Hair Dyes
Hair colouring products are among the most thoroughly assessed consumer products on the market in Europe today. They are controlled by the EU Cosmetics Directive and meet the highest safety standards.
The Directive requires the ingredients in all new cosmetic products to be safety assessed by a duly qualified scientist before they are placed on the market.
In addition to legislative requirements, manufacturers are submitting safety data on hair colouring agents already in use for review by the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP). This voluntary action results from the European Commission’s assessment strategy for hair dyes safety, announced in 2003.
The Commission plans to establish a positive list of hair dye substances permitted for use in hair colouring products. This list will result from the work being done by the SCCP to evaluate substance safety data submitted by manufacturers.
Annex III of the Directive lists “allowed substances” that can be included in product formulations subject to conditions and restrictions. The Directive places an obligation on manufacturers to include safety warnings on labels for products containing certain substances listed in its Annex III.
All hair dyes in Europe comply fully with safety standards set out in the Directive. Manufacturers support the step-by-step approach to SCCP’s evaluation of existing hair dye substances coupled with regulation via Annexes II and III of the Directive.
Types of hair dye
There are three types of hair dye: permanent, semi-permanent and temporary. Permanent or oxidative hair dyes are the most widely used, accounting for between 70 and 80 per cent of all products on the European market.
Permanent dyes penetrate through the hair and will not be removed by shampooing. The desired colour results when colourless molecules called precursors and couplers undergo a chemical reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which acts as an oxidising agent.
Temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes are non-oxidative and will wash out with shampooing.
Labelling and precautions for use
The cosmetics industry complies fully with the Cosmetics Directive. It provides consumers and hairdressers with detailed guidance on the use of hair colouring products and advises on precautions against possible sensitivities to their ingredients.
Hair colouring manufacturers recommend taking a self-test as a precaution against any allergic reaction. They also give further important advice including the need to avoid contact with eyes, to wear gloves when applying colouring products and to store products correctly.
The cosmetics industry will continue its active role in educating hairdressers and advising consumers on the safe handling of hair dyes.