Dr. Ganjian says it's really best to wait until after a child is done with puberty. Sure, plenty of children have used hair dye and been just fine, and if you've dyed your child's hair in the past, you shouldn't panic over it.
We spoke to the experts to get the lowdown on when it's safe to dye your child's hair. "I really don't think it's safe to dye or bleach a child's hair until after puberty, and ideally not until their late teens — at least 16," advises Dr. Sejal Shah, M.D., a New York-based dermatological surgeon.
Because of this, it is important to avoid using permanent dye on children's hair. These often contain ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and a chemical known as paraphenylenediamine, which can cause very bad reactions to the scalp, and permanently damage hair.
Salons Should Not Dye Your Child's Hair
According to the Natural Hair Federation's code of practice, hairdressers should not apply any hair colour products to anyone under the age of 16.
"On the other hand, kids' hair dyes are often temporary, made with gentler, non-toxic ingredients. They wash out easily and are less likely to cause harm or allergic reactions. These dyes use natural or direct dyes, which are safer but less durable."
Never apply any kind of semi-permanent or permanent hair color to a child under the age of 8. Gentle (10 volume or less), deposit only, color (which means that you are simply adding color or darkening the color) is okay for kids over the age of 9 or 10.
Are highlights and coloring safe? If done professionally, highlights and coloring can be safe for a 12-year-old. Off the scalp color and highlights with Aveda color is a super safe option. Also, be sure to schedule a patch test prior to your child's appointment to test for any allergic reactions.
Is temporary dye bad for your hair? Absolutely not! In fact, the less-damaging dye is the only dye you should be using on your hair outside of the salon. "Temporary hair color is a whole different ballgame," says Diaz.
Since kids' hair is not fully developed, it is susceptible to damage if dyed during the ages of 18 months to 12 years old.” In case you're wondering, an allergic reaction to hair dye can include symptoms ranging from an itchy scalp to broken skin, hair loss, hives, swelling, burning and difficulty breathing. Yikes!
At what point do you advise people to start coloring? When you have 20 to 30 percent grays, but it's really subjective. [20 to 30 percent] has been the general rule of thumb because that's when you actually notice it—especially if there's a lot on top or in the front by your face.
Between the ages of 3-4 years an average child will:
Tracing lines – Trace on top of a thick horizontal line without going off of the line much. Coloring Shapes – By this age, children should be able to color grossly within the lines of simple shapes and forms.
Warm tones do an exceptionally good job at making us look younger. If you're a brunette, add some warmth to your look by asking your stylist for golden highlights.
Our skin gets more sallow with age and a few highlights a shade or two lighter around your face can refresh your complexion, but going too light can be just as aging as going too dark. It's important to maintain a contrast between your hair color and your skin tone.
Balayage (taken from the French word for 'sweeping') is a subtle freehand colouring technique. Colour is painted directly onto designated sections of the hair without using foil. The result is a more natural, sun-kissed hue, without any harsh contrast between colours.
What is hair chalk? Fresh Monster Hair Chalk is a temporary hair color that's free of parabens, sulfates, and triclosan — it's also vegan and hypoallergenic, making it a safe choice for kids of all ages.
Natural hair dyes contain plant-based ingredients rather than harsher chemicals. The dyes included in this article feature ingredients such as henna, rhubarb root, and indigo powder as alternatives to chemicals. Coloring the hair is more common than some people may realize.
Color on clothes: Water wears off a temporary color. When you step out with colored hair in the rain, chances are the color begins to bleed and spread to your clothes. Messy application: While applying color on the strands, the color might plop on the floor and leave stains on clothes.
Unlike permanent color, semi-permanent hair color doesn't penetrate the hair shaft—so it isn't as damaging to strands. However, because it fades more quickly, you may need to apply it more frequently to maintain your color, which can be damaging to the hair over time.
Demi-permanent color is a great option if you haven't had hair color before, since it will fade gradually without damaging your hair. How long it lasts: Depending upon the health and porosity of the hair demi-permanent hair color lasts between 12 and 24 shampoos before it fades gradually.