Hair Dye
Hair dye is theone exception to the requirement ofusing only approved color additivesin cosmetics.1 Coal-tar dyes used in hair dyedo not need to be approved by the FDA, providing the label has a conspicuous warning stating:
Caution—This product contains ingredients which may cause skin irritation on certain individuals and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or eyebrows; to do so may cause blindness.
In addition, the product labeling for hair dye must provide adequate directions for preliminary testing for skin irritation.The exemption for hair dye does not include eyelash dyes or eyebrow dyes. It also doesn’t apply to coloring ingredients in hair dyes that are not coal-tar derived, including materials thatmay be added as wetting agents, hair conditioners, emulsifiers, or other components in a color shampoo, rinse, tint, or similar dual-purpose cosmetic that alters the color of the hair.
1 21 USC 361(a) and 21 CFR 70.3(u)
