Hong Kong consumer watchdog warns ‘natural’ hair dyes are not always risk free
- Consumer Council finds 16 out of 26 at-home hair dyes contain potential allergens that can cause scalp irritation, swelling and even difficulty breathing in severe cases
- Others also contained lead and mercury, while two that professed to be ‘ammonia free’ actually had the chemical
The dyes in the Consumer Council’s sample comprised seven colouring conditioners, 13 oxidative permanent hair dyes and six henna-type products. The watchdog found that 16 of the 26 products contained harmful allergens, and that all of the henna-based products contained heavy metals.
The readily available boxed hair dyes, most of them in black or dark brown colours, were priced between HK$18 and HK$450 (about US$2 to US$58).
Dr Victor Lui Wing-cheong, vice-chairman of the Consumer Council’s research and testing committee, said in an online press briefing on Monday that due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, more people were opting to do at-home hair treatments, particularly with brands featuring “natural” claims, assuming those products were less likely to cause a reaction or damage their hair.
“As chemicals in permanent hair dyes open up the cuticles of the hair to allow the dyes to enter the [scalp], these chemicals may induce allergic reactions and damage the hair surface, resulting in dry or frizzy hair,” said Lui.
