Cosmetic products such as soaps, lotions, face and eye makeup, fragrances, etc. can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Considering these issues the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has noted the importance of performing an allergy test for all cosmetic products, especially hair dyes, by applying a small amount of the product and leaving it for two days to ensure that the skin is not allergic to the product.
SFDA is the government agency that regulates drugs and medical devices in Saudi Arabia. It is also in charge of biological and chemical substances, as well as electronic products.
Allergic reactions are the immune system’s overreaction to substances that may otherwise be harmless. An allergen has the propensity to trigger the immune system to release chemical substances such as antibodies that result in allergy symptoms.
Many people are familiar with seasonal allergies brought on by pollen from blooming plants, or food allergies. Allergic reactions to cosmetics most often appear as itchy, red rashes on the skin.
Some wrong practices of cosmetic products, especially hair dyes, cause irritation and many side effects, such as redness and itching of the scalp and hair loss, in addition to skin burns and shortness of breath.
SFDA stressed the need to avoid hair dyes during the first few months of pregnancy, and mixtures of unknown origin, as the risk of infections from cosmetic products in the form of herbs increases when used incorrectly.
It also warns against the mixing of different hair dyes or any chemical due to the damage it causes to the hair and scalp.
A cosmetic product is defined as one that is used on the external parts of the human body for different purposes such as cleaning, perfuming, protection, or even using it for changing and improving the appearance.
It also includes temporary and permanent hair dyes, a special type of colouring that is used for changing hair colour or even covering white hair.
For safe handling of cosmetic products and hair dyes, it is only apt to read the warnings written on the product packaging before using the same, verify its validity, and store it in the appropriate place according to the manufacturer’s instructions, in addition to not storing it in cars or exposing it to direct sunlight and places with high humidity.
