Some parents, in pursuit of fashion or stage performance effects, dye or perm their children’s hair to enhance their appearance. However, for children, using hair dye and perm cosmetics carries certain safety risks. The main reasons for this are as follows:
1. Hair dye and perm cosmetics are special cosmetics with relatively high safety risks
China classifies hair dye and perm cosmetics as special cosmetics. The National Medical Products Administration must register these products before manufacturers can produce or import them. Most hair dye cosmetics in the market rely on oxidative polymerization reactions. Strong oxidizing agents trigger these reactions between dye precursors and couplers. This process produces large pigment molecules.These molecules then attach to the hair, changing its color.Common perm cosmetics use reducing agents to break chemical bonds, like disulfide bonds, in the hair.They then use external force to curl or straighten the hair.Finally, they repair the previously broken chemical bonds to set the hair.This process achieves the effect of changing hair curvature.The main active ingredients in hair dye cosmetics are hair dyes.In perm cosmetics, the main active ingredients are perming agents.China subjects these ingredients to relatively strict management.The “Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics” includes over 70 permitted hair dyes, such as resorcinol. It also lists common perming agents like thioglycolic acid in the restricted ingredient list. The standards impose clear usage restrictions on all these ingredients.
2. Children’s physiological characteristics determine that hair dye and perm cosmetics are not suitable for children
Compared to adults, children’s skin has characteristics such as incomplete epidermal barrier function, immature dermal fiber structure, and imperfect sebaceous gland secretion function. Therefore, children’s skin has weak tolerance to external stimuli and is sensitive to foreign substances. Using cosmetics may cause problems such as skin dryness, redness, and itching. Moreover, children are still in a critical stage of growth and development, and various risk factors may cause more potential adverse effects. In addition, children’s skin has a thinner stratum corneum with higher hydration, loose skin connections, a larger surface area to weight ratio, and stronger skin absorption capacity. Combined with children’s immature mental state, they are more likely to accidentally get products in their eyes or mouth during use, leading to safety risks.
Based on children’s physiological characteristics, the formulation design of children’s cosmetics should follow the principles of safety first, necessary efficacy, and minimal formulation. According to the “Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Children’s Cosmetics,” children’s cosmetics refer to cosmetics suitable for children under 12 years old (including 12 years old) with functions such as cleansing, moisturizing, refreshing, and sun protection. The “Classification Rules and Catalog of Cosmetics” limits cosmetic efficacy claims for infants and young children aged 0-3 years (including 3 years) to “cleansing, moisturizing, hair care, sun protection, soothing, and refreshing.” For children aged 3-12 years (including 12 years), it restricts claims to “cleansing, makeup removal, moisturizing, beauty modification, fragrance, hair care, sun protection, repair, soothing, and refreshing.” These regulations exclude hair dye and perm cosmetics from the scope of children’s cosmetics. Experts do not recommend children use these products.
3. Potential risks of children using hair dye and perm cosmetics
Due to individual differences, improper use, and other reasons, cosmetics may cause adverse reactions, such as “contact dermatitis” caused by allergens or irritants. Some hair dyes, such as p-phenylenediamine, are known to be common allergens. According to the “Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics,” product labels for hair dyes must include warning statements such as “Hair dyes can cause severe allergic reactions” and “Not suitable for consumers under 16 years old.” Some common ingredients in hair dye and perm products, such as hydrogen peroxide and thioglycolic acid, are relatively strong irritants. According to the “Safety and Technical Standards for Cosmetics,” product labels containing these ingredients generally must also include corresponding warning statements, such as “Keep out of reach of children” and “Avoid contact with eyes.” Due to the physiological differences between children and adults, as well as their lack of cognitive abilities, children are more likely to ignore warning statements, misuse products, or accidentally get products in their eyes or mouth, leading to a higher possibility of serious cosmetic adverse reactions.
In conclusion, we urge all parents to exercise caution: pursue beauty in moderation and prioritize safety when using cosmetics. We strongly advise against using hair dye or perm cosmetics on children.
