How young is too young to dye your child's hair? (2024)

If your child begs you for a touch of funky shades in their hair, you may be tempted to give in.It's just a bit of color, you think,What could be the damage?Depending on how you want to achieve these stripes, you may need to reconsider your decision. We spoke to the experts to find out when it's safe to color your child's hair.

“I really don't think it's safe to dye or bleach a child's hair until after puberty, and ideally not until the late teens – at least 16 years old,” advisesDr. Sejal Sjah, M.D., a dermatological surgeon from New York. Here's the deal:Children often have a lotfiner hairthan adults, and because hair dye and bleach can be harmful, a child's immature hair is much more susceptible to damage.Because children's hair undergoes so many changes from birth to puberty, Dr. Shah that their hair – and skin for that matter – is more sensitive and therefore more likely to experience reactions.

Chemicals can cause problems for the hair, scalp and respiratory tract.

These reactions can be caused by the actual content of the hair products. “The chemicals are harsh and can damage the hair,” explainsdr. Margarita Lolis, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and a chemical known as paraphenylenediamine, which is often used in permanent hair dyes, can lead tovery bad responsesAdditionally, these chemicals can change the texture of your child's hair, so even if you just want to change the color, you could end up ruining his entire appearance.

In addition to these chemicals that can potentially lead to negative reactions on the hair and scalp,Eva I write salonerowner and hair expert Eva Scrivo says there's another potential risk we should be concerned about. “Smoke can be a factor, especially if the child has asthma,” she warns.

Using a temporary dye (or relying on a professional) is the safest choice.

If you plan to do your child's hair yourself, Dr. Shah to stick to non-permanent colors. “These temporary colors only coat the hair shaft and do not penetrate it like a dye would,” she says, adding that there are also color alternatives such as herbs and teas that can add color to the hair. If you absolutely must dye your child's hair, says Dr. Shah that you use an application outside the scalp, such as cap highlights and a semi-permanent color - andalways perform a patch testfirst check for allergies.

Do you want to go to a salon to get your child's haircut? Scrivo suggestssweepingtechniekinstead of a complete color change or foils.

“Balayage is a gentler approach to highlighting, as opposed to foils, which can be a strong heat conductor and can dry out hair quickly,” she explains. “If done properly, the bleach does not have direct contact with the scalp.” This allows you to explorevibrant colorssuch as pastel colors, which fade and eventually wash out after three to four weeks.

Products without bleach still provide nice, bright results.

Other temporary options may also be good for children. “I give many children bright color tips, but only with parental permission – and the child is usually 'campage' or older,” says Paul Labrecque, hair guru and owner ofPaul Labrecque Salon in Spa. “Chalk is the safest way to do itrecord nice nuancessuch as pink, blue, green and more; no prior bleaching is required to use them.” He notes that a few tips or highlights are all anyone in good standing would do, so be cautious if someone suggests coloring or bleaching your child's entire head.

It comes down to:If you have a young child and are considering hair coloring, talk to the pediatrician first about possible risk factors.