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Original poster

Worried about dyeing my hair 🙄

18 replies

Underactor · 07/04/2019 17:04

FYI I have health anxiety. Generally it's under control and I'm in a really good place but for some reason my 'current' worry is allergic reactions.

I worry about having an anaphylactic shock. I worry a little bit about food but it doesn't really affect me much in every day life.

I do worry though, about dyeing my hair. I guess it's because I read a few articles about how serious hair dye allergies can be a few years ago. Since then I've worried about it. But never really needed to do anything about it as I didn't need or want to dye my hair.

However I now want to. I have some greys that I want to cover. I want also to tackle this anxiety.

Logically I used to dye my hair in the past with no problems but haven't done for about 10/12 years. I have done the patch test 3 times, and had no reaction. It stung a little but no apparent reaction.

I think I just need to do it, but I'm just stupidly worried about it. I just think, well it's not worth the risk, I might die. But then that could happen with anything else in life in general really, and I guess in terms of risk it's actually quite a low risk activity!

Anyway, talk sense to me. Tell me you've all been dyeing your hair fine for years 😁 I want to do it!

OP posts:
Palominoo · 07/04/2019 17:10

Do a patch test behind your ear.

DrinkSangriaInThePark · 07/04/2019 17:11

Of course everyone dyes their hair with no reactions... But you know that.
This is an irrational fear related to your anxiety and the only way to defeat it is to take it head on. Just dye your hair. And then when you see nothing happens (except lovely hair) you'll keep doing it. Happy days.

Palominoo · 07/04/2019 17:11

I've had my hair coloured using wash out, semi permanent, permanent dyes since I was 13 and am now 53.

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gamerchick · 07/04/2019 17:12

If you've done the patch test 3 times then you're not allergic. Did you do it behind your ear?

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 07/04/2019 17:14

Do it. The only way to get over fear (especially irrational ones) is to face it head on. You can do it! And post pictures here afterwards Smile Don’t let this dictate your life.

Original poster
Underactor · 07/04/2019 17:15

Yep! I did the patch test three times in my elbow and once behind my ear. It stung a little but no reaction other than that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Underactor · 07/04/2019 17:16

hubblebubble you are so right. Its not even so much that I want to dye my hair, it's that I've come so far with my health anxiety that this feels like the last hurdle!

OP posts:
Original poster
Underactor · 07/04/2019 18:08

A hopeful bump whilst I get the courage to do.it!

OP posts:
porolli · 07/04/2019 18:09

I totally understand as I feel the same!

Silversky70 · 07/04/2019 18:11

I'm the same with the anxiety about reactions, including hair dye. I'm still doing it and still worrying about it. I do want to have nice hair!

Ronia · 07/04/2019 18:15

Have you ever suffered from anaphylactic shock? I did when I was 17 (42 now) and after that I used to suffer from food related anxiety. I moved on from it but when I first went to dye my hair it resurfaced. Whenever I change due brands I wobble again.

I had treatment for my panic attacks relating to food a long time ago and the HCP I saw talked about finding my level of 'acceptable risk' and understanding what was reasonable.
I totally understand how you feel but you can do this. Smile

Original poster
Underactor · 07/04/2019 18:21

No, I've never had any sort of allergic reaction to anything other than slight skin sensitivity to washing powders and a history of eczema. But as far as I know the eczema is not allergy related, and it's more just dry skin now I'm older. Easily kept at Bay by Aveeno or a mild steriod if it flares up.

OP posts:
Aimily · 07/04/2019 19:06

OP have you considered housings a company like overtone?

overtone.co

Rather than a traditional dye they are a leave in toning conditioner, predominantly bright nontraditional colours, but I believe they have started/will be soon branching into other colours if their sm is to be believed.

Original poster
Underactor · 07/04/2019 19:35

They look really nice! At the mo though I want a natural light brown colour, not anything too fancy.

Well it's on!! I did it. Even if I freak out and wash it off before 25 mins is up, I feel like I've made good progress with the anxiety! Two years ago I bought a bottle and never used it. Eventually I bought a new one and progressed to being brave enough to patch test. Today I've got the dye on my hair!! Let's see how it goes now.

OP posts:
Ronia · 08/04/2019 16:43

How did it go? Proud of you for doing it! It's not easy.

Original poster
Underactor · 08/04/2019 17:53

I did it! I'm really pleased with myself. A small thing but huge for me.

I no longer have any grey hairs either!!! It's totally the wrong colour, not a dark enough brown and a bit too red but I still love it. And now I can just touch up the roots as and when I need to.

OP posts:
Ronia · 08/04/2019 22:06

Congratulations. Well done

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 09/04/2019 13:37

Well done! What a great step Smile Anxiety is such a bastard!

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