Sono allergica alla tintura.

I'm allergic to hair dye.

Pronunciation

Stress 'al-LER-gi-ca'. 'Tintura' = tin-TOO-ra.

When to use it

Always communicate allergies to your hairdresser before any chemical treatment. Italian salons are legally required to perform a patch test before applying colour to new clients.

What it means

'Allergica' is the feminine form of 'allergico'. 'Tintura' = hair dye/colouring agent. A 'patch test' ('test cutaneo' or simply 'patch test' in Italian salons) should always be done 48 hours in advance. This is mandatory under EU cosmetics regulations.

Variations

Sono allergico alla ammoniaca.

I'm allergic to ammonia.

Masculine form, specifying ammonia.

Ho avuto una reazione la volta scorsa.

I had a reaction last time.

Reporting a previous reaction.

Potete usare una tinta senza ammoniaca?

Can you use an ammonia-free dye?

Requesting a specific product.

Mini Dialogue

— Prima di applicare il colore, devo dirvi che sono allergica alla tintura. — Grazie di avermelo detto. Ha mai fatto un patch test? — No, mai. — Allora è obbligatorio aspettare 48 ore. Possiamo fissarla per dopodomani.

— Before applying the colour, I need to tell you I'm allergic to hair dye. — Thank you for telling me. Have you ever done a patch test? — No, never. — Then it's mandatory to wait 48 hours. We can book you for the day after tomorrow.

Cultural Note

Under EU Regulation 1223/2009 on cosmetics, Italian salons are legally required to inform clients about the mandatory 48-hour patch test before applying permanent or semi-permanent hair colour. Italy strictly enforces these EU cosmetic safety standards, and non-compliant salons can face fines.

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