NORTH EAST BLONDES WARNED AGAINST HITTING THE BOTTLE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 1st Jun 2008

'Bottle Blondes' from the North East are to be given extra protection from dangerous hair dyes that could produce painful skin allergies.

The European Commission says that it is taking scientific advice about plans to restrict the substances permitted in hair dyes sold anywhere in Europe.

Reports in the British Medical Journal earlier this year found that rates of allergy to hair dye have jumped in the UK as more people particularly the young, colour their hair.

Allergic reactions can lead to facial dermatitis and in severe

cases cause the face and eyelids to swell painfully.

In a report last month the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) claimed that many substances in hair dyes have the potential to sensitise skin. Once a person has been sensitised to a hair dye ingredient then they may go on to develop a skin allergy.

North East MEP Fiona Hall has welcomed this announcement and hopes it will allow people to colour their hair safely.

She said: "If the majority of women, as well as many men, are now hitting the bottle to change their appearance we need to ensure that the products they are using will cause no harm."

Hair dye manufacturers are already required by EU labelling requirements to place warnings about potential allergenic reactions on packaging, but they do not have to say how great the risk might be.

Millions of women and men regularly dye their hair and the market for the products is said to be worth around £175 million.