Body & Beauty / Products / Permanent Hair Dye (Oxidative)

Permanent Hair Dye (Oxidative) — safety profile

Elevated risk

Permanent oxidative hair dyes using p-phenylenediamine (PPD) or p-aminophenol as primary intermediates, hydrogen peroxide as developer, and ammonia or ethanolamine as alkalizer.

What is this product?

Permanent oxidative hair dyes using p-phenylenediamine (PPD) or p-aminophenol as primary intermediates, hydrogen peroxide as developer, and ammonia or ethanolamine as alkalizer. PPD is the most common cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics. IARC classifies occupational exposure to hair dyes as 'probably carcinogenic' (Group 2A) — personal use classified as Group 3 (not classifiable).

What's in it

Click any compound name for its full safety profile, regulatory consensus, and exposure data.

Intermediate

Alkalizer

Developer

Red flags — when to walk away

  • Product causes skin irritation, redness, or rash — Contact dermatitis or chemical sensitivity.

Green flags — what to look for

  • EWG Verified or dermatologist-tested label — Meets strict ingredient safety criteria.

Safer alternatives

  • Semi-permanent dye — no ammonia, no developer, lower PPD
  • Henna — plant-based, no synthetic chemicals — limited color range
  • PPD-free permanent dyes — use ME-PPD or PTD alternatives

Frequently asked questions

Are there safer alternatives to Permanent Hair Dye (Oxidative)?

Yes — consider: Semi-permanent dye; Henna; PPD-free permanent dyes. See the Safer alternatives section above for details.

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Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific information. Why we built ALETHEIA →