Researching how to treat chemical burns on scalp is more common than you’d think, especially with more men and women trying out at-home hair makeovers.
With the pandemic, self-bleaching with little experience at home became familiar to people interested in switching up their looks.
Unfortunately, working with chemicals like bleach, with or without experience, can lead to disastrous results, like chemical burns.
If you have tried to bleach your hair or visited an untrustworthy salon, this guide is here to help.
We’ll dive into the truth about chemical burns, where they come from, and the most effective remedies to get your scalp back to normal.
There is no point in suffering the painful consequences of a burnt scalp when there are at-home options to help.
Why Do Chemical Burns Happen?
We’ve all been there—watching YouTube videos only to see someone in their bathroom with a pink or red scalp after bleaching.
It is definitely painful to look at from a viewer’s perspective, but it is guaranteed the person on the other side of the screen is in even more pain.
Chemical burns typically occur when a specific chemical agent, normally a corrosive, causes significant irritation to the skin and soft tissue.
In most instances, chemical burns occur as a result of acids like hydrochloric acid.
However, they can also come from strong bases, like sodium hydroxide and other alkaline chemicals.
When it comes to a burn from hair dye, it is most likely from hair products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Is a Chemical Burn on Scalp Painful?
It is important to remember that the skin on your scalp is equally as sensitive as the skin on your face.
This means it could be quite sensitive to hair color and other harsh chemicals you put on your hair, especially bleach.
Even if you don’t have a sensitive scalp, you may experience signs of chemical burns, whether you do it at home or get it done professionally.
When the bleach or color is applied, you may experience a burning or tingling sensation across your scalp.
This typically occurs from irritated skin, and with prolonged exposure, the tingling will turn into more serious chemical burns.
What Chemicals Cause Chemical Burns?
Plenty of harmful chemicals could burn your scalp or facial skin with continual exposure.
Interestingly, these compounds are found in hair dye and have been the culprit to numerous chemical reactions resulting in minor burn injuries.
Some of the more harmful ingredients in hair dye include:
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a common base used primarily for disinfection purposes. However, it is also added to hair dye to help strip the hair before depositing color.
In many formulas, concentrated hydrogen peroxide can cause burning on its own.
Ammonia
When using hair dye, you have likely noticed an incredibly strong smell—ammonia.
This alkaline agent opens up the hair cuticle, which then allows your hair to absorb the deposited color. It is also known to cause scalp irritation.
Resorcinol
If you are a fan of permanent hair dye, resorcinol is a common chemical in these formulas.
It works with hydrogen peroxide to develop your hair dye but can also cause significant allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Lye
Lye isn’t commonly found in hair dye, but it is a common ingredient for other hair treatments, such as relaxers.
For curly-haired people, lye helps smoothen the cuticle so that it automatically straightens. However, it can cause massive burns and irritation.
How Can I Tell If I’m Getting a Chemical Burn?
Most people with burns from hair dye might not realize it until it is too late, especially with bleached hair.
It is commonly known that certain chemicals used while dyeing and hair bleaching cause burning and itchiness, as mentioned earlier.
You may feel discomfort at the salon, write it off as expected, and then suffer the consequences later.
Talking to your colorist if you are concerned about how your skin reacts to the hair bleach is always important.
Otherwise, you could wind up with destroyed hair follicles or, worse, massive burns on your scalp.
A few indicators that can give you a good idea as to whether you’ll have burns after hair highlights or a full-head dye include:
Burning, Itching, or Tingling
The three most common side effects of chemical burns and hair damage are if you feel burning, itching, or tingling beyond the ordinary.
If you regularly go through a hair dye application or hair bleaching, you likely know what your scalp feels like when dyed.
Let your colorist know if the tingling or burning is beyond what’s normal.
Redness and Discoloration
A great way to tell whether you’ll be dealing with chemical burns after a color service is to check your scalp.
You will notice the skin is discolored and usually quite red or pink. It may also be sensitive to the touch.
Open Wounds
In the most severe instances, open wounds could be noticeable with a chemical burn.
