Michigan Cosmetology Licensing Practice Exam

The symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction to a hair product typically include redness and itching. This occurs as the body's immune system reacts to a substance in the product that it mistakenly identifies as harmful. When this reaction happens on the skin, it can manifest as inflammation, which leads to redness, swelling, and itchiness. These symptoms are common indicators of a contact dermatitis or sensitivity to ingredients found in hair care products, such as dyes, fragrances, or preservatives.

Other symptoms, while they may indicate various other conditions or effects related to hair products and usage, do not specifically point to an allergic reaction. For example, nausea and dizziness may suggest a systemic reaction affecting the body as a whole or could be related to something entirely different like anxiety or an environmental factor. Dryness and brittleness typically reflect the damage caused to hair due to lack of moisture, over-processing, or inappropriate product use, rather than an allergy. Similarly, hair loss and breakage can stem from a variety of factors, including mechanical damage, heat styling, or chemical treatments, rather than indicating an allergic response. Thus, redness and itching are the direct symptomatology of an allergic reaction to a hair product.