Heather Cie, lead colorist at Cie Sparks Salon in Malibu, is super talented with whipping up a lot of “where-did-you-get-that-done?” color. Her creations are on-trend, show-stopping and simply gorgeous.
She’s also a bit of an expert when it comes to hair-dye allergies—mainly because she is allergic and, well, since she’s made a career in coloring, she’s had to find solid ways to literally work around it and limit reactions.
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The most surprising thing she shared? You don’t necessarily have to have a major face-swelling incident to technically be “allergic” to hair dye—it shows up in different ways in different people. (Although, as the American Academy of Dermatology points out, if you develop a rash or redness, swelling, burning or itching, you are having an allergic reaction and you should NOT dye your hair and consult your dermatologist for further allergy testing.) Here are her three top tips for dealing:
Are there alternatives you recommend to traditional dye?
“I recommend asking your colorist to use a no-ammonia dye when coloring your hair. Even if you aren’t ‘allergic,’ it’s a good idea to ask if you are aware that you already have sensitive skin and scalp.”
Is it easy to tell if you are allergic to dye?
“Not everyone knows that they are allergic to hair dye, and you might not notice it right away. Sometimes, the scalp will become itchy hours later and I suggest taking Benadryl to help ease the reaction.”
Is there anything people usually don’t think of when it comes to hair-dye allergies?
“The biggest tip I can give is not to dye your hair when you are on your period, as your skin is much more sensitive during this time!”