This is when you must seek medical assistance, as the burns are too serious to deal with in the salon or at home.
How To Treat Chemical Burns On Scalp: Foolproof Tips
Now that you know the dangers of chemical burns and hair color, it is time to learn how to fix them.
Treating chemical burns is effortless for most people going through a hair journey.
However, it is important to seek medical attention in more severe cases, such as if you notice open wounds or lesions on your scalp.
Step 1: Remove Any Accessories
The first thing you’ll want to do when addressing a chemical burn through luscious hair is to ensure all accessories are removed.
Get rid of any necklaces, earrings, or other items that may have touched the chemical.
Also, pay close attention to the eyes and ensure none of the product comes near the eye area.
Step 2: Flush the Area
The next step is the most important, as it removes the heat source from the scalp.
If the culprit is hair dye or bleach, immediately rinse the area with cool to cold water, but do NOT put ice on the injury because this could cause the burn to worsen.
Using cool water, gently rinse away all traces of residue for at least three minutes or until all the chemicals have been completely removed.
Again, pay close attention to the eyes and ensure none of the chemicals reaches the eye area.
During the rinsing process, check for any excessive signs of skin damage, such as blistering, open wounds, or bleeding.
Step 3: Address Your Next Steps
If there aren’t any signs of damage to the scalp, like blistering, you can move on to the next step. But if the scalp has open sores or bleeding, you will need medical assistance.
In these instances, you will need to protect your scalp and hair from deteriorating further and your skin from absorbing chemicals through the wounds.
Step 4: Apply Ointment
If you have been approved to treat the area yourself, thanks to no severe signs of injury, you can then apply ointment to the affected area.
A few top-recommended ointments to look for include Neosporin, aloe vera, and vitamin E oil. Apply this ointment once daily to keep the scalp moisturized while it heals.
Step 5: Let Your Scalp Heal
The only other thing left at this point is to give your scalp time to heal.
Avoid wearing wigs or weaves, and let your scalp breathe as much as possible rather than being trapped under headwear.
You will also want to take care when rinsing your head with cool water during your shower. Switch to using gentler shampoo, like baby soap, to help aid in healing.
What Do I Need to Treat Scalp Chemical Burns?
Aside from patience, there are a few key products to have in your bathroom when dealing with scalp chemical burns, including:
1. Earth’s Daughter Organic Aloe Vera Gel
The Earth’s Daughter Organic Aloe Vera Gel is a fantastic solution to chemical burns, as it features all-natural and 100% pure cold-pressed aloe vera.
This formula soothes the skin after being burned while also helping in skin healing and regrowth. It absorbs into the scalp easily without any unappealing residue.
2. Marie’s Original All-Natural Skin Repair Cream
Another great option to help alleviate scalp discomfort is Marie’s Original All-Natural Skin Repair Cream.
Its formula is designed to treat burns, sores, rashes, and other signs of skin irritation.
If you want to keep your hair smooth and your scalp healthy, this topical agent is a plant-powered product ready to help.
3. Neosporin + Pain Relief
The Neosporin + Pain Relief is a must-have for chemical burns as it is a healing ointment, disinfectant, and pain reliever in one.
With this formula, you can begin alleviating discomfort from burns while disinfecting any blisters or sores at the same time.
4. Johnson’s Baby Tear-Free Gentle Baby Shampoo
Washing your hair with baby soap is one of the top recommendations when healing from chemical burns.
Johnson’s Baby Tear-Free Gentle Baby Shampoo is a non-abrasive formula that gently cleans your hair without causing dry skin or excruciating pain.
Restore Your Scalp and Hair Today!
Learning how to treat chemical burns on scalp is a must for people who love getting their hair done or coloring it themselves.
Instead of suffering through the itchy, burning, and stinging sensation of a sensitive scalp, you can begin the healing process with a few simple steps and products.
As long as you seek medical treatment when necessary, an average chemical burn from bleach or dye isn’t irreparable.
Read also: How To Treat Wax Burns