Fix it

Itchy Scalp, Headache or Rash After Indigo? Allergy vs Irritation, and What to Do

Rinse your scalp thoroughly with plenty of water: residue and paste that dried tight can make it itch, and a thorough rinse removes both. Strong or worsening itching, a rash, swelling, blisters or burning can be a reaction, so rinse the paste off and stop using indigo.

By Imran N. 4 min read

The short answer: rinse your scalp thoroughly with plenty of water, making sure no paste or grit is left. Residue and paste that dried tight can make the scalp itch, and a thorough rinse removes both. If the itching is strong or getting worse, or you see a rash, swelling, blisters or burning, rinse the paste off and stop using indigo: that can be a reaction.

Why is my scalp itchy after indigo?

Several things can make the scalp itch after coloring:

  • Sensitivity or allergy to indigo. Natural doesn't mean reaction-free.
  • Residue. Fine plant particles left on the scalp after a quick rinse.
  • A paste that dried tight. Paste that wasn't covered can dry hard and pull on the scalp.
  • Too much salt. Indigo needs only a pinch; more can leave the scalp feeling dry.
  • Something else in the mix. Lemon, essential oils or another powder each carry their own chance of irritation.
  • An irritated scalp to start with. Coloring over a scalp that was already sore or scratched makes itching more likely.

Can indigo powder cause an allergy?

Yes. Allergy to natural indigo has been reported, as with any hair color, which is why you patch test 24–48 hours before first use, with the exact mix you plan to use. An allergy usually looks different from simple dryness: redness that stays or spreads, intense itching, swelling, blisters, hive-like bumps or a rash that spreads beyond where the paste was. For other side effects, such as dryness and tangling, see indigo powder side effects.

Blue-green color on the skin at your hairline, ears or neck usually comes from fresh paste. If the skin under it is comfortable, it's most likely staining, and it fades with washing.

Why do I get a headache after applying indigo?

A headache during or after coloring can have several causes: a long session, a tight wrap or towel, a strong plant smell in a closed room, heat, not drinking enough water, another ingredient in the mix, or an unrelated headache that happens to start at the same time. If it comes with itching, swelling or a rash, it may be a reaction: rinse and stop. If you feel unwell, loosen or remove the wrap, rinse the paste out and move somewhere with fresh air. Don't keep the paste on to push through.

Next time, keep the wrap comfortable, open a window, have water nearby, and prepare everything before you mix so the session is shorter. If headaches come back every time you color, stop coloring rather than experimenting at home.

What to do now, step by step

  1. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of lukewarm water, section by section, until no grit is left on the scalp.
  2. Don't scratch. Scratching can break the skin and make it sorer.
  3. Leave the scalp alone for 24 hours. No shampoo or oil in that time; a light conditioner on the lengths is fine.
  4. Watch how it changes. Itching that fades once the scalp is clean can be residue or dryness. Itching that grows, spreads or comes with swelling or blisters means stop using indigo.

If a reaction doesn't settle, see a doctor or pharmacist; if your face, lips or eyes swell, or you have trouble breathing, call 911.

How to stop it happening next time

  • Patch test 24–48 hours before first use, and again whenever you change the mix. Don't go ahead if the skin burns, swells, blisters or turns red, or if it itches and the itch doesn't settle.
  • Keep the mix simple: indigo, warm water and a pinch of salt. Oils, lemon and other powders don't go into the indigo; the only thing combined with it is henna, or the henna and Amla paste in the soft black recipe, at the set ratios.
  • Keep the paste moist under a shower cap or damp towel, and stay within 1–2 hours.
  • Rinse patiently in sections until the water runs clear.
  • Wait for a comfortable scalp. Don't color over a cut, broken or irritated scalp.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get rid of a headache after applying indigo powder?

Loosen or remove the wrap, rinse the paste out, and get some fresh air and water. If you feel unwell, don't keep coloring, and if headaches happen every time you color, stop coloring until you know why.

Is itching after indigo normal?

Itching can come from residue or a paste that dried tight, and a thorough rinse removes both. It can also be a reaction: strong, spreading or worsening itching isn't something to wait out, so stop using indigo.

Is indigo dye toxic to humans?

Indigo powder for hair is a leaf powder for external use: don't swallow it, keep it out of your eyes, and patch test first, because like any hair color it can cause a reaction in some people. See is indigo powder safe?

Can I apply indigo the same day after henna?

Yes. In the two-step method, indigo goes on once the henna is rinsed out and your hair is dry or damp. See indigo for jet black hair.

Can we apply oil after indigo powder?

Wait 24 hours. The color keeps settling after rinsing, and oil can coat the hair during that time. See how to use indigo powder.

Related reading

Guides Is There a Chemical-Free Hair Dye? What Henna and Indigo Really Are No hair dye is truly "chemical-free", since everything is made of chemicals. Henna and indigo are plant lea... Guides What Can You Mix With Henna? Amla, Aloe Vera Powder, Indigo, Oils, Lemon and Coffee Henna only needs warm water or warm strained tea. Indigo turns it brown, Amla (5–20% of the dry mix) can mu... How-to The Soft Black Recipe: How to Use Henna, Amla and Indigo Together Soft black is the two-step black method with Amla in the henna: 5–20% Amla in the dry henna, rested togethe... How-to How to Dye a Beard Black with Indigo and Henna Color a beard black in two steps with shorter times: rested henna for 60–90 minutes, then fresh indigo mixe... Myths Can Gray Hair Turn Black Again? What Amla, Bhringraj, Henna and Indigo Really Do No. Once a hair has grown gray, no herb, oil or powder puts its pigment back, and Amla and Bhringraj don't ... Myths Is Indigo Powder Safe? What's in It, PPD, Toxicity and How to Spot Fake Indigo Pure indigo powder is one plant ingredient, dried indigo leaf, with no PPD. It's for external use on hair o...