Another ingredient to stay away from is bleach. “Bleaching is bad for your hair, so you don't want to put harsh chemicals into their hair when they are young,” Posner says. That's why she recommends waiting until kids are at least in their late teens.
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.
“Since the chemicals in hair dye and bleach can be damaging, a child's immature hair is much more susceptible to damage. Children's skin is also more sensitive, so they're more likely to experience a skin reaction on their scalp from dyes,” he adds.
Therefore if you are in your teenage, it is best that you avoid such chemical treatments as they can be extremely harsh on your face. Moreover, if your skin is dry and sensitive or if you are allergic to bleach, bleaching can also lead to dermatitis.
Children under the age of 16 should never be offered any hair colour or foils service, including initial allergy testing.
As many of us can remember we all loved to experiment with hair dye but there are some things to consider first. Manufacturers and the top industry bodies advise that no hair dye products be used on children under 16 years old.
Hair dye manufacturers provide a clear age limit of 16 on their salon products. If you look at home dye kits, they may contain PPD and also have an age 16 limit.
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.
Children are at greater risk from breathing bleach vapors because their lungs are still developing. Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia).
You are subject to the control of your parents until you are 18. It is entirely legal for you to dye your hair, or go to a salon for that work.
"I don't recommend it because a child's hair, scalp, and brain are still developing and are sensitive to the ammonia and other harsh chemicals that can be found in hair dye," he says. "I don't consider it completely safe." Dr.
Natural bleaching agents like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, chamomile tea, or cinnamon and honey can lighten hair gently and naturally with minimal damage. Rinse your hair in a solution of warm water and one or more of these lightening agents, then sit in the sun to dry.
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.
How long does bleached hair last? In comparison to other semi-permanent and temporary dyes, hair bleaching is a permanent process which cannot be washed away over time. This is because of the melanin stripped away from the hair within the bleaching process.
Ong recommends waiting “until your child is a teenager” before using any type of permanent hair color. “Permanent hair color and highlights contain ammonia and hydrogen peroxide which can damage hair.”
Diluted household bleach has been safely used for many years to help treat skin infections. A small amount of bleach added to the bath is recommended for conditions such as eczema, impetigo (school sores), boils, and infected wounds, to help reduce bacteria on the skin and improve the severity of disease.
Worst case scenario, bleaching your skin increases the risk of mercury poisoning. Some bleaching creams contain mercury, which is proven to cause lung and kidney damage with prolonged exposure.
There's a common opinion that platinum blonde and silver hair dye age you, but we don't believe so. If your hair is healthy, shiny and matches your skin tone, any hair colour will make you look fresh. Just remember to bleach your hair safely and have an appropriate aftercare.
Legally hairdressers are unable to dye the hair of anyone under the age of 16.
Hair glazes and glosses are examples of semi-permanent hair color. These services majorly boost shine for natural or colored hair, as well as give vibrancy back to colored hair in between highlighting appointments.