-home hair dyes should be left on for 10 to 45 minutes. Always check the instructions, though, to make sure you don’t leave the dye on for too long.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Which essential oil is best for itchy scalp?
    Michelle Bebbington
    Michelle Bebbington
    Professional Hair Stylist
    ​​Michelle Bebbington is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of The Living Room Hair and Skin based in Great Falls, Montana. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in hair education, coloring, and styling.
    Michelle Bebbington
    Michelle Bebbington
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Try using a little bit of lavender essential oil on your scalp! It should immediately soothe any irritation.
  • Question
    How should you wash your hair if your scalp is itchy?
    Michelle Bebbington
    Michelle Bebbington
    Professional Hair Stylist
    ​​Michelle Bebbington is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of The Living Room Hair and Skin based in Great Falls, Montana. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in hair education, coloring, and styling.
    Michelle Bebbington
    Michelle Bebbington
    Professional Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    Make sure that you're using a good conditioner! A dry, itchy scalp goes hand-in-hand with dry, breakage-prone hair.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-reactions/
  2. ↑ Michelle Bebbington. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
  3. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/allergy-to-paraphenylenediamine/
  4. ↑ https://dermnetnz.org/topics/allergy-to-paraphenylenediamine/
  5. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-reactions/
  6. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-reactions/
  7. ↑ https://www.verywellhealth.com/hair-dye-allergy-82754
  8. ↑ https://healthfully.com/allergic-reaction-to-hair-dye-head-itching-8183927.html
  9. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-dye-reactions/
  1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/itchy-skin/relieve-scalp-itch
  2. ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-treat-allergic-reaction-to-hair-dye-chemical-ppd-2019-8
  3. ↑ Michelle Bebbington. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
  4. ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-treat-allergic-reaction-to-hair-dye-chemical-ppd-2019-8

About This Article

Michelle Bebbington
Co-authored by:
Michelle Bebbington
Professional Hair Stylist
This article was co-authored by Michelle Bebbington. ​​Michelle Bebbington is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of The Living Room Hair and Skin based in Great Falls, Montana. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in hair education, coloring, and styling. This article has been viewed 163,041 times.
37 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 1, 2022
Views: 163,041
Categories: Featured Articles | Scalp Health | Coloring Hair
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