Q&A: Hair Dyes

What precautions should you take if you dye your hair?

People who dye their hair should follow these safety precautions:

• Follow the directions in the package. Pay attention to all "Caution" and "Warning" statements.

• Do a patch test before using dye on your hair. Here's how: Rub a tiny bit of the dye on the inside of your elbow or behind your ear. Leave it there for two days. If you get a rash, don't use the dye on your hair. You should do the test each time you dye your hair. (Salons should also do the patch test before dyeing your hair.)
• Never dye your eyebrows or eyelashes. This can hurt your eyes. You might even go blind. FDA does not allow using hair dyes on eyelashes and eyebrows.
• Keep hair dyes out of the reach of children.
• Don't leave the dye on longer than the directions say you should.
• Rinse your scalp well with water after dyeing.
• Wear gloves when you apply the hair dye.
• Never mix different hair dye products. This can hurt your hair and scalp.

Source: Excerpted from Hair Dye and Hair Relaxers