Dyeing hair - do you always do the patch test?

[DisappointedHorse]

Because I never do. I know I should and one day I may well be sorry, especially as I use dark colours which are worse for causing a reaction.

I'm sitting here now with the dye on and just wondered.

[CheckpointCharlie]

Ooh have just washed mine off! I usually do but I didn't today

[MichonnesSamuraiSword]

I never have, but I never suffer from allergies of any kind.

Booked myself in for a dye job at the hairdressers next week and she asked me to come in beforehand for a patch test. I can't make it any other day, so she asked whether I would sign a disclaimer stating I hadn't had the test.

I'm blase me... if I get a reaction it will be the first ever, and I won't blame anyone but myself!

Depends if you're using a different brand or something OP?

[Cocolepew]

Never, I've been dying my hair since I was 14 and Im 45 now. I think I might have to start, I have been diagnosed with Lupus and Im allergic to loads of random stuff lately.

[FunkyBoldRibena]

I've been dying my hair for over 30 years too, and I do have allergies [had 10 years highly allergic to dairy, OJ and other things] and horrendous hayfever etc...the only time I have ever done the patch test was when I had it dyed at the hairdresser. Never when I've done it myself.

[OneLittleLady]

I do because we have a history of serious allergies in the family. I have quite a few allergies myself so I'd rather be safe than sorry

[hedgehogy]

I do. I had a horrendous reaction to a medicated face cream once (my entire face swelled up so much that I couldn't open my eyes; I've never been allergic to anything else) so I'm not risking it with hair dye.

[NightLark]

I never did. Had been dying since 'shaders and toners' at the age of 13.

Then there was the day that I felt the horrible burning sensation all over my head once the dye had been on for a few minutes. And dived into the shower and rinsed it off as fast as I could. Burn burn burn

No long term effects but my hair was a patchy bleached out ginger till I got it fixed, DH still laughs about it given a chance and I am now officially allergic to hairdye. And now I'm going grey

[DaleyBump]

I do. I know a man who nearly died dying his hair without doing the patch test and wouldn't want to take the risk, however small.

[notapizzaeater]

My mum never had till she had a reaction last ear and 3 weeks of strong antihistamines - she's now gone grey

[aylesburyduck]

I've never done a patch test. To be honest I tend to dye on a whim.

Very naughty and I know that I should do it but like pp I've been colouring my hair for a billion years

[DisappointedHorse]

It is a different brand but one I have used before.

I've also been dyeing my hair years, another shaders and toners graduate! I first went Rich Mahogany at 12, my DM was scandalised when I emerged from the bathroom with it

I intend to do it every time but I also tend to dye on a whim.

[goodasitgets]

Always. My friend had a massive reaction to one at a (v well known) hairdressers. I do two now, within the 48hrs. She's developed huge allergies to stuff including newspaper print and will be on medication forever

[SwedishEdith]

I've never done one. I thought the patch test just gave you initial exposure to whatever you might be allergic to and you'd only then get a reaction when you actually dyed your hair? That's not why I've never done one, btw.

Whatever happened to Sali Hughes in the Guardian? She wrote an article about becoming allergic to hair dye but she's clearly still dyeing her hair

[MrsMaryCooper]

I never do one and I've been dyeing my hair for (gulp) 27 years.

[goodasitgets]

That's why there should be two done, one initial exposure, second for reaction

[JohnCusacksWife]

I do...I'm a wuss.......