CONTACT ALLERGIES TO FRAGRANCES
WHAT EXACTLY ARE FRAGRANCES AND WHICH ONES ARE THERE?
Fragrances are indispensable nowadays. Whether in cosmetics, detergents, as a room fragrance at home or in shopping malls - they are hidden almost everywhere in our everyday lives. Over 3000 different fragrances are now known, which can either be of natural or artificial origin.
Natural fragrances are obtained from plants or animal raw materials. For example, essential oils are made from flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, herbs, wood, or roots. Whereas artificial fragrances are made in a chemical/synthetic way, but often have a longer shelf life as a result.
However, natural fragrances are not automatically better tolerated than synthetic ones. All fragrances, whether natural or artificial, can cause skin irritation if you have sensitive skin or contact allergies. In the case of natural fragrances, for example, allergies can be caused by synthetic admixtures. Likewise, oxidative by-products resulting from incorrect storage or pesticide residues, which in rare cases are contained in citrus oils or carrier oil, can trigger allergies.
NOT EVERYTHING THAT SMELLS GOOD IS GOOD FOR YOU.
Benefits of fragrances in care products:
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Fragrances give you and your hair wash a fresh kick and let your curls still smell pleasant days after the wash day
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Some very valuable ingredients do not have a pleasant fragrance of their own (such as amino acids), so fragrances are often used to make the product more fragrant
Disadvantages of fragrances in care products:-
Fragrances can cause contact allergies to natural and/or artificial fragrances in some people. These can lead to reddening of the skin, unpleasant itching or other allergic (sometimes severe) reactions
DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN:
Sensitive and dry scalps can also be irritated by fragrances, among other things. Because some products that contain perfume or fragrances contain alcohol to make the product last longer or to mix the special ingredients together. Alcohol is known to dry out the skin, which can lead to a sensitive, dry and itchy scalp. (However, there are differences here again: short-chain and long-chain alcohols. Read more about this here .) If the scalp is already irritated or dried out, the protective layer of the skin is no longer fully functional, so other additives can penetrate deeper and cause irritation.
For dry and sensitive skin, it is important to note the following:
- Do not wash the skin too often so that the protective layer containing sebum is retained
- On washing days, use mild shampoos that moisturize the skin and provide valuable oils
- Reduce products containing perfume and alcohol so that the skin is not further irritated
CONTACT ALLERGIES:
Fragrances are not tolerable for everyone. Some people suffer from what is known as a contact allergy to natural and/or synthetic fragrances. Contact allergies fall under the category of Type IV allergies () and cause a delayed immune response. Fragrances can be absorbed through the skin as well as through the respiratory tract and trigger an immune reaction in allergy sufferers. Various physical reactions can occur. These are for example:- Skin redness, itching, swelling
- Headache, exhaustion, nausea
- Dizziness, shortness of breath, asthma
PATCH TEST:
It is not always easy to find the specific fragrance, because fragrances are often grouped together and listed as fragrance or perfume in the list of ingredients . A patch test can often be informative and shed light on the matter. This test is performed by the dermatologist. Here, 26 of the most common fragrances are tested on the skin. Please ensure that this test is performed under medical supervision so that any severe reactions can be treated in a timely manner.
Contact allergies are almost impossible to cure, so for many sufferers there is only one solution and that is to avoid the "culprits". Hair care products can also be enriched with fragrances. Some manufacturers are aware of this problem and have made their products with natural fragrances or even completely dispensed with fragrances. If you are affected and have an allergic reaction to artificial fragrances, or if the smell is simply too intense for you and you want to do without it, then we have put together a list of our fragrance-free products for you here.
This is non-binding information, if you have skin problems, please contact a dermatologist. If you have explicit questions about our products, please feel free to contact us.
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