Have you dyed your beard and experienced symptoms such as blisters and stinging? If so, you may be allergic to your beard dye.
Here, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about hypoallergenic beard dye. We’ll also talk about how it causes allergies, give you some of the top product recommendations, and answer some frequently asked questions.
Read on to find out more!
Symptoms of a Beard Dye Allergy
When the skin is touched by something that it’s allergic to it’ll often become inflamed and red – a symptom of contact dermatitis. If you’re allergic to beard dye, some other symptoms you may experience include the following:
- Blisters
- A stinging or burning sensation on the face or neck area
- Itching or swelling
- Swollen eyelids or lips
- An angry red rash
- Hives
How Does Beard Dye Cause Allergies?
When it comes to skin allergies, most are caused by coming into contact with chemicals your immune system is sensitive to. So it’s most likely an ingredient in the product that you’re reacting to rather than the entire product itself.
The same is true of many hair dye products, including beard dye. There are often harsh chemicals included which directly cause skin breakouts and other reactions.
Harmful Chemicals in Beard Dye
When purchasing beard dye, you’ll want to take a look at the ingredients and make sure that they don’t have any of the harmful chemicals detailed below:
- Ammonia
- Ethanolamine
- Resorcinol
- Para-phenylenediamine (PPD)
- Lead Acetate
PPD is the most common ingredient that many men have reported allergic reactions to from beard and mustache dye products. On an ingredients label, it may sometimes be called by a different name such as PPDA, 4-Benzenediamine and Phenylenediamine base.
When Do Symptoms of a Beard Allergy First Show Up?
For many people, symptoms typically won’t show up until the second usage of the product or beyond. Their body becomes allergically sensitized to the ingredients the first time the product is used and reactions typically get worse with more applications.
Anaphylactic shock is also a possible, yet far less common, allergic reaction to beard dye. For someone with a type 1 hypersensitivity to beard dye, an immediate anaphylactic allergic reaction may take place and anyone with such a reaction will need immediate medical attention.
Is Dyeing Your Beard Safe?
Dyeing your beard is generally safe. You’ll just want to take a look at the ingredients of your beard dye and make sure there aren’t any harmful chemicals.
Take care to also not get beard dye coloring on your skin as your facial skin is much more sensitive than the skin on your scalp.
How Do You Treat a Chemical Burn or Allergy From Beard Dye?
If you end up getting a chemical burn from the beard dye, you can use shampoos that contain topical corticosteroids. You can also use hydrogen peroxide as it’s a mild antiseptic that will help with calming the skin while reducing irritation and blistering.
Alternatively, take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to help with alleviating skin inflammation and itching symptoms. If it seems like a serious reaction, seek medical attention immediately.
Our Top 3 Choices of Hypoallergenic Beard Dyes
If you’re allergic to the beard dyes that you currently have, consider purchasing any of these hypoallergenic beard dyes listed below.
Although a popular product, we suggest you stay away from any of the “Just for Men” (JFM) range as there have been many reported cases of allergies with numbers increasing over the last decade.
OUR TOP PICK
Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye
Grizzly Mountain Beard Dye is 100% organic and chemical free. It’s also hypoallergenic and is a great natural alternative to harsh beard dyes.
A staple among men who have been badly affected by the JFM range. Many had trouble trusting another product until they discovered Grizzly – and that’s saying something after the 2+ months of healing from JFM that they needed!
It’s made with fine herbal powder, and there’s nothing else added within its ingredients. In terms of color, it’ll leave your beard with varying shades of dark brown and an overall natural look. More applications will help fill out the color but it will never quite look like the dark block of color you would get with JFM.
Blackbeard for Men
Another great hypoallergenic beard dye is Blackbeard for Men that produces dyes which contain no harsh chemicals. A word of warning if you’re allergic to iron oxide though as this metal compound is used for the dark coloring so perhaps a more natural product may be better suited.
The great thing about Blackbeard is the application is simple. All you need to do is brush the color on your beard and it’ll last all day. Best of all, it’s also water-resistant and great for quick touch ups!
Henna King Hypoallergenic Beard Dye
Last on the list, we’ve got this great Henna King hypoallergenic beard dye that’s natural, cruelty-free and made with organic ingredients. The color can last for about four to eight weeks and it can be used multiple times if needed. All you need to do is add water, mix and apply. It’ll also add natural color, shine and body to your beard.
How Do I Apply Beard Dye Safely?
Here are some steps to apply any beard dye product safely and to avoid allergic reactions where possible:
- You’ll want to protect your hands with rubber gloves to avoid any skin irritation.
- Next, you’ll mix the solution as per the instructions that’s detailed on the box.
- Then, you’ll want to brush the dye into the beard with the application brush that comes with your kit. Utilise up-and-down strokes to work the dye deep into the beard and ensure that all visible patches are properly covered.
- Finally, you’ll want to let the dye settle in. Monitor all changes within the first 10-20 minutes before deciding if you’d need a second application. If you’re unsatisfied with the results, you can always remove the dye with a damp towel and start again from the beginning.
Throughout the process, make sure that you avoid the product coming into contact with your face or sensitive areas on your neck. Your skin in these areas is more sensitive than on your scalp and will be more prone to flaring up.
If at any stage you start to feel irritation, remove the product and seek medical attention if the symptoms don’t subside.
Final Thoughts on Allergies and Hypoallergenic Beard Dyes
We hope that this article gives you a comprehensive overview of hypoallergenic beard dye and what causes these allergies. By switching out to a hypoallergenic beard dye, you should be able to alleviate any symptoms that stem from allergies and give your beard the color you’d prefer.
We mentioned it earlier but it’s worth mentioning again, stay away from the JFM range and seek out an alternative with ingredients that are nicer to your face.
Let us know how you go with the products we have suggested above!
Got a better hypoallergenic beard dye you can’t live without? Drop us a line about it – we love hearing about our readers experiences.
