Do you know if adding this sweetener will affect to colouring results? I was wondering it might if you are changing ph levels?
And no you have any advise what might help itchiness if you are not dyeing your hair with commercial hair colours? I've a very itchy scalp, that is better when I started to use my own shampoo bars and stopped dyeing my hair, but it is still itchy.
Jenn in GR said…
Interesting article! Sweet and Low? That's cray-cray. How about if one has itchy scalp, but does not use permanent color, or only uses semi-permanent color a couple of times a year? Im asking for a friend.... ;)
I use Sweet and Lo in haircoloring. Even though there is really no substantial proof, but people say it acts like and anti-histamine. I add anywhere from 2 to 6 packets depending on the haircoloring and this could be any type from permanent to demi-permanent. I also have to say, with permanent and demi permanent haircolor, itchiness will occur because of the peroxide burns on the scalp. If you ever got haircoloring peroxide on your fingers, the burn is slight but annoying; I always sprayed vinegar to neutralize the burn.
Hi Signe - As far as I understand, adding the sweeteners does not affect the quality of the colouring.
As for battling itchiness on the scalp - Do you make your own products? If so, you might try a combination of these ingredients: lavender, panthenol, aloe vera, peppermint (in small amounts, peppermint can be quite soothing).
Best of luck with it - and do let me know how it goes!
Hi Jenn in GR - Yup, it is definitely something that had me wondering about as well. Again - there are no studies on this, but there does seem to be a consensus that it works.
I believe the sweet and low is equally soothing in semi permanent colours as well -Check Olivia's comment below where it looks like she has added this to semi permanent colouring as well
Hi Olivia - Wow - you've really had this issue up close and personal - this is some interesting input. I'm curious as to the vinegar spray - does this affect the hair colouring in any way?
Hi, Lise! I actually don't use much more than my home-made shampoo bar and vinegar rinse anymore, and sometimes I dye with henna. But I'll try those in some form - in shampoo bars it will take long time before I can test them, but I'll try.
Adding artificial sweetener such as sweet and low has not helped me in the least. If you are allergic to permanent hair dye that has PPD in it nothing is going to help except stop using the dye....so very sad
Just dyed my hair 3 days ago and used sweet n low (3pkts) and amazing no itch, but, of course the minute you mentioned this I itched not as much as before, it really works...
FYI...I know someone that puts 2 packets of sweet and low in her shampoo, mix well. And her hair is thickening up. The lady's in my family is going to try this immediately
I've suffered from a severe PPD allergy for years. My hairdresser tried doing foil lowlights, but even the tiny bit of dye touching my scalp with foils made me break out in a horrible, itchy, welty massive reaction. A tiny drop of dye in my inner elbow (patch test) would cause a one-inch swollen, crusty welt that lasted a week. So I decided to go blonde because highlights and toner don't affect my skin at all, and I refuse to go grey. My hairdresser just heard about the Sweet and Low trick and tried it on me yesterday. I had her add lowlights back in (I really don't want to be blonde), and dang! No reaction. So I'm going to have her gradually try a bit more each time with Sweet and Low until I'm back to my normal color. This is amazing!
Have anyone tried any other sweetener or something like a soda or citrus?? Soda has a lot of sweetener and has low pH. Please write if anyone has tried.
In case this may help those who suffer in the same way. I suffered from a very itchy scalp for years. It was all the time with no relief. I eventually discovered, after starting to make all my own cosmetics including shampoo and conditioner, that it was down to the pH of the product. I now have an itch-free scalp for the first time in years due to making my own hair products with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. I add citric acid at the end and check with my pH meter. I'm guessing one could add citric acid to bought products to lower the pH but don't quote me!
Hey guys, it really works! I am a hair colorist and I actually mix seeet in low on bleach, to be applied on scalp and it really helps with the echo g and burning and it doesn't alter the outcome of the color :)
Anonymous said…
Hey! Im in Canada and Sugar twin works! I could never leave hair dye in for as long as it should have been, due to burning and itching. I was so scared it was damaging my scalp. I added sugar twin (thanks internet)and voila! No more burning. I added 2 packets and was told that up to 3 will not cause a change in color. Happy coloring.
Hey there Anon - that's great! Thanks for sharing this :)
Noelle Hirst said…
My hairdresser uses one packet of sweet and low in my hair color and it really cuts down on my itchy scalp. It truly works and it does not affect the final result at all.
I can't find Sweet n Low in my country but cream of tartar is available. Do you think it'll will work just as well and how much should I add in? I hope you have some good news for me as I'm at my scalp itch is getting worse every time I touch up my roots
Hi Anon — saccharin, dextrose and cream of tartare are the main ingredients. If you can source some saccharin and dextrose you could do your own mix and give it a try. Alternatively— if you are looking to relieve itchy scalp after having dyed your hair you might find some relief from the rhassoul hair mask listed on the How To page on this blog. Best of luck with it!
Anonymous said…
I am very allergic to hair dye. Unfortunately, sweet and low doesn't work for me. My scalp still was very red and itchy. I had to forgo the hair dye. The itch was too severe.
Hi Alexandra - I’m pretty sure it is the exact composition of Sweet and Low that makes the magic. That said, you might give an alternative product a try and see how it goes. Best of luck!
My hairstylist has used Sweet and Low in my color for years. Approximately 8 packets. The color always looks wonderful.Recently I have been experiencing large amounts of hair loss. We really cant figure this out. It's not breakage. Does anyone know if they have changed their formulation or if hair loss has been noted as a side effect?
