Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not do a patch test before dying my hair?

91 replies

pisspants · 26/01/2020 09:23

just that. Have bought a different brand to my usual. Have never bothered before. Its saying to do it then check in 48 hours but I want to do it today as not got a lot going on. How risky is it to not do the test? Do most people honestly do it or are the manufacturers just covering their areas? would love to know, will leave mn to.decide for me....

OP posts:
duvetaddict · 26/01/2020 10:08

I always do a patch test, even if I've used the dye before. I've had a couple of reactions from the patch test, but always straight away.

Sidge · 26/01/2020 10:10

I’m a nurse. I saw a woman on Friday who luckily had done a patch test as she was using a different hair colour to her usual one.

She has chemical burns on her arm where she patch tested a tiny bit. It’ll need dressing for a few weeks I think.

Please do a patch test.

Original poster
pisspants · 26/01/2020 10:10

right, thanks ladies. Have kist applied a small amount of the colour cream to the inside of my elbow! I won't leave it 48 hours but will do my hair this evening if there's no reaction- half way house precaution
thank you for giving me the kick! Am naturally a bit of a risk taker but need to fight that as am a lone parent and dont want to make them orphans because of hair dye

OP posts:
WanderingMilly · 26/01/2020 10:11

I never do patch tests and do use a variety of brands. However, I don't react to anything (don't have hayfever, asthma or anything like that), nor do I have sensitive skin (no itches, eczma or anything like that) and only use regular, supermarket brands. Nor do I use anything with lots of henna in it. Given those things are OK, no need. Otherwise, yes.

Fishcakey · 26/01/2020 10:13

Never patch tested in my life and my hairdresser has never bothered either. The only person who ever has was the beautician who used to tint my eyelashes and eyebrows

ReviewingTheSituation · 26/01/2020 10:14

@PrinkingPreening - they don't make you hang around and wait for a reaction! They just dab a bit behind your ear and tell you to leave it as long as possible before washing. I've never been to a 'posh' salon - just standard high street places (I've followed the same stylist round for well over 10 yrs now, but she's been at 5 places in that time, all of which make you have a test). I would be wary of a salon which would put strong chemicals on your head with no test.

MsMarvel · 26/01/2020 10:14

Wanted to add that ive also had my hair dyed at various salons amd always always needed to do a patch test before my first dye at a new salon. Takes seconds, at the most recent one i popped in when i was working nearby, they popped a bit of dye behind my ear and sent me on my way. I imagine for insurance purposes they would need to?

Would be very very distrustful of a salon that didnt need to do a patch test and would probably cancel the appointment dur to professionalism doubts.

PegasusReturns · 26/01/2020 10:15

All hair salons I know insist on a patch test.

Straycatstrut · 26/01/2020 10:17

I don't but I should. Same could be said for so many things in my life!

Queenoftheashes · 26/01/2020 10:19

On your head be it 😉

Charley50 · 26/01/2020 10:20

I never do a patch test. I would if I'd used black henna etc in the past though.

Ikora · 26/01/2020 10:25

I became allergic to hair dye in my forties and had been using it with no problem till then. My doctor said that the menopause and hormonal changes was certainly a reason people can have this change.

CallofDoodee · 26/01/2020 10:25

I have never patched tested at home, and when I had dark hair I had to cover my greys every 4 weeks on the dot since the age of about 21.

However, whenever I have had lash extensions, brow tint, or the few times I have had colour done at a salon, they have always patch tested. I would be wary of going somewhere where they didn't to be honest.

TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup · 26/01/2020 10:27

Hairdresser's who don't patch test will be invalidating their public liability insurance if a client was to take a reaction at their appointment. You don't have to go exactly 24/48 hours before your appointment. I got my patch test done after I'd had my usual bleach and cut (I go every 3-4 weeks) then was fine to get colour done the next time I went in.

You mix up a little bit of the colour and peroxide. Don't mix the whole lot together cos it expands in the bottle and the peroxide breaks down. I left a quarter full bottle by mistake once and ended up with a large puddle of foamy colour all over the bathroom shelf.

TheCakeCrusader · 26/01/2020 10:32

Not doing a patch test is like Russian roulette! You might be one of the fortunate ones who won’t react in anyway but in my experience (hairdressing/ colouring)- anyone potentially can have a reaction! At college, we all had to do a skin test as part of our course- out of 10 students tested, 2 students had a reaction- one reacted in the tested area with visible, swollen skin within minutes. The other student reacted some time later during the 48hr with minor swelling.

In the college salon there was a strict no colour policy unless there had been a prior negative skin test for 48 hrs.

StCharlotte · 26/01/2020 10:40

I used the same box dye for years. Suddenly developed a reaction to it. Haven't dyed my hair since but I had no hesitation in getting a patch test for eyelash glue recently.

JojoLapin · 26/01/2020 10:40

It is not an ass covering exercise. Saying “I’ve been colouring my for years. I don’t need to do to” is stupid. This is not how it works. People’s sensitivity to PPD increases the more they are exposed to it -with potentially dreadful consequences.

Do it. Systematically. It is simple and takes no time at all.

adaline · 26/01/2020 10:42

In the college salon there was a strict no colour policy unless there had been a prior negative skin test for 48 hrs.

I've never been patch-tested at the hairdressers. I've had plenty of dyes/highlights/treatments at a variety of salons and never once have I been asked to do a patch test.

Mummymummums · 26/01/2020 10:44

Better to do one and leave it as long as you can, even if only a few hours, than not at all. Most reactions would happen within that time I think, though not all I guess.

Mummymummums · 26/01/2020 10:46

Adaline - that's really bad of them! All salons I've been to in the last 10 years have insisted on it, even my mobile hairdresser.

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 26/01/2020 10:50

For what is a minor inconvenience, why not just do the test? You'll probably be ok but why take a chance?

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 10:51

I always do one. I've started reacting on the inner elbow so use behind the ear to check. There will come a point I'll have to stop using the dye I use.

If you don't want to risk interrupting your busy plans then do a test.

to not do a patch test before dying my hair?
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 26/01/2020 10:52

I don’t really understand this and wonder whether there are any passing immunologists who can help.

I’ve always been under the impression that the first time of exposure to an allergen causes sensitisation (in some people, not all of course) and it’s the second or third exposure that causes an allergic reaction or, in the worst case, anaphylaxis. So a patch test could be the thing that causes sensitisation, and you’re fine, but then react to the full head treatment?

This could be monumental bollocks so please don’t take it as any kind of advice.

EvaHarknessRose · 26/01/2020 10:52

My hairdresser makes me pop in for a patch test if the product formulation has changed since they last did my hair.

gamerchick · 26/01/2020 10:53

I'm loving all the people pooh poohing it, like it's nonsense. Seriously man HmmGrin