Percutaneous Penetration of Hair Dyes

February 1985 in “ Archives of dermatological research ”

L. J. Wolfram, Howard I. Maibach

hair dyes oxidative hair dyes direct hair dyes scalp penetration 14C labeled materials urine assays

TLDR Hair dyes penetrate the scalp very minimally, less than 1%.

The study evaluated the scalp penetration of 7 hair dyes (both oxidative and direct) in rhesus monkeys and humans using 14C labeled materials, with absorption measured via urine assays. Both species exhibited a similar pattern of dye penetration, with direct dyes showing slightly higher penetration. However, in neither case did the penetration exceed 1% of the applied dose.

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