Hair Coloring

Hair dye turned my face into a football

Published: Tuesday, 26 June 2007 22:10:14
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Cosmetics giant Procter and Gamble are investigating claims that a hair dye product led to an allergic reaction for a Johannesburg teenager.

AFTER: Vanessa Barnfather after she used Nice 'n Easy non-permanent hair dye

FINE FETTLE: Vanessa before using the dye

Grade 12 pupil Vanessa Barnfather's reaction to hair dye was so severe she could not open her eyes due to swelling after using Clairol's Nice 'n Easy non-permanent hair colour.

After dyeing her hair with the product on June 14 her ears started burning. Two days later, her face had swollen to the size of a football.

" I can't describe what it felt like," said Vanessa. Her mother, Simone, said the schoolgirl was near hysterical after the third day.

A trip to the doctor and a skin test revealed that Vanessa had an allergic reaction to the chemical paraphenylenediamine, which is sometimes used in hair and fur dyeing products.

Khululiwe Mabaso, a technical external relations manager for Procter and Gamble, said the matter was under investigation by the company.

In terms of the safety of their products, Procter and Gamble stated that hair colourants were one of the most studied categories of consumer products.

Mabaso said: "Nice 'n Easy specifically takes consumer safety extremely seriously and complies with all cosmetic regulations including the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumeries Association, to ensure consumer risks are minimised at every level."

She said clients were advised to test the product on their skin 48 hours prior to using a hair colourant. This was marked clearly on the product and leaflet inserts.

On paraphenylenediamine, Mabaso said: "All hair colourant ingredients are regulated under the Cosmetics Directive and are required not to cause harm to human health."

The Barnfathers said they were concerned about the effects the hair dye had on their daughter.

Source: Sunday Times