Hello KS - Oh dear! This sounds like a very big problem. I do not know if they have changed their formula, but my first thought is to visit a doctor to be sure the hair loss isn't related to anything else. Wishing you the best of luck.
Kathy W. said…
My hair stylist starting using sweet & low in my color as my scalp would get extremely itch during the process. It has worked wonderfully for me. After coloring my scalp would be very itchy. I mentioned it to her and she knew of adding the sweetener. It is so nice to get a color and not have an itchy scalp. It also did not affect the color or my hair or how long it lasted befor the next visit. Give it a try and you’ll be happy you did 😊
Hey there Unknown - if you are experiencing a burning sensation then I think it might be a more serious reaction to the hair colorants. I can only advise visiting your doctor (and I would stop using the product right away). Best of luck with it!
Anonymous said…
I developed a hair dye allergy about 9 years ago. I used to cringe when I had to dye my hair, until the point I could no longer dye it anymore. That was until a friend of mine who is a hairdresser mentioned sweet and low. Since that moment I have never had an issue with hair dye. I do have to say goldwell seems to pose a lesser reaction as well.
Lata Balani said…
Hi, I have been adding sugar free to my hair dye past 18 months. It has really worked on my hair well and doesn't effect the colour at all. But recently I have again developed allergy itching and irritation in my scalpe after few hours. So I am wondering what to do now? Any suggestions please let me know.
Hello Lata Thanks for your comment. Without knowing more about your hair type and scalp condition, and hair dying process it is difficult to suggest anything. My initial thought is to take a break form dying and perhaps try a soothing clay hair mask using rhassoul clay. If you search the blog here there is a how to. Best of luck!
Hello Ladies, my colorist used cream of tartar on my hair last time and it was terrific....even better than the 3 packs of pink sweetener. No itch at all. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Hi Greatful -- that's a great question. I wish I could answer but I don't know.
Anonymous said…
Hello Everyone!
When I finished cosmetology school in 1997, I apprenticed at a high-end salon that used sweet n' low while bleaching.
Also, my neighbor was a hairdresser who bleached my hair when I was 14 (circa 1994) and she also used S&L on my scalp!
I wonder how long this has been a "thing?"
My hair pulls a lot of red and 30 volume is not strong enough-so I have to use 40 volume with bleach to get my hair perfectly platinum without a toner.
I am currently in school for hair . And today I was dying a clients hair and she requested that I put sweetener (sweet n low) in the dye before putting it on her scalp . I was taken back by this , as I’ve never heard of this trick ever . I asked my teacher and she said it’s common for people with sensitive itchy scalps to do this .
It worked like a charm , clients scalp was not red and irritated from the hair dye ( she said it usually was when dying hair ), it caused no color change in the dye and process time was normal .
Hi! Do you know if the pink Equal packet has the same amount of ingredients as Sweet n Low? I have the pink Equal which is the saccharin one like Sweet n Low. I wonder if the pink Equal will be as effective as Sweet n Low?
Hi Anon. I wish I could answer you but i don’t live in the USA, and i believe these are American products.
Anonymous said…
Hi ! Just found your article. Recently, my hairdresser used this method, but I noticed the solution she made was very lumpy. It wasn’t mixed well or dissolved. Does it have to be dissolved to be effective? Thank you.
Comments
And no you have any advise what might help itchiness if you are not dyeing your hair with commercial hair colours? I've a very itchy scalp, that is better when I started to use my own shampoo bars and stopped dyeing my hair, but it is still itchy.
As for battling itchiness on the scalp - Do you make your own products? If so, you might try a combination of these ingredients: lavender, panthenol, aloe vera, peppermint (in small amounts, peppermint can be quite soothing).
Best of luck with it - and do let me know how it goes!
I believe the sweet and low is equally soothing in semi permanent colours as well -Check Olivia's comment below where it looks like she has added this to semi permanent colouring as well
Happy coloring.
worked and the color is the same. I can't tell you how great it is.
I have been adding sugar free to my hair dye
past 18 months.
It has really worked on my hair well
and doesn't effect the colour at all.
But recently I have again developed allergy
itching and irritation in my scalpe after
few hours.
So I am wondering what to do now?
Any suggestions please let me know.
When I finished cosmetology school in 1997, I apprenticed at a high-end salon that used sweet n' low while bleaching.
Also, my neighbor was a hairdresser who bleached my hair when I was 14 (circa 1994) and she also used S&L on my scalp!
I wonder how long this has been a "thing?"
My hair pulls a lot of red and 30 volume is not strong enough-so I have to use 40 volume with bleach to get my hair perfectly platinum without a toner.
I cannot tolerate the smell of ammonia!!!!!!!
I am currently in school for hair . And today I was dying a clients hair and she requested that I put sweetener (sweet n low) in the dye before putting it on her scalp . I was taken back by this , as I’ve never heard of this trick ever . I asked my teacher and she said it’s common for people with sensitive itchy scalps to do this .
It worked like a charm , clients scalp was not red and irritated from the hair dye ( she said it usually was when dying hair ), it caused no color change in the dye and process time was normal .
So for those who want to try it , I recommend it!
Sincerely,
J from Canada 🇨🇦
Do you know if the pink Equal packet has the same amount of ingredients as Sweet n Low? I have the pink Equal which is the saccharin one
like Sweet n Low. I wonder if the pink Equal will be as effective as Sweet n Low